Risk Communication on Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance-How Do Exotic Pet Owners Perceive the Communication of Their Veterinarians?

Abstract

Exotic animals traded and kept as pets can transmit a variety of diseases to humans and other animals, and vice versa. Therefore, it is essential for pet owners, particularly vulnerable groups, to be informed about associated risks. Veterinarians play a crucial role in informing pet owners about health risks associated with zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and should, therefore, have good communication skills to effectively transfer information to pet owners. Thus, exotic pet owners in Germany were surveyed on animal husbandry, veterinary consultation and risk communication. To evaluate the perception of communication, a self-developed questionnaire was used to derive a communication score. The perception of veterinarian communication received a high average score showing a high level of satisfaction. The duration of the veterinarian-client relationship was associated with better communication perception, and the frequency of communication on zoonoses and AMR was associated with the presence of a permanent veterinarian. However, the results indicated that the frequency of disseminated information on zoonoses and/or AMR from veterinarians was lower than desired by the pet owners. Therefore, more educational material on zoonoses and AMR should be made available, and the awareness concerning risk communication should be increased by further education and training at universities.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance (AMR); exotic pets; one health; pathogen transmission; risk awareness; risk communication; risk perception; zoonoses.

Figure 1

Presence of risk factors (vulnerable groups) in the household (immunocompromised n = 56, children n = 37, elderly n = 36, pregnant n = 10 of 344) multiple answers were possible.

Figure 2

Presence of risk behaviour (risk-associated feeding practice n = 161 of 327, free access to shared living spaces n = 154 of 333, imported from abroad n = 64 of 326, wild-caught animal n = 12 of 344; multiple answers were possible).

Figure 3

Reasons for not having a permanent veterinarian (no perceived need n = 25, dissatisfaction with the quality of care n = 14, distance from available veterinarians n = 11, lack of specialised veterinary services n = 5, consulting multiple veterinarians n = 5, other reasons n = 2 of 52; multiple answers were possible).

Figure 4

Average communication perception in relation to the duration of veterinary care (under one year: mean = 3.5, n = 5; one to two years: mean = 3.4, n = 7; three to six years: mean = 3.7, n = 16; over six years: mean = 3.7, n = 44; o = outlier, * = extreme value).

Figure 5

Topics for veterinary advice (zoonoses n = 195 of 296, AMR n = 193 of 301, nutrition n = 126, treatment of endoparasites n = 116, behaviour n = 105, animal husbandry n = 103, hygiene measures n = 90, treatment of ectoparasites n = 69, immunisation n = 48, others n = 7 of 344; multiple answers possible).