Results of a survey to assess knowledge and expectations of veterinarians and their clients regarding heartworm preventives and vaccinations in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the knowledge and expectations of veterinarians and clients regarding heartworm preventives and annual vaccinations for dogs.


METHODS
Practitioner and client survey.


METHODS
435 veterinarians and 1,805 clients.


METHODS
A survey was mailed to veterinarians requesting information from them and their dog-owning clients on expectations and knowledge regarding heartworm preventives and annual vaccinations. Responses of veterinarians were compared with those of clients, and both were compared with label indications.


RESULTS
Expectations of veterinarians and clients regarding heartworm preventives were similar and usually were consistent with regulatory interpretation of label terms. Of clients purchasing heartworm preventives, 38% did not know that the medication was effective against intestinal nematodes. Veterinarians and clients would be unsatisfied with a product that reduced, but did not eliminate, all intestinal nematodes. Most clients knew that annual vaccinations included distemper virus, parvovirus, and rabies virus, but about half of them did not know that other antigens were in the vaccines.


CONCLUSIONS
Effects of heartworm preventives and diseases for which dogs are annually vaccinated should be explained fully to clients.
New
J C
JC
Department of Comparative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071, USA.
Reinemeyer
C R
CR
Burr
J H
JH
Kelch
W J
WJ
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000871:Anthelmintics