Zoonoses and pet owners: A survey on risk perception in Northern Italy.

Veterinary and human medicine are focused on the issue of emerging and re-emerging diseases, which are especially represented by zoonosis that could be a threat for public health. Zoonotic risk may come from pets: some canine and/or feline viral, bacterial, parasitic, protozoal or mycotic diseases can be transmitted directly to humans. There are several strategies to prevent the transmission of such zoonosis, and among them vaccination plays an important role. Through a survey carried out in Northern Italy aimed to collect information regarding owners' knowledge and perception of the zoonotic risks associated with three zoonoses (rabies, leptospirosis, and dermatophytosis), it was demonstrated that dog owners tend to adhere more consistently to their pets' vaccination schedules and are more receptive to changes in vaccination scheduling compared to cat owners. This study also suggests that cat owners predominantly visit veterinarians for vaccination purposes, whereas dog owners seek veterinary services for a variety of reasons. The survey highlighted the ongoing need to enhance owners' understanding of zoonoses affecting their pets and also the protective role of vaccines. Veterinarians should undertake the responsibility of educating, reassuring, and informing pet owners about the significance of vaccines for their pets and for public health.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We have no financial or personal relationships with individuals or organizations that could inappropriately influence my work or the interpretation of the research presented in the manuscript. Additionally, we have no competing interests, including but not limited to employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership, equity interests, or patent-licensing arrangements, that could be perceived as having influenced the conduct or reporting of the research described in the manuscript. Furthermore, I confirm that we have provided full disclosure of any relationships or circumstances that could be construed as constituting a potential conflict of interest, as required by the policies and guidelines of Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
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