Administração de medicamentos sem a orientação do médico veterinário em animais de companhia na cidade de Areia- PB.

Abstract

Pet animals have been treated as family members. For this reason they are subject to self-medication, a practice that has become frequent. Many tutors are unaware of the toxic potential that some drugs present if given at the wrong doses. Some drugs, which can intoxicate dogs at certain doses, might also intoxicate cats at lower doses. The objective of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of medication administration cases without the guidance of the veterinarian, in pets, in the city of Areia – PB, Brazil, as well as identify which are the most used drugs and the knowledge of the population about the risks of self-medication and the toxic potential that some drugs present. 46 online questionnaires were applied through Google Forms® software and 8 face-to-face questionnaires with animal tutors, living in the city of Areia – PB, Brazil, from August to September 2019, totaling 54 questionnaires. Of these, 2 were excluded because they did not comply with the research inclusion measures, and thus the analysis was performed based on the responses of the 52 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Although most respondents know the risks of self-medication, accurately report the main consequences of the inappropriate use of drugs and claim to know the toxic potential that some drugs have, a high proportion of these people still performs this practice. The results confirm the need for more clarification to the population and laws in defense of animal health.