A survey of Italian cat owners’ attitudes towards cat vaccination through a web-based questionnaire
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2021
Citazione:
A survey of Italian cat owners’ attitudes towards cat vaccination through a web-based questionnaire / J. Filipe, S. Lauzi, L. Pina, P. Dall'Ara. - In: BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH. - ISSN 1746-6148. - 17:1(2021 Aug 09), pp. 267.1-267.15. [10.1186/s12917-021-02981-z]
Abstract:
Background: Vaccination plays an important role in feline healthcare as it is the most effective measure for
prevention against feline infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to know owners’ opinion towards cats’
vaccination and current veterinary practices in order to advice owners on the use of the correct vaccination
protocol. This study aimed to investigate the proportion of cats regularly vaccinated and identify the main factors motivating
cat owners’ decisions related to vaccination in Italy. A questionnaire was disseminated online (mainly via social
networks) to collect data regarding Italian cat owners’ demographics, information about cats, factors regarding cats’
vaccination, and veterinary-owner relationship.
Results: A total of 1264 owners participated in the survey and 1247 questionnaires were completed and statistically
analyzed. The majority (91%; n = 1131) of cats were vaccinated and 80% (n = 998) had been vaccinated within the
last 3 years. Age of 2–4 years old cats and the acquisition from a breeder or cat shop were significantly associated
with vaccination within the last 3 years. Cats vaccinated but not within the last 3 years were significantly associated
with cat’s indoor lifestyle, cats’ age ≥ 5 years old and low annual household income. Importance of vaccination cost,
low annual household income and owners’ job not related to healthcare was statistically associated with the lack of
cat’s vaccination. In addition, 86% of the owners took their cat regularly to veterinary clinics. Veterinarians play a
significant role in owners’ decision, and they are considered the most useful source of information about
vaccination by 97% of owners.
Conclusions: The high number of recently vaccinated cats suggests owner’s attention towards feline vaccination
and cat’s health. The importance of veterinarian’s advice along with the knowledge of factors associated to the
unvaccinated status of cats may help veterinarians to grow owner’s confidence and increase prevention of feline
infectious diseases. However further investigations based on a more comprehensive sample of the general population are needed to
confirm the results of this survey.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Vaccination, Cat, Prevention, Infectious diseases, Questionnaire
Elenco autori:
J. Filipe, S. Lauzi, L. Pina, P. Dall'Ara
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