Percepção dos tutores de cães sobre a Leishmaniose Visceral Canina em São João do Piauí

Abstract

Canine visceral leishmaniasis, known as kala-azar, is a vector zoonosis that occurs mainly in poor areas. Its etiological agent is a protozoan of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae). Information about the transmission and treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis is an important tool for the population to be aware of the disease and know how to use means to protect themselves and prevent their animals from getting sick. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze the perception of dog owners in the Centro and Alto Santa Fé neighborhoods in São João do Piauí, about canine visceral leishmaniasis, as well as the understanding of the residents of these neighborhoods regarding preventive measures, treatment and transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis. For this, a questionnaire with 18 objective questions about the disease was applied. According to the results obtained, it is concluded that dog tutors in the studied neighborhoods have satisfactory knowledge about basic information about canine visceral leishmaniasis.