Percepção de tutores de cães sobre o controle de carrapatos / Perception of dogs tutors about the tick control

ABSTRACT

Ticks are a group of ectoparasites of extreme importance in animals, especially in dogs. In addition to causing aesthetic problems, they are still capable of transmitting various diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the level of knowledge of dog tutors on tick control in the city of Teresina, Piauí. Fifty tutors were interviewed at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí (HVU/UFPI), through their own questionnaires, applied after acceptance. Most (96%) have already observed ticks in their animals and at home, few of them (20%) knew the life cycle of these ectoparasites, although they know that they can transmit diseases. Many of them have used some carrapaticidal products in their animals, but they do not know how to keep their residence free of ticks. Therefore, it is important to keep dog tutors more informed about tick control in their dogs and in the environment.