Percepção de tutores quanto a contribuição de alimentação e cuidados do manejo preventivo na saúde oral

Abstract

With modernity, guardians began to spend more on their pets, and the search for products that contribute to health and well-being has increased in the last two years. Among the most sought after claims by consumers are "Healthy teeth", "Care with daily oral hygiene", "Reduction of bad breath" and all those involving oral health care. Periodontal disease (PD) affects a large part of the population of dogs and cats from middle age onwards, but many guardians are unaware of oral hygiene care and the consequences of PD. To contribute to the well-being of dogs and cats, this work aimed to: (a) assess the knowledge of dog and cat tutors in Manaus, in the state of Amazonas, and their behavior regarding their oral hygiene and hygiene practices. your pets; (b) develop an e-book and an informative folder to guide them in caring for the oral health of dogs and cats; and (c) develop technical material for veterinarians regarding PD care and procedures. As a first step, an electronic questionnaire was developed containing questions about the oral health of the owner and his animals. The questionnaire was made available via the Google Forms platform and the link was sent to people in the state of Amazonas. A total of 255 people answered the questionnaire, there was a significant participation of people with higher education (60%) and females (74.9%). Most participants have little or very little knowledge (63.5%) of PDs in humans, and 76.8% answered the same when asked about PD in dogs and cats. The veterinarian was considered the main source of information on the subject (43.5%), but 37.6% of the participants responded that they did not receive guidance from veterinarians regarding preventive care for periodontitis during consultations. In relation to brushing the teeth of animals, 34.5% do not do it and 29% did not know they should do it. About the use of snacks and/or toys, 54.9% said they use them as a way to prevent bacterial plaque. Dogs and cats are considered family members, but some care has not yet been humanized. Based on the results, there is a need for greater awareness of owners regarding the general care of their pets and ensuring their well-being.