Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases in dogs and cats treated at a veterinary hospital in the region of Araçatuba-SP

Abstract

Epidemiology is a tool for analyzing diseases to explain causal factors combined with environmental factors, thus guiding prevention. The objective was to calculate the incidence rates of zoonoses in dogs and cats and identify predisposing factors regarding age, breed and month of occurrence of animals treated at the veterinary hospital of Araçatuba-SP, between 2017 and 2019. The population canine presented an incidence rate of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VS) of 12.3%, 17.6% and 18.1 in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Giardiasis has also been detected in dogs in 2018, with an incidence rate of 1.2%. The majority of dogs affected with Visceral Leishmaniasis and Giardiasis were between 1 to 3 and ≥ 8 years of age, respectively, without defined breed, with the majority being diagnosed in the months of October to March. In felines, it was detected in 2017 and 2018, Sporotrichosis and Cryptococcosis, respectively, with an incidence rate of 3.3% for both and in 2019 Giardiasis was detected with an incidence of 3%. Felines with Sporotrichosis had to 1 to 3 years old, mixed breed and diagnosed in February 2017. In 2018, felines with Cryptococcosis were without defined race, between 4 to 7 and ≥ 8 years old diagnosed in December, and in 2019 a feline with Giardiasis, of no defined breed, aged 1 to 3 years old, diagnosed in March. These data demonstrate the need for a public health education project with dog and cat owners about zoonoses.