Risk of infection of COVID-19 in pets from the perspective of their owners in Lima, Peru

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of pet owners about the risk of infection of their pets with COVID-19 in Lima, Peru. A virtual survey was prepared for clients of private veterinary services in Metropolitan Lima. The instrument collected demographic information, knowledge about the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, cases of human infection, handling of the pet during the pandemic and perception of the risk of infection of animals by COVID-19. The survey was answered by 408 pet owners. It was recognized that the main means of transmission of COVID-19 were infected people (93.6%). Respiratory problems were rarely observed in dogs (8.1%) and cats (2.2%). The majority perception of those surveyed was not to relate the respiratory problems of pets with COVID-19 (80.6%), but they showed concern for the affected health of their animal (79.7%). The practice of walking the pets was carried out more than once a day (38.1%), being more frequent not using protection for the animals (65.4%). The walk generally lasted between 10 to 20 minutes (45.4%), and around the block (46.2%) and in parks (36.0%). Hygiene and prevention measures taken after the walk were bathing and washing of paws (73.4%) in pets, and a combination of measures that included social distancing (80.4%), use of personal protective equipment (79.7%) and use of alcohol / disinfectant (60.8%), in the owners. The study shows a low perception of the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from humans to pets, a knowledge that must be reinforced by health authorities to safeguard the human-animal relationship based on responsible pet ownership practices.