Veterinary knowledge of nasal mites (Pneumonyssoides caninum) in Finland

Abstract

Pneumonyssoides caninum is a canine nasal mite with worldwide distribution that inhabits the caudal nasal passages and paranasal sinuses of dogs. The aim of this descriptive study was to obtain an overview of the knowledge of nasal mites, their distribution, transmission, clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment among veterinarians in Finland with a licence to practice the profession. The data for this study was collected through a questionnaire provided in English and Finnish on a social media group for veterinarians in Finland. A total of 154 questionnaires that were filled out during a 26-day period were used in this study. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size. The results of the study showed that most veterinarians (n = 100, 65%) had a moderate amount of knowledge about P. caninum. However, only two veterinarians (1%) achieved a high level of knowledge in this study. Around one third of participants (n = 51, 33%) had a low level of knowledge. Almost all veterinarians (n = 153, 99%) had at least heard of P. caninum before. As P. caninum is considered endemic in Scandinavia, knowledge among veterinarians in Finland could be further improved, especially regarding clinical signs of P. caninum.

Pneumonyssoides caninum on ülemaailmselt levinud koerte ninalest, mis elutseb koerte kaudaalsetes ninakäikudes ja paranasaalsetes siinustes. Selle kirjeldava uuringu eesmärk oli saada ülevaade Soomes kutsetegevuse loaga loomaarstide teadlikkusest ninalestadest, nende levikust, edasikandumisest, kliinilistest tunnustest, diagnostikast ja ravist. Uuringu andmed koguti Soome loomaarstide sotsiaalmeedia grupis inglise ja soomekeelse küsimustiku abil. Uuringus kasutati kokku 154 küsimustiku andmeid, millele vastati 26- päeva jooksul. Valimi piiratud suuruse tõttu tuleks tulemusi tõlgendada ettevaatusega. Uuringu tulemused näitasid, et enamikul loomaarstidel (n = 100, 65%) olid P. caninum'i kohta mõõdukad teadmised. Ainult kaks loomaarsti (1%) saavutas selles uuringus kõrge teadmiste taseme. Umbes kolmandikul osalejatest (n = 51, 33%) olid madalad teadmised. Peaaegu kõik loomaarstid (n = 153, 99%) olid P. caninum'ist varem vähemalt kuulnud. Kuna P. caninum'i peetakse Skandinaavias endeemseks, tuleks Soome veterinaararstide teadmisi veelgi täiendada, eriti seoses P. caninum'i poolt põhjustatud kliiniliste tunnustega.