Perception and Knowledge of Final-Year Veterinary Students About Exotic Pet Mammals
by
, , , and
Mario Ostović
1,*
,
Ivana Sabolek
1,
Aneta Piplica
2,
Ivona Žura Žaja
3,
Sven Menčik
2,*,
Željko Pavičić
1 and
Željka Mesić
4
1
Department of Animal Hygiene, Behavior and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2
Department of Animal Breeding and Livestock Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
3
Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
4
Department of Marketing in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030235
Submission received: 14 December 2024
/
Revised: 15 January 2025
/
Accepted: 19 February 2025
/
Published: 3 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Education, Veterinary Communication and Animal Behavior)
Simple Summary
Nowadays, the role of veterinarians has assumed new dimensions. Veterinarians are expected to safeguard not only health and welfare of animals but also of humans and the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate perception of final-year veterinary students in Croatia about exotic pet mammals, i.e., rodents, rabbits, and ferrets concerning the welfare of these pets, health and safety of humans and other animals, and environmental protection, and their self-reported knowledge of these animals. Results of the questionnaire survey indicate an adequate student perception of welfare issues in these pets and they stated to have appropriate knowledge about their nutrition, housing, health and behavior; yet, other issues of concern related to the threat posed by these pets to health and safety of humans and other animals, and the environment require more attention by students. Study results also showed a substantial association between previous experience with exotic pets and student perception of these pets, suggesting intensification of their interaction by additional education on these animals.
Excerpt
Note: In lieu of an abstract, this is an excerpt from the first page.
Non-traditional or exotic pets are increasingly popular worldwide [...]
Keywords:
veterinary medicine; survey; exotic pets; risk perception
