Profile and perspective of dog guardians from Hovet Public on benefits of castration

Abstract

Castration consists of removing the gonads, promoting sterilization and animal health benefits. This study evaluated the reason that tutors seen at the public hospital spay their dogs. The survey was carried out with 500 tutors, through questionnaires, over a period of five days. To check the influence of the tutor's sex, age and education level in relation to the decision and the benefits of castration for health, as well as the influence of the sex and breed of the animal in making the decision, the chi-square statistical test was performed (X2) with a 5% significance level. Among women, 190 (52.5%) neutered their animals and 172 (47.5%) did not. The result was similar among men, as 70 (50.7%) castrated and 68 (49.3%) did not. Regarding the age group, 23 people were young; 69 elderly people; and 408 adults. Within these groups, the following percentages of castrated animals were obtained: 43.5%; 52.2%; and 52.5%, respectively. As for education, there was a significant influence, as 113 (64.6%) people with higher education castrated their animals, while the percentages among people with elementary and high school were 44.8% and 45.1%. The sex of the animal showed a significant influence, since 61.5% of the females were neutered while in the males this percentage was 41.7%. The analysis of the incidence of castration among animals of breed compared to those without defined breed (SRD), did not demonstrate significant influence. The reason “avoiding diseases” was mentioned by 71 (27.3%) people, with only 14 (19.7%) able to cite at least one disease. There were no significant differences between sex, age and education regarding the knowledge of castration for the health of the animal. In the group of people who did not castrate, 32 (13.3%) reported that they had no knowledge and regret it. This survey found that the amount of information on animal health and the benefits of castration as part of integrative veterinary medicine is still low.