Survey of veterinarians' perceptions of borreliosis in North Carolina

A survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of veterinary professionals regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases: Insights from Ohio, USA

Globally, ticks are becoming more problematic as agricultural pests and vectors of tick-borne diseases (TBDs), many of which are shared between animals and people. Veterinary professionals, including veterinarians and non-veterinarians, are considered a vulnerable group through occupational exposure. To inform educational interventions at the intrapersonal level, a common approach is to first assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of target populations. Thus, our objective was to assess KAP of veterinary professionals in Ohio, a state faced with expanding and invading ticks of medical and veterinary concern. Using a convenience sample, we surveyed 178 veterinary professionals across Ohio with an electronic questionnaire that covered knowledge, attitudes, practices, exposures, demography, education, and surveillance regarding ticks and TBDs. We found that veterinary professionals had cautionary attitudes towards ticks and TBDs and practiced prevention for themselves and their patients, even when tick exposures were infrequently reported. However, veterinary professionals significantly lacked in knowledge regarding tick biology and local TBD epidemiology. Furthermore, we found that knowledge regarding tick biology and attitudes towards ticks and TBDs did not associate with practices. Instead, we found that veterinarian status and routine tick checks of patients were associated with frequent discussions of tick prevention with clients. Our findings emphasize that most tick exposures of veterinary professionals are occupational, and thus prevention should start at the workplace. Cultivating knowledge of veterinary professionals regarding tick biology and local TBD epidemiology may lead to greater motivation and confidence with identifying ticks and testing for TBDs, which may also increase the diagnostic capacity of veterinary professionals for tick and TBD surveillance. Because veterinary professionals typically interact with both animals and their owners, improving their KAP regarding ticks and TBDs, can in turn promote animal, human, and environmental health within a "One Health" context.

Investigation of a Symptomatic Tick Bite Patient Confirms Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodes scapularis and White-Footed Mice in Ashe County, North Carolina

In June 2021, a traveler to Ashe County, North Carolina, was bitten by an Ixodes scapularis tick. The patient experienced axillary lymphadenopathy and an erythematous rash near the bite site. We confirmed Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto through PCR testing and DNA sequencing in the attached tick and later from mice trapped inside the cabin where the patient stayed.

Survey of referring veterinarians' perceptions of and reasons for referring patients to rehabilitation facilities

OBJECTIVE To identify patterns of referral to US small animal rehabilitation facilities, document referring veterinarians' perceptions of rehabilitation services, and examine factors that encouraged and impeded referral of veterinary patients to rehabilitation facilities. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE 461 completed surveys. PROCEDURES Referral lists were obtained from 9 US rehabilitation facilities, and surveys were emailed or mailed to 2, 738 veterinarians whose names appeared on those lists. Data obtained from respondents were used to generate descriptive statistics and perform χ(2) tests to determine patterns for referral of patients to rehabilitation facilities. RESULTS 461 surveys were completed and returned, resulting in a response rate of 16.8%. The margin of error was < 5% for all responses. Most respondents (324/461 [70.3%]) had referred patients for postoperative rehabilitation therapy. Respondents ranked neurologic disorder as the condition they would most likely consider for referral for future rehabilitation therapy. The most frequently cited reason for not referring a patient for rehabilitation therapy was perceived cost (251/461 [54.4%]) followed by distance to a rehabilitation facility (135/461 [29.3%]). Specialists were more likely than general practitioners to refer patients for rehabilitation therapy. The majority (403/461 [87.4%]) of respondents felt that continuing education in the field of veterinary rehabilitation was lacking. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated a need for continuing education in small animal rehabilitation for veterinarians. Improved knowledge of rehabilitation therapy will enable veterinarians to better understand and more specifically communicate indications and benefits for pets receiving this treatment modality.