Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32336273›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2020

Survey of UK pet owners quantifying internal parasite infection risk and deworming recommendation implications.

Christopher Pennelegion, Jason Drake, Scott Wiseman, Ian Wright

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
19citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

19 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Review
  10. Article
  11. Control of companion animal parasites and impact on One Health.One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · 2024
    Review
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Role of cats in human toxocarosis.Companion animal · 2020
    Article
  19. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Christopher PennelegionElanco Animal Health, Lilly House, Priestley Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9NL, UK.
Jason DrakeElanco Animal Health, 2500 Innovation Way, Greenfield, IN, 46140, USA. jason.drake@elanco.com.
Scott WisemanElanco Animal Health, Lilly House, Priestley Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9NL, UK.
Ian WrightMount Veterinary Practice, 1 Harris St, Fleetwood, FY7 6QX, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDogs and cats in the UK are exposed to many internal parasites which can pose risks to the health of both the pet and their owners. By understanding these endemic parasites and the risks they pose, we can assess the lifestyle of pets and recommend the correct deworming frequency. Studies identifying risk factors were discussed in the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) guidelines. To this date, there has been very little information on how pet owners in the UK deworm their pets and if the protocols they follow align with ESCCAP recommendations. The objective of this study was to look at the current deworming protocols of UK cat and dog owners in conjunction with their lifestyle and risk.

methodsAn online survey was conducted in the UK targeting pet owners who own at least one dog and/or cat and were responsible for product purchase, the pet's health care and veterinary visits. These survey results were analysed against the ESCCAP guidelines and each pet placed into a risk category. By comparing the current deworming frequency with that recommended for their risk category, the compliance of UK pet owners with ESCCAP recommendations was evaluated.

resultsA total of 500 dog owners and 500 cat owners completed surveys. Overall, the study found none of the pets fell into risk group A, with all pets meeting the risk level for at least deworming four times a year (risk group B and above). The majority of animals fell into the highest risk category D with 97% of dogs and 68% of cats. The average deworming per year in the UK was 3.1 for dogs and 3.1 cats, below the minimum recommended by ESCCAP.

conclusionsFor both felines and canines, the dosing frequencies are lower than recommended to both reduce zoonotic risk for reducing Toxocara spp. egg-shedding and improve pet health. This research highlights the need for improved education around dog and cat patient risk assessments and greater adherence to recommended deworming aligned with the ESCCAP guidelines.

Indexed as

Life StylePetsAnimalsCat DiseasesCatsCestodaDog DiseasesDogsHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansOwnershipParasitic Diseases, AnimalRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsSurveys and QuestionnairesToxocaraCatsCestodeDogsEndoparasitesESSCAPNematodeParasite controlRisk assessmentTapewormToxocaraZoonosis

Identifiers

PMID32336273
PMCPMC7184696

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.