# Perception and Knowledge of Final-Year Veterinary Students About Exotic Pet Mammals

## TL;DR

This study explores how final-year veterinary students in Croatia perceive exotic pet mammals and their knowledge about these animals' welfare and health impacts.

## Contribution

The study identifies gaps in veterinary students' understanding of the risks exotic pets pose to human and environmental health.

## Key findings

- Students generally perceive welfare issues in exotic pets adequately.
- Previous experience with exotic pets correlates with better perception of these animals.
- Students lack sufficient awareness of risks to human and environmental health posed by exotic pets.

## Abstract

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.

The ever-increasing number and variety of exotic pets have imposed an inevitable challenge to veterinary profession, expecting the veterinarians to safeguard health and welfare of both animals and humans, as well as the environment. This study investigated perception of last-year veterinary students concerning welfare issues, health and safety of humans and other animals, along with environmental protection associated with keeping exotic pet mammals, and their self-reported knowledge of these pets. The sixth-year veterinary students in Croatia were surveyed in the 2019–2020 academic year, with a response rate of 82% (95 students). The questionnaire was focused on rodents, rabbits, and ferrets. Students generally agreed on the issues related to the welfare of these pets, with their responses yielding no significant between-mammal differences. There were no significant differences among particular mammals either in the issues other than animal welfare, with which they did not agree or were uncertain. Students considered themselves to have appropriate knowledge about nutrition, housing, health and behavior of these pets. Previous experience with exotic pets showed a substantial association with student perception of these animals. Study results suggest an adequate student perception of exotic pet mammal welfare, along with their appropriate self-reported knowledge of these pets, however, veterinarians-to-be are expected to think twice about the implications that exotic pet animals may have for humans, other animals, and eventually for the environment. Therefore, there is a need of additional student education in the field through intensification of their interaction with these animals, which especially refers to human health issues associated with these animals.