Frecuencia de atención y caracterización de mascotas no convencionales en veterinarias de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to determine the frequency of veterinary care and characterize the main species of non-conventional pets treated in veterinary clinics in Guayaquil. The study was conducted using a quantitative, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective approach, through a survey administered to 100 veterinary clinics in the city, considering cases treated during the six months prior to the study. The results showed that 48 % of the veterinary clinics provided care to non-conventional pets, while 52 % did not offer this service. Among the species treated, domestic rabbits were the most frequent (65 %), followed by hamsters (17 %) and parakeets (12 %). The main reasons for consultation were related to health problems, with infections accounting for 33 %, followed by parasitic diseases at 29 %. Regarding the level of training of the professionals, 48% reported having completed training courses, while 33 % indicated they had no specific training in the care of these species. Finally, due to the predominance of rabbits as the most frequently treated species, a responsible pet ownership manual was developed, focusing on nutrition, environment, handling, and disease prevention as an educational tool to promote their well-being.