1. Comparing Knowledge About Lyme Disease
Among Pet Owners
Dayana Perez
Bethane Lokuta, DVM.
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ
To determine if dog owners are more
knowledgeable about Lyme disease than
other pet owners.
• Created survey pre-test to ensure clarity
and objectivity.
• Small sample size may have led to no
statistical significance.
• Future: Utilize trends & findings to
address gaps in knowledge and
misconceptions about Lyme disease.
Special thanks to my wonderful preceptor
Dr. Bethanne Lokuta, Keith Harris, Dr.
Dean J. Cerf, Tamara Swedberg, Ann
Marie Hill and all the supporting staff at
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital.
Significance
Purpose
Outcomes
Evaluation
Acknowledgements
Background photo by Flickr user: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinmgong/
Heading image of blacklegged tick by Bing user: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-
nasa/2010/04may_ticksat/.
Images under “Significance” by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125169888@N07/,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevewall/, https://www.flickr.com/photos/johncarleton/,
http://www.ridgewoodvet.com/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairview,_Bergen_County,_New_Jersey
Lyme disease infects animals and
humans through infected
blacklegged tick bites.
Nearly 30,000 Lyme disease
cases are reported annually to the
Center of Disease Control and
Prevention.
One in 16 dogs in the United
States test positive for Lyme
disease.
9.82% of Lyme canine positive
results in NJ come from Bergen
County.
Project targets Ridgewood
Veterinary Hospital clientele due
to increased exposure to Lyme
infection.
Target Population: Ridgewood
Veterinary Hospital clientele:
① Dog owners
② Non-Dog owners
7.69%
27%
34.62%
30.77%
0%
37.50%
43.75%
18.75%
Fungal Disease Bacterial
Disease
Viral Disease Don't know
What is Lyme disease?
Non-dog Owner Dog-Owner
77%
19%
2% 2%
Lyme disease has been reported in:
In nearly every state of the U.S.
About half of the states in the U.S.
Only in Northwestern part of the U.S.
Only in upper Midwest and Mid-Atlantic States
81.25% of
Dog owners
&
73.1% of
Non-Dog
Create Lyme
disease survey
Distribute &
collect survey:
Responses into
Qualtrics
Analyze data
using SPSS
6.25% 3.85%
0%
3.85%
50%
38.46%
18.75%
26.92%25% 26.92%
Dog-owners Non- dog owner
All are preventative methods EXCEPT:
Tick and flea preventative products for your pets.
Lyme vaccinations for dogs.
Lyme vaccinations for people
Controlling Tick infestations in place of residence.
Don't know
71.87% 73.08%
15.62% 15.38%
9.38% 11.54%
3.13% 0%
Dog Owner Non-dog Owner
Lyme Disease is Transmitted by:
A bite from a Lyme infected tick.
Infected tick bite & A pregnant woman passing Lyme
disease to the fetus.
Infected tick & Bodily fluid exchange with infected animal
or person
Don't know
Methodology