Veterinary drug prescriptions: to what extent do pet owners comply?

Separate questionnaires were designed for pet owners (clients) and veterinarians to ascertain the existence and extent of noncompliance in veterinary practice in lbadan and to elucidate the influence of such factors as logistics, education, economy, attitudes and veterinarian/client relationship on non-compliance. Analyses of the results showed that both groups veterinarians and their clients perpetrate non-compliance. Ignorance of the aims of treatment, financial constraint and negligence are factors that encourage non-compliance by pet owners. The results also showed that some veterinarians encourage non-compliance by not educating clients on their diagnosis, aims of treatment, and also by not given written instructions. We conclude that non-compliance by pet owners to drug prescriptions exists in veterinary practice in lbadan. Veterinarians have a role to play in reducing the level of non-compliance by educating clients on proper drug use and consequences of non-compliance. An improved economy will assist both veterinarians and clients in fulfilling their individual responsibilities. (Tropical Veterinarian: 2002 20(2): 85-95)