Exploring pet owners' attitudes toward compounded and human approved medicines: a questionnaire based pilot study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pharmacy
• Companion Animal Health
• Personalized Medicine

Background:

• Growing global pet population and increased veterinary care spending necessitate innovative treatment options.
• Compounded medications offer customized, affordable alternatives to limited veterinary drugs.
• Understanding pet owner perspectives on compounded medications is crucial for their adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate pet owners' attitudes, challenges, and needs regarding compounded veterinary medications.
• To assess pet owner awareness of local pharmacy compounding capabilities for pets.
• To explore the potential benefits and perceived limitations of compounded medications in veterinary practice.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study involving 300 pet owners in Novi Sad, Serbia.
• Data collected through face-to-face interviews at veterinary clinics.
• Analysis of pet demographics, medication history, and owner perceptions of compounded drugs.

Main Results:

• Dogs and cats are the most common companion animals; many received medication in the past five years, including antimicrobials.
• A large majority of pets had not received compounded medication, but owners believed in its benefits.
• Awareness of local pharmacies' ability to compound medications for pets was low (14.5%).

Conclusions:

• Compounded medications hold promise for personalized veterinary therapy, optimizing antimicrobial use and patient outcomes.
• Significant challenges remain, including formulation quality, regulatory oversight, and pharmacokinetic data gaps.
• Enhancing owner education and ensuring robust quality control are essential for the safe and effective use of compounded veterinary drugs.