Popularly known as calazar, Visceral Leishmaniasis (LV) is an infectious, chronic
disease with a systemic involvement. It is caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania
and transmitted by the sting of the sandfly Lutzomya longipalpis. The implications of
this disease as well as affecting the dog, which is the main reservoir of the disease in
the urban area, still affects the human population, which can cause or imply in the lives
of tutors of dogs that are forced to interrupt the relationship between them in
euthanasia as a measure of disease control. This study aimed to analyze the
experiences of tutors of dogs with VL euthanasia in order to know the actions of
attention to mental health directed to these people and to verify if the public policies
directed to VL contemplate the public mental health of the tutors. Through the
exploratory-descriptive research and qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews
were conducted in Araguaína-TO, which were recorded, transcribed and later analyzed
through the Bardin Content Analysis. The results showed the experiences of 15 tutors,
from the discovery of the disease until the moment after euthanasia, in which it was
possible to identify the need for psychological counseling for tutors. The public health
policies (PPS) directed to LVC end in euthanasia and, therefore, do not contemplate
the public mental health of the tutors. In addition to the PPS, it is proposed to assist,
counsel and psychologically assist tutors in helping them to overcome this difficult
situation, as well as to understand the processes necessary to deal with mourning.
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