ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — About one in six parents in the U.S. have skipped or delayed vaccinating their kids against diseases other than COVID or the flu. Now those same fears over vaccine safety are spreading to pet owners. Many question whether vaccines are safe for their dogs and cats.
Pet owners want the best for their furry friends. In a recent study more than half of dog owners questioned whether vaccines for rabies are safe, effective, or useful. But Ariana Pereira, DVM, associate veterinarian at 4 Paws Animal Clinic emphatically says the rabies vaccine is one that can save pets’ and human lives.
“It is almost a hundred percent fatal in humans. So that is something we do not mess around with,” she said.
One study found that the rabies vaccine prevented nearly 300 dogs from being infected in a year and more than 100 human deaths. The American Animal Hospital Association also recommends other “core” vaccines like those for canine parvovirus in dogs and feline leukemia virus in cats. Other “non-core” vaccines, like those for flu or kennel cough, are usually left up to the owner.
“So, if there’s a dog that’s going to daycare and grooming and dog parks and things like that, I’m going to recommend it for those clients,” Dr. Pereira told Ivanhoe.
While many owners are concerned about side effects, research shows they are extremely rare, affecting only about 0.2% of dogs.
“We typically have our clients look out for vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing. Those are going to be the main ones that you’ll see,” Dr. Pereira explained.
The bottom line? Talk to your vet about vaccines. They’re one of the best ways to protect both you and your favorite companion from serious diseases.
Titer tests are a snapshot of the amount of antibodies against specific diseases your pet has. They would have these antibodies either from previous vaccines or from previous infections. A low titer could indicate that your pet needs another vaccine, but high titers don’t guarantee immunity since the immune system is always changing. They are not a replacement for vaccines and some states do not accept them as proof of protection.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Chuck Bennethum, Videographer & Editor.
Sources:
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5503896-declining-vaccination-rates-parents/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/11/1205016558/canine-vaccine-hesitancy-dogs-rabies
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/titer-tests-dogs
* For More Information, Email takecare@4pawsanimalclinic.com.
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