Hesitancy around vaccines has spilled over to pet owners, sparking concern about the resurgence of rabies, a virus that's nearly always fatal.

Hesitancy around vaccines has spilled over to pet owners in recent years, sparking concern about the resurgence of rabies, a virus that’s nearly always fatal.

Some pet owners argue against vaccinating dogs – over concerns that vaccines shorten the canines’ lifespans or beliefs that vaccines can cause autism in dogs. But autism’s spectrum of symptoms is uniquely human and experts say anti-vaxxing campaigns among dog owners are especially dangerous considering the public health consequences of rabies.

“While, thankfully, we don’t see a lot of rabies, the consequence is disastrous,” Dr. Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, told USA TODAY. “It’s essentially 100% fatal. So having a rabies vaccine for your cat and dog is really, really important on many levels.”

  • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
    15·
    3 months ago

    Seriously, this is the first I heard f such idiots. Of course, I’ve heard of people who don’t vaccinate their pets but that’s based on cost, and paperwork to register. Are there really people fearing casing autism in dogs? Wtf?

    Now that someone wrote about it, I’m sure it’ll make the rounds of the gullible and uneducated. It’s a thing now, whether or not it was before

    • Baggins@piefed.social
      7·
      3 months ago

      The autism in dogs part got me as well.

      I know what you mean about some people and the cost though, vet bills are $teep!

      Thinking back to when we had pets when I was a kid (1960s) we never took them to vets etc. unless ot was absolutely necessary. We couldn’t afford it and we didn’t know better. Now, I spend more on my cat’s teeth than I do my own!

      • evranch@lemmy.caEnglish
        4·
        3 months ago

        Veterinary cost is insane in Canada. At least in the USA you can order rabies shots and administer them yourself. Here there’s no way to acquire them except via a vet, which means you’re usually in for $200+ for a shot that’s worth $5.

        I’ve heard of people close to the border hopping across with their dog to slam a couple shots into them.

        I’m so glad to run a farm as I have access to basics like penicillin and some mid-grade vet knowledge. When the dog bashes himself up and gets infected I can just dress it myself instead of bringing him in to pay $500 for the same thing.