Vets are Concerned about Anti-vax Pet Owners Opposing Rabies Shots

Increasingly, pet owners are concerned about getting their pets vaccinated. This increase in “vaccine hesitancy” has professionals worried about the possible comeback of dangerous diseases like rabies. Rabies is a virus which is nearly always fatal once contracted.

Many owners worry that vaccinations may cause health problems in their pets, including shortening their lifespan or causing conditions like autism. However, experts state that autism is a uniquely human condition, and express concern that not vaccinating pets, particularly against rabies, can have severe public health consequences.

Dr. Rena Carlson from the American Veterinary Medical Association stresses the importance of discussing vaccinations with your veterinarian to understand the risks for your pet. Dr. Rena added, “Although we don’t see a lot of rabies, it’s usually 100% fatal. So, it’s very important to vaccinate your pet against it”.

Therefore, all pet owners are advised to have a serious discussion about vaccinations with their veterinarian to ensure the health and longevity of their animal companions.

Vocabulary Insights:

• Hesitancy /?h?z?t?nsi/ (noun): The quality or state of being reluctant or hesitant.
• Fatal /?fe?tl/ (adj.): Resulting in death.
• Autism /???t?z?m/ (noun): A developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.
• Longevity /l?n?d??v?ti/ (noun): A long duration of life; long existence or service.