Vaccine Hesitancy Comes for Pet Mother and father
In the spring of 2020, Kelly Kerlin’s veterinarian administered her rescue dog, Finley, vaccinations for Lyme disease and leptospirosis, administering them behind the dog’s neck on her back. Finley soon developed a lump slightly smaller than a golf ball.
“We couldn’t pick her up for over a month without her screaming in pain,” said Ms. Kerlin, who lives in Excelsior, Minnesota. Shots were fired again, but Ms. Kerlin refused. When she brought her children to be vaccinated, she received written information about possible side effects. “I don’t remember them ever talking to me about what a side effect would be for my dog,” she said.
Ms Kerlin said she is not anti-vaccination and her dog has been vaccinated against other diseases such as rabies and bordetella. But with these particular vaccines, she didn’t feel that the risk of side effects outweighed the benefits.
Still, she’s not alone in her concerns about vaccines — opposition to pet vaccines has grown in recent years, fueled by an anti-vaccination movement in humans that has spilled over into animals. A study published last year in the Canadian Veterinary Journal found a link between the organized movement against mandatory vaccinations for children and vaccine-resistant pet owners.
“The anti-vaccination movement was a concern before Covid,” said Lori Kogan, one of the study’s authors and a professor at Colorado State University who studies human-animal interactions. “That’s certainly a concern now.” Kogan is also conducting a follow-up study examining the reluctance to vaccinate pets post-Covid-19, with data due in the next few months.
A study published last April found that many vaccine skeptics seem to have linked their dogs’ treatment to concerns that childhood vaccinations cause autism in humans – a theory with no scientific merit. This mixing often happens because many people consider their pets part of their family, said Dr. Jeanette O’Quin, associate professor at Ohio State University. Psychologists have long documented this phenomenon, and a recent study showed that such feelings are even stronger in pet owners who don’t have children.
“It’s a good time to be a cat or a dog in the US,” said Dr. O’Quin.
Whether you just adopted your first pet during the pandemic or are a seasoned pet owner, here’s what you need to know about vaccinations and keeping your pet safe.
Why should your pet be vaccinated?
The reluctance to vaccinate animals is a concern, vets say, because vaccines not only protect individual cats and dogs, they also eliminate widespread diseases. And some diseases, such as rabies and leptospirosis, can also infect humans.
Also, pets don’t need to be vaccinated as frequently as they have in years past, according to Dr. David Emery, assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Over the past two decades, many veterinarians have earned a reputation for over-vaccinating pets, said Dr. emery However, significant technological improvements mean that vaccines are now more effective and are often only needed every three years instead of annually.
What vaccinations are required for your pet?
Pet vaccines are classified into two types: core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for all pets, while non-core vaccines are recommended based on a pet’s unique medical history and lifestyle. Many core vaccines are administered together in one dose, minimizing the frequency of such injections.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has a vaccination guide for cats, while the American Animal Hospital Association has a vaccination guide for dogs.
Almost all states require a rabies vaccine for cats and dogs because the disease is deadly in both animals and humans. The parvovirus vaccine is another important one, according to Gail Hansen, a representative for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. The shot is aimed at a cruel disease that particularly affects puppies, causing death that is “just painful and horrifying to look at,” Ms Hansen said.
What Should You Ask Your Vet About Non-Core Vaccines?
Not all vaccinations are necessary for every pet. according to dr Jose Arce, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a key question to ask your veterinarian is: What diseases are prevalent in the area where I live? (For example, unless you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, this vaccination is usually unnecessary.)
Another key question: how does your pet live? Does your cat go outside where they are more exposed to diseases?
When two of her previous cats were 19 and 17 years old, Sharon Kennedy asked her vet if it was necessary to keep them vaccinated. “It was so traumatizing that the cats brought them in,” she said.
The vet told her that the vaccinations weren’t necessary as they were indoor cats and had built up sufficient immunity. Ms Kennedy, who lives in Brea, California, said she has yet to vaccinate her 15-year-old cat, Kiki, who is afraid to go outside and therefore not at risk.
Recommendations may also vary by veterinarian. Even house cats can be at risk if they’re not vaccinated, said Dr. Carolyn Brown, vice president of community medicine at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Some diseases can be transmitted indirectly, e.g. B. when family members bring viruses into the home through contact with other cats or their shoes or clothing.
Another question is: What is the general health of my animal? If the animal is old, at low risk of exposure, and has underlying health problems, vaccination may not always make sense, said Dr. O’Quin. And if an animal has a history of anaphylaxis or an immune-mediated disease, Dr. Emery that he would think twice about vaccinating the animal.
How can you protect yourself from side effects?
Side effects after vaccination of pets are usually very mild and serious side effects are rare. Pain, low-grade fever, or lethargy may occur at the injection site, which indicates that the immune system is functioning. If a pet has had an adverse reaction to a vaccine in the past, Dr. Arce suggests asking your vet about preventive measures, such as: B. administering Benadryl just before a vaccine dose.
He also recommends monitoring your pet for the first few hours after the first vaccination. If your pet is exhibiting symptoms such as difficulty breathing, facial swelling, vomiting, or diarrhea, call your vet immediately.
Should you have your pet tested for antibodies?
Pet owners who have concerns about regular vaccines may opt for titer tests, which can measure whether animals have enough antibodies from previous core vaccines. Animals with high enough levels of antibodies don’t need booster shots, said Dr. Laurie J. Larson, director of the Companion Animal Vaccines and Immuno-Diagnostics Service Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
But other veterinary experts disagree — such tests “have no real benefit,” said Dr. Hansen. It is expensive and rabies titers cannot legally be used in place of the required rabies boosters. Titer testing is best limited to pets with autoimmune diseases that could complicate vaccination, said Dr. emery
What if you can’t afford vaccines for your pet?
The cost of veterinary care in America has increased in recent years, in part due to increased demand and new technology making vaccine costs difficult for some people.
Some animal shelters and veterinary clinics offer vaccines at a low cost, said Dr. Arce. Government agencies, charities, or pet dealers also sometimes host low-cost or free rabies vaccination events. For example, through a partnership with ShotVet, PetSmart offers vaccination services that are 30 to 40 percent cheaper than the normal cost.
Overall, said Dr. O’Quin, she hopes pet owners will commit to vaccinating their pets. “The diseases that vaccines prevent can be deadly, and even when they aren’t, they cause a lot of pain and suffering,” she said. “It is heartbreaking for us to see these cases and know that they could have been prevented.”
Julie Halpert is a journalist covering education, science, health, retirement and the auto industry.
