Controversy of Dog Vaccines
Many people in the United States, more than half of the U.S. population, are putting their dog’s health in risk for not taking them to get their required vaccines. Canine owners have doubts if they really work and if they are actually really necessary.
In fact, a large part of the population thinks that they don’t provide any benefits for their pets. Rather that they do harm to them and increases their probabilities of any other diseases or health problems. This is a problem that is being more persistent in the United States in terms of dog owners not taking their fur babies to the vet to get their shots.
With this negligence from the owners, more dogs are getting sick or even worse, getting rabies, parvovirus, and an endless amount of dog viruses, that can potentially be very contagious. If they don’t have their vaccines viruses can be lethal.
Study Statistics Regarding On What People Think of Canine Vaccines
Furthermore, there has been a study that was conducted by a researcher from Boston University’s Public Health and it proves statistics of how many people don’t agree at all or question the idea that dogs should in fact be vaccinated for their own good and for health purposes. It is a study published in the journal Vaccine, researchers surveyed 2,200 Americans, about 900 of whom identified themselves as dog owners. The statistics are the following:
- 37% of people questions the safety.
- 22% of people questions the efficacy.
- 30% of people questions the importance of vaccines that are administered to the dogs.
Overall, these statistics show that an average of 53%, which is more than half people who hold negative perspectives of dog vaccines. Also these statistics prove that the majority of society is creating stigmas around the vaccines that dogs actually. Which in fact, they need to get in order to be healthy and for their own good.
The Impact that These Stigmas are Creating
These stigmas are also increasing amongst the dog owners community because of how there are being many activists that are spreading the wrong information, and that are advocating against vaccines.
In fact, Dr. Motta, a veterinarian, is left speechless and stunned to learn about the great amount of people do not believe that dog vaccines are actually beneficial. He claims, “I was stunned by how prevalent this phenomenon is.” Which the statement expresses of how influence within humans can make a huge impact. In this case it is making a negative impact, which is unfortunately negative for the pets but also for the humans.
Why are Pet Vaccines so Important
People should not be skeptical or defensive anymore with this topic. Rather owners need to be informed, learn, and be aware that the vaccines actually do provide benefits for their pets. Most importantly, they require them to prevent any type of disease. Additionally, they can prevent extremely dangerous viruses that are very common amongst the canine species. Unfortunately the reality is that by owners not taking their pets to get their vaccines does not only put the pet’s health at risk, but it also put their human’s, or any other’s, health at risk.
According to Dr. Motta, “If there are more unvaccinated dogs out there, the risk of disease transmission grows.” Which emphasizes how it is a priority to vaccinate as many pets as possible. In order to decrease the transmission of serious diseases.
Being the reason that Dr. Motta mentioned if pets are not vaccinated, the transmission statistics increase. Which can lead to very unfortunate consequences. This is why it is essential for owners, to frequently take their dogs and cats to the vet and get them their shots for their well-being and to strengthen their immune system for any bacteria or virus.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
CBS News: Anti-vax pet parents put animals at risk, study shows. Why experts say you shouldn’t skip your dog’s shots.
abc13 WBKO News: New study reports nearly 40% of dog owners believe canine vaccines are unsafe.
Washington Post: More than half of U.S. dog owners are skeptical of canine vaccinations.
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