Hesitancy around vaccines has spilled over to pet owners, sparking concern about the resurgence of rabies, a virus that’s nearly always fatal. Health officials are concerned that “canine vaccine hesitancy” could grow in states that mandate rabies vaccines, posing a public health threat not just to pets, but all of us. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Greer with Veterinary Village in Lomira says discussion about pet vaccinations is not something new. Dr. Greer says concerns that vaccines shorten canines’ lifespans or beliefs that vaccines can cause autism in dogs are unfounded. But Dr. Greer says the threat of rabies in an unvaccinated pet dog is very real. “Every year we have cats and dogs diagnosed with rabies in Wisconsin, so rabies is a true threat and our pets being vaccinated protect us,” Dr. Greer told AM 1170s Between the Lines program. “My staff and my doctors are vaccinated for rabies to protect us because our risk for rabies is that real.” The president of the American Veterinary Medical Association says it is important for people to talk with their veterinarian about the vaccine and the risks a pet faces if it does not get vaccinated.
