Is Anti-Vax Movement Spreading To Pet Owners?

[orangeblossom]

nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/02/anti-vaccine-movement-spreading-to-pet-owners.html


The measles outbreak in the U.S. has topped 100 cases so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a large number of those cases suspected to stem from a single visitor to the Disney theme parks in California. Many physicians have pinned the larger blame on lower immunization rates as a result of vaccine denialism. But animal doctors, who say the rejection of vaccines is spreading to the veterinary world, are less worried about what happened in a certain Mouse's house than about the dogs and cats they see every day.



The vast majority of puppies taken to the vet in the U.S. receive a suite of shots, including a vaccine against a highly contagious viral illness known as "canine distemper," which causes potentially fatal respiratory and gastrointestinal distress in dogs. Christopher Brockett, president of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, says he has “definitely” seen pet owners deciding to skip vaccines more frequently. When it comes to illnesses such as distemper in dogs, that might pose a risk. “The fewer animals that are getting the vaccine, the greater the likelihood that you’re going to have a firestorm if something that is that highly communicable comes along,” Brockett says.



Before scientists developed a vaccine against canine distemper in 1929, the virus claimed the lives of many dogs — foxhounds seem particularly vulnerable to it — and was also a “menace at the new dog shows which became popular from the mid-nineteenth century,” according to historians. Yet, even though there is a vaccine, distemper is far from a thing of the past. Last year, an outbreak among dogs in Texas made news, with veterinarians there noting that what was once a rare illness has surged in numbers this year.



Brennen McKenzie, a veterinarian blogger and past president of the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association, says that he has seen an uptick in pet owners seeking to skip vaccinations for their pets against distemper and other ailments, such as parvovirus, a potentially lethal disease in dogs that can cause symptoms such as vomiting and lethargy. McKenzie says that he is also aware of cat owners who have become wary of vaccines. “I would say, from a subjective personal point of view, that often issues in veterinary medicine spill over from human medicine, and over the last 10 or 15 years there has been an increase in mostly unfounded concerns about vaccine safety for people — and that, I think, has raised people’s awareness and level of concern about vaccinations for their pets,” he explains.



Unfortunately, hard numbers are difficult to come by. When it comes to pets, “there really isn’t any way of tracking vaccine compliance rates,” McKenzie says. Only rabies vaccines are subject to any real government interest or oversight — and the compliance among pet owners remains nearly universal in that case. But other pet vaccines are overseen largely by counties or municipalities, and so there’s no central repository for records detailing vaccination rates.



It’s not yet clear whether vaccine hesitations among pet owners have influenced patterns of diseases such as parvovirus and distemper. However, health officials have suggested that increased outbreaks of illnesses such as measles in people are related to unfounded fears about certain human vaccines.



A few veterinarians hold views about pet vaccines that have stirred concern among their peers. Rosemary Manziano, a homeopathic veterinarian in New Jersey, advocates that in lieu of vaccinating your dog against distemper, you can simply take your pet to the park. “I tell them to pick a park where there are a lot of animals around,” she explains, advising owners to wait “after the dogs are 12 weeks old, when their immune systems are fully functioning.”



It's a notion eerily similar to the "pox parties" thrown by vaccine denialist parents who refuse to immunize their children against dangerous ailments such as measles and chickenpox, opting instead to organize get-togethers to expose their toddlers to other youngsters with risky viruses in the hopes that this will stimulate their kids to produce natural immunity. Manziano got the idea about a dozen years ago, when she heard of an outbreak of canine distemper among raccoons in New Jersey and started sending her clients there to let their dogs roam in the same areas, but only for short bouts. “I just told people to go for ten minutes and then get back in the car and drive away,” she says. “It’s as simple as that.” (Manziano notes that she routinely vaccinates animals against rabies, as that is the law.)



Mainstream veterinarians see no scientific basis for Manziano’s claims. “It is impossible for a puppy to go to the dog park and pick up distemper in such a manner that would only induce natural immunity but not put that same pup at extreme risk of disease,” says Tami Pierce, a veterinarian and chief of the community medicine service at the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Worse, she says, these unvaccinated pets could put other dogs at risk. One study found that animals can shed the virus that causes distemper even if they lack symptoms of illness.



Yet Manziano is not alone in her philosophy that dog walks could replace dog vaccines, and that worries McKenzie. “I’m aware that there are veterinarians who are making very non-mainstream recommendations about vaccines, and I want to make sure that a more rational science-based perspective is available to people when they’re out there Googling this stuff,” he says. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.”

[MrsAxilla]

Lol. DH has a friend on the extreme end of the batshit crazy conspiracy spectrum and he refused to vaccinate his dogs.

[msmerymac]

My new cat just got her distemper booster yesterday and I did think about this. If people aren't willing to vax their kids, do they also forego vaccinating their pets? What is the downside, really, of vaccination for animals? It's not like they're going to develop learning disabilities or whatever parents who don't vax claim.

Our vet is hardcore about rabies vaccinations. It's the law in my state. And even though my cats are 100% indoor-only, you never know if something could happen and they could get outside accidentally. (I know some states are more lax because rabies is really uncommon. But some states, like Hawaii, don't have rabies and they are super hardcore about pets being vaxxed because they don't ever want it.)

[Deleted]

I've heard anti-pet-vax sentiments.

[elleblue]

We vax our dogs but prefer to then titer test to check for immunities rather than give our dogs vaccines every single year. I think a lot of the pet recommendations for vaccines are more frequent than necessary, hence the titer testing. 

[underwaterrhymes]

My dad and stepmom are anti-vax for their pets.

My stepmom tried to tell me that the MMR causes autism, but I shut that shit right down.

[pixy0stix]

I had a puppy who had both parvo and distemper. My poor little puppy. He came that way from the "rescue". I would never NOT vax a dog against those.

I do, however, selectively vax against things like kennel cough (it's basically useless), and lepto. With animals there *is* a greater chance for bad vax reactions, and, especially in cats, a large chance to produce tumors at the injection sites.

So... yeah, I guess I am a selective vaxer when it comes to my animals.

[redheadbaker]

Apples and oranges.

There hasn't been as much research on pet vaccines, and the instances of vaccine injuries are much higher in pets than in human children.

[sugarglider]

Because my cats are indoor-only, I give them shots every 3 years instead of annually. This is consistent with my vet's recommendations and the law.

There's a really bad cancer cats can get from shots, way worse than autism, an fatal, albeit rare.

[awick14]

Both our pets get their shots.

I do admit though when we just had our (indoor only) cat, we didn't get all her shots because it was just her. (I know that logic isn't great.)

As soon as we knew we were getting a dog then we went and got her up to date. And ever since all dogs that come into our home are fully vaccinated. (We foster for a rescue that believes in vaccines.)

[ajj]

This is kind of related, but I know people that won't do the lost pet chip implant because of similar reasons. Well, because they think it's one of the signs of the apocalypse. Has anyone else heard that?

[nomad100]

We fully vax both our dogs. But it is required to kennel them (and go to the fancy dog park) and go to doggy daycare.

I will say that we only treat with flea and Heartworm preventatives when it isn't freezing out.

[litebright]

Feb 5, 2015 14:37:53 GMT -5 elleblue said:

We vax our dogs but prefer to then titer test to check for immunities rather than give our dogs vaccines every single year. I think a lot of the pet recommendations for vaccines are more frequent than necessary, hence the titer testing. 

We haven't done the titer testing, but I have backed off on one particular vaccine unless the situation calls for it. My dogs have zero contact with other dogs, so unless we are having them boarded, we don't do the kennel cough/bordetella. We also try to do the three-year rabies rather than the one year.

LOL. I'm willing to make that call with my dogs, particularly for something like kennel cough which is yucky and contagious but not usually a super serious illness, and that they are at extremely low risk of contracting anyway. My kids, OTOH, are fully vaccinated. 

[ajj]

Feb 5, 2015 14:51:18 GMT -5 sugarglider said:

Because my cats are indoor-only, I give them shots every 3 years instead of annually. This is consistent with my vet's recommendations and the law.

There's a really bad cancer cats can get from shots, way worse than autism, an fatal, albeit rare.

When one of my cats got older she had a bad reaction to a vaccine. She was indoor only and the vet recommended not giving her shots anymore.

[sugarglider]

More info: www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=526

[nomad100]

Feb 5, 2015 14:53:40 GMT -5 ajj said:

This is kind of related, but I know people that won't do the lost pet chip implant because of similar reasons. Well, because they think it's one of the signs of the apocalypse. Has anyone else heard that?

Um no.  Who are these crazy and stupid folks?

if chipping my dogs so that I get them back = the apocalypse?  Bring it on!  I have a bunch of canned goods in my basement.

[zelda25]

My cat gets an exemption from the rabies vax (for real--the vet sends a letter to the county) because she's ancient and decrepit and can't handle the vaccines. She's also strictly indoor. Our dog gets ALL the shots.

[elleblue]

Feb 5, 2015 14:50:19 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I had a puppy who had both parvo and distemper. My poor little puppy. He came that way from the "rescue". I would never NOT vax a dog against those.

I do, however, selectively vax against things like kennel cough (it's basically useless), and lepto. With animals there *is* a greater chance for bad vax reactions, and, especially in cats, a large chance to produce tumors at the injection sites.

So... yeah, I guess I am a selective vaxer when it comes to my animals.

Feb 5, 2015 14:50:25 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Apples and oranges.

There hasn't been as much research on pet vaccines, and the instances of vaccine injuries are much higher in pets than in human children.

And then couple these things with the tendency to recommend too frequent vaccinations, it's really not the same thing. It's just not necessary to get most of these done every year or every other year. Problem is - titers are more expensive so it's often the easier and more cost effective choice to just vax every year. And then all it takes is one pet with a terrible reaction, or knowing someone who had a pet that had a terrible reaction and owners start to shy away from vaccinating their pets. And that's not good either. 

[ajj]

Feb 5, 2015 14:55:47 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Feb 5, 2015 14:53:40 GMT -5 ajj said:

This is kind of related, but I know people that won't do the lost pet chip implant because of similar reasons. Well, because they think it's one of the signs of the apocalypse. Has anyone else heard that?

Um no.  Who are these crazy and stupid folks?

if chipping my dogs so that I get them back = the apocalypse?  Bring it on!  I have a bunch of canned goods in my basement.

It is my soon to be ex-in laws. I agree that it is crazy. 

[meshaliuknits]

My cats get whichever shots are necessary to board them. Rabies and one other I think. One is annual and the other is every three years, I think.

[meshaliuknits]

Feb 5, 2015 14:58:24 GMT -5 ajj said:

Feb 5, 2015 14:55:47 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Um no.  Who are these crazy and stupid folks?

if chipping my dogs so that I get them back = the apocalypse?  Bring it on!  I have a bunch of canned goods in my basement.

It is my soon to be ex-in laws. I agree that it is crazy. 

It's the number of the beast or something. I think there's something kinda like getting chipped in revelations. Except it happens to people.

[ajj]

Feb 5, 2015 15:00:40 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Feb 5, 2015 14:58:24 GMT -5 ajj said:

It is my soon to be ex-in laws. I agree that it is crazy. 

It's the number of the beast or something. I think there's something kinda like getting chipped in revelations. Except it happens to people.

That's what it is, and they think starting with the animals leads to people getting them.

[meshaliuknits]

Feb 5, 2015 15:03:32 GMT -5 ajj said:

Feb 5, 2015 15:00:40 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

It's the number of the beast or something. I think there's something kinda like getting chipped in revelations. Except it happens to people.

That's what it is, and they think starting with the animals leads to people getting them.

I'm pretty sure people thought the same thing about bar codes. Considering how that panned out, I'm not overly concerned.

[nomad100]

Feb 5, 2015 15:03:32 GMT -5 ajj said:

Feb 5, 2015 15:00:40 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

It's the number of the beast or something. I think there's something kinda like getting chipped in revelations. Except it happens to people.

That's what it is, and they think starting with the animals leads to people getting them.

Yeah, TBH, I am more afraid of losing and never find one of my pets vs it being the sign of some made up story in a book written by some dudes.  

I am sorry your in-laws are crazy.  

[ajj]

Feb 5, 2015 15:06:23 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Feb 5, 2015 15:03:32 GMT -5 ajj said:

That's what it is, and they think starting with the animals leads to people getting them.

Yeah, TBH, I am more afraid of losing and never find one of my pets vs it being the sign of some made up story in a book written by some dudes.  

I am sorry your in-laws are crazy.  

Me too! And, thank you. 

[savan]

Our cats got their initial round of vaccines when we adopted them, but it's been years and years since then. They are strictly indoor, exposed to no other animals, and haven't been sick since we got them. I just can't see the need to bring them into a vet for shot they could potentially have a severe reaction to when they are at almost 0 risk of being exposed anyway. If our circumstances were to change and they needed it I would vaccinate.

(Oh wait, I believe they also had to get a round of shots when we flew them across the country. Nothing since then.)

[elleblue]

Feb 5, 2015 15:00:40 GMT -5 meshaliuknits said:

Feb 5, 2015 14:58:24 GMT -5 ajj said:

It is my soon to be ex-in laws. I agree that it is crazy. 

It's the number of the beast or something. I think there's something kinda like getting chipped in revelations. Except it happens to people.

I'm sick of people citing Revelations. It's just a bunch of overly dramatic biblical fan fic written way later than the rest of it. Annoying. 

[decemberwedding07]

Feb 5, 2015 14:22:32 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Lol. DH has a friend on the extreme end of the batshit crazy conspiracy spectrum and he refused to vaccinate his dogs.

I know a couple like this. They are also anti heartworm preventives. Their poor dog has heartworms now, since we live in Texas, which has more than just a few mosquitoes.

[decemberwedding07]

Feb 5, 2015 14:51:18 GMT -5 sugarglider said:

Because my cats are indoor-only, I give them shots every 3 years instead of annually. This is consistent with my vet's recommendations and the law.

There's a really bad cancer cats can get from shots, way worse than autism, an fatal, albeit rare.

Same here. And we never give them the feline aids or feline leukemia vaccines, since they are indoor-only animals who never have any contact with any other animals. Not vaccinating them against those illnesses was our vet's idea. He said they weren't necessary.

[darnkatz]

My MIL is anti-vax for humans (even though she vaccinated all 3 children and her military husband is vaccinated against everything under the sun) and is now anti-vax for dogs too, apparently. The stupid is strong.