Pet anti-vaxxers spark fears of disease epidemic
HUNDREDS of thousands of Australians don’t believe in pet vaccinations, sparking fears a crop of pet anti-vaxxers could be fuelling an epidemic of diseases not seen in Australia for decades.
A new survey from finder.com.au found 3 per cent of pet owners said they didn’t believe in vaccinations for pets – which equates to 400,000 Australians who don’t believe in protecting their furry friends.
The research found just 37 per cent of respondents kept their pets’ vaccinations up to date and 27 per cent hadn’t vaccinated because they forgot or weren’t sure if they were already vaccinated.
Cat AIDS is on the rise and the feline panleukopenia virus, which was eradicated 40 years ago, resurfaced last year.
Researchers last year discovered another strain of the canine parvovirus, which causes bleeding in the small intestine.
University of Sydney feline medicine and infectious diseases expert Professor Vanessa Barrs said infectious diseases in pets was a growing problem around Australia.
“These are diseases that can be controlled,” she said.