‘Dogs Can’t Get Autism’, Vets Announce
The British Veterinary Association has advised pet owners that there is no scientific evidence that dogs can develop autism. The Veterinary group said “We are aware of an increase in Anti-Vaccination pet owners in the US who have voiced concerns that vaccinations may lead their dog to develop autism-like behaviour.”
For #WorldImmunizationWeek, we'd like to stress that #vaccinations save lives and are a vital tool in keeping our pets healthy. Scaremongering can lead to knee-jerk reactions resulting in outbreaks of disease #VaccinesWork @RavetzGudrun @TelegraphNews @GMB https://t.co/MIWF85pgew
— BVA (@BritishVets) April 25, 2018
The Anti-Vaxxer movement mistakenly believe that vaccinations can cause autism in humans, and apparently this belief now extends to animals too. The theory originates from a widely discredited and later retracted 1998 study published in a respected British Medical Journal, The Lancet.
The Journal later declared the piece an ‘elaborate fraud’. It became apparent under investigation that the study’s author, Dr Andrew Wakefield, had been contracted to write the study by lawyers hoping to sue vaccine manufacturers. Wakefield and other researchers were unable to reproduce the study’s results in the face of criticism.
We're looking to speak to pet owners who haven't given their pets vaccinations because they're concerned about side effects – as well as people who have done so and now believe their pet has canine autism as a result.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 23, 2018
Tweet us or email GMB@ITV.com pic.twitter.com/ChWX9mu3mV
There's currently no reliable scientific evidence to indicate autism in dogs (or its link to vaccines). Potential side effects of vaccines are rare & outweighed by the benefits in protecting against disease. BVA would be happy to provide evidence-based information on the issue
— BVA (@BritishVets) April 24, 2018
The BVA reiterated the sentiment in several tweets, including one in reply to Good Morning Britain as they signalled their intention to host a segment speaking to people who had vaccinated their pets and now believed their pet had ‘canine autism’ as a result.
After the 1998 study was published, vaccination rates of children in Britain dropped sharply. Pet vaccination rates are already down in recent years, according to the PDSA.
This article was originally published in Pop and Locke.
Pop and Locke is a libertarian-conservative popular culture and politics blog bringing you news and opinions that cut through the mainstream mould. It was inspired by an appreciation for enlightenment philosophy and a passion for our increasingly wacky popular culture.
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