Love pets, but do not be subjective

Currently, the percentage of people, especially young people, who tend to raise dogs and cats as pets is increasing. They can let their pets sleep, eat, go out, have picnics, travel with them, etc. Therefore, veterinary clinics, pet spas, pet clinics, etc. for dogs and cats are increasingly developing to help care for and ensure the safety of pets as well as the safety of humans in the context of epidemics, especially the dangerous rabies disease.

Ms. Thanh Huong (27 years old, living in Long An) said: "Because I am not married yet, I decided to raise a Poodle dog to have a companion after a hard day of work. When I let my dog go out for a walk, coffee, or to a friend's house, it will wear a muzzle according to regulations."

According to Ms. Huong, every two weeks she takes her dog to Ho Chi Minh City for beauty treatments such as massage, nail clipping, fur cutting, etc. She also buys prepared dog feed to help reduce the odor of manure. At the same time, have her dog vaccinated according to the locality's recommended schedule. "I think full vaccination is needed, which is good for my dog, me, and the people around me," she said.

According to the Long An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, to prevent and control rabies, the department recently issued a rabies prevention and control plan for 2024. Accordingly, the goal is to manage over 70% of households raising dogs and cats, and over 70% of the total pet dog and cat herds are vaccinated against rabies in communes, wards, and towns. The planned vaccination rate is at least 85%. In particular, over 90% of communes, wards, and towns will establish lists of households raising dogs and cats for easy management.

For communes and wards implementing the pilot model of communes, wards, and towns in the management and vaccination of dogs and cats, registration for management and vaccination will be organized to reach a rate of 95%. At the same time, strive to reduce the number of rabies cases in animals and humans. 100% of rabies outbreaks in animals are promptly investigated and handled when detected.

Mr. Tran Thanh, owner of Home Pet Care Veterinary Clinic, said that many people now often choose clinics to care for and beautify their pets. "Many people have their dogs and cats vaccinated from 3 months of age according to regulations and re-vaccinated annually. This is a very good action to protect pets and the community," he said.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Lien Huong of the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association (VAWA), rabies is a common acute infectious disease in humans and animals, especially carnivores. The disease has been detected in dogs, cats, monkeys, ferrets, foxes, wolves, horses, pigs, buffaloes, cows, deer, roe deer, elephants, etc., and humans.

In dogs, there are two distinct forms of the disease: madness and paralysis. The madness form only lasts for 2–5 days, and the dog dies at a rate of 100%. The paralysis form is very dangerous because many people do not think about rabies. This form accounts for 20–30% of dogs with rabies. In the first few days, the dog can still bite the homeowner if they come to take care of it. Similarly, cats are also animals that are close to humans, are often infected with rabies, and then transmit rabies to humans.

Dr. Huong recommends that pets be vaccinated against rabies periodically. Pets must be kept within the family’s premises, and dogs must not be allowed to roam freely to avoid infection with the rabies virus from rabid dogs, cats, and other rabid animals. When taking the dog out on the street, it must wear a muzzle to prevent biting people.

“When taking care of dogs and cats, it is mandatory to be careful to avoid being bitten. In case of being bitten, it is compulsory to promptly go to medical centers for examination to take timely measures," Dr. Huong recommends.

Dr. Nguyen Vu Quang, Program Manager of Companion Animals for HSI Vietnam (Humane Society International), said that, in the current context, many countries around the world are increasingly paying attention to the issue of companion animal welfare and always place welfare so that the animal has the ability to live in the best environment.

Dogs and cats that are cared for according to animal welfare must ensure the achievement of "five aspects": nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and spirit. At the same time, achieve the "5 No's," including: no hunger or thirst; no discomfort; no pain, injury, or disease; no fear or distress; and no prevention from expressing normal behavior.

“Dogs also need to be able to perform their natural behaviors such as scenting, running, exploring new environments, playing, chewing, relaxing in the sun, chasing, and staying away from scary things. For cats, it is necessary to create conditions for them to perform scratching behavior, stimulate drinking water, enjoy sightseeing, and reduce stress," Dr. Nguyen Vu Quang said, further emphasizing that in the context of epidemics, especially rabies disease, coordination of all parties is needed. At the same time, it is necessary to increase dissemination so that the whole community can work together to repel rabies in Vietnam.

Dr. Ha Thuy Hanh, Vice President of the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association (VAWA), said that in order to communicate well so that the community can behave humanely, take good care of pets, ensure the health of pets, and prevent and control diseases transmitted to humans, in the coming time, in addition to advising on safe pet care, VAWA will provide technical guidance, including care for dogs and cats as well as other pets and animals. In particular, create a network of linkages within the pet group and include educational programs in schools so that children can have the best knowledge and skills for dog and cat raising.