The implementation of preventive vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies in rural areas

Rabies is a fatal viral infection that has no specific treatment. For that reason prevention, especially vaccinations against rabies, is the matter of the utmost importance. The study involved 176 dog owners (possessing 257 dogs) and 86 cat owners (possessing 182 cats) from rural areas in Lublin province. The special original inquiry questionnaire was applied.

Results: Preventive vaccination of dogs against rabies is properly realized by only 64.8 ± 7 % dog owners (below the level recommended by WHO) and by only 19.8 ± 9.1 % of cat owners - inhabitants of rural areas in Lublin Province. 16.5 % of respondents confessed that they have never vaccinated their dogs against rabies. 48.3 ± 7.4 % of dog owners as well as 65.1 ± 10.1 % of cat owners don't have any veterinary health certificates for their animals.

Conclusions: The standards of veterinary care as well as effectiveness of dogs and cats vaccinations against rabies in rural areas in Poland need to be improved.