By Henry Martin For Mailonline
Published: 10:42 BST, 24 June 2019 | Updated: 10:49 BST, 24 June 2019
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British pet owners are placing their animals at risk by refusing to vaccinate them due to conspiracy theories being spread online, experts say.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned that 'anti-vax' conspiracies which are perpetuated on the internet are leading pet owners to not inoculate their animals - which could lead to outbreaks of diseases such as hepatitis and distemper.
A BVA spokesperson said that an increasing number of dog owners now think there is a link between animal vaccines and 'canine autism' - which has not been proven to even exist.
Recent figures from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey revealed that 98 per cent of vets have been questioned by their clients on the need for vaccination.
A BVA spokesperson said that an increasing number of dog owners now think there is a link between animal vaccines and 'canine autism' - which has not been proven to even exist (stock image)
Commenting on these recent figures, BVA Junior Vice President Daniella Dos Santos said it was 'concerning' that almost every companion animal vet had been questioned on the necessity of vaccination.
She said: 'We know from the example of the MMR vaccine and its now disproven link to autism in children that scaremongering can lead to a loss of public confidence in vaccination and knee-jerk reactions that can lead to outbreaks of disease.
'We would hate to see a similar trend against vaccination of pets, based on no scientific evidence, take root in animal healthcare.
'Vaccination is vital. Pets in the UK have been amazingly well-protected from many terrible diseases such as parvovirus, hepatitis, distemper and leptospirosis, all of which used to be endemic here, through the power of vaccination and ''herd immunity''.
'As a vet, it is hugely concerning to consider the future for pets in this country if owners begin to move away from
