Veterinarians’ role in public health

Making prevention of zoonotic diseases a priority within our hospital and to our clients is of the utmost importance. The extra attention we give to educating the clients on zoonotic diseases protects the pets, protects their household members, and can save them money. It can win loyal clients for the practice.

RELATED: Get our guide to public health

Working at the interface of animal health and public health, veterinarians must take a One Health approach in communicating zoonotic risks (especially the risks faced by pregnant women, children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised). We also need to communicate risks to our hospital staff, who work in close contact with these sick animals and who may need specific PPE protocols. By stressing zoonotic protection measures for veterinary staff, practices maintain good relationships with their indispensable technical teams while also sparing themselves liability problems and expenses.

Preventative veterinary care goes beyond animal welfare and also reduces the burden of zoonotic diseases in human healthcare. A good example of this is how pet vaccination laws and protocols have greatly reduced the incidence of rabies in many countries today. Basic wellness care such as vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and deworming (along with emphasizing good hygiene around pets) can mitigate transmission of many zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.

An important example of pre-emptively educating your clients on zoonotic disease is in the case of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis can be particularly costly to manage since it can be elusive to diagnose and can require lengthy hospitalizations in severe cases. However, taking the extra time to mention the zoonotic risk can make the difference in obtaining owner consent for the vaccine, greatly reducing the risk of the pet contracting the disease and the subsequent risk of the household members also becoming ill. The value of the protection far outweighs the cost of the vaccine. 

Client education goes a long way with regards to public health. Many clients will only know the benefits and value of preventing these diseases if we explicitly tell them. By counseling clients on the matter, we can build confidence and trust in the veterinary-client-patient relationship while keeping everyone safe and informed.