Comparisons of cat and dog rabies vaccination rates between epizootic to non-epizootic counties and urban to rural counties in the state of Texas

Abstract

Parts of Texas are currently under two rabies epizootics and have been since 1988. The concern is the number of unvaccinated pets in the state, especially the epizootic areas. These unvaccinated pets leave an opening human exposure to rabies likely come into contact with wildlife. This study was undertaken compare the vaccination rates of cats and dogs the epizootic counties the non-epizootic counties to see if the rabies increase vaccination of cats and dogs the epizootic counties. Comparisons between urban and rural areas were also done because the majority of the epizootic counties fall into rural counties. Samples of vaccinated cats and dogs with Zoonotic Incident Records that compared the epizootic to non-epizootic counties and urban to rural counties were gathered and analyzed on a yearly basis with t-tests and entire period variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the epizootic areas did not have an increased vaccination rate. Increases in rates in these counties correspond with human deaths and Rabies Vaccination Program either of which may have resulted increased rabies awareness. Rural counties showed a frame. Overall vaccination rates in urban counties were greater than the rural counties. This could be attributed to the stray animal population, presence wildlife, pet vaccination the epizootic, non-epizootic, urban, and rural counties. These three things have an impact on the vaccination rates of animals during a rabies order to eliminate human death and suffering from rabies.