‘Only registered veterinary surgeon can handle and administer rabies vaccine’

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Dr Chuo on the air for a radio show on Tea FM.

KUCHING: Only registered veterinary surgeon can handle and administer rabies vaccines on animals, with the price fixed at RM55 in Kuching and anything below that can be mistaken for other kinds of treatment.

Sarawak Veterinary Association (SVA) president Dr Chuo Hock Tieng warned that it is illegal to sell and purchase rabies vaccines over-the-counter (OTC) such as in a pet shop, clinic or even pharmacy and administer the vaccine on your own.

“Such practice is illegal according to the Animal Act 1953 and Sarawak Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. There are three wrongs here – the one not authorised to sell, the one buying from illegal source and giving the jabs on your own,” he said when met at TeaFM radio station after appearing on a show yesterday.

“We have received a lot of complaints and queries over the differing prices of rabies vaccine. There are confusion amongst pet owners in which some claim they can get the vaccine for RM50, RM29 or RM19,” he noted.

Dr Chuo was expressing his concerns over irresponsible practices after learning that there were pharmacies selling the vaccines.

Pet owners can only get the the vaccines from private vet clinic and government mass vaccination services which were announced from time to time.

Clarifying that the RM29 or less vaccines could be the normal vaccines, he reiterated that no person shall dispense, administer on or provide veterinary drugs for the treatment of any animal other than a veterinary surgeon or a person working under the immediate supervision of a veterinary surgeon.

“It is wrong because under the Poison Act law, the pharmacists are not allowed to sell the vaccines. More importantly, if you give the wrong vaccines, you are not helping your dog and the situation at all. You are just making it worst. We don’t want this,” he pointed out.

On complaints about deregistered vets still active in the field, Dr Chuo advised that the public can go to the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC)’s website at www.mvc.gov.my and click on Registered Vet Search to check whether the vet specialists have the licence to practise legally.

“Every vet must obtain an annual practising certificate (APC), which must be renewed yearly, and register under the Council registrar in order to practice,” he explained.

“So please be careful as there are vets on suspension or did not renew their registration with the Council but still active in field (practising),” he warned, pointing out that SVA currently has about 55 registered vet members.

He urged the public who come across such illegal practices to report straight to the Council with evidence such as receipt of purchase or signed regisration card.

On the availability of the rabies vaccine which were running out quite fast due to mass vaccination services conducted by government and sudden demand, Chuo disclosed that the stocks are expected to be replenished early August.

In the meantime, Dr Chuo said the public can strengthen measures and care for both pets and home surroundings to help prevent and control the outbreak and spread of the disease.

“If your dog is not having any problem or no history of dog bites, just keep them indoor and make sure they are secured from outside or stray dogs,” he advised.

“Enhance sanitisation for pets and also the surrounding with basic disinfectants like clorox using 1:10 dilution for example and just spray around the surrounding environment,” he added.

After pets received vaccination, Dr Chuo said, they should be kept indoor or within house compound for a month or at least two weeks in order for them to build sufficient immunity.

“One year after the rabies vaccine injection, your dog will need to take booster shot annually for the next three years. However, this also depends on the situation and vaccination order by the authority,” he added.