The ultimate guide to rabies vaccination in dogs


The rabies vaccine is highly effective at preventing rabies in dogs. It also has a very low rate of adverse events (less than 1 percent). If your dog lapses on rabies vaccination and is bit, you will need to quarantine your dog at home. For maximum protection, your dog should have 2 vaccines within the recommended time frame.

To learn everything you need to know about vaccine schedule, types, rabies, and rabies law, read below.

Dog rabies vaccine schedule

According to the american animal hospital  association, the guidelines for rabies vaccine administration is to give the first rabies vaccine no earlier than 12 weeks of age.  The next vaccine should be given 1 year later.  Following the 1 year booster, rabies is only required every 3 years. 

The rabies vaccine is not advised to be given prior to 12 weeks of age. This helps to avoid maternal antibody inactivation of the vaccine. This guideline also assures that the immune system that can mount the proper vaccine response. 

How rabies is transmitted

Rabies occurs through bites or scratches from an infected animal.  The incubation period of the virus varies a lot from animal to animal.  Part of the variability is the distance of the wound to the closest nerve, spinal cord and brain. The wound location and the volume of virus delivered determine how long it takes to develop clinical signs.  Most domestic animals take 3-12 weeks to develop symptoms of rabies after the inciting wound.  There still have been cases of a few days to a few months to develop clinical signs.  Rabies rarely causes symptoms past 6months from the bite wound.  

The virus enters the peripheral nervous system and then works its way to the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain).  Within the central nervous system, the virus replicates.  Once the virus reaches the peripheral nervous system, it travels about 3 inches per day on it’s way to the brain. 

Symptoms of rabies

The course of symptomatic rabies lasts about 3 to 8 days before it causes paralysis and respiratory failure.  The initial  symptoms are generally mild behavioral changes that only last about 2-3 days in dogs  Following this stage, an excitatory stage develops which causes dogs to behave in an erratic fashion with vicious behaviors like biting.  They will be restless and irritable and exhibit heightened sensitivities to light and wound. There can also be dumb phase instead of the excitatory phase  which is characterized by lethargy and avoidance of social interaction. The excitatory phase lasts 1-7 days after which the final stage of weakness followed by paralysis occurs. 

Canine rabies vaccines provide adequate protection

In order for a rabies vaccine to be approved for use in the United States, it must protect a minimum of 88% of vaccinated animals challenged with the virus. 

The canine rabies vaccine is exclusively composed of an inactivated strain of rabies with an adjuvant to stimulate the immune response.  Cats have an approved recombinant vaccine as well as killed vaccine available. 

According to vaccine guidelines, a one year rabies vaccine is required for only the very first vaccination in a pet.  Following that initial vaccine, the rabies vaccine can be inoculated every 3 years.

How quickly the rabies vaccine provides protection for your dog and for how long

The USDA- licensed rabies vaccines in the U.S . provide a strong immune response within a few days regardless of if the vaccine had been given in the past.  An animal is considered “protected” from rabies immediately after the inoculation. This is unlike a lot of other killed vaccines which typically require a booster at 2-4 weeks to be protective.  Part of the reason why the rabies vaccine is considered immediately protective is the slow rate of clinical signs. This allows for the immune system to mount a proper antibody response. 

There are two types of inactivated canine rabies vaccines available. One vaccine is licensed for 1 year and one is licensed for 3 years.  I spoke to a Merck veterinary representative who explained that the 3 year vaccines are considered higher potency. Thus they provide a longer lasting protection for three years.  

The rabies vaccine licensed for only 1 year is only available in a multi use bottle. This provides 10 doses in the bottle.  This may be chosen by some low cost clinics and shelters to keep costs low.  

Which wild animals DON’T carry rabies?

Although any mammal can get rabies,  small rodents such as mice, rats, gophers, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits almost never acquire rabies.  These animals are not known to transmit rabies to humans.  In the United States there has never been a documented case of a squirrel transmitting rabies to a human! 

Rabies is a risk in the United States in every state except for Hawaii  

Hawaii is very cautious accepting animals to their state. If you are moving to Hawaii with your dog or cat, you must follow rigorous rabies vaccination guidelines. A rabies titer must be submitted within their timeline for your anticipated travel.  If your pet does not have the necessary documentation, they may be subjected to a 120 day enforced quarantine. 

Unvaccinated dog that bites a person

If an unvaccinated, but healthy dog bites a person the usual guidelines state: the biting dog can be quarantined for 10 days for any rabies symptoms.  If no symptoms develop, the person who was bitten is at no risk for rabies exposure. 

Animals may shed the rabies virus up to 5 days before they develop rabies symptoms. That is why a healthy dog or cat must be monitored for 10 days after biting a person. 

If a dog or a cat develops rabies symptoms after biting a person they will be required to be euthanized. Brain matter must be submitted for rabies testing.   The ONLY way to test for rabies is to submit the brain for analysis. 

According to the immunization action coalition, the vast majority of reported cases of rabies in the United States were in wild animals (92%).  The most common wild animal carrying rabies were bats, closely followed by raccoons and then skunks.  A much smaller proportion occurred in foxes. Cats were the most commonly reported domestic animal for rabies, followed by cattle and then dogs.  

However, globally, 99% of all human rabies cases occur from rabies-infected dogs!  

If your dog is bit by a rabid animal

If your dog is not immunized for rabies, and they are bit by a known rabid animal, your dog might be euthanized to prevent rabies spread. It is possible they could be quarantined for 4-6 months instead.  If rabies does not develop within 6 months, then rabies is no longer a risk. 

If a dog is overdue for rabies vaccination (but has been vaccinated at least once) when it is bit by an animal carrying rabies, then euthanasia or a 4 month quarantine  with an immediate rabies vaccine administration (or within 96 hours) the recommendations. 

Your dog is bit by a healthy animal

An unvaccinated dog bit by another unvaccinated healthy animal (dog, cat or affected wildlife). This will generally require a 4 month quarantine or possible euthanasia.  The dog or cat that was bit should receive a rabies vaccine booster within 96 hours (within 4 days). 

A dog or cat current on rabies vaccinations bit by a healthy animal (dog, cat or wildlife). Your pet will be placed under quarantine for 45 days. A rabies vaccine booster should be given in less than 96 hours.

A dog or cat who is late for their rabies booster but bit by a healthy animal (dog, cat or wildlife). Your pet should receive a booster vaccine in less than 96 hours.  If the overdue rabies is documented they will need to be under owner observation for 45 days.  If their rabies is overdue but no documentation is provided, the pet will either be under quarantine for 45 days to 120 days or possibly euthanized.  See this site on the CDC for more information.

What does it mean to quarantine your dog?

A quarantine in the United States is typically provided by the owner at home with home visits by animal control.  It requires that the pet have limited to no direct contact with people or animals. If an owner is not able or willing to abide by the home quarantine requirements, the pet may need to quarantine at an animal shelter.

How do you test for rabies in an animal?

Unfortunately, the only way to prove an animal has rabies is to provide two samples of brain tissue (preferably the brainstem and cerebellum).  This sadly requires euthanasia. 

Is there rabies post exposure prophylaxis for dogs like there is for people?

There is post-rabies exposure vaccination available for people.  However, there is no post exposure vaccination program licensed or available for dogs or cats. This is why it is so important to have your pets vaccinated for rabies!

Dogs and cats who have had at least 2 rabies vaccinations within the recommended time frame are best protected from rabies.  These animals are even further protected if they are appropriately boosted with a dose of rabies vaccine post-exposure. 

What happens if my dog gets the rabies vaccine twice? 

Your dog will be required to be rabies vaccinated again if they are bitten by another animal whose rabies vaccine status is not up to date or unknown.  The booster vaccine serves to significantly decrease your dog’s risk of developing rabies in the event that the animal is rabid.  The risks for a second vaccination are simply the same set of common adverse vaccine risks the rabies vaccine always carries. See below for details. 

Dog rabies vaccine side effects

The most common reported side effect from the rabies vaccine is an allergic reaction (typically hives, facial swelling and itching). Local vaccine site swelling can occur or more vague generalized symptoms of lethargy, decreased appetite and fever. 

The reported chance of a rabies vaccine reaction is 38 out of 10,000 dogs or 0.38% of all dogs.  Treatment for adverse vaccine events can be Benadryl, anti-inflammatory medications (steroids or non  steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines), fluids, epinephrine etc.  

Rabies vaccine bump at the site of injection

Occasionally a reactive bump forms at the site of the rabies injection. 

Cats are notorious for having scary vaccine associated bumps that occasionally develop into tumors (sarcomas). Dogs may also develop lumps at the vaccine site, but it is uncommon for these to become a tumor.  

However, it is reasonable to follow the 3-2-1 recommendations set forth by the vaccine-associated feline sarcoma task force:

3:  Have a lump evaluated by your veterinarian if it is still present after 3 months 

2: Have a lump evaluated by your veterinarian if it is 2 cm or larger

1: Have a lump evaluated if it is continuing to enlarge after 1 month

Is rabies required by law  for your dog?

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, the rabies vaccine is required by most states in the U.S., but not all. 

Most states list the following recommendation: 

Dogs and cats at 3 months of age or older. Animals vaccinated prior to one year of age must receive a booster vaccination one year after the initial vaccination. Animals shall then be vaccinated every 3 years thereafter.

Ohio and Missouri, Kansas, and Minnesota have less clear directives on rabies vaccination for pets

Ohio: Their law gives local governments authority to enact rabies vaccination regulations at their discretion.

Missouri: The rabies vaccine law does not specify if the vaccine is mandated.

Minnesota: The rabies vaccine is only required in animals imported into the state. 

Kansas: The rabies vaccine is only required in animals imported into the state. 

Does the rabies vaccine have to be administered by a veterinarian?

Most states, but not all, mandate that the rabies vaccine be administered by a licensed veterinarian.  A few states allow a licensed veterinary technician to provide the vaccine.  

In the District of Columbia, for example, the rabies vaccine cannot be administered by anyone other than the veterinarian . Any dog or cat presenting for a rabies vaccine is therefore seen for an exam as well as the vaccine. 

The following states allow rabies vaccine to be administered by a health care worker (under direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian)

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona , Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina , North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington , West Virginia, Wisconsin. 

Conclusion: Rabies vaccination in dogs

Rabies remains a huge public health threat in many parts of the world. It causes tens of thousands of human deaths each year.  Luckily, in the United States, human and companion animal rabies is extremely rare thanks to a rigorous vaccine program.  

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