How To Get Proof Of Rabies Vaccination

Vaccinations For Your Pet

Vaccines help prevent many illnesses that affect pets. Vaccinating your pet has long been considered one of the easiest ways to help him live a long, healthy life. Not only are there different vaccines for different diseases, there are different types and combinations of vaccines. Vaccination is a procedure that has risks and benefits that must be weighed for every pet relative to his lifestyle and health. Your veterinarian can determine a vaccination regime that will provide the safest and best protection for your individual animal.

Does My Dog Need A Rabies Vaccine Every Year

I am so glad you asked. Why? Because rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, and proper vaccination is the best and only way to keep you and your dog safe.

There is no test that can be done on a living person or an animal to tell if they are infected, and there is no treatment that can stop the virus once symptoms occur. As soon as you are able to tell if you or your pet is infected with the virus, it is too late.

Not to mention, if your dog is not up to date on her rabies vaccine and she bites, gets bitten or has a wound of unknown origin that could possibly be a bite, the state law may require that your pet be quarantined or even euthanized to keep other pets and people safe.

Keeping your pets current with their rabies vaccines is absolutely essential and even required by law. Here is what you should know about rabies vaccinations.

Rabies Vaccination Boosters And Blood Tests

You must get your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your vet needs proof that your pets at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, theyll need to be vaccinated again.

The vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine or recombinant vaccine thats approved in the country of use.

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What Are The Signs Of Rabies In An Animal

The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. An animal need not be “foaming at the mouth” to have rabies. Other signs include difficulty walking, a general appearance of sickness or a change in the animal’s normal behavior. For example, if an animal that is normally wild and avoids contact with humans approaches a picnic area, campsite or home and appears tame or friendly, consider it rabid. Conversely, if a normally tame and friendly animal becomes hostile or aggressive without provocation, it too should be considered rabid. A rabid animal usually dies within one week after showing signs of the disease.

Efficacy Effectiveness And Immunogenicity

Efficacy and effectiveness

HDCV or PCECV administered at the same time as RabIg and local treatment are highly effective in preventing rabies in exposed individuals. Failures of post-exposure management have occurred, although almost always after deviation from the recommended post-exposure prophylaxis protocol. No post-exposure prophylaxis failures have occurred in Canada or the US.

Immunogenicity

Pre-exposure immunogenicity

The immunogenicity of PCECV and HDCV for pre-exposure vaccination has been demonstrated in clinical trials. When PCECV was administered according to the recommended immunization schedule, 100% of subjects attained an adequate antibody titre by Day 28 or earlier. Persistence of adequate antibody titres for up to 2 years after immunization with PCECV has been demonstrated. After a three-dose primary series of HDCV, all vaccinees reached an adequate antibody titre. A 10-year follow-up study of subjects who received three doses of HDCV, followed by a booster dose at 1 year, has shown the maintenance of protective antibody up to 5 years in 96.2%. A seroconversion rate of 95.1% was demonstrated in travellers who received three ID injections of HDCV or PCECV, with a booster after 12 months.

Post-exposure immunogenicity

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Simultaneous Administration With Other Vaccines

Data are not available regarding the concurrent administration of rabies vaccines with other vaccines. Based on expert opinion, live vaccines given by nasal or oral route and essential inactivated vaccines, may be administered at the same time as rabies vaccines. Vaccines should be provided at different injection sites using separate needles and syringes.

If rabies immunoglobulin is administered, this may interfere with the response to live vaccines. Refer to Blood Products, Human Immunoglobulin and Timing of Immunizations, and Timing of Vaccine Administration chapters in Part 1.

My Pet May Have Rabies

If you suspect your pet already has rabies:

• put your pet in a quiet, dark area by itself
• call your veterinarian right away.
• keep your pet away from people or other animals
• if your pet has bitten you or another person, call your local public health unit

If you suspect your pethas come into contact with a rabid animal, call your local veterinarian.

He or she will ask for information to help determine if your pet may have been exposed.

Your veterinarian may vaccinate your pet within 7 days if:

• he or she finds that your pet may have been exposed to rabies
• the animal your pet was exposed to cant be found and tested for rabies
• tests show the animal your pet was exposed to does have rabies

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What Is A Valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate

As of July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies. This includes dogs arriving from countries not at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months.

CDC has the authority to issue a CDC Dog Import Permit for US citizens and lawful residents relocating from high-risk countries to bring their dogs into the United States. Such permits will be issued on a limited basis.

UPDATE: Effective December 1, 2021, dogs vaccinated in the United States by a US-licensed veterinarian may re-enter the United States from a high-risk country without a CDC Dog Import Permit if the dog:

Expired US-issued rabies vaccination certificates will not be accepted. If the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, you must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit, if eligible.

that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months may only enter the United States through an approved port of entry, which includes all 18 airports with a CDC quarantine station: Anchorage , Atlanta , Boston , Chicago , Dallas , Detroit , Honolulu , Houston , Los Angeles , Miami , Minneapolis , New York , Newark , Philadelphia , San Francisco , San Juan , Seattle , and Washington DC .

Vaccine And Immunoglobulin Safety And Adverse Events

Refer to Adverse Events Following Immunization in Part 2 for additional general information.

Common and local adverse events

HDCV

Local injection site reactions such as pain, erythema, swelling, pruritus and induration at the injection site were reported in 60% to close to 90% of recipients. Mild systemic reactions such as headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches and dizziness were reported in about 6% to 55% of recipients.

PCECV

Local injection site reactions were reported in 11% to 57% of recipients, consisting of pain, tenderness, swelling, erythema and induration at the injection site lasting for 2 to 3 days. Systemic reactions are generally less common and may consist of malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, headache and fever. Lymphadenopathy, nausea and rash have been reported occasionally.

RabIg

Local injection site pain, erythema and induration are commonly reported following administration of RabIg, as are systemic reactions such as headache and low-grade fever. The majority of reported events were mild.

Less common and serious or severe adverse events

Serious adverse events are rare following immunization and, in most cases, data are insufficient to determine a causal association.

HDCV

PCECV

Anaphylaxis following immunization with PCECV has been rarely reported. Temporally associated neurologic events have also been very rarely reported but causal association with vaccination has not been established.

RabIg

Contraindications and precautions

Drug interactions

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Whats The Rabies Vaccine For Dogs

The rabies vaccine is an injection designed to keep your dog safe against the rabies virus.

The rabies vaccine will protect the pet by allowing the body to create antibodies against the virus, Dr. Bustamante said. The antibodies will prevent an infection and the disease.

Its legally required in the U.S. because rabies is incredibly fatal.

Each state has their own regulations as to what happens if your pet gets bitten or if your pet bites a person or another pet, Dr. Bustamante said. Most places require proof of vaccination, others require long quarantine, and some states will euthanize unvaccinated pets that bite people.

While that sounds pretty heavy, its worth noting that rabies is super preventable with the vaccine, which is why that shots so important.

Rabies vaccine is very safe and effective at preventing the virus, Dr. Bustamante said. The vaccine can save your pets life.

How Long Does A Rabies Vaccine Last

This is a legal question as well as a medical one. State law determines how long your dogs vaccination is considered protective, and the law varies from state to state.

There are rabies vaccines that are labeled as being effective for either one year or three years, though the actual contents of the vaccine may be the same. Labeling is a legal matter of testing and proof, and the difference between the two vaccines is the testing done by the manufacturer.

Some states require your pet to be vaccinated against rabies annually, no matter if the vaccine is considered to be effective for one year or three. Your veterinarian will know the legal requirements of your state and will help you to stay on schedule with your pets.

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Certificate Needed For Out

If you take a pet dog, cat, ferret or horse out of South Carolina, make sure to take along your animal’s Rabies Vaccination Certificate. While horses are not required by S.C. law to be vaccinated for rabies in state, federal regulations do require the vaccine for out-of-state travel.

You’ll receive your pet’s rabies certificate, along with a rabies tag for your pet’s collar, when your animal is vaccinated.

Always keep your pet’s rabies tag on its collar. And keep the rabies certificate in a safe place.

How Much Are Rabies Shots For Dogs

The cost of your dogs rabies vaccine will vary based on where you get it done.

Costs for rabies vaccines vary by hospital usually the cost ranges around $30, Dr. Bustamante said. There are many free rabies vaccine clinics usually provided by your local animal shelter.

Its also important to keep in mind that if you go to a vet to vaccinate your dog, youll probably have to pay for an office visit as well as the vaccine itself.

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Overdue For Rabies Booster

In a majority of the states and jurisdictions that require rabies vaccination of dogs, administration of a single dose of rabies vaccine, regardless of the time that has lapsed since the previous dose was administered, is considered to be an immunizing dose.

In most states, following revaccination, a dog is considered to be immediately currently vaccinated against rabies. In most states, the duration of immunity of the booster dose is determined by the product label .

Some states do require all dogs that are overdue for revaccination, even if by just one day, to receive 2 rabies vaccine doses 1 yr apart. .

This Page Is For Cook County Residents With Pets That Have Been Vaccinated By A Licensed Veterinarian Who Need To Purchase A Rabies Tag Or Replacement Tag

**If your veterinarian administered a 3-year rabies vaccine and did not have any 3-year tags available during your visit, please fill out the rabies tag order form and mail or visit the office in-person to purchase with the appropriate documentation.**

Rabies and Replacement Tags

Cook County residents can now print and complete the Rabies Tag Order Form, also found under the Downloads section of this page, to order a rabies or replacement tag. Replacement tags can be obtained if the current tag is lost or if the resident moved from another location. The cost is $6 for a 1-year tag and $18 for a 3-year tag. To obtain a rabies or replacement tag by mail or in-person, please provide the following documentation:

• Rabies tag order form
• Rabies certificate from veterinarian
• A copy of one of the following documents: state issued identification, current lease or utility bill
• Payment. Acceptable forms of payment include:
• Mail: Check or money order. Do not mail cash.
• In-person: Check, money order or cash.

Residents are welcome to visit our office to purchase a rabies or replacement tag from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday – Friday.

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Recommended Rabies Vaccine Schedule For Your Dog

Each state has its own laws for the required rabies vaccine schedule for dogs.

In most states, the first rabies vaccination is generally given to puppies at or before 16 weeks of age. The second rabies vaccination is given one year after the first vaccine.

Then, your dog will be vaccinated every year or every three years depending on the state law and the vaccine used.

Your veterinarian is your best resource for your states rabies vaccination requirements. The AVMA also maintains a list of state rabies laws.

Are There Any Rabies Vaccine Side Effects

Common side effects can include mild discomfort or swelling at the vaccination site, a slight fever, and a decreased appetite and activity level. These symptoms can start within hours of the vaccination and should go away in a day or two.

If the side effects worsen or continue longer than a few days, contact your veterinarian so they can help ease them.

Occasionally, the small, firm swelling at the injection site can last for a few weeks. If it persists more than three weeks or seems to be getting larger, you should contact your veterinarian.

Less common, but more serious, side effects to be aware of include:

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Swelling of the muzzle and around the face, neck or eyes

• Severe coughing or difficulty breathing, and even collapse

These serious side effects usually occur minutes to hours after receiving the vaccine. They may be life-threatening emergencies that require immediate emergency veterinary care.

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What Do I Need To Know Before I Bring My Pet To The Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic

What do I need to know before I bring my pet to the free rabies vaccination clinic?

• Pets must be at least three months of age to receive a rabies vaccination. Your pets first rabies vaccination is only good for one year.
• Proof of previous rabies vaccination must be provided to receive a three-year certificate otherwise a one-year certificate will be issued. Ferret vaccinations are only valid for one year. Please bring your pets previous rabies certificate with you to the clinic.
• All dogs, cats and ferrets must be restrained using a leash and/or pet carrier.
• No person shall be allowed to have more than three pets in line at one time.
• Pets accepted at the rabies vaccination clinics include dogs, cats and ferrets.

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What Should A Person Do If An Animal Bite Occurs

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. The local health department or the county animal control office also should be notified immediately. The animal should be captured without damaging its head and only if direct contact with the animal can be avoided.

If an apparently healthy domestic dog, cat or ferret bites a human, it must be captured, confined and professionally observed for 10 days following the bite. If the animal remains healthy during this period, it would not have transmitted rabies at the time of the bite. There is no reliable observation period established for non-domestic animals. If a person is bitten by a non-domestic animal and it is available for testing, testing should be done immediately. All animal bites should be reported to the local animal control office.If an animal suspected of having rabies cannot be observed or tested, or if it tests positive for rabies, treatment of the individual with rabies immune globulin and the vaccine series must begin immediately. Vaccine injections are given in the arm.

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How Often Do Dogs Need Rabies Shots

Your dog will be able to get his rabies vaccine when hes just a few months old.

Dogs need to be at least 12 weeks old to receive their first rabies vaccine, Dr. Bustamante said. Dogs get their first rabies vaccine at approximately 16 weeks old.

But one shot wont be enough to fully vaccinate your dog against rabies hell need boosters periodically for the rest of his life.

Dogs do need rabies boosters every one to three years depending on veterinarian discretion and state regulations, Dr. Bustamante said.

For more information on your states rabies regulations, visit the CDCs directory of rabies consultation contacts.

Staying on top of your dogs rabies boosters isnt just important for protecting him proof of up-to-date vaccination could be required for him to travel, go to doggy day care or work with a trainer.

So dont just get your dog vaccinated for rabies because its the law. Do it for his safety and yours.