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Rabies vaccine advice

12 replies

Perch · 15/04/2020 16:31

Hi,

We are going on a 3 year placement abroad in Jan 2021 to a country that is a stickler for rules, no exceptions. They require dogs to have a first rabies vaccine, followed by a second one within a month, and then a titre, and only then does the 6 month ‘quarantine’ start before the dog can go. So we have enough time, I would really like him to come with us or as close to our departure date as possible. If there is any problems on arrival he will go into enforced quarantine which I would like to avoid at all costs.

My problem is that I have spoken to two local vet practices, one where he has been since we got him, and both insist that the only rabies vaccine they give is single dose only, then titre test. Does anybody know what I need to ask for in order to have a two dose vaccine? From Googling it seems like the one they use in US/Canada is a two dose version but I can’t find the brand name.

I hope this makes sense! TIA

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DogInATent · 15/04/2020 19:09

It would be interesting to know which country? But at the end of the day, only the official enforcement organisation for pet importation to that country is going to be able to give you a definitive answer.

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Perch · 15/04/2020 20:07

Japan
The rules are the rules, their defra equivalent website clearly states 1. Microchip, 2 two jabs, 3. Titre, 4. 6 months ‘quarantine’, also worming, the usual boosters parvo etc, advance notice and a check on arrival.
Thanks x

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Veterinari · 15/04/2020 20:10

All rabies jabs are single dose but if it's what Japan require the vet can give the second dose as long as you accept the (minimal) risks for 'overvaccinating'

You'll need to show the vet the Japanese import requirements.
Also check that the dogs microchip is Asia compatible - they sometimes use a different type of microchip reader

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VetOnCall · 15/04/2020 20:11

I'm in Canada, practising here as a vet, and it's a single dose vaccination for rabies. I brought my own dogs over from the UK when I moved here and they had a single-dose vaccination just after arrival (Canada doesn't require animals from the UK or Ireland to have the vaccination prior to arrival).

Which country is it that you're moving to? I think you may need to contact a pet relocation company based there for advice.

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Perch · 15/04/2020 20:12

This is their flow chart
I’ll phone the vet again tomorrow. Neither of the two I spoke two offer a two jab version of the rabies vaccine.
Thanks anyway for your time DoginaTent x

Rabies vaccine advice
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VetOnCall · 15/04/2020 20:13

Sorry, cross post. Yes in that case as said, you'll have to ask your vet to give a second dose based on those specific requirements.

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Perch · 15/04/2020 20:15

X posted, I’ll call them again tomorrow.
Thank you so much for answering x

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DogInATent · 15/04/2020 20:31

Ahh, ok, I see where they're coming from...

www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/qanda/dogcata.html##3

There can be a high failure rate for the titre test based on a single vaccination so they're insisting that the normal one-shot vaccine is given twice (minimum 30 days apart) to give a much higher likelihood that the titre test will pass.

We get around it in the UK/EU by advising drawing the blood for the tighter as soon as possible after the 30 day mark for the best chance of passing the titre and accepting that the antibody level is likely to decline below the target level with time (still effective as a vaccine, the titre pass level is very high).

Seems to be one of those cultural differences and no UK vet should have problems complying with this - although they may need to read the FAQ to understand what's being asked for.

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DogInATent · 15/04/2020 20:33

I'm not a vet, but we had to get a repeat vaccination to pass the titre test when we had it done due to the first test failing as a result of lapsed time since the vaccination and a low antibody score.

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Veterinari · 15/04/2020 20:34

Yes when I said all rabies vaccines are single-dose I mean't that's how they're licensed in the UK (as that was relevant to the OPs situation) I've also used other licensed preparations when practicing abroad but as the OP is leaving the UK she's unlikely to be able to access vaccine preparations from abroad.

OP if it helps, it's basically the same vaccine it's just the way it is licensed/marketed in different countries. In the UK where we're v low risk for rabies, the licensing authorities accept the levels of immunity conferred by a single dose. In countries where risks are higher or rabies is endemic then 2 doses may be given, but it's still essentially a similar vaccine.

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Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple · 15/04/2020 20:43

I think the vets are just not understanding what you need
There’s no problem giving two doses of the normal rabies vaccine a month apart.
Pre pet passport days, when rabies titre was needed after a rabies vaccination, we routinely did certain breeds twice before doing the titre as there was a high risk of titre failure otherwise.
It’s not a special vaccine, is what I’m trying to say, just two doses of the normal one.

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Booboostwo · 15/04/2020 21:09

As above. Three of my four dogs needed two rabies vaccinations to pass the titre test.

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