Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Required for dogs only as prerequisite to obtaining a license. (ARS 11-1010) 

  NOTE: When a State-level requirement for rabies vaccination is not in effect (eg, for cats) it is the veterinarian’s responsibility to know whether or not local jurisdictions (ie, either city or county) have rabies vaccination requirements in place. Even if rabies vaccination is NOT required at the State or local level, vaccination of all dogs/cats is strongly recommended. 

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• An Arizona licensed veterinarian, or…

• Per AAC R3-11-605 A. Except as provided in subsection (B), a certified veterinary technician may perform the tasks delegated by a licensed veterinarian while under the direction, supervision and control of the licensed veterinarian. 

How long must a copy of the signed rabies certificate be maintained by the practice?

• (Per AAC R3-11-502 L)   

   A veterinarian will maintain a written medical record for three (3) years after the last date an animal receives veterinary medical services. This record may or may not include a copy of the signed certificate but should serve as proof of when a rabies vaccination was given.

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Arizona?

• MINIMUM Age: Minimum Age: Per R3-2-409 Rabies Vaccines for Animals, the minimum age is prescribed by the NASPHV Compendium which lists all licensed rabies vaccinations and the minimum age for the first vaccination, generally 3 months with a range of 2-4 months, depending on the manufacturer’s label.

  MUST BE VACCINATED BY: Arizona does not specifically stipulate a “must be vaccinated by…” age for rabies vaccines. However, ARS 11-1012 Part C. states that any dog over the age of three months running at large shall wear a collar or harness to which is attached a valid license tag. An exception to wearing the collar or harness is granted to hunting dogs, racing dogs and dogs used for control of livestock, provided that they are properly vaccinated, licensed and controlled.

Following administration of the initial dose of rabies vaccine, when is an animal considered to be "currently vaccinated"?

• 28 days following administration of the initial dose of rabies vaccine.  This applies regardless of the animal’s age at the time the initial dose is administered.   

  (see:  AAC R9-6-501 4.) 

What criteria constitute "currently vaccinated" against rabies?

• The term “currently vaccinated” is commonly used within the context of state laws affecting rabies vaccination and control.  Within the US, an animal that is “currently vaccinated” must meet EACH of the following criteria.

• The animal must be vaccinated:

  • …with a USDA licensed rabies vaccine.

  • …with a vaccine that is within the labeled expiration date.

  • …by an individual who is authorized to administer rabies vaccine
    (NOTE:  requirements vary significantly among states-see FAQ #2 for the requirement in this state).

  • …at the appropriate age, interval, and dose (ie, the FULL dose, as stipulated on the manufacturer’s label, must be administered). 

• Per AAC R9-6-501 4. “Currently Vaccinated means an animal was last immunized against rabies with an approved rabies vaccine at least 28 days and no longer than one year before being exposed, if the animal has only received an initial dose of approved rabies vaccine. 

Is there an extended-duration (beyond 3 years) rabies vaccine available today? (see also Question #10)

• NO.

  USDA licensed rabies vaccines available for administration to animals residing with the US are only 1-Year or 3-Year labeled vaccines. 4-YEAR labeled rabies vaccines have been discontinued and are no longer recognized in the US.   

   In Arizona, a veterinarian has the discretion to administer a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine as THE INITIAL DOSE. However…re-vaccination (booster) is required 1 year following the initial dose…regardless of the animal’s age and regardless of the vaccine administered as the initial dose.

  RE-VACCINATION of DOGS and CATS: When re-vaccinating (booster) against rabies, the duration that a dog or cat is considered “currently vaccinated” is strictly determined by the product label of the last vaccine administered (ie, either 1 year or 3 years). 

What are the rabies vaccination requirements for a dog/cat imported from another state or country?

• Per AAC R3-2-616 A dog or cat shall be accompanied by a health certificate that documents the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies according to the requirements of the NASPHV Compendium of Animal Rabies Control. 

Can a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine be substituted for a 1-year labeled rabies vaccine when administering the initial dose?

• Yes. A licensed veterinarian has discretion to administer a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine as the initial dose. However, a second dose must be administered not later than 1 year later regardless of the vaccine administered. 

What are the re-vaccination requirements for a pet that is overdue for a required rabies booster? (4 parts)

• When is an animal considered to be "overdue" for a rabies booster?

  • An animal is considered “overdue”, and NOT currently vaccinated, if just one day beyond the labeled duration of the last rabies vaccine administered (1 year or 3 years).   

    The exception to this rule is that an animal is considered “overdue” after just one year following the initial rabies vaccine dose, regardless of the vaccine labeling.  (see: AAC R9-6-501)

• Following re-vaccination of an "overdue" animal, when is the animal considered to be "currently vaccinated"?

  • A dog or cat that is overdue for a rabies vaccine is considered “immediately currently vaccinated” at the time the animal is re-vaccinated. 

    This rule applies despite the time that has lapsed since administration of the previous dose of rabies vaccine. 

• When re-vaccinating the “overdue” patient, which vaccine must be used (1-Year or 3-Year labeled vaccine)?

  • This is not defined by state statute or rule. In Arizona, veterinarians have discretion to administer a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine when re-vaccinating the overdue dog. 

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • The duration of immunity following re-vaccination is determined by the product label, i.e., either 1 year or 3 years.

Can a "positive" rabies antibody titer substitute for a required booster dose?

• No. Within the United States, a rabies antibody titer is NOT recognized as an index of immunity (or protection) in lieu of vaccination.   

  NOTE: A “positive” rabies titer from a certified laboratory only means that the animal (at the time of travel) has been “adequately vaccinated” against rabies and meets the rabies vaccination requirement of that country/region at the time of importation. 

   For a current list of importation requirements by country see:

• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel or Search:  APHIS Pet Travel 

What constitutes rabies "exposure" in a pet?

• Per R9-6-501 7. Rabies exposure means to have been bitten by or having touched a rabid animal or an animal suspected of being rabid.

Who has the authority to determine if a pet has been exposed to rabies?

• State Response Pending

What are the consequences of rabies "exposure" in a pet that is "currently vaccinated"? (see also FAQ #6 and #13)

• Per AAC R9-6-502 Management of Exposed Animals, A. 1. a currently vaccinated dog, cat or ferret that is exposed to rabies will be revaccinated with an approved rabies vaccine within seven days of the exposure and confined and observed in the owner’s home or, at the owner’s expense, in a veterinary hospital or animal control facility for 45 days after the exposure. 

  Livestock shall be handled according to the methods prescribed in the latest version of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control. 

What are the consequences of rabies "exposure" in a pet that is not "currently vaccinated"? (see also FAQ #6 and #13)

• Three variations must be considered in determining management of the exposed animal.

  • Unvaccinated (ie, has NEVER been vaccinated against rabies):

    • Per AAC R9-6-502 Management of Exposed Animals A. 2. If an exposed dog, cat or ferret is not currently vaccinated, the animal control agency shall euthanize the animal or, at the owner’s request, confine the animal for 180 days, at the owner’s expense, in a veterinary hospital or the animal control facility and vaccinate the animal with an approved rabies vaccine 28 days before release from confinement. 

      Livestock shall be handled according to the methods prescribed in the Rabies Compendium. 

  • Is OVERDUE for a booster, and has documentation of prior vaccination:

    • State Response Pending

  • Is OVERDUE for a booster, but DOES NOT HAVE documentation of vaccination:

    • State Response Pending

Does Arizona recognize the results of Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) as valid documentation that a dog/cat has been previously vaccinated against rabies?

• State Response Pending

• Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) is a defined testing protocol specifically indicated for use in dogs & cats (ONLY) that have been determined (by public health or rabies control authorities) to be “exposed” to rabies (See also FAQs #12 and #13 in this section) yet, the owner is unable to provide valid documentation of recent rabies vaccination.   

  NOTE:  The PSM testing protocol and submission requirements are strictly defined and must be adhered to. The PSM testing protocol is available at: 
  
  http://www.nasphv.org/Documents/NASPHVSerologicMonitoring2016.pdf

  NOTE:  properly labelled, paired specimens are required.   

  Indications for PSM:  Applies ONLY to dogs and cats. 

  WHERE PSM is ALLOWED BY THE STATE or LOCAL JURISDICTION, all the following criteria must apply:

  • The dog/cat has been exposed to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal (as determined by public health or designated rabies control authorities); and,

  • The owner cannot provide valid documentation of previous vaccination (with a USDA Licensed vaccine); and,

  • The owner of the dog/cat that is determined to have been “exposed” to rabies (see questions #12 and #13) wants to avoid euthanasia or the expense of strict quarantine (usually 4 months or 6 months, depending on the state); and,

  • The animal can be managed by a veterinarian who is able to conduct the PSM protocol. 

    NOTE: Please check the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians website at www.nasphv.org for the most current guidance on the testing protocol prior to any sample collection. 

    NOTE:  Properly labelled, paired specimens are required. Do not send samples separately. Both serum samples should be received by the laboratory at the same time. 

What action is required if an animal that is "currently vaccinated" bites a person? (see also FAQ #6)

• The animal causing a bite injury to a person is required to be quarantined for 10 DAYS. 

  This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated.   

  (NOTE:  THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE ANIMAL IS QUARANTINED MAY BE DETERMINED BY LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITIES). 

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. REASON:  a reaction to vaccination could be confused with early signs of rabies. 

  Per ARS 11-1014: 
  A dog properly vaccinated that bites any person may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner or wherever the dog is harbored and maintained with the consent of and in a manner prescribed by the county enforcement agent. Duration of confinement is typically ten (10) days.

What action is required if an animal that is "not currently vaccinated" bites a person? (see also FAQ #6)

• The animal causing a bite injury to a person is required to be quarantined for 10 DAYS. 

  This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated.   

  (NOTE:  THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE ANIMAL IS QUARANTINED MAY BE DETERMINED BY LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITIES). 

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. REASON:  a reaction to vaccination could be confused with early signs of rabies. 

  Per ARS 11-1014: 
  A dog properly vaccinated pursuant to this article that bites any person may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner or wherever the dog is harbored and maintained with the consent of and in a manner prescribed by the county enforcement agent. Duration of confinement is typically ten (10) days.

As a licensed veterinarian, do you have the authority to exempt an animal from the legal requirement to be vaccinated against rabies? (eg., for medical reasons)

• No. Veterinarians practicing in Arizona are not authorized to issue a rabies vaccination exemption under any circumstance. 

At what age is it no longer necessary to vaccinate an animal against rabies?

• Within states that require rabies vaccine be administered, re-vaccination is required throughout life at the appropriate interval for the species indicated by State or local laws/regulations. Exemption is not authorized on the basis of age alone.

Is rabies vaccination of a hybrid or exotic pet allowed or recognized?

• No. The NASPHV Compendium on Rabies Control states that “No parenteral rabies vaccines are licensed for use in wild animals or hybrids”. (Section IB1(c)) 

At the State level, what authority does the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control carry?

• The Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control is published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.  Recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Compendium serve as a basis for animal rabies prevention and control programs throughout the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions. As published, the Compendium is not a statutory document. 

  NOTE: Many (but not all) States have recently revised rabies laws/regulations by citing designated recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Compendium. Where cited in law, published recommendations do serve as the legal basis for patient management decisions made in practice as they concern rabies and rabies vaccination.   

  Compendium recommendations, if included as legal requirements for this state, are reflected in the FAQs listed within this section.