Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• There is no state law in Idaho requiring any species to be vaccinated for rabies, although there may be local ordinances that require rabies vaccination. In general, the state recommends following recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Rabies Compendium, which recommends rabies vaccination for dogs, cats and ferrets. [Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP), 6.e] 

  NOTE: When a State-level requirement for rabies vaccination is not in effect 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?

• A licensed veterinarian or someone working under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. [IRP, Appendix C: Definition of “Appropriately vaccinated animal”] 

  (“direct supervision” typically means that a licensed veterinarian is present in the facility at the time a rabies vaccine is administered) 

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

• This is not addressed specifically, but the Idaho Veterinary Rules and Regulations require that veterinarians maintain records for 3 years after the last treatment or examination. [Rules of the State of Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine, Section 154: Record Keeping Standards ( https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/243801.pdf )  [link accessed Dec 2022]

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Idaho?

• • MINIMUM Age: The Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP) definition of “appropriately vaccinated animal” states “older than 3 months”.
    
    However, it goes on to say that vaccination can be done if an animal is “older than 2 months for certain vaccine formulations”, which implies that the minimum age is based on manufacturer’s recommendations for specific rabies vaccine products. [IRP, Appendix C: Definition of “Appropriately vaccinated animal”]
    
    NOTE: there are currently NO 2-Year labeled rabies vaccines licensed for use in the United States. 

  • MUST BE VACCINATED BY: The Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP) does not address this explicitly but states that when vaccine is administered to animals “older than 3 months”, that animal is considered “appropriately vaccinated”. [IRP, Appendix C: Definition of “Appropriately vaccinated animal”] 

     

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.  

  The Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP) does not address this explicitly but states that when vaccine is administered to animals “older than 3 months”, that animal is considered “appropriately vaccinated”. [IRP, Appendix C: Definition of “Appropriately vaccinated animal”]

What criteria constitute "currently vaccinated" against rabies?

• The term “currently vaccinated” (in Idaho, “appropriately 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 (i.e., the FULL dose, as stipulated on the manufacturer’s label, must be administered). 

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.  

  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 (i.e., either 1 year or 3 years).  

  RE-VACCINATION of FERRETS: When re-vaccinating (booster) against rabies, the duration that a ferret is considered “currently vaccinated” is only 1 year.

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

• Dogs and cats 3 months of age or older shall have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and have been vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Rabies Compendium. [Idaho Administrative Code 02.04.21.500] 

  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture website further stipulates that the vaccination must be current and may have been given with either a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine. ( https://agri.idaho.gov/main/animals/small-animal-species/small-animal-imports/) [accessed Dec 2022] 

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

• There is no state law on rabies vaccination and this is not addressed in the Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP). In general, the IRP recommends following the recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Rabies Compendium. As is the case in most States, a veterinarian has the discretion to use either a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine.

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.

• 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. [See: IRP: 6.E; IRP:15.E.i.2.i.a; IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Overdue Vaccinations”] 

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

  • A veterinarian has the discretion to administer either a 1-year or a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine to an animal that overdue for a booster dose. 

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • Booster intervals are based on the labeled duration of immunity of the last dose of rabies vaccine administered. 

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?

• Exposure to rabies is categorized as “bite” and “non-bite”. 

  Bite exposure: The skin has been penetrated by an animal’s teeth. Waking up to a bat in the room should be considered a potential exposure. 

  Non-bite exposure: Saliva or neural tissue has come into contact with an open wound, abrasion, scratch or mucous membrane. Rarely, an exposure can occur via organ and tissue transplantation, laboratory exposure and airborne exposure in a bat cave. 
  [IRP: 4. & IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Exposure”]

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)

• If the wild animal is available for testing, the dog, cat or ferret that was exposed shall remain under the owner’s control until test results come back. If the wild animal was rabid, the exposed dog, cat or ferret that is currently vaccinated, shall be kept under the owner’s control for 45 days, in a manner so that the animal cannot escape the owner’s control. [IRP:15.E.i.b.2.i, Appendix C: Definitions “Owner’s 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):

    • For dogs and cats that have never been vaccinated for rabies, after examination by a veterinarian and receiving an initial rabies vaccination, the veterinarian shall consult with the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention (BCDP) and the Idaho Public Health Department (PHD) epidemiologist. A dog or cat will likely be placed in 4 months of strict isolation with no contact with the public or other animals, other than the caretaker, “in a humane Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA)-approved home-quarantine structure.” The Idaho Rabies Protocol document includes a copy of the ISDA Quarantine Notice Letter which gives details on requirements for an approved quarantine facility at the owner’s home. [IRP:15.E.ii; IRP, Appendix B ISDA Quarantine Notice Letter and IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Strict Quarantine”] 

      Alternatively, the animal may be euthanized immediately. No rabies testing is necessary since the rabies virus is unlikely to have reached the brain if the animal is euthanized soon after the exposure. [IRP: 15.E.ii.d]

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

    • A dog, cat or ferret that does have documentation of a previous rabies vaccination, but is overdue at the time of the exposure, will be considered “currently vaccinated” immediately after receiving a booster vaccination upon examination by a veterinarian. They are then to be kept under the owner’s control for 45 days. [IRP: 14.b and IRP: 15.E.i] 

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

    • If the dog or cat was previously vaccinated but is overdue and does NOT have documentation, then there is the option of Prospective Serological Monitoring (PSM) as means of providing evidence of an anamnestic response to a prior vaccination. Veterinarians conducting PSM must strictly follow the defined protocol. 

      If PSM testing is POSITIVE, thereby indicating prior vaccination, then the dog or cat is treated as having been current at the time of exposure and may be kept under the owner’s control for 45 days. 

      If PSM testing, is NEGATIVE, and does not demonstrate an anamnestic response, indicating that the animal has not previously been vaccinated against rabies, the animal is treated as having never been vaccinated. In such cases, the animal must be placed in strict isolation for 4 months or euthanized. [IRP: 14.b and IRP: 15.E.i]

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

• The State of Idaho does authorize Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) as a means of documenting that a dog/cat has been previously vaccinated against rabies. 

• 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.  

  Do not send samples separately.  

  Both serum samples should be received by the laboratory at the same time. 

• 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. 

  Vaccination status is not a factor. 

  If the dog, cat or ferret is showing signs consistent with rabies at the time of a veterinarian’s initial examination (ideally within 24-48 hours of the bite), then euthanasia and rabies testing should be strongly considered and the veterinarian should consult with the Idaho Public Health Department epidemiologist (or, Public Health Veterinarian) as soon as possible. 

  Dogs, cats and ferrets that show no signs of rabies at the time of the bite are held in confinement for 10 days observation after biting a person. [IRP: 6.d & IRP: 15.A.ii] 

  The 10-day observation may take place at home or in a veterinary hospital/clinic, in a manner such that contact with the public or other animals is avoided. 

  The animal should NOT be vaccinated for rabies prior to starting the observation period or during the 10-day observation period. At the conclusion of the 10 days, if no signs of rabies are noted, the animal should then receive a single dose of (1-year or 3-year labeled) rabies vaccine. 

  If signs consistent with rabies are observed during the 10-day observation, the animal should be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. The Public Health Department or state-level epidemiologist should be consulted as soon as possible to gain “Rabies Test Approval”. 

  [IRP: 15.A.ii; IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Ten (10)-day observation period”] 

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. 

  Vaccination status is not a factor. 

  If the dog, cat or ferret is showing signs consistent with rabies at the time of a veterinarian’s initial examination (ideally within 24-48 hours of the bite), then euthanasia and rabies testing should be strongly considered and the veterinarian should consult with the Idaho Public Health Department epidemiologist (or, Public Health Veterinarian) as soon as possible. 

  Dogs, cats and ferrets that show no signs of rabies at the time of the bite are held in confinement for 10 days observation after biting a person. [IRP: 6.d & IRP: 15.A.ii] 

  The 10-day observation may take place at home or in a veterinary hospital/clinic, in a manner such that contact with the public or other animals is avoided. 

  The animal should NOT be vaccinated for rabies prior to starting the observation period or during the 10-day observation period. At the conclusion of the 10 days, if no signs of rabies are noted, the animal should then receive a single dose of (1-year or 3-year labeled) rabies vaccine. 

  If signs consistent with rabies are observed during the 10-day observation, the animal should be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. The Public Health Department or state-level epidemiologist should be consulted as soon as possible to gain “Rabies Test Approval”. 

  [IRP: 15.A.ii; IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Ten (10)-day observation period”] 

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)

• Because there is no state law requiring rabies vaccination of pets in Idaho, there are no statutes/requirements concerning the authority of a veterinarian to “exempt” a dog, cat, or ferret from receiving rabies vaccine. 

  However, some jurisdictions within Idaho may require rabies vaccination. In that case, a rabies exemption may be considered if a veterinarian determines that a rabies vaccination would endanger the animal’s life because of disease or other considerations. As it would be an exemption from a local ordinance, the issuing of a waiver is the responsibility of local authorities and not that of state public health authorities. [IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Vaccine Waiver”] 

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?

• Although there are no restrictions against rabies vaccination of hybrid species, the Idaho Rabies Protocol (IRP) refers to the Rabies Compendium which states that no parenteral rabies vaccine is licensed for use in wildlife/domestic hybrids. The IRP instructs that management of hybrid animals that bite a person or are exposed to rabies will be done on a case-by-case basis. [IRP, Appendix C: Definitions “Wolf/dog or wild cat/domestic cat hybrids” and “Wolf hybrid/ wild/domestic animal hybrid”] 

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.