Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• Only a licensed and accredited veterinarian can administer a rabies vaccine. 
  REF: IC 15-17-6; Sec. 1. (a) 

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

• Veterinary records need to be kept at least three (3) years according to the Indiana Veterinary Practice Act. The record needs to be maintained until the animal is re-vaccinated. 

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Indiana?

• • MINIMUM Age: 3 months of age 

  • MUST BE VACCINATED BY: 4 months of age.

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.  

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). 

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 Indiana, 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?

• Animals imported/transported into IN must have: 

  • ...a current rabies vaccination, and

  • ...a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or a signed health certificate. 
    Minimum age requirements apply 

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

• YES. Rabies vaccine can be administered at the discretion of the licensed, accredited veterinarian. Either a 1-Year or a 3-Year rabies vaccine may be 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.  

• 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)?

  • Either a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled vaccine may be used. 

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • The interval is determined by the product label. 

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?

• Bite or scratch or exposure to a rabies vector species (coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat). 

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)

• Dogs, cats and ferrets with a current vaccination status and which have been bitten or otherwise exposed to a known rabid animal, carnivorous wildlife species or bat should be:

  • revaccinated immediately (within 96 hours of exposure), and

  • observed (presumably at home) for 45 days. 

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):

    • An unvaccinated dog, cat, or ferret that is exposed to a known rabid animal, carnivorous wildlife species or bat should be euthanized immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be placed in quarantine for 6 months and vaccinated either at the time of exposure or 1 month prior to release. 

  • 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 Indiana recognize the results of Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) as valid documentation 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 

  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. 

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. 

  An unwanted (unvaccinated) dog, cat, or ferret that bites a human should be confined and observed for 10 days to determine if it shows signs of rabies. If it does not, it can be euthanized without testing. If the animal does shows signs of rabies or it is a hazard to confine the animal, it can be euthanized and tested for rabies. 

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. Medical exemptions are not allowed in INDIANA for rabies vaccination.

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?

• Hybrid wild animals are not excluded from vaccination in Indiana law therefore a veterinarian can vaccinate them for rabies. If a hybrid animal bites a human, the Indiana State Department of Health classifies it as a wild animal and it has to be euthanized and tested for rabies. We encourage veterinarians to warn their hybrid owners of this and have them sign a legal release. 

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.