Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

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

• A person working under the direct supervision of a licensed, accredited veterinarian;  this means that the licensed, accredited veterinarian is in the same facility as the animal at the time the vaccine is administered.

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

• An animal's veterinary medical records must be kept and maintained by the veterinarian for at least three (3) years after the veterinarian's last encounter with the animal.

• IC 25-38. 1-4-5.5(g)  

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Indiana?

• • MINIMUM Age: 3 months of age 

  • MUST BE VACCINATED BY:   Beyond 6 months of age, the owner of an unvaccinated animal is in violation of State law and is subject to a fine.

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:  authorization varies significantly among states-see FAQ #2 for the requirement in Indiana).

  • ...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 “currently vaccinated” immediately upon being revaccinated. 

    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)?

  • In Indiana, 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 BECAUSE...it is not possible to assure that a "positive" antibody titer guarantees immunity for all animal in all exposure situations.

  NOTE:  A "positive" rabies antibody titer, conducted by an authorized laboratory, only indicates that the animal has been previously vaccinated (is required for international travel to certain countries).

• A rabies antibody titer may also be used-on a limited-basis to determine the disposition of an animal (dog/cat only) that has been exposed (see FAQ #13) to rabies yet documentation of prior vaccination is not available.  PROSPECTIVE SEROLOGIC MONITORING (PSM) is permitted in Indiana, but must be conducted in accordance with a defined protocol (see FAQ #16).

  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?

• What follows applies to animals with KNOWN or POTENTIAL exposure to rabies virus.

• Rabies is usually transmitted in the saliva via a bite from an infected animal, wherein a bite wound constitutes any penetration of skin by an animal tooth.  Rabies may also be transmitted is saliva, CSF, or nervous tissue is introduced into an open wound or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).

• A pet with evidence of this type of contact with a rabies reservoir species (bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, or other wild carnivore) is consider potentially exposed.  Evidence could include observing an altercation between two animals, finding bite wounds on a pet, finding a pet eating or playing with a dead animal carcass, or finding dead animal in a place where a pet usually deposits prey.  While skunk spray does not transmit rabies virus, smelling skunk spray on a pet may signal that an altercation and potential exposure occurred.  

• Because bite wounds can be difficult to detect on haired skin, and because some bites inflict limited injury, rabies exposure should NOT be ruled out on the basis of physical examination alone.  

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

• The State Veterinarian, or their designee at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, has the exclusive authority to determine that animal has been exposed or potentially exposed to rabies virus. 

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 potentially exposed to a rabid animal, carnivorous wildlife species or bat should be:

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

  • observed for 45 days for signs of rabies.  Most local jurisdictions in Indiana permit this observation to take place at home for currently vaccinated animals.

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 determined to be potentially exposed to a rabid animal, carnivorous wildlife species or bat should be euthanized immediately. 

    • If the owner is not willing to have the pet euthanized, the animal should be vaccinated immediately (ie, within 96 hours of exposure) and placed in quarantine for 4 months (dogs and cats) or 6 months (ferrets). 

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

    • Dogs, cats, and ferrets that have documentation of at least one prior rabies vaccination, but that are overdue for a booster and have been bitten or otherwise potentially exposed to a rabid animal, carnivorous wildlife, or bat should be: 

    • 1)  re-vaccinated immediately (within 96 hours of exposure), and 

    • 2) observed for 45 days for signs of rabies.

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

    • Dogs, cats, and ferrets that do not have documentation of prior vaccination are treated as "UNVACCINATED" (see above), unless prospective serologic monitoring (PSM) provides evidence or prior vaccination (see FAQ #16).

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

• Yes.;  Prospective Serologic Monitoring is permitted by the State of Indiana.

• 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 potentially 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 potentially exposed to rabies (see FAQs #12 and #13) wants to avoid euthanasia or the expense of strict quarantine (4 months in Indiana);  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)

• A dog, cat, or ferret that has bitten a person is required to quarantined for 10 DAYS.

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

  NOTE:  most local jurisdictions in Indiana permit currently vaccinated animals to be quarantined at home. Veterinarians should contact their local health department or animal control agency to determine what rules apply in their practice area.

  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)

• A dog, cat, or ferret that has bitten 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: most local jurisdictions in Indiana permit biting animals to be quarantined at home,  Some jurisdictions require unvaccinated animals to be quarantine a county facility.  Veterinarians should contact their local health department or animal control agency to determine what rules apply in their practice area.

  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 or stray 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 show signs consistent with rabies, it can be euthanized without testing. If the animal does shows signs of rabies or it is in humane or potentially hazardous to humans to confine the animal, it can be euthanized and tested for rabies. 

• A rabies reservoir species (eg, bat, skunk, raccoon, fox, or other wild carnivore) that has bitten a person may NOT be quarantined, but must be euthanized and tested, even if that animal is being kept as a pet...and, even if the animal has been vaccinated against rabies.  The reason for this is that the 10-day quarantine has only been validated to ascertain the rabies virus shedding status of dogs, cats, and ferrets.  

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.  This includes age.  Rabies vaccine should be administered to all dogs, cats, and ferrets at the appropriate interval, throughout life.

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. In Indiana, rabies vaccination exemption is not authorized on the basis of age or for any other reason. 

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

• Hybrid wild animals are not excluded from vaccination against rabies in Indiana law.  Therefore, a veterinarian can administer a rabies vaccine to a hybrid or exotic pet animal.  

• Bites to humans:  If a hybrid animal bites a human, the Indiana State Department of Health classifies it as a wild animal and requires that it be euthanized and tested for rabies.  The reason for this is that the 10-day quarantine has only been validated to ascertain the rabies virus shedding status of dogs, cats, and ferrets.

• The State of Indiana recommends that veterinarians discourage ownership of wild or hybrid animals.  Clients who choose to own these animals should ensure that their animals are securely confined and prevent them from having contact with people outside the household.  Veterinarians are encouraged to advise owners of hybrid pets to sign a legal release and that release should remain part of the patient's medical record.  

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.