Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets. 

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• A licensed veterinarian only.  

  (this is a Massachusetts State statute and is also stated in the Massachusetts Veterinary Practice Act) 

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

• The Massachusetts Veterinary Practice Act stipulates the following: 
  256 CMR 5.00: Practice 
  5.01: Medical Records 

  • A licensee shall maintain a legible record for each patient. The identity of the author of all medical records shall be clearly noted on all records by either signature or initials. A licensee shall keep all original medical records and radiographs readily available for four years after the last contact with the animal. Upon the request of the owner, a licensee shall provide copies of medical records and radiographs to the owner of an animal or another veterinarian. A reasonable fee may be charged for the cost of such copies.

  • A licensee shall accurately record the following information on each animal's medical record...which includes “all vaccines administered”

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Massachusetts?

• • MINIMUM Age: 12 weeks of age. 

  • MUST BE VACCINATED BY: In Massachusetts, dogs and cats that are 6 months of age or older need to be vaccinated against rabies. 
    Newly acquired unvaccinated pets, or those unvaccinated pets moving into the Commonwealth, shall be vaccinated within 30 days of acquisition or arrival into the Commonwealth or upon reaching the age of 6 months, whichever occurs last.
    
    NOTE: In order for a dog, cat or ferret to be accepted at an animal hospital, veterinarian's office or boarding facility, an owner or keeper of such animal shall show proof of current vaccination against rabies; provided, however, that if an animal has not been so vaccinated or such owner or keeper fails to show proof of vaccination, the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies prior to being discharged if the animal's medical condition permits.

•  

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

• Clarification Pending State Response 

  30 days following administration of the initial dose of rabies vaccine, a dog, cat, or ferret will be considered “currently vaccinated”. 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 (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.  

  In Massachusetts, 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 6 months of age or older need to be vaccinated against rabies. Newly acquired unvaccinated pets, or those unvaccinated pets moving into the Commonwealth shall be vaccinated within 30 days of acquisition or arrival into the Commonwealth or upon reaching the age of 6 months, whichever occurs last. 

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

• As is the case in most States, Massachusetts does allow a veterinarian to use discretion and may administer a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine when a 1-Year labeled vaccine may be indicated (e.g., when administering the initial dose). 

  However, the first dose of rabies vaccine an animal receives is good for 1 year, regardless of whether a 1-Year or 3-Year-labeled vaccine was used and regardless of the animal’s age at time of vaccination.  

  Between 9 and 12 months following this initial vaccination (not a day early or a day late), dogs and cats should receive a 2nd rabies vaccination. These 2 injections together are known as the primary series. 

  IMPORTANT: if a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine is administered as the INITIAL (i.e., the very first) dose of rabies vaccine, a booster must still be administered between 9 and 12 months later for the pet to be considered “currently vaccinated”. Thereafter, booster vaccination may be administered annually or triennially in accordance with the manufacturer’s label. 

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).  

    NOTE: an animal is considered “overdue” if a second dose is not administered between 9 and 12 months (not a day earlier or a day later) 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)?

  • In Massachusetts, veterinarians have discretion to use a 1-Year or a 3-Year rabies vaccine when re-vaccinating an overdue animal. 

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • The next dose due is based on the labeled duration of immunity of the product administered for the previous dose (ie, either 1 year or 3 years). In Massachusetts, “Once a Three Year, Always a Three Year!” 
     
    However, this applies only when documentation can be provided that proves the individual animal has, at some point in its life, received the Primary Rabies Vaccine Series (i.e., 2 doses, 9 to 12 months apart). 

    In Massachusetts, an animal that is overdue for a rabies vaccine, but has not received the Primary (2-dose) series, or if proof cannot be provided, the animal must receive a Primary Vaccination Series before a 3-year interval will be recognized. 

    IMPORTANT: Unless/until an animal has received a Primary Series, all rabies vaccinations will only be considered to be good for 1 year. If a 3-Year-labeled rabies vaccine is used as the 2nd vaccination of the primary series, the animal is considered vaccinated (i.e., immunized) for 3 years.
    
    In the future, even if that animal is “late” for its rabies vaccination, a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine may be administered and that animal will be considered to be protected for 3 years. 

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

• NO. Within the United States, a “positive” rabies antibody titer is NOT recognized as an index of immunity (or protection) in lieu of vaccination and therefore does NOT substitute for a required 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?

• “Exposed” includes exposure through direct contact, by proximity, and/or having received a wound of unknown origin. 

  Exposure by direct contact: the exposed animal had physical contact with, received a bite or scratch from, or ate the viscera of a confirmed or suspected rabid animal. 

  Exposed by proximity: the exposed animal was seen near or in the vicinity of a confirmed rabid animal, but had no physical contact with, nor received any wounds from, the confirmed rabid animal. 

  Wound of unknown origin: A puncture wound, cut or scratch which has broken the skin and was obtained from an unknown source but is presumed to be form another animal. 

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)

• For a dog or cat, it depends on if the exposure was to wildlife or to a domesticated animal.

• A. If exposed to wildlife:

  • booster immediately (within 96 hours of exposure) (NOTE: if the most recent rabies vaccination was given within the month, there is no need to booster); (NOTE: in Massachusetts, this booster dose can be considered to restart the vaccination interval)

  • notify local director of health and local animal inspector;

  • strict confinement for 45 days. 

• B. If exposed to a domesticated animal that has been identified and is available for quarantine, the following steps should be taken:

  • Notify local director of health and local animal inspector;

  • The biting animal is placed under strict quarantine for 10 day period;

  • If the biting animal is healthy at the end of 10 days, the attacked animal is not at risk of rabies.

• NOTE: if the biting (domestic) animal is identified and is quarantined but begins to exhibit signs compatible with rabies during the 10-day quarantine period, it should be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. If the test is negative for rabies, the attacked animal is not at risk of developing rabies. If the test is positive for rabies, the attacked animal should be re-vaccinated immediately, the local director of health and local animal inspector notified, and the animal should be placed in strict confinement by the owner for 45 days.

• NOTE: If the biting (domestic) animal has not been identified or isn’t available for quarantine, the following steps should be taken:

  • Booster the attacked animal immediately (within 96 hours of exposure);

  • notify the local director of health and local animal inspector;

  • the attacked animal should be placed in strict confinement by the owner 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):

    • It depends on if the exposure was to wildlife or a domesticated animal. 

      • A. If exposed (direct contact) to known rabies-positive wildlife (including eating the viscera):

        • euthanize the animal, unless...

        • the owner is unwilling to euthanize. In this situation, the local director of health and local animal inspector should be notified. The animal is subject to isolation for 3 months, followed by 3 months of strict confinement.

        • if healthy throughout the confinement period, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies 1 month prior to release.

      • B. If exposed (direct contact) to wildlife that: a) is a suspected rabid animal but is was unavailable for testing; or...b) has a wound of unknown origin that is suspected to have been caused by another animal, the following steps should be taken:

        • euthanize the animal, unless...

        • the owner is unwilling to euthanize. In this situation, the local director of health and the local animal inspector should be notified; the animal is subject to strict confinement for 6 months;

        • if healthy throughout the confinement period, the animal must be vaccinated against rabies 1 month prior to release.

      • C. If exposed to wildlife that tested positive for rabies: But, the exposed animal was seen in the proximity of a wild animal and has no wounds:

        • vaccinate against rabies immediately;

        • notify the local director of health and the local animal inspector;

        • strict confinement for 6 months.

      • D. If exposed by a domestic animal that has been identified and is available for quarantine:

        • notify local director of health and local animal inspector;

        • The biting animal (the one that caused the bite) will be placed in strict confinement for 10 days. If, at the end of the 10-day period, the biting animal appears healthy, the attacked animal is not at risk of rabies.

        • vaccinate the attacked animal against rabies. 

      • NOTE: if the biting animal begins to show signs compatible with rabies during this 10-day period:

        • the biting animal should be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing.

        • If the test is negative, attacked animal is not at risk of rabies and should be vaccinated.

        • If the test is positive, the local director of health and animal control inspector should be notified. In the event of a positive test result, the attacked, unvaccinated animal should either be: a) euthanized, or b) if the owner is unwilling to euthanize, the animal must be isolated for 3 months, followed by 3 months of strict confinement. c) Vaccinate this animal 5 months after the beginning of isolation (1 month prior to end of 3 month strict confinement).

      • E. If exposed by a domestic animal that has not been, or cannot be, identified or is not available for quarantine:

        • notify the local director of health and local animal inspector;

        • the exposed animal will be placed in strict confinement by owner for 6 months;

        • vaccinate against rabies 5 months after the initiation of confinement (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 Massachusetts 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 

  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)

• DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement.  

  REASON: an adverse reaction to the vaccine could be confused with early signs of rabies and could result in a decision to euthanize and test.

  • Notify local director of health and local animal inspector;

  • Biting animals will be placed under strict confinement for 10-days;

  • If biting animal is healthy at the end of the 10-day period, the human victim is not at risk of rabies. NOTE: If biting animal begins to exhibit signs compatible with rabies during this 10-day period, it shall be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. If test results are negative, the human victim is not at risk of rabies. If test results are positive, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology should be notified.

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

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

• DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement.  

  REASON: an adverse reaction to the vaccine could be confused with early signs of rabies and could result in a decision to euthanize and test.

  • Notify local director of health and local animal inspector;

  • Biting animals will be placed under strict confinement for 10-days;

  • If biting animal is healthy at the end of the 10-day period, the human victim is not at risk of rabies. NOTE: If biting animal begins to exhibit signs compatible with rabies during this 10-day period, it shall be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. If test results are negative, the human victim is not at risk of rabies. If test results are positive, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology should be notified.

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

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)

• State Clarification Pending 

  NO. However, a licensing authority (clarification pending) may grant an exemption from this section for any dog, cat or ferret that: 

  (i) the local board of health, declared exempt upon presentation of a veterinarian’s certificate stating that because of an infirmity, other physical condition or regimen of therapy, that inoculation is thereby considered inadvisable for a specified period of time... 

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 as required by State or local laws/regulations. Exemption is not authorized on the basis of age. 

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

• No. The reason is that there is no rabies vaccine licensed for use in hybrid dogs or cats. Therefore, even if rabies vaccine is administered, that animal will not be legally considered to be protected/immunized. 

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.