Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets are required to have them immunized against rabies in Washington.

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• Licensed veterinarians are authorized to administer the rabies vaccine.
   
  Also, WAC 246-935-050(8) authorizes veterinary technicians and unregistered
  assistants to administer the vaccine under the direct supervision of the veterinarian.
   
  “Direct supervision” means the veterinary supervisor is on the premises, is quickly and easily available and the animal patient has been examined by a veterinarian at such times as acceptable veterinary medical practice requires, consistent with the particular delegated animal health care task.

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

• WAC 246-935-050(9) clarifies that the signed rabies certificate is part of the medical record. Records must be maintained for 3 years from the last treatment or examination of the patient (WAC 246-933-320(7)(e)).

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Washington?

• MINIMUM Age: 12 weeks of age.
   
  MUST BE VACCINATED BY: Washington does not specify a defined age by which an animal must be vaccinated against rabies. However, regardless of the animal’s age at the time of the initial rabies vaccination, a second dose must be administered not later than 1 year later.

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. 

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

• (NOTE:  requirements vary significantly among states-see FAQ #2 for the requirement in this state).

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 Washington, 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).

• 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?

• For small animals, importation regulations can be found in WAC 16-54-170:

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets—Importation and testing requirements:

  • Dogs, cats, or ferrets entering Washington State require a certificate of veterinary inspection.

  • The certificate of veterinary inspection for dogs, cats, or ferrets must identify each animal and certify that each animal at the time of entry is current on rabies vaccination according to the manufacturer's label, and does not originate from an area under quarantine for rabies.

  • Dogs six months of age or older must be tested negative for heartworm or are currently on a heartworm preventative.

• Exemptions to import health requirements:

  • Dogs, cats, or ferrets less than ninety days of age do not require a rabies vaccination.

  • Dogs, cats, or ferrets that are family pets and have current rabies vaccination certificates and are traveling with their owners with no sale, trade, or other change of ownership intended are exempt from a certificate of veterinary inspection.

• Exemptions to import test requirements:

  • Dogs that have been owned by the same owner for more than one month prior to entering the state, and are not going to be sold or have a change of ownership, and are traveling with their owner are exempt from the heartworm test requirement.

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

• Although not specifically addressed in Washington Administrative Code, it may be assumed that a veterinarian can use discretion in administering a 1-Year or a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine.

• However, if a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine is administered to an animal as the INITIAL rabies vaccine, a booster dose is still required within 1 year regardless of the animal’s age at the time the initial vaccine is 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?

  • Although not specifically addressed in Washington Administrative Code, veterinarians should consider an animal to be “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)?

  • Veterinarians may use discretion in administering either a 1-Year or a 3-Year Labeled rabies vaccine.

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • Following administration of a rabies booster to an animal that was overdue for vaccination, the next dose is based on the labeled duration of immunity of the product used, ie, 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?

• WAC 246-100-197 refers to rabies “exposure” in animals. Specific procedures affecting the management of an exposed pet may be determined on case-by-case basis.

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

• Response pending State validation.

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

• Whether the exposure is either “known” or “suspected”, the animal should obtain immediate veterinary care.

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): Applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets:

    • Immediate euthanasia…or (if the owner declines)

    • Quarantine:

      • Provide necessary veterinary care.

      • Immediately vaccinate (within 96 hours of the exposure) with a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine.

      • Confinement and observation (to preclude human contact) for signs of illness in a manner considered appropriate by the Local Health Officer for 4 months from the time of exposure; at least 6 months for ferrets from the time of exposure.

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

    • Provide immediate veterinary care.

    • Immediately vaccinate with a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine.

    • The animal will be kept under the owner’s control and observed for 45 days from the date of the suspected or known exposure.

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

    • Option #1: Manage the animal as a non-vaccinate (above):

      • Immediate euthanasia…or (if the owner declines)

      • Quarantine:

        • Provide necessary veterinary care.

        • Immediately vaccinate (within 96 hours of the exposure) with a USDA-licensed rabies vaccine.

        • Confinement and observation for signs of illness in a manner considered
          appropriate by the Local Health Officer for 4 months from the time of
          exposure; at least 6 months for ferrets from the time of exposure.

    • Option #2: Client may elect the Prospective Serologic Monitoring protocol

      • See FAQ #16 (below).

• NOTE: Washington, along with several other States, has enacted quarantine regulations for rabies-exposed animals that are OVERDUE for vaccination AND have valid documentation of prior rabies vaccination vs. those that are OVERDUE, and only claim that the animal was currently vaccinated, BUT HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION to support prior rabies vaccination.

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

• The State of Washington 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.

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

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

• 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 of the animal that bites a human is not a consideration in the management of the animal.

• Animal bites to humans are to be reported to the Local Health Officer if rabies exposure is suspected. Regardless of the immunization status, the dog, cat, or ferret will be ordered to be confined in a manner the Local Health Officer considers appropriate and observed daily for at least 10 days. Any signs of illness must be reported to the Local Health Officer at which time the decision may be made to euthanize and test for rabies.

• Stray or unwanted dogs, cats, or ferrets may be euthanized immediately and tested for rabies.

• Hybrid species and other non-livestock mammals may be euthanized immediately and tested for rabies.

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

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

• 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 of the animal that bites a human is not a consideration in the management of the animal.

• Animal bites to humans are to be reported to the Local Health Officer if rabies exposure is suspected. Regardless of the immunization status, the dog, cat, or ferret will be ordered to be confined in a manner the Local Health Officer considers appropriate and observed daily for at least 10 days. Any signs of illness must be reported to the Local Health Officer at which time the decision may be made to euthanize and test for rabies.

• Stray or unwanted dogs, cats, or ferrets may be euthanized immediately and tested for rabies.

• Hybrid species and other non-livestock mammals may be euthanized immediately 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)

• Questions regarding rabies vaccination exemption in Washington are handled on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with the State Public Health Veterinarian.

• Medical reasons for the proposed exemption are to be recorded in the permanent record and the owner is to be advised of potential public health implications; the animal may not be able to travel out of state, be housed in a boarding facility or obtain a local license if the exposed pet has never been vaccinated or is not currently vaccinated against rabies.

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. Although Washington does not restrict vaccination of hybrid dogs/cats against rabies, because there are no rabies vaccines licensed for administration to hybrid dogs/cats, hybrid animals that are vaccinated against rabies will not be considered immunized by the State of Washington.

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.