Bacterial skin infection after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

24 reports to the FDA describe bacterial skin infection in dogs given Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.1% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

24Reports

75%Marked serious

17%Recovered

8.3%Died or euthanised

26 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 15%

1–2 days

1 5.0%

3–7 days

2 10%

1–4 weeks

7 35%

Over a month

7 35%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 4.2%

Still unwell when reported

16 67%

Euthanised

2 8.3%

Not known

2 8.3%

Problems reported at the same time

Skin rash or irritation

10 42%

8 33%

7 29%

6 25%

5 21%

4 17%

4 17%

4 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Type: vaccine.

Mild, short-lived lethargy, soreness or a small lump at the injection site are the most commonly reported vaccine reactions.

Questions owners ask

Can Rabies Vaccine cause bacterial skin infection in dogs?: 24 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 26 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Bacterial skin infection with similar medicines

Bacterial skin infection after Bordetella Vaccine 21 reports · 0.2% of its reports
Bacterial skin infection after Leptospirosis Vaccine 20 reports · 0.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with bacterial skin infection