Deafness after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 24 reports of deafness in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.2% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

24Reports

96%Marked serious

33%Recovered

0.0%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 17%

1–2 days

4 22%

3–7 days

5 28%

1–4 weeks

4 22%

Over a month

2 11%

How the animals did

Recovered

3 13%

Recovered with lasting effects

5 21%

Still unwell when reported

5 21%

Not known

11 46%

Problems reported at the same time

Didn't work as expected

4 17%

4 17%

3 13%

3 13%

2 8.3%

2 8.3%

2 8.3%

2 8.3%

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 deafness 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 4 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).

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with deafness