Dilated pupils after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 40 reports of dilated pupils in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.4% 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.

40Reports

75%Marked serious

23%Recovered

20%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

16 50%

1–2 days

4 13%

3–7 days

4 13%

1–4 weeks

1 3.1%

Over a month

7 22%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 20%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.5%

Still unwell when reported

19 48%

Died

5 13%

Euthanised

3 7.5%

Not known

4 10%

Problems reported at the same time

15 38%

14 35%

11 28%

11 28%

10 25%

9 23%

8 20%

Eye or vision problems

8 20%

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 dilated pupils in dogs?: 40 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 1 day 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).

Dilated pupils with similar medicines

Dilated pupils after Bordetella Vaccine 30 reports · 0.3% of its reports
Dilated pupils after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 29 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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