Eye or vision problems after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 85 reports of eye or vision problems in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.7% across reports for all dog medicines.

85Reports

94%Marked serious

24%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

21 30%

1–2 days

15 21%

3–7 days

16 23%

1–4 weeks

8 11%

Over a month

10 14%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 11%

Recovered with lasting effects

11 13%

Still unwell when reported

26 31%

Died

9 11%

Euthanised

18 21%

Not known

12 14%

Problems reported at the same time

27 32%

26 31%

20 24%

17 20%

17 20%

16 19%

16 19%

15 18%

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 eye or vision problems in dogs?: 85 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 2 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).

Eye or vision problems with similar medicines

Eye or vision problems after Bordetella Vaccine 61 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Eye or vision problems after Leptospirosis Vaccine 45 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Eye or vision problems after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 53 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with eye or vision problems