Fever after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 585 reports of fever in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 5.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.4% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

585Reports

73%Marked serious

31%Recovered

15%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

280 52%

1–2 days

71 13%

3–7 days

63 12%

1–4 weeks

59 11%

Over a month

63 12%

How the animals did

Recovered

171 29%

Recovered with lasting effects

8 1.4%

Still unwell when reported

265 45%

Died

42 7.2%

Euthanised

44 7.5%

Not known

55 9.4%

Problems reported at the same time

255 44%

253 43%

194 33%

174 30%

160 27%

125 21%

102 17%

98 17%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

237

4–7 years

159

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 fever in dogs?: 585 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 the same 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).

Fever with similar medicines

Fever after Bordetella Vaccine 548 reports · 5.8% of its reports
Fever after Leptospirosis Vaccine 512 reports · 6.4% of its reports
Fever after Lyme Vaccine 173 reports · 2.5% of its reports
Fever after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 409 reports · 6.3% of its reports

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