Hypothermia after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 73 reports of hypothermia in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.2% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

73Reports

85%Marked serious

19%Recovered

41%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

40 59%

1–2 days

9 13%

3–7 days

4 5.9%

1–4 weeks

4 5.9%

Over a month

11 16%

How the animals did

Recovered

14 19%

Still unwell when reported

25 34%

Died

24 33%

Euthanised

6 8.2%

Not known

4 5.5%

Problems reported at the same time

43 59%

30 41%

30 41%

27 37%

27 37%

26 36%

24 33%

19 26%

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 hypothermia in dogs?: 73 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).

Hypothermia with similar medicines

Hypothermia after Bordetella Vaccine 71 reports · 0.8% of its reports
Hypothermia after Leptospirosis Vaccine 42 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Hypothermia after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 50 reports · 0.8% of its reports

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