Involuntary defecation after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

52 reports to the FDA describe involuntary defecation in dogs given Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.5% 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.

52Reports

88%Marked serious

54%Recovered

5.8%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

43 88%

1–2 days

1 2.0%

3–7 days

2 4.1%

1–4 weeks

2 4.1%

Over a month

1 2.0%

How the animals did

Recovered

28 54%

Still unwell when reported

16 31%

Died

3 5.8%

Not known

5 9.6%

Problems reported at the same time

40 77%

40 77%

22 42%

18 35%

18 35%

12 23%

8 15%

7 13%

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 involuntary defecation in dogs?: 52 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).

Involuntary defecation with similar medicines

Involuntary defecation after Bordetella Vaccine 59 reports · 0.6% of its reports
Involuntary defecation after Leptospirosis Vaccine 34 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Involuntary defecation after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 29 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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