Lameness after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 191 reports of lameness in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 1.9% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

191Reports

62%Marked serious

17%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

4 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

40 26%

1–2 days

33 21%

3–7 days

18 12%

1–4 weeks

21 14%

Over a month

43 28%

How the animals did

Recovered

31 16%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.0%

Still unwell when reported

81 42%

Died

7 3.7%

Euthanised

23 12%

Not known

47 25%

Problems reported at the same time

77 40%

75 39%

59 31%

48 25%

33 17%

31 16%

29 15%

29 15%

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 lameness in dogs?: 191 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 4 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).

Lameness with similar medicines

Lameness after Bordetella Vaccine 206 reports · 2.2% of its reports
Lameness after Leptospirosis Vaccine 249 reports · 3.1% of its reports
Lameness after Lyme Vaccine 123 reports · 1.8% of its reports
Lameness after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 152 reports · 2.3% of its reports

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