Low platelet count after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 120 reports of low platelet count in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 1.2% 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.

120Reports

93%Marked serious

9.2%Recovered

32%Died or euthanised

7 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

22 23%

1–2 days

12 13%

3–7 days

15 16%

1–4 weeks

24 25%

Over a month

23 24%

How the animals did

Recovered

9 7.5%

Recovered with lasting effects

2 1.7%

Still unwell when reported

50 42%

Died

11 9.2%

Euthanised

27 23%

Not known

21 18%

Problems reported at the same time

68 57%

67 56%

61 51%

60 50%

48 40%

37 31%

33 28%

30 25%

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 low platelet count in dogs?: 120 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 7 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).

Low platelet count with similar medicines

Low platelet count after Bordetella Vaccine 133 reports · 1.4% of its reports
Low platelet count after Leptospirosis Vaccine 133 reports · 1.7% of its reports
Low platelet count after Lyme Vaccine 36 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Low platelet count after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 77 reports · 1.2% of its reports

All reported side effects of Rabies Vaccine in dogs · Medicines most reported with low platelet count