Otitis externa after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 36 reports of otitis externa in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.4% 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.

36Reports

67%Marked serious

8.3%Recovered

17%Died or euthanised

29 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 19%

1–2 days

2 6.3%

3–7 days

2 6.3%

1–4 weeks

8 25%

Over a month

14 44%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 5.6%

Recovered with lasting effects

1 2.8%

Still unwell when reported

11 31%

Died

6 17%

Not known

16 44%

Problems reported at the same time

18 50%

12 33%

11 31%

10 28%

10 28%

10 28%

Skin rash or irritation

10 28%

Diarrhea

9 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 otitis externa in dogs?: 36 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 29 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).

Otitis externa with similar medicines

Otitis externa after Bordetella Vaccine 36 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Otitis externa after Leptospirosis Vaccine 30 reports · 0.4% of its reports

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