Respiratory distress after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 42 reports of respiratory distress in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 0.4% 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.

42Reports

98%Marked serious

24%Recovered

60%Died or euthanised

Same dayTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

24 63%

1–2 days

4 11%

3–7 days

4 11%

1–4 weeks

1 2.6%

Over a month

5 13%

How the animals did

Recovered

10 24%

Still unwell when reported

7 17%

Died

17 40%

Euthanised

8 19%

Problems reported at the same time

25 60%

17 40%

16 38%

13 31%

10 24%

9 21%

9 21%

8 19%

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 respiratory distress in dogs?: 42 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).

Respiratory distress with similar medicines

Respiratory distress after Bordetella Vaccine 42 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Respiratory distress after Leptospirosis Vaccine 34 reports · 0.4% of its reports
Respiratory distress after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 34 reports · 0.5% of its reports

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