Seizures after Rabies Vaccine in dogs

The FDA has received 609 reports of seizures in dogs after Rabies Vaccine. That is 6.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 4.4% across reports for all dog medicines.

609Reports

94%Marked serious

27%Recovered

27%Died or euthanised

2 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

162 30%

1–2 days

127 24%

3–7 days

86 16%

1–4 weeks

98 18%

Over a month

65 12%

How the animals did

Recovered

153 25%

Recovered with lasting effects

11 1.8%

Still unwell when reported

221 36%

Died

88 14%

Euthanised

76 12%

Not known

60 9.9%

Problems reported at the same time

162 27%

127 21%

112 18%

83 14%

73 12%

65 11%

63 10%

58 9.5%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

159

4–7 years

157

8–11 years

116

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 seizures in dogs?: 609 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 2 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).

Seizures with similar medicines

Seizures after Bordetella Vaccine 517 reports · 5.5% of its reports
Seizures after Leptospirosis Vaccine 404 reports · 5.0% of its reports
Seizures after Lyme Vaccine 115 reports · 1.6% of its reports
Seizures after Distemper-parvo Vaccine 420 reports · 6.5% of its reports

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