Target species
Dogs and cats.
Indications for use, specifying the target species
For the active immunisation against rabies to reduce clinical signs and mortality.
Onset of immunity: an adequate serological response (≥ 0.5 I.U.) has been demonstrated 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.
Duration of immunity: 3 years.
Contraindications
None.
Special warnings for each target species
Vaccinate healthy animals only.
The vaccine may not be effective in animals incubating the disease at the time of vaccination.
Some animals may be immunologically incompetent and fail to respond to vaccination. A good immune response is reliant on the reaction of an immunogenic agent and a fully competent immune system. Immunocompetence of the animal may be compromised by a variety of factors including poor health, nutritional status, genetic factors, concurrent drug therapy and stress.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
The presence of maternal antibodies can interfere with the response to vaccination.
This product should not be administered for at least one month following the administration of hyperimmune serum (anti-serum) or immunosuppressant drugs.
Immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen will be reduced by poor storage or inappropriate administration.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the medicinal product to animals
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Adverse Reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Transient local reactions such as non-painful diffuse to firm swellings of approximately 1 cm in diameter may be observed for up to 3 weeks after subcutaneous vaccination.
A transient acute hypersensitivity reaction - with signs that may include, facial oedema, vomiting, pruritus or diarrhoea - may occur shortly after vaccination in very rare cases. Such reactions may evolve to a more severe condition (anaphylaxis), which may be life-threatening with additional signs like dyspnoea, collapse, ataxia, muscle tremor and convulsion. If such reactions occur appropriate treatment is recommended.
Clinical signs of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia or immune-mediated polyarthritis have been reported in very rare cases.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Can be used during pregnancy in dogs. There are no laboratory data on use during pregnancy in other species, but on basis of field experience, such use is expected to be safe.
Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be mixed and administered with vaccines of the Canigen range containing one or more of the following components: live canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus and canine parainfluenza or live feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus and feline panleucopenia virus.
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that Canigen Rabies can be administered on the same day but not mixed with Canigen vaccines containing canine Leptospira interrogans serogroups Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae antigens.
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product except the products mentioned above. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Amount to be administered and administration route
A single dose inoculation of 1 ml is sufficient irrespective of size, species or breed of animal.
Intramuscular or subcutaneous use.
Sterile equipment should be used for administration. Avoid contamination of vaccine with traces of chemical sterilising agents. Do not use chemicals such as disinfectant or spirit to disinfect the skin prior to inoculation.
Primary course and booster vaccination
Dogs & cats
Primary vaccination age*: 12 weeks or older
Booster vaccination: every 3 years
Route of administration: intramuscularly or subcutaneously
*The primary vaccination may be administered at an earlier age, but then a repeat vaccination must be given at the age of 12 weeks.
Minimum vaccination age in dogs and cats: 4 weeks.
Further information
Limited safety data for ferrets are available from monitoring post vaccination reactions. Ferrets can be vaccinated subcutaneously from 12 weeks of age. An adequate serological response (≥ 0.5 I.U.) has been demonstrated 1 month after vaccination. Ferrets should receive a booster vaccination every 18 months.
A good immune response is reliant on the reaction of an immunogenic agent and a fully competent immune system. Immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen will be reduced by poor storage or inappropriate administration. Immuno-competence of the animal may be compromised by a variety of factors including poor health, nutritional status, genetic factors, concurrent drug therapy and stress.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes) (if necessary)
No effects other than those described above
Withdrawal period(s)
Not applicable