Introduction

Merial Logo

Company name: Merial Animal Health Ltd

Address: PO Box 327

Sandringham House

Harlow Business Park

Harlow

Essex CM19 5TG

Telephone: Companion Animals 0870 6000123

Production Animals 0800 592699

Fax: 01279 775888

Email: ukenquiry@merial.com

Website: www.merial.com

Presentation

An inactivated vaccine against rabies, presented as a clear colourless suspension for injection.

Each 1ml dose contains at least 1IU rabies virus glycoproteins. Also contains aluminium hydroxide adjuvant and thiomersal.

Uses

For the active immunisation of dogs and cats to reduce mortality and clinical signs due to rabies infection.

Immunity has been demonstrated 1 month after vaccination and has been shown to persist up to the next re-vaccination dose.

Dosage and administration

Inject one 1 ml dose subcutaneously, according to the following schedule:

Minimum age at vaccination: 3 months.

Booster vaccination should be given every two years.

UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS):

Animals intended for vaccination under the UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) must be identified by a permanently numbered microchip. The microchip number must be recorded on the record of dog and cat vaccination at the time of rabies vaccination.

Experience has shown that a proportion of vaccinated animals, while protected, may not show the 0.5 I.U. antibody titre on blood testing required by the UK PETS scheme. Veterinary Surgeons may wish to consider two vaccinations particularly in young naive animals.

The best time for a blood sample to be taken is from 14 days after vaccination.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc

For animal treatment only.

Do not vaccinate unhealthy animals.

Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be administered the same day but not mixed with Merial's PUREVAX non-adjuvanted vaccines for cats.

Vaccination may sometimes induce a local reaction, as a small and transient swelling at the injection site (usually 2-3 cm diameter, persisting mostly up to 2 weeks, rarely up to 4 weeks). Vaccination may exceptionally induce an anaphylactoid (hypersensitivity) reaction. In such a case, symptomatic treatment should be provided.

In the case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the physician.

Pharmaceutical precautions

Store between +2°C and +8°C, protected from light.

Do not freeze.

Use immediately after opening.

Do not mix with any other medicinal product.

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.