Been asked this by a forces friend. Can you have the rabies jab done befoer it is due?

What do you mean by before it's due?  An initial rabies injection, done at anything from 12 weeks + or a further vaccination on a dog protected and titre tested?

AFAIK in pups there is no margin for having it done earlier than 12 weeks.  If an older dog has had vac and titre level is low then it would need to be re-done following the laws in place by the authority of the country the dog is in....

Your friend should contact DEFRA or it's equivalent in the country/ies involved to get specific info re their requirements and of course should have the dog vet checked and blood tested also if there is a concern re levels of immunity in a previously vaccinated dog.

regards Teri

It's for a dog that has already had a rabies jab and is now coming up for it's 3 year renewal.

Yes. It can't be done even a day after the expiry. Before is fine.

> Yes. It can't be done even a day after the expiry. Before is fine. <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" height=10 alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20>

Thank you i thought so but just wanted to double check :)

IMO it would still depend on the rules for the country involved (or countries if dog being moved around).  Some countries may require 3 yr booster be done early whereas elsewhere they may be satisfied if the titre tests showed good level of immunity.  Personally I'd also want to be assured by a veterinary professional that the dog's best interests were being served in whatever situation.

I think your friend has to establish the specific rules governing wherever the dog currently is and/or likely to be moved to ....

regards, Teri

Hi JG,

is that worldwide and also without regard to titre levels?

Teri

> IMO it would still depend on the rules for the country involved (or countries if dog being moved around).&nbsp; Some countries may require 3 yr booster be done early whereas elsewhere they may be satisfied if the titre tests showed good level of immunity.&nbsp; Personally I'd also want to be assured by a veterinary professional that the dog's best interests were being served in whatever situation.
>
> I think your friend has to establish the specific rules governing wherever the dog currently is and/or likely to be moved to ....
>
> regards, Teri

The dog is leaving Germany and coming back to the UK. I know that they use the 3 year system in Gemany as I came from there last year. Will tell her to speak to DEFRA.

For entering the UK from Germany, JGs advice applies :)    I know several dogs which have travelled from Europe to the UK be in a similar position although most have been able to re-enter the UK (or set paws first time) just within the 3 year period.

Hopefully Jan will clarify (just as a point of interest) how extensive this rule is relating to dogs moving around further afield and not involving the UK.
regards, Teri

Here you can have it done no early then about 6 months before its due- but thats with the 3yr rabie shot...

>is that worldwide and also without regard to titre levels?

The Pet Passport regulations say that as long as the rabies booster is always done within the time scale stated in the passport, the passport is valid for life and no titre levels need ever be checked.

It's worth remembering that some rabies vaccinations are not 3-yearly, and some countries require more frequent boostering.

Thanks dollface :)

Thanks Jan :) 

So does that mean UK's pet passport rules mirror countries world wide?  (I've no experience of anywhere other than Continental Europe, Scandinavia, USA or South Africa and mostly with pups only).

Teri

> The Pet Passport regulations say that as long as the rabies booster is always done within the time scale stated in the passport, the passport is valid for life and no titre levels need ever be checked.

Just spoke to her on a forum and the reason she was asking was because they are posted later in the year and she thought that you have to go through all the blood tests again then the 6 month wait, have just put her right.

Thanks

>So does that mean UK's pet passport rules mirror countries world wide?

I'm not sure what you mean (and I'm not an expert!) - some countries require boosters to be more frequent than every three years, and I think I'm right in saying that Sweden requires a further titre test 120 days after the initial vaccination, not just the 21-day one that's done for the passport itself.

We always advise clients to contact both DEFRA and the relevant country's embassy for exact details of requirements.

>she thought that you have to go through all the blood tests again then the 6 month wait, have just put her right.

That's only if the booster's even a day late - if it's done before then the passport remains valid and the dog can come in.

> That's only if the booster's even a day late - if it's done before then the passport remains valid and the dog can come in.

Yep told her that. If I had known that she thought you had to go through the whole process again I could have put her mind at rest, hey ho all sorted now.

Thanks
Jenny

Hi Jan

thanks for that  - I wasn't sure what I was answering because the OP didn't give the location(s) for the dog and I had visions of it travelling maybe around the Middle East for example so no clue what would happen there other than to speak to the relevant authorities as I'd suggested.

Cheers, Teri :)

> hey ho all sorted now

That's good news :)