Can somebody confirm to me that no rabies vaccine in the UK can be given to puppies less than 12 weeks of age? I have the Rabisin data sheet info and that states it must not be given under 3 months of age, but does anyone know if there is any other rabies vacc that can be given at a younger age or not? This is NOT for a pets passport, I know the rules there are 12 weeks. It's for a pup flying to the US, enquiring on behalf of a friend.

As far as I know, no rabies before 12 weeks... friend of mine exported to cyprus recently

Before the pet travel scheme there was no problem having a 7 week old pup vaccinated.

I think the 12 week thing is to avoid maternal antibody interference where the dam would have been vaccinated against rabies as is routinely required in many countries.

I was told there was no issue with doing it earlier if the pups dam had not been vaccinated against Rabies.

The pup done at 7 weeks was 12 years ago.

There is no requirement for a pup under 12 weeks going to USA to have Rabies vaccination, I exported one in 2005 at 9 weeks old.

In fact we imported a pip at 9 1/2 weeks in 2002 who was Rabies vaccinated as part of the Quarantine rules.

Cheers -shall check with vets then. The pup would be something like 15 weeks old when going so would presumably need doing -but apparently the vaccine has to be done 30 days before entering the US.

Thats why it is best to send them before they need doing (before 12 weeks) as once done there is 21 days for Europe before a Rabies vaccinated dog can travel, and something similar to USA.

Tiny toybreed, not usually sold until 14 weeks or so.

Oh dear bit of a problem, but do-able as they could go with the pup in a dog holdall in the cabin with the owners at just under 12 weeks, some airlines do this as the pup I bred just managed to scrape in at 9 weeks in the weight limit for in cabin transport.