Recommendations for Rabies Vaccination

Animals and People, Pre- and Post-exposure

ANIMAL EXPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS
Pre-exposure
Dogs and Cats		 Vaccinate at 3 months of age; revaccinate 1 year later and every year thereafter.
Wildlife Discourage ownership due to liability and lack of approved vaccination. Use recommendations given above.
People Three doses of Human Diploid Cell Vaccine (HDCV) 0.1cc intradermal on days 0, 7 and 28 booster yearly or every three years based on risk group.
Post-exposure
Dogs and Cats		 Previously unimmunized: destroy immediately; if possible or if owner refuses, isolate for 6 months and vaccinate 1 month prior to release
Wildlife Regard as rabies and euthanize for examination
People Previously unimmunized: Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG), 20U/kg, given half at the bite site and remainder IM in the gluteal muscle, and five doses of HDCV, 0.1ml Intradermal (ID) on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28
Previously immunized: two doses of HDCV, .1cc ID on days 0 and 3; do not give HRIG. Test serum for titer.

Current recommendations for disposition of bite cases. The animal must be reported to rabies control of the city or county that the human was bitten in. Then animals is quarantined after an initial examination. The animal must show no signs of neurologic disease The animal is then kept in a kennel with a top on it for 10 days after the bite occurred. If the animals shows signs of neurologic disease typical of rabies then euthanasia is recommended. The animals is then re-examined to see if any neurologic signs have developed. If no signs of disease exist, the animals is discharged only after the animal control officer is contacted. Each rabies observation will have a case number registered in the local rabies control office. This number should be recorded in the animals permanent record. The pet may be vaccinated for rabies prior to release. The cost of two examinations and 10 days of hospitalization as well as the rabies vaccination is paid in advance by the owner of the pet.

Recommendations for Rabies Vaccination

Post-exposure Recommendations for Rabies Exposure of People

SOURCE OF INFECTION SITUATION ANIMAL DISPOSITION POSTEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS
FOR PEOPLE
Rodents (squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, mice, rabbits Any episode Usually not examined None, but consult peoples doctors or public health officials
Dog or Cat (vaccination status not important) Healthy, owned Confine; observe for 10 days, especially if unprovoked attack None or consider if unprovoked; yes, if Central Nervous System (CNS) signs develop
  Healthy, stray available or escaped Euthanatize immediately; submit head for examination Yes
  CNS signs or illness Euthanatize immediately; submit head for examination Yes, If rabies test negative then stop
Wild Carnivore Any episode If captured, Euthanatize immediately; submit head for examination Yes, If rabies test positive or animal at large; if negative rabies test then stop
Accidental Self Vaccination Any episode Not applicable None