Can Dogs Be Given Rabies Shot Early?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The initial dose of rabies vaccine can be administered to dogs and cats

as early as 12 weeks of age

. Most states allow veterinarian discretion in the use of a rabies vaccine labeled as a 1-year or 3-year product when administering the initial dose.

Can I vaccinate my dog before due date?

So, technically,

your veterinarian has all the support of the law to allow a 1 year vaccine if you have gone past the expiration date by any significant amount of time

. This is only a quick piece of rabies law, and as always, discuss vaccination status and any questions with your veterinarian.

What happens if dog gets rabies shot too early?

In the long run,

it is unlikely that the early (and consequently extra) rabies vaccine will cause lasting harm to your dog

.

Can dogs get 2 rabies shots a year?


Your pet should receive its second Rabies vaccination within one year of the initial vaccination

. The second Rabies shot and all shots thereafter are sometimes called booster shots and they last for three years.

Will it hurt a dog to get 2 rabies shots?

While there may be no adverse effects right away,

it isn’t ideal to vaccinate a dog twice

. If we allow unnecessary vaccinations, our dogs may suffer from allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, behavioral changes, and rarely, death.

What is the difference between 1 year and 3 year rabies vaccine?

Rabies vaccinations are considered outdated 1 day beyond the 1-year or 3-year anniversary of the vaccination. (Generally, the only difference between the 1-year rabies vaccine and the 3-year rabies vaccine is

how it’s labeled

.) On revaccination, the pet is considered immunized immediately.

What happens if you give a puppy shots too early?

If the pup receives the shot too soon,

it won’t be effective

; too late and the puppy is at risk of getting the disease. This is why veterinarians recommend a serious of 3 shots, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Is 12 weeks too early for rabies shot?

Initial Vaccination


The initial dose of rabies vaccine can be administered to dogs and cats as early as 12 weeks of age

. Most states allow veterinarian discretion in the use of a rabies vaccine labeled as a 1-year or 3-year product when administering the initial dose.

Can dogs get vaccinated twice?


Vaccinating your dog twice is certainly not an ideal thing to do even though it may not have any telling effects

. I’ve witnessed such situations before and more often than not, there are no telling side effects, however, it is advisable you keep a close watch on the dog per time.

Do rabies vaccines expire?

In California, the law reads that any dog must receive 3 rabies vaccines in the first 5 years of life. That means 1 is given at 3-4 months of age, then at 1 year and 3-4 months of age, and then 3 years later.

After this, dogs are then required to be vaccinated every 3 years

.

When should rabies vaccine be given to dogs?

Rabies vaccine – Rabies vaccines for dogs are required by law in the U.S. All dogs should be vaccinated for rabies at

approximately 14 weeks of age, and then again at one year of age

. Depending on your local regulations, re-vaccination should happen every one to three years.

Does rabies vaccine last longer than 3 years?

While 3-year rabies vaccines are recognized in all 50 States, annual or biannual revaccination for rabies is still required by some State municipalities, even though essentially

all United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed rabies vaccines have a minimum 3-year duration

(3).

How long does immunity last after rabies vaccine?

One complete course of rabies vaccination gives immunity for

at least 10 years

.

Can rabies shots overlap?

The good news is that

your dog probably will not suffer adverse effects from receiving an additional vaccine

(he is almost due for a booster, so only the second shot truly will be extra). Adverse reactions to rabies vaccines do occur but mercifully they are rare.

Can a dog be over vaccinated?


Over-vaccination occurs 2 ways. The first is that your pet receives necessary vaccines more often than needed

. The second is that your pet receives unnecessary vaccines. Core vaccines are those that protect a dog or cat against a dreadful possibly fatal disease that is very common.

What’s the earliest you can give a puppy shots?

For optimum protection, our Cordova vets recommend that your puppy receive their first round of vaccinations as soon as they are weaned,

between six to eight weeks old

. After that, your puppy should receive a series of shots every two to four weeks until they are about 14 weeks old.

Can puppy vaccines be given 2 weeks apart?

The main rule to adhere to is that they should be given

3-4 weeks apart

(4 weeks is the maximum), and the last should be given at or after 15-16 weeks.

Can a 1 month old puppy have rabies?


Puppies and kittens are not born with rabies

. Transmission of this viral disease is via their saliva through wound bites and scratches.

Can rabies vaccine be given at 15 weeks?


The rabies vaccine must be administered by a US-licensed veterinarian in the United States on or after 12 weeks of age

and at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first vaccination. It takes 28 days for the rabies vaccine to fully immunize and protect your dog.

How early can a puppy get rabies?

Most cases in dogs develop

within 21 to 80 days after exposure

, but the incubation period can be much shorter or longer. Once rabies shows symptoms, it can’t be treated, so it’s important to call your vet as soon as your dog has been bitten, instead of waiting to see.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.