What should you know about rabbit rabies vaccine?

Rabies is a serious infection affecting the nervous system. Rabbits are not typical rabies hosts, but an unusual, sick-appearing, stray, or unavailable animal can require a different assessment from a healthy domestic rabbit that can be observed.

Post-exposure vaccination is preventive care given after a potentially infectious animal contact and before symptoms develop. A clinician may consider whether saliva reached broken skin, the eyes, mouth, or a wound; how deep the bite was; where it occurred; and whether the rabbit can be assessed safely.

A vaccine for a pet rabbit and rabies vaccination for an exposed person are different issues. Do not assume that a pet's vaccination record settles the need for human care. A clinician or public-health service can advise whether vaccination, additional treatment, observation, or wound care is appropriate.

Wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water as soon as possible. Avoid sealing a deep wound yourself. Contact urgent medical care or a public-health service promptly, especially if the skin was broken or saliva contacted an eye, mouth, or open wound.

Record when the contact happened, what the rabbit looked and behaved like, whether it was owned or stray, and where it is now. If safe, provide the animal's details to clinicians or authorities; do not handle or capture an unfamiliar animal. A clinician can also check for bacterial infection, tetanus needs, and damage to deeper tissues.

Seek urgent medical advice today after any bite or scratch that breaks the skin, any contact with the eyes or mouth, or exposure involving a child, the face, hand, or a deep wound. Go to emergency care for uncontrolled bleeding, severe tissue damage, trouble moving the affected area, or breathing difficulty.

Do not wait for rabies symptoms before asking for advice. Fever, unusual sensations near an old wound, difficulty swallowing, confusion, agitation, or weakness require emergency assessment, although these symptoms have many possible causes.

Ask: Was the skin broken, and does this exposure need rabies post-exposure treatment? Should I receive wound care, tetanus protection, or antibiotics? What information about the rabbit should I provide, and who can advise about observation?