What should you know about rabies vaccine for puppies?

Vaccination prepares a puppy's immune system to recognize rabies virus. Puppies are not all vaccinated at the same age, and a dose may be delayed when a puppy is unwell or when the veterinarian needs to review its history. Keep the vaccination record and follow the clinic's advice about future doses. Until protection is established, prevent contact with unknown animals and do not let a puppy investigate bats or wildlife.

Book a veterinary visit and bring any previous records. Tell the veterinarian about the puppy's age, health, travel, living environment, and contact with animals. After a bite or scratch, move the puppy away from the animal without touching saliva, wash exposed skin with soap and running water, and call the veterinarian. If a person was bitten, scratched, or had saliva enter broken skin, eyes, or mouth, seek urgent medical advice and read Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Get veterinary advice promptly after any bite, scratch, or saliva contact with a wild or unfamiliar mammal, even if the mark looks small. Seek human medical care immediately after a possible exposure; do not wait for the puppy or the other animal to develop signs. Keep the puppy away from children and other animals until a veterinarian advises what is appropriate. Call ahead so the clinic can plan safe handling.

Ask when the first rabies dose should be given, which follow-up doses are needed, what protection is expected before the series is complete, and what action is required after a missed appointment or exposure.