Things You'll Need
- Order or prescription for blood work
- Fee for diagnostic services
Instructions
Find out the specific laws in your area regarding the rabies vaccination. Some localities differ on how often the rabies vaccine needs to be administered and how often the titer has to be checked. Contact your local animal control officer for the correct information.
Contact your doctor or veterinarian. Three weeks after receiving the vaccination, check the titer through a simple blood test. After that, for pets, once a year is sufficient to ensure that the antibodies are still protecting against the virus. If you work with animals and are exposed regularly to the rabies virus, you should be checked every six months to two years depending on the level of exposure. Your doctor or veterinarian will order the test.
Have your blood drawn. Most veterinarians have diagnostic lab capabilities on site for your pet. However, if you were vaccinated, your doctor may or may not draw blood in the office. In that case, your doctor or insurance company can suggest a facility.
Review the results with your doctor or veterinarian. Depending on you or your pet's risk factors for rabies infection, your doctor or vet will make decision about the concentration of rabies antibodies. If the titer is insufficient, a booster vaccination will be necessary.