POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Canigen Rabies Suspension for Injection

Active ingredient: Rabies virus

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Intervet International B.V.

VMD MA No.

06376/4109

What it's used for

For the active immunisation against rabies to reduce clinical signs and mortality. Onset of immunity: an adequate serological response ( 0.5 IU) has been...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Rabies virus

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Canigen Rabies Suspension for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 18 Mar 2026.

For the active immunisation against rabies to reduce clinical signs and mortality.
Onset of immunity: an adequate serological response ( 0.5 IU) has been
demonstrated 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination.
Duration of immunity: 3 years.

Administer a dose of 1 ml irrespective of the size, species or breed of animal.
Intramuscular or subcutaneous use.
Sterile equipment should be used for administration. Avoid contamination of vaccine
with traces of chemical sterilising agents. Do not use chemicals such as disinfectant
or spirit to disinfect the skin prior to inoculation.
Primary course and booster vaccination in dogs and cats
Primary vaccination age* 12 weeks or older
Booster vaccination every 3 years
*The primary vaccination may be administered at an earlier age, but a second dose
must then be administered at the age of 12 weeks.
Minimum vaccination age in dogs and cats: 4 weeks.
Further information
Limited safety data for ferrets are available from monitoring post vaccination
reactions. Ferrets can be vaccinated subcutaneously from 12 weeks of age.

Revised: December 2024
AN: 01537/2024
An adequate serological response ( 0.5 IU) has been demonstrated 1 month after
vaccination.
Ferrets should receive a booster vaccination every 18 months.

None.

Revised: December 2024
AN: 01537/2024

Transient local reactions such as non-painful diffuse to firm swellings of
approximately 1 cm in diameter may be observed for up to 3 weeks after
subcutaneous vaccination.
A transient acute hypersensitivity reaction - with signs that may include, facial
oedema, vomiting, pruritus or diarrhoea - may occur shortly after vaccination in very
rare cases. Such reactions may evolve to a more severe condition (anaphylaxis),
which may be life-threatening with additional signs like dyspnoea, collapse, ataxia,
muscle tremor and convulsion. If such reactions occur appropriate treatment is
recommended.
Clinical signs of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, immune-mediated
thrombocytopenia or immune-mediated polyarthritis have been reported in very rare
cases.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)

Revised: December 2024
AN: 01537/2024
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

Vaccinate healthy animals only.
The vaccine may not be effective in animals incubating the disease at the time of
vaccination.
Some animals may be immunologically incompetent and fail to respond to
vaccination. A good immune response is reliant on the reaction of an immunogenic
agent and a fully competent immune system. Immunocompetence of the animal may
be compromised by a variety of factors including poor health, nutritional status,
genetic factors, concurrent drug therapy and stress.

Special precautions for use in animals
The presence of maternal antibodies can interfere with the response to vaccination.
This product should not be administered for at least one month following the
administration of hyperimmune serum (anti-serum) or immunosuppressant drugs.
Immunogenicity of the vaccine antigen will be reduced by poor storage or
inappropriate administration.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the medicinal product to
animals
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be
mixed and administered with vaccines in the Canigen range containing one or more
of the following components: live canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine
parvovirus and canine parainfluenza or live feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, feline
calicivirus and feline panleucopenia virus.
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that Canigen Rabies can
be administered on the same day but not mixed with Canigen vaccines containing
canine Leptospira serogroups Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae
antigens.
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with
any other veterinary medicinal product except the products mentioned above. A
decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product
therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.

Store in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C). Do not freeze. Protect from light.

Not applicable
5. IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
ATCvet code: QI07AA02
The vaccine contains inactivated antigens to stimulate active immunity against
rabies.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.