POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Versiguard Rabies Suspension for Injection

Active ingredient: Rabies virus

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Cattle Dogs Ferrets Goats Horses Pigs Sheep

Manufacturer

Zoetis UK Limited

VMD MA No.

42058/5113

What it's used for

For the active immunisation of dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and ferrets (12 weeks of age and older) to prevent infection and mortality ca...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

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.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

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

Clinical information

Versiguard Rabies Suspension for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

For the active immunisation of dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and
ferrets (12 weeks of age and older) to prevent infection and mortality caused by
rabies virus.
Onset of immunity:
14–21 days after primary vaccination.

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02952/2022Page 2 of 7
Duration of immunity:
Dogs: three years following the primary vaccination course.
Cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and ferrets:
one year after primary vaccination, and two years after booster vaccinations.

Do not use in animals that are showing signs of rabies or that are suspected of being
infected with rabies virus.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the adjuvant or to any of the excipients.

Dogs:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Injection site swelling
Hypersensitivity reaction
1
Transient, following subcutaneous administration which may reach up to 10 mm in
diameter and in rare cases be associated with mild discomfort. Usually resolves
within 10 days.
Appropriate treatment should be administered without delay.

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02952/2022Page 3 of 7
Cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and ferrets:
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated
reports):
Injection site pain
, Injection site swelling
Hypersensitivity reaction
1
Mild and associated with injection site swelling.
Transient.
•
usually resolves within 7 days.
•
usually resolves within 10 days. In rare cases may be associated with mild
discomfort.
Appropriate treatment should be administered without delay.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the
national reporting system. See also section 16 of the package leaflet for contact
details.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Special precautions for use in animals
Not applicable.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In the case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show
the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment
Not applicable.
Other precautions
Not applicable.

Dogs
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be
administered subcutaneously in dogs on the same day as vaccines from the
Vanguard range (Vanguard 7, Vanguard Plus 7, Vanguard Plus 5, Vanguard Plus 5L,
Vanguard Pup, Vanguard Puppy, Vanguard CPV, Vanguard CPV +L, Vanguard
DA2Pi, Vanguard DA2Pi+L, Vanguard Lepto ci where approved), either mixed or at
different sites. The duration of immunity for the Vanguard range when used with
Versiguard Rabies has not been established.
After concurrent or mixed administration of Versiguard Rabies and Vanguard canine
range, vaccinated dogs may have a transient swelling (up to 6 cm) at the injection
site and a transient swelling of the sub-mandibular and/or pre-scapular lymph nodes
at the injection site 4 hours after vaccination. These signs resolve within 24 hours.

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02952/2022Page 4 of 7
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can also
be used as solvent for the live vaccines of the Versican Plus range (Versican Plus
DHPPi, DHP, DP, P and Pi) and administered subcutaneously in dogs. After mixed
administration with the Versican Plus range vaccinated dogs may commonly have a
transient swelling (up to 5 cm) at the injection site. The swelling can occasionally be
painful, warm or reddened. Any such swelling will either have spontaneously resolved
or be greatly diminished by 14 days after vaccination. In rare cases gastrointestinal
signs such as diarrhoea and vomiting or anorexia and decreased activity are
possible.
Use as solvent for the Versican Plus range:
The contents of a single vial of Versican Plus vaccine should be reconstituted with
the contents of a vial containing 1 dose of Versiguard Rabies (instead of the solvent).
Once mixed, the contents of the vial should appear a pink/red or yellowish colour with
light opalescence. The mixed vaccines should be injected immediately via the
subcutaneous route.
Co-administration with Vanguard canine range:
To mix both products, Vanguard vaccines should be reconstituted according to their
SPCs. The reconstituted vial will be well shaken and then mixed with 1 ml of
Versiguard Rabies either in the Versiguard Rabies vial or the syringe. Versiguard
Rabies will be well shaken before use. The mixed vaccines will be gently shaken and
then administered immediately by subcutaneous injection.
Other target species
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with
any other veterinary medicinal product. 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.

Dogs, cats, ferrets: Not applicable.
Cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses: Zero days.
5. IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Pharmacotherapeutic group: immunologicals for Canidae, inactivated viral
vaccines for dogs.
ATCvet code: QI07AA02
The vaccine stimulates active immunity in the target species against rabies.
As required by the European Pharmacopoeia, efficacy was demonstrated by
challenge in dogs and cats, and by serology in the other target species. One year
after primary vaccination, 100% of dogs and cats vaccinated via either the
subcutaneous or intramuscular routes were protected against challenge. Two years
after booster vaccination, protection rates against challenge were 92% of cats
vaccinated via either the subcutaneous or intramuscular routes. Three years after
primary vaccination, 96% of dogs vaccinated by subcutaneous route were protected
against challenge. Protection rates against challenge in dogs and cats, and serology
results for the other target species, comply with the efficacy criteria of the European
Pharmacopoeia for inactivated rabies vaccine at both the one-year, two-year and
three-year assessments.

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02952/2022Page 6 of 7

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.