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 Belgium S.A.

VMD MA No.

60021/3039

What it's used for

AN: 03122/2024Page 2 of 7 Onset of immunity: 14–21 days after primary vaccination. Duration of immunity: Dogs: three years following the primary vaccinatio...

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.

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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

Versiguard Rabies Suspension for Injection — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

AN: 03122/2024Page 2 of 7
Onset of immunity:
14–21 days after primary vaccination.
Duration of immunity:
Dogs: three years following the primary vaccination course.
Cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and ferrets
vaccination, and two years after booster vaccinations.

All other species: administer by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.
Shake the vial before use.
Dosage:
A single dose of 1 ml is sufficient irrespective of age, weight or animal species.
Primary vaccination scheme:
Animals of all target species can be vaccinated from 12 weeks of age.
Primary vaccination is with a single dose of vaccine.
Re-vaccination scheme:
Dogs: a single dose of Versiguard Rabies should be given every 3 years. Antibody
titres drop over the course of the 3-year duration of immunity, although dogs are
protected when challenged. In case of travelling to risk areas or outside the EU,
veterinary surgeons may wish to give additional rabies vaccinations to ensure that
the vaccinated dogs have an antibody titre ≥ 0.5 IU/ml, which is generally regarded
as sufficiently protective and that they meet the travel test requirements (antibody
titres ≥ 0.5 IU/ml).
AN: 03122/2024Page 5 of 7
Cats, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and ferrets: animals should be
revaccinated with one dose of vaccine 1 year after primary vaccination.
After the first booster vaccination (administered 1 year after primary vaccination),
animals should be revaccinated every 2 years with one dose of vaccine.

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.
AN: 03122/2024Page 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 its local representative> or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
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.

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.
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
AN: 03122/2024Page 4 of 7
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.

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.