Rabies antibody titer test for pet travel (dogs and cats)

Rabies antibody titer is a requirement when exporting your dog or cat from countries where rabies is endemic to a free-rabies country.

We discuss everything you need to know about rabies titer, i.e., how to collect the samples for rabies antibody titer, laboratories that are OIE certified to do rabies antibody titer tests, interpretations of the results, how to transport rabies antibody titer samples, and how long it takes to get results.

What is a rabies antibody titer?

It’s a test to measure the number of rabies antibodies in the body. Pets with 0.5 iu/mL antibodies and above have enough antibodies to protect them against rabies. Pets below 0.5 IU/mL antibodies have few antibodies to protect them against rabies.

Why is a rabies antibody titer test required for pet export?

It shows the protection status of your pet against rabies:

Your pet is protected against rabies if the level is above 0.5 iu/ml.

Your pet is unprotected against rabies if the level is below 0.5 iu/ml.

How much do vets charge for a rabies antibody titer test?

The cost of a rabies antibody titer test varies depending on your country.

In Uganda, the range is between 1 million and 2.5 million Ugandan shillings, depending on the lab used, the express samples, and the number of dogs tested.

What samples do we require for the rabies antibody titer?

Serum

How is serum obtained from a dog or cat?

Blood is collected in a red top tube and centrifuged to form a straw-colored layer (serum).

How much serum do I need for the rabies antibody titer test?

3–4 ml per dog or cat

Which vacutainer tube can I use to collect samples for the rabies antibody titer test?

Red-top vacutainer

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After the rabies vaccination, can I immediately pick the samples for rabies antibody titer?

No, wait 21–30 days for antibodies to form in the body.

I missed a previous rabies shot for my dog. Can I pick samples for the rabies antibody titer test?

First, give a rabies shot and pick the samples after 21–30 days.

My dog failed a rabies antibody titer test. What can I do?

Re-vaccinate your dog and collect the samples after 21–30 days.

How long does it take to get rabies antibody titer results?

The time it takes to get the results depends on the laboratory used.

Express samples take two to three weeks.

None-express samples take one to three months.

Where can I take my dog for a rabies antibody titer test?

Superior Animal Clinic or contact the nearby veterinary clinic

Do I need a rabies antibody titer to export my puppy?

For puppies younger than three months, you do not need a rabies antibody titer to export your pet.

For puppies aged three months and older, you need a rabies antibody titer test to export your pet.

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Why did my dog fail a rabies antibody titer test?

It had antibodies lower than 0.5 ui/ml due to the poor response of the immune system to produce enough antibodies.

Which laboratory in Uganda is OIE-certified to test for rabies antibodies?

No laboratory is OIE-certified for rabies antibody titer testing.

Where can I submit my samples for the rabies antibody titer test?

OIE-designated laboratories for performing rabies titer tests are:

Laboratories for rabies antibody tests are

How do you pick samples for a rabies antibody titer test of a pet?

The steps of collecting samples for rabies antibody titer differ depending on your country, but the principles are similar. These include

First, do a physical check to rule out any abnormalities.

Check the vaccination card to see if the vaccinations are updated; if not, vaccinate the pet and collect the samples after 21–30 days.

Properly restrain your pet.

Disinfect the place where you want to pick up blood.

Pick 3–4 ml of blood into a red-top vacutainer.

Take the blood to a nearby laboratory for centrifuge to form serum.

Serum is the sample required for rabies antibody titers.

How can I transport rabies antibody titer samples (serum) to another country with an OIE-designated laboratory to perform rabies antibody titer tests?

Cushion the tube with serum in a properly sealed and labeled container.

Apply to the Ministry of Agriculture or the department in charge of transporting biological samples in your country to get a letter that allows you to export the rabies antibody titer sample.

Inform the laboratory about your sample.

Pick a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture that allows you to export biological samples.

Put the container with serum in an envelope, and put a copy of a letter that allows you to export biological samples on the packaging.

Properly label the samples, i.e., the name of the pet, the name of the veterinary facility used, the nature of the samples inside, the destination of your sample, the microchip number, etc.

Submit the samples to the shipping company.