What is a Rabies Titer Test?

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test, serological test, or Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT), is a blood test conducted to measure the level of rabies antibodies in an animal’s bloodstream. It is an estimation of the immune response against the rabies virus. This test is typically performed on dogs, cats, and other rabies-carrying mammals by licensed veterinarians to measure their ability to neutralize the rabies virus.

The rabies titer test process

Here are the steps required to administer the rabies titer test according to requirements of all foreign countries that mandate them:

1. Microchip: Many countries require that a pet be identified prior to the rabies titer test and accept only a microchip number as identification.
2. Rabies Vaccination: Have your pet vaccinated for rabies with an inactive or recumbent rabies vaccine that is approved for use in your country.
3. Waiting Period: After the rabies vaccination, there is typically a 30-day wait for the antibodies to build in your pet’s blood. Do not count the day the rabies vaccination was administered. (Some countries will only require a 21-day wait)
4. Blood Sample Collection: A veterinarian will collect a small blood sample from the pet, usually from a vein in the leg or neck. The sample is then sent to a specialized laboratory for analysis.
5. Antibody Detection: In the laboratory, the blood sample is analyzed to detect the presence and level of rabies antibodies. These antibodies indicate the pet’s immune response to previous rabies vaccination or exposure to the virus.
6. Interpretation of Results: The laboratory will provide a report indicating the level of rabies antibodies detected in the pet’s blood. Depending on the country’s requirements, there may be a minimum antibody level that the pet must meet to be considered immune to rabies.
7. Certification and Documentation: If the pet’s rabies antibody level meets the required threshold, the veterinarian will provide a certificate or documentation confirming the pet’s immunity to rabies. This documentation is often necessary for international travel and may need to be presented to customs officials upon arrival in the destination country.

After taking the blood sample, your veterinarian will pack the sera in a leak-proof plastic bag (blood pack) with absorbent material. This should then be placed inside a second container with ice packs. It is then sent via an overnight or next day carrier to an approved laboratory with a submission form listing details of

There are approximately 40 approved laboratories around the world that are authorized to conduct the test. The World Organization of Animal Health publishes a list of laboratories that are approved for titer testing. The European Union also has their own list of approved laboratories.

Most laboratories submit the results within four weeks or less after receipt.

The laboratory results are returned to your veterinarian (or wherever your destination country requires it to be sent), must be on the letter head of the laboratory that processed the titer test and must contain the following information:

• Be in English
• Be completed on the testing laboratory’s letterhead and include:
  • Microchip number
  • Date the blood was drawn
  • Date of arrival of the blood sample
  • The laboratory and signature of the authorized person issuing the lab report
  • The country where the blood sample was collected
  • The test type
  • The test result

Once your veterinarian receives the results, have them make copies and give you the original results. Make sure and protect this report. Some countries will have a validity period on the test. The European Union will consider it valid for the life of your pet if you always have boosters applied before previous vaccinations expire.

Types of serological tests

FAVN – Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization: this is a live virus test to see how the blood sample reacts to the rabies virus. It is the more commonly accepted rabies titer test worldwide.

RFFIT – Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test: rabies viruses are mixed with various levels of the blood sample, incubated, then injected into cells and examined under a fluorescent microscope to detect rabies production.

The rabies titer test is often required for international pet travel, especially when traveling to countries with strict rabies control measures or when originating in a country classified by WOAH as having a high risk of rabies. Many countries have specific entry requirements for pets, including proof of rabies vaccination and, in some cases, a rabies titer test.

The laboratory reports the results in International Units per milliliter (IU/mL). An antibody level of greater or equal to 0.50 IU/mL is generally required for travel to countries requiring a rabies titer test.

It’s important to note that some countries require the rabies titer test to be performed within a specific timeframe before travel (e.g. the European Union which requires three months), while others may permit entry as soon as acceptable results are received (e.g. South Korea and the United Arab Emirates).

Overall, the rabies titer test plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of international pet travel by confirming the pet’s immunity to rabies and helping prevent the spread of the virus between countries. Pet owners planning to travel internationally with their pets should consult with their veterinarian and carefully research the entry requirements of the destination country to determine if a rabies titer test is necessary.

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