Rabies antibody titers
— this is an analysis that shows the level of antibodies to the rabies virus in the blood of a dog, cat, or ferret. These antibodies are produced in the animal's body after vaccination against rabies, and their level should be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
In documents, the analysis may be referred to as FAVN test, rabies antibody test, titration, or rabies serology test.
In documents, the analysis may be referred to as FAVN test, rabies antibody test, titration, or rabies serology test.
In which cases it is worth doing
- Rabies antibody titers are a prerequisite for entry into some countries of the world.
- Titers should be done in the following cases:
- If you travel to EU countries from Russia and Belarus after September 16, 2024, then you will need titers with a 3-month exposure.
- If you are traveling to Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Serbia, or Montenegro and plan to travel to the European Union, we strongly recommend that you consider obtaining a title while you are still in Russia. This is a cheaper and faster option than in most countries.
- If you are traveling from Russia to Israel, Iceland, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United States (only for dogs), South Korea, Japan, and several other countries.
Titer tests can only be performed in accredited laboratories or in partner clinics of these laboratories that send blood for testing.
Currently, two laboratories in Russia have accreditation:
Clinical and Diagnostic Center of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Research Institute for Animal Health"
Currently, two laboratories in Russia have accreditation:
Clinical and Diagnostic Center of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Research Institute for Animal Health"
In order to test for rabies antibodies, the following requirements must be met according to EU regulations (annex IV + section 1, article 6):
The animal must have an international veterinary passport.
The animal must be microchipped.
The animal must be vaccinated against rabies, and it must be at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination and at least 4 months old at the time of blood sampling.
The analysis is carried out no earlier than 30 days, not including the day of vaccination, after the last vaccination (both primary and subsequent).
The titer of antibodies in the animal's blood serum must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. If the analysis shows a lower level of antibodies than 0.5 IU/ml, it is necessary to re-vaccinate the animal against rabies, even if the expiration date of your previous vaccination has not yet passed, and to retest the titer 30 days after the re-vaccination, not including the day of vaccination.
Non-EU countries have similar requirements for blood samples. The only difference is the certificate's expiration date, shelf life, and sometimes the list of accredited laboratories. Japan and Taiwan, for example, only accept titers from VGNAKI.
EXCEPTION: For the UAE, titers can be tested 21 days after vaccination, excluding the day of vaccination, for primary revaccination. If the secondary vaccination was less than 364 days ago, titers can be tested on the day of revaccination. This is the only such exception; for all other countries, you should wait 30 days, not including the day of vaccination.
The animal must have an international veterinary passport.
The animal must be microchipped.
The animal must be vaccinated against rabies, and it must be at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination and at least 4 months old at the time of blood sampling.
The analysis is carried out no earlier than 30 days, not including the day of vaccination, after the last vaccination (both primary and subsequent).
The titer of antibodies in the animal's blood serum must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. If the analysis shows a lower level of antibodies than 0.5 IU/ml, it is necessary to re-vaccinate the animal against rabies, even if the expiration date of your previous vaccination has not yet passed, and to retest the titer 30 days after the re-vaccination, not including the day of vaccination.
Non-EU countries have similar requirements for blood samples. The only difference is the certificate's expiration date, shelf life, and sometimes the list of accredited laboratories. Japan and Taiwan, for example, only accept titers from VGNAKI.
EXCEPTION: For the UAE, titers can be tested 21 days after vaccination, excluding the day of vaccination, for primary revaccination. If the secondary vaccination was less than 364 days ago, titers can be tested on the day of revaccination. This is the only such exception; for all other countries, you should wait 30 days, not including the day of vaccination.
It is not always the case that rabies antibody titres become effective immediately after the results are received. In some countries, the conditions are such that it must be 1 to 6 months after the blood test is taken before you can travel there. The time starts from the date of blood collection.
For example, here is an excerpt from the rules of animal import into the European Union for countries not included in the list of countries that are allowed to deviate from rabies titration.
A pet (dog, cat, or ferret) must be tested for rabies antibodies in accordance with Annex IV of Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 as follows:
The test must be performed on a sample taken by an authorized veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and at least three months before the date of movement.
The test must measure the level of neutralizing antibodies to the rabies virus in the serum, which must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
The test must be performed in a certified laboratory.
The United States, for example, accepts titers 28 days after the test was performed. Here is an excerpt from the regulations on importing dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies:
Test results must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Blood samples must be collected at least 30 days after the dog's initial vaccination and at least 28 days before the import date.
Test results are valid for 1 year from the date of sample collection.
For example, here is an excerpt from the rules of animal import into the European Union for countries not included in the list of countries that are allowed to deviate from rabies titration.
A pet (dog, cat, or ferret) must be tested for rabies antibodies in accordance with Annex IV of Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 as follows:
The test must be performed on a sample taken by an authorized veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of vaccination and at least three months before the date of movement.
The test must measure the level of neutralizing antibodies to the rabies virus in the serum, which must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
The test must be performed in a certified laboratory.
The United States, for example, accepts titers 28 days after the test was performed. Here is an excerpt from the regulations on importing dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies:
Test results must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Blood samples must be collected at least 30 days after the dog's initial vaccination and at least 28 days before the import date.
Test results are valid for 1 year from the date of sample collection.
Captions are NOT required in the following cases
If you are traveling to a CIS country.
If you are leaving for Georgia, Serbia or Montenegro from Russia or Belarus
If you are traveling to Turkey
I have put this point in a separate item. Officially, captions are required in Turkey, but in reality, almost no one asks for them, except for Pegasus Airlines-this AC always requires them.
Upd. Now the credits for Turkey are sometimes asked, but they are allowed without them, if you write a receipt that you refuse responsibility.
Upd.2. Now credits are asked when leaving Turkey to the Russian Federation in tarim when issuing certificates. Home to the Russian Federation can fly with a certificate of health from a veterinary doctor without going to tarim.
Titer is required in the following cases
If the animal is imported into the EU, Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro from countries that are not on the list of countries that are allowed to deviate from the titration to rabies. For example, Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia are not on this list of the EU, accordingly, when entering the EU countries from these countries, the titer is required. Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro have similar lists, but at the same time, from these countries to the EU, the titer is required. Also, Serbia does not require titles from Kazakhstan.
If you are staying in a red country for rabies and take a certificate there to enter a country that requires titles
The human factor may work and you will be allowed by the customs of the host country without even looking at the documents. But there is always a chance that a malicious customs officer will get in your way and you will get into money / quarantine of your pet. You are young, playful. But you do not need all this. Do not take risks.
If you are returning from Turkey to the Russian Federation
Titer tests are sometimes required in the tarih office when issuing certificates. You can fly from Turkey to the Russian Federation without a certificate from the tarih office, just get a health certificate from a veterinary clinic.
After the titer test, you need to wait 3 months before traveling to almost any destination where they are required. You can get the titer test in Russia and wait for these 3 months, for example, in Turkey before traveling to the EU. However, keep in mind that you will need the test results in the form of a paper certificate issued by the clinic, as they may not be accepted electronically, despite the QR code.
As an example of a deviation from the three-month rule, Israel and Pegasus Airlines require zero-hour waiting after the test. Six months of waiting is required by Japan.
If you are traveling to a CIS country.
If you are leaving for Georgia, Serbia or Montenegro from Russia or Belarus
If you are traveling to Turkey
I have put this point in a separate item. Officially, captions are required in Turkey, but in reality, almost no one asks for them, except for Pegasus Airlines-this AC always requires them.
Upd. Now the credits for Turkey are sometimes asked, but they are allowed without them, if you write a receipt that you refuse responsibility.
Upd.2. Now credits are asked when leaving Turkey to the Russian Federation in tarim when issuing certificates. Home to the Russian Federation can fly with a certificate of health from a veterinary doctor without going to tarim.
Titer is required in the following cases
If the animal is imported into the EU, Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro from countries that are not on the list of countries that are allowed to deviate from the titration to rabies. For example, Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia are not on this list of the EU, accordingly, when entering the EU countries from these countries, the titer is required. Georgia, Serbia and Montenegro have similar lists, but at the same time, from these countries to the EU, the titer is required. Also, Serbia does not require titles from Kazakhstan.
If you are staying in a red country for rabies and take a certificate there to enter a country that requires titles
The human factor may work and you will be allowed by the customs of the host country without even looking at the documents. But there is always a chance that a malicious customs officer will get in your way and you will get into money / quarantine of your pet. You are young, playful. But you do not need all this. Do not take risks.
If you are returning from Turkey to the Russian Federation
Titer tests are sometimes required in the tarih office when issuing certificates. You can fly from Turkey to the Russian Federation without a certificate from the tarih office, just get a health certificate from a veterinary clinic.
After the titer test, you need to wait 3 months before traveling to almost any destination where they are required. You can get the titer test in Russia and wait for these 3 months, for example, in Turkey before traveling to the EU. However, keep in mind that you will need the test results in the form of a paper certificate issued by the clinic, as they may not be accepted electronically, despite the QR code.
As an example of a deviation from the three-month rule, Israel and Pegasus Airlines require zero-hour waiting after the test. Six months of waiting is required by Japan.
The rules of many countries state that the titers are valid as long as the animal is revaccinated against rabies on time. Accordingly, in most cases, the titers are valid for life, as long as you do not miss a scheduled revaccination. According to EU regulations, the revaccination must be performed within the validity period of the vaccine, excluding the last day, in order to extend the validity of the titers. It is not necessary to vaccinate the pet with the same brand of vaccine. It is also necessary to keep the veterinary passport with the vaccine sticker that originally had the titers attached to it.
Example #1: The animal was vaccinated on 01.03.2022, and the vaccine is valid for 1 year. To extend the titers associated with this vaccination for another 1 year in the EU (and other countries that follow these rules), the pet must be revaccinated by 28.02.2023.
Example #2: The animal was vaccinated on 01.03.2023, and the vaccine is valid for 3 years. To extend the titers associated with this vaccination for another year in the EU (and other countries that follow these rules), the pet must be revaccinated by 28.02.2026.
Example #1: The animal was vaccinated on 01.03.2022, and the vaccine is valid for 1 year. To extend the titers associated with this vaccination for another 1 year in the EU (and other countries that follow these rules), the pet must be revaccinated by 28.02.2023.
Example #2: The animal was vaccinated on 01.03.2023, and the vaccine is valid for 3 years. To extend the titers associated with this vaccination for another year in the EU (and other countries that follow these rules), the pet must be revaccinated by 28.02.2026.
Depending on the laboratory that performs this analysis, you may receive an electronic version on a clinic or laboratory form, followed by a paper version. The electronic version is only for informational purposes and is not suitable for obtaining certificates. You will need a paper version with all the necessary signatures, seals, and codes.
If there is an error in the owner's name, it is not a significant issue.
However, it is important to ensure that the animal's chip number is correctly indicated and that the antibody level is sufficient (0.5 IU/ml or higher).
The test result is usually displayed at the bottom. Look for one of the following phrases and the number X IU/ml:
The result of the study
The result of the titration
Resultat du test
Results of Test
Die Ergebnisse der Erforschung
Test Result
Ergebnis
Test Ediken Serum Titresi
Next, look at the number:
If X is equal to 0.5 IU/ml or more (example: 6.01, 7.13, 1.15), then this is a good result for the titers, and you can travel with it. Sometimes, the form (for example, from a Turkish laboratory) indicates two units, in IU/ml and in "raw units," but you only need to look at the IU/ml, because 11 "raw units" is less than 0.5 IU/ml!
If X is less than 0.5 IU/ml, then there is no immunity and the titers are invalid. In this case, it is necessary to re-vaccinate the pet against rabies (with another vaccine) as soon as possible after receiving the test result, wait 30 days and repeat the test.
If there is an error in the owner's name, it is not a significant issue.
However, it is important to ensure that the animal's chip number is correctly indicated and that the antibody level is sufficient (0.5 IU/ml or higher).
The test result is usually displayed at the bottom. Look for one of the following phrases and the number X IU/ml:
The result of the study
The result of the titration
Resultat du test
Results of Test
Die Ergebnisse der Erforschung
Test Result
Ergebnis
Test Ediken Serum Titresi
Next, look at the number:
If X is equal to 0.5 IU/ml or more (example: 6.01, 7.13, 1.15), then this is a good result for the titers, and you can travel with it. Sometimes, the form (for example, from a Turkish laboratory) indicates two units, in IU/ml and in "raw units," but you only need to look at the IU/ml, because 11 "raw units" is less than 0.5 IU/ml!
If X is less than 0.5 IU/ml, then there is no immunity and the titers are invalid. In this case, it is necessary to re-vaccinate the pet against rabies (with another vaccine) as soon as possible after receiving the test result, wait 30 days and repeat the test.
You can find out if a transit country is red by checking the country's requirements. For example, the European Union has a list of excluded countries where subtitles are not required. If a country is not included in this list, it is considered "red" by the European Union.
If your transit country is a red country for the final country, then the titles are not required if you do not take a new certificate in the transit country. It is necessary that the certificate that you take in the country of departure must be written out the entire route of travel.
Example of route No. 1: Belarus - Georgia - Germany
Example of route No. 2: Russia - Armenia - Georgia
The EU countries in case of transit through a red country for rabies have a special declaration of no contact with infected animals on the way. Travel with a declaration is regulated by EU Regulation No. 576/2013, Article 7. The declaration itself can be found in EU Regulation No. 577/2013, annex I
If your transit country is a red country for the final country, then the titles are not required if you do not take a new certificate in the transit country. It is necessary that the certificate that you take in the country of departure must be written out the entire route of travel.
Example of route No. 1: Belarus - Georgia - Germany
Example of route No. 2: Russia - Armenia - Georgia
The EU countries in case of transit through a red country for rabies have a special declaration of no contact with infected animals on the way. Travel with a declaration is regulated by EU Regulation No. 576/2013, Article 7. The declaration itself can be found in EU Regulation No. 577/2013, annex I
If an animal has a European passport and enters a red rabies country, it will also need to have a rabies test to return to the EU. However, if the test was conducted in an EU country, a three-month quarantine period is not required.
Example 1: A pet owner living in Germany plans to travel to Armenia. The pet has a rabies test conducted in a German laboratory. Once the test results are received, the pet can travel to Armenia and return to Germany without any issues.
Example #2: A pet owner living in Germany planned a trip to Armenia. The animal left Germany for Armenia without a certificate. Even if the pet has a European passport, it can only return to Germany after taking blood tests in an Armenian laboratory and waiting for 3 months under general conditions.
Example 1: A pet owner living in Germany plans to travel to Armenia. The pet has a rabies test conducted in a German laboratory. Once the test results are received, the pet can travel to Armenia and return to Germany without any issues.
Example #2: A pet owner living in Germany planned a trip to Armenia. The animal left Germany for Armenia without a certificate. Even if the pet has a European passport, it can only return to Germany after taking blood tests in an Armenian laboratory and waiting for 3 months under general conditions.
