A serological assay, conducted on canines intended for international travel, measures rabies virus neutralizing antibody titers. The result, expressed as international units per milliliter (IU/ml), quantifies the level of rabies antibodies present in the animal’s serum. A value of 2.62 IU/ml, as an example, indicates a specific concentration of these antibodies. This measurement is essential for assessing whether a dog has a sufficient immune response to rabies, either from vaccination or prior exposure.
Demonstrating adequate rabies antibody levels is often a mandatory requirement for pet importation into many countries. This requirement serves to protect both the destination country’s animal and human populations from the risk of rabies introduction. Historically, quarantine periods were the standard method for mitigating rabies risk; however, the serological test offers a more humane and scientifically sound alternative, reducing or eliminating the need for extended quarantine, assuming the antibody level meets the receiving country’s stipulated threshold.
