The Rabies Blood Test for dog imports to Australia - So important to get this RIGHT!

Over the years I have had a lot of people ask what is the RNATT Test? Is it in fact just the Rabies Blood Test? The answer is yes. Its an estimation of the immune response your dog has against the rabies virus. (either though exposure or vaccination).

Australia is one of few countries in the world that does not carry rabies, hence why Australia takes a very conservative approach to doing all they can to keep it out. Will Australia remain rabies free forever? A lot of experts suggest not, but until that day the process to import dogs into the country is extremely complicated.

So whats the process of getting your dogs tested for Rabies prior to import into Australia?

1. Its recommended to wait 3-4 weeks between your dogs rabies vaccination and the blood test sample collection for the RNAT test. However if your dog has a history of regular rabies vaccinations it may be possible to collect the blood sample sooner. Your government approved veterinarian can advise on a suitable timeframe.

2. The RNAT test must be carried out by a government approved veterinarian. They must scan your dogs microchip. The microchip number must be written accurately on the blood tube and the laboratory submission form. NOTE: Australia will NOT accept amended lab reports where the microchip number has been corrected.

3. The test laboratory must be approved by the competent authority in the exporting country. Its acceptable to draw blood in an approved country & test it at a lab in a different country

4. The testing laboratory must use either a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT)

5. The laboratory report must be in English and completed on the testing laboratory’s letterhead. It must include:

• the dog’s microchip number

• the blood sampling date and location

• the signature of the person issuing the laboratory report

• the test type and test result.

1. The laboratory report must be in English and completed on the testing laboratory’s letterhead. It must include:

• the dog’s microchip number

• the blood sampling date and location

• the signature of the person issuing the laboratory report

• the test type and test result.

1. NOTE: RNATT laboratory reports with an e-signature and QR code are acceptable.

• A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. A result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable and in this circumstance you must re-vaccinate and repeat the testing process.

• The RNAT test is valid for 12 months or 365 days from the date of blood sampling. If the RNAT test is more than 12 months old at the time of export it is not valid and you cannot export the dog to Australia. You must have your dog retested before the expiry of the existing RNATT (i.e. 12 months).

• The dog is not eligible for export to Australia until at least one hundred and eighty (180) days after the blood sample arrives at the lab for this RNAT test (with a satisfactory result).

Note: There are no exceptions or dispensations available for this mandatory 180 day waiting period.