Rethinking the system of post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in veterinary practice

Rabies remains a fatal but preventable zoonotic disease, and current post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategies in animals often involve blanket administration of vaccines regardless of confirmed exposure status. In this paper, we argue for a revised approach to animal PEP, advocating for the targeted administration of rabies vaccine, and when feasible, rabies immunoglobulin, only following confirmed exposure to rabid animals. This strategy aims to optimize resource utilization, reduce unnecessary treatments, and align veterinary practices with evidence-based risk assessment.