Skip to main content

Rabies testing for Pets

Rabies Testing

National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NFVRAI) is:

The rabies tests undertaken by NFVRAI are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 ensuring the highest level of quality assurance. Our highly skilled team of researcher are on hand to provide a highly competitive, quality assured, service from sample receipt to result reporting.

Rabies Antibody Testing For Pet Travel (by the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) Method)

The FAVN test measures the response of an animal’s immune system to the rabies vaccine. It is used to detect rabies virus neutralizing antibody (level of rabies serum in the blood stream) after vaccination.

Our laboratory has been providing FAVN test since 2005. We offer the internationally recognised  FAVN rabies test  which is accepted for pet travel throughout the world. 

We accept samples from customers worldwide at a highly competitive price.

Note: The NFVRAI does not provide sample sending services. You should contact to DHL service (TNT or other companies).

 

Following information about rabies antibody test for traveling with dogs, cats and ferrets

  • Submiting samples

The test can be performed on serum from clotted blood. Microchip identification must be implanted prior to blood sample draw and the number must be recorded accurately on the submission form and the sample tube.

A blood sample should be taken by authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after vaccination.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02013R0577-20141229

Note: However, please verify the requirements of the destination country as some have a longer waiting period before sampling the blood.

  • Volume

1 ml serum (preferable) or 3 ml clotted blood should be sent in a plain tube, must be labeled legibly with the animal’s microchip number.

Labelling the sample

Mark all samples clearly and directly on the sample container, as well as the lid. Any masking tape or colored lab-style tape placed on sample vials will fall off during shipment if in the presence of dry ice. Do not use these types of tape to label samples if you plan on shipping samples on dry ice.

  • Storage

If quick sending is not possible, the clotted sample should be kept at room temperature for a day and not be refrigerated. After the clot has formed, sample should be held at +4oC. 

It is better to remove serum unless blood can be dispatched promptly. Serum should be kept deep frozen. Avoid haemolysis.

Serum sample must be relatively clear, lipemic or grossly hemolyzed samples cannot be tested.

Blood should be kept cool before dispatch and sent NFVRAI as quickly as possible https://nmvrvi.lrv.lt/

 

NFVRAI is open to accept packages Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm. and Friday 8 am – 15:45 pm. Send Samples To ( Samples Information Management Unit- address label):

National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute

Samples Information Management Unit

J. Kairiukscio str.10

Vilnius LT-08411

Lithuania

  • Submission form 

Based on the changed procedure for importing samples from third countries (https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/ab05f526afd311f092fda1fd0c194cc5),  veterinarian should complete submission form: Application for permission to import diagnostic samples from third countries into the Republic of Lithuania for laboratory testing sample submission form .

  • Testing

Tests will be carried out once a week and set up on Tuesday.

Samples should be received laboratory no later than Tuesday at 10.00; otherwise the sample will be tested next week (of 5-7 working days from sample receipt).

Changes in schedule are possible on the holidays (please contact to Samples Information Management Unit for exact details by e-mail: [email protected]).

  • Reporting of Results 

    Test results will be completed on Thursday afternoon and reported on Friday, so the results are usually reported within 4-7 days.

If there is necessity to repeat the test, the results will be reported next Friday.

Test results will be delivered only after the fee is paid. 

The laboratory reports the results in International Units per milliliter (IU/mL). An antibody level greater than or equal to 0.5IU/ml is considered an adequate response to vaccination for the purposes of commercial and non-commercial pet travel.

After the sample has brought or sent to the laboratory, a receptionist will give out or send by fax or email to the customer – noted in the submission form- an invoice.

Bank transfer should make payment before delivering test results or in cash to the reception. 

 

Last updated: 02-12-2025