Hello,
I have read all of the quarantine info at maff.go.jp as well as most of the questions and responses here, but I don't think I've seen anything that answers my question, so I'm asking it here. Our situation:

2-year-old Yorkie had microchip implanted in Germany AFTER first rabies vax in 2010
A second rabies vax was given in 2011 but was accidentally done 3 months AFTER effective immunity period of first vax had expired
Last week of Feb. 2012--had FAVN test done--while there, German vet noticed the gap between first and second vax immunity, so he did another rabies vax to count as the "second" one for Japanese quarantine purposes.

So, effectively our dog's second vax counts as his first, and the most recent one is his second. I could find nothing that expressly says that the second vax can't be given on the same day as the FAVN test, but I just happened to read on a personal website that the second vax should be given two weeks before blood is drawn for the FAVN test. 

Does anyone actually know if this is true?? I sent a query to Japan's Animal Quarantine Service almost a week ago but have not heard back from them yet. I need to know something soon, in case I need to take our poor dog to have more blood drawn next week for a new FAVN.

Thanks in advance for any responses!
Diane in Germany, who may or may not be headed to Japan in Aug./Sept. 2012

Try the Animal Quarantine Service again. When I was coming over to Japan, they were very responsive, like responding back in a couple of hours of my e-mail. The other option is to e-mail the vet here and ask them but the safer bet is to get back with the Japanese folks.

They drew the FAVN titer on our animals the same day they got the 2nd rabies shot.

From my understanding the reason for waiting the 2 weeks is to allow the rabies antibodies from the vaccine to get through the blood stream and be picked up in the FAVN test.   Since your dog has a prior history of rabies vaccines (as did ours) the test should come back fine.

I agree w/ Groovie....you should be fine. As I recall, our dogs also had the FAVN test done on the same day as their second Rabies vaccine.

Hi. I am dealing with this now as well. Try this email address. They usually responded within 24 hours.

na-k2@aqs.maff.go.jp

If the FAVN test was done the same day as the 2nd rabies vaccine you should be fine. But the FAVN should've been drawn before the 2nd shot was given, even same day.

We just had our dog done last year and her second rabies was done the exact same day her FAVN test was done as well. I got this wording from the US Army Veterinary Command of Japan http://www.usarj.army.mil/organizat...ort_d.aspx It specifically says that IF your pet is over 12 months and has a history of rabies vaccinations then the FAVN can be done at the same time as the 2nd rabies vaccination.

We had no problems at all with getting our dog's paperwork approved done this way.

SCENARIO 1: I’m moving to Japan in less than 60 days and I haven’t sequentially completed microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (Inactivated), and the FAVN test.

ANSWER:

1. Immediately have the microchip and first rabies vaccine performed (Pets must be older than 3 months before receiving their first rabies vaccination). After 30 days have the second rabies vaccine given.

a. If your pet is over 12 months of age with a history of rabies vaccination, you may have the FAVN performed at the time of the second rabies vaccination. Your pet will be assessed quarantine time equal to 180 days minus the time since the blood was drawn for the FAVN at time of arrival.

Thanks very much to everyone who responded--you have all really helped!

I'm wondering if the Quarantine Service even received my query, as I still have not heard from them. So, I'm going to do as a couple of you suggested and email them again, just to be sure everything is okay with our rabies vax. I think it is, after hearing from all of you.

Thanks again!!
Diane

I also did my FAVN draw on the same day as my 2nd rabies vaccine.  The caveat being that the FAVN draw needs to be AFTER the second vaccine, make sure it is written that way.  Also, I called and spoke with the USDA in my state and was able to get a lot of help.  Your vet should know how to reach the USDA in your area.  Any military installation with an Army vet should have access to the USDA as well.  
It can be extremely frustrating...good luck.

I received almost NO help from the USDA in my state. I got loads of help from the Japanese Quarantine people (MAFF) in the Narita Airport. Since they are the ones who know the rules because they are the ones who let your pet into the country, you might want to try them again.

Update: I think the Japanese Quarantine people must not have received my first message to them, because when I tried again (using the email address octobersongs mentioned instead of the form on the MAFF site), I got a very prompt and helpful reply. I corresponded with someone several times and got the info I needed. (Incidentally, because we are civilians on an Air Force installation in Germany, we aren't allowed to use the vet on base, so the potential for any advisement there was zero). Funny, though, we know now that we are not moving back to Japan this year after all--but at least we have done the FAVN testing and understand the process now, in case we need to go through it in the future! Thanks again for all the replies; I hope this thread can be helpful to others.