Help!

[Cleo_13]

I'm dog-sitting for my neighbor who is currently on vacation. The instructions I was given for today were, let them into the backyard three times, keep food and water bowls for both the two dogs and their cat, and what to do if their older dog has a seizure. (He hasn't done that so far, thank goodness) What the directions did NOT include was what to do if I find a little dead bat on the kitchen floor (where the dogs are kept).

My instinct is to pick him up, say how sorry I am, and bury him in my yard, but... I know bats are rabies vector species, so I feel like this complicates things, especially as he was in the vicinity of both dogs. I don't know who to call though, or what to do. I've brought him home in a little plastic container. I've never seen a bat this close up.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

You need to take the bat to the health department and have it tested for rabies!

Do you know if their pets are vaccinated against rabies (the dogs probably are, but sometimes cats are not current on their rabies vaccines)?

[Milo's Mom]

Cleo, I agree with SR&BT; HOWEVER, does having the bat tested for rabies cost money? You should not be held responsible for these costs. Not your house, not your bat, not your animals...you are doing them a favor and it's their responsibility and if it does cost money they need to know upfront how much so they can make the decision regarding the health and welfare of their animals.

Do you have a contact number for your neighbors while they are away? How about e-mail...are they checking it? Can you send them a text?

Personally, I'd try to contact them to see what they want you to do, if possible.

If the rabies tests are free, then I'd go do it ASAP.

Do you know the name of the vet they use? Can you contact the vet to see if all of the animals are current on their shots?

[Cleo_13]

Thanks for the quick reply. I have no idea, but I'm going to call my neighbor as soon I can. What sort of health department? I'm going to call my friends parents, so I can get a ride to wherever I need to take him. Will it cost anything? I have money if it does.

[Cleo_13]

Whoops! I was typing when you posted Milo's Mom...

[Cleo_13]

I'll be back shortly. I have to head back over there, find her cell number, and make more calls.

[Cleo_13]

I can't get in touch with my neighbor, or the person she said to contact in case of emergency! The heath department person said to find out if the dogs were up to date on their vaccinations, and then call right back and I can't reach anyone! I called my friends house to see if they knew what to do, because I don't!

[Cleo_13]

Also, the person I called asked for my name, phone #, and address. I gave it to them, but not my neighbor's. Should I not have done that?

[Oxymandias]

Also, the person I called asked for my name, phone #, and address. I gave it to them, but not my neighbor's. Should I not have done that?

Don't see why not. They might need to get in contact with you (or get other people to call you, depending on what you need).

[Cleo_13]

Okay, I still can't reach anyone. I was told to call back, but I have no information. Any ideas?

[Garden71]

Just some info...

What should I do if I am bitten by an animal or exposed to the saliva of a possibly rabid animal?

NDDOH Rabies Exposure Assessment Algorithm (pdf) NOT FROM NY BUT GOOD INFO.

First, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water. Gather as much information about the animal as possible. Contact your physician as soon as possible and notify your local public health unit or the state health department as well as local law enforcement.

How long is the rabies virus infectious after it is outside of the rabid animal?

The rabies virus is a very fragile virus. As soon as the saliva dries the virus is no longer infectious. The virus is easily killed by soaps, detergents, bleach, alcohol and ultraviolet light.

I would take appropriate action for your own safety and for your friends pets for now. And think twice about watching their pets in the future.

[Cleo_13]

The bat is in a plastic container in the refrigerator right now , until I get in touch with my neighbor.

[Milo's Mom]

Do the dogs have rabies vaccination tags on or on their collars? If you look on the tag it will have a number...in my state they have the name of the vet and phone number that issued it.
If there is no name/phone info on the tag, there will be a number similar to a serial number. You might be able to research that number to locate the name of the vet to see if the animals have their vaccinations.

To the best of my knowledge all vets in all states must register each and every rabies vaccine tag they issue.

[Cleo_13]

Not sure (I don't have a dog myself, so I wouldn't know the requirements). I can check though.

[cmmauer]

actually the health department for your county would be able to run the number and give you the vet's information hth!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I could be wrong, but I think the rabies test is free. They need the data to track the spread of rabies and how prevalent it is in certain areas, so rabies vector species I do believe get tested free (bats, skunks, raccoons, and fox in some areas). I could be wrong though. Do you know the animals regular vet? If so, I'd give them a call and explain the situation and see if you can get any info. I'd be most worried about the cat, is it an indoor cat? Or indoor/outdoor? I know a lot of people don't get their indoor cats their rabies shots because what's the chance of encountering something rabid in the house.

Just keep trying to get a hold of someone who will have more info.

[Cleo_13]

The cat spends most of his time outside even when they're gone(I've sometimes had to chase him away from my yard ) There is a pretty good chance that he actually never even was in the same room as the bat as I let him in when I arrived.

[Cleo_13]

All right, now that's just irritating. I spent all that time panicking and attempting to get in touch, and then decided to take a walk to calm myself down. OF COURSE that's going to be the time she calls isn't it?! And to make matters worse, the message said to call back at "this number" and then stopped without giving the number! It's a home phone, and I thought she knew that! I can't just read the number off the answering machine. Now, I have to call the person who I don't know at all, and give my cell number. I only just got this cell phone a few months ago, and am not used to having one, so I didn't think to give it, plus it has hardly any minutes left.

[Margie]

Usually you contact animal control for pick up of dead animals for testing for rabies. They will get it to the State Lab for testing. If it is a larger animal, they sometimes take it to a local vet or animal shelter to have the head removed so the brain can be tested for the rabies virus. It's the only way rabies virus can be confirmed. Next time, don't handle the bat, let animal control take care of it. Rabies has been contracted by inhaling the virus. It happened here in Alabama before.