Milo caught a bat!
 

Yesterday morning I looked out my window and saw a small (probably a baby) bat hanging on my house. I walked outside to see what I could do and by the time I got there, it was belly up on the ground. I started to walk towards it, but Milo saw it at the same time. He ran over and picked it up in his mouth. He wouldn't release it, so I had to pry it out of his mouth. I immediately called the vet who said his current rabies doesn't expire until June, but I needed to bring him in for a booster shot - no rush - I could wait until Monday or Tuesday since they don't do vaccinations on the weekends. I scheduled an appointment for Monday as early as they had available.

I called animal control to come and pick up the bat and test it for rabies (I am in California and bats and skunks are the number one carries of rabies here). I am getting really scared that even though Milo is vaccinated, if the bat is positive he may still be able to contract rabies.

Does anyone here have any experience with something like this? I've been trying to find answers on the internet, but there is just too much conflicting information out there. People here seem to be so much more knowledgeable. Thanks everyone!

I honestly don't know about Milo's risk...your vet certainly seems to be on top of it. BUT, if you handled a bloody bat you absolutely want to make sure the critter wasn't rabid. You haven't had your shots... ;)

I guess I should have mentioned that I wore gloves, handled it with a shovel and then washed my hands about 10 times!

Did Milo bite into the bat for the bat to bleed? If not, I don't think the risk of contracting rabies is too high and since Milo has been vaccinated, I think he will be okay - I'm not a vet but agree with what your vet told you.

OMG...I hope that the bat turns up negative for rabies...then you won't have to worry.:animal-pa

I tried to look, but I couldn't tell if the bat had bite wounds or not. I am guessing Milo did bite him, because he was holding him so tightly in his mouth. It doesn't seem possible that his teeth wouldn't have punctured the bat somewhere.

Ahhh...smart girl. :) :) :)

Rabies is mainly spread by Saliva so your dog didn't have to make the bat bleed to be exposed.

Bats are nocturnal and active at twilight. Seeing one in the morning is an indication that it is sick. Boostering your dog's Rabies after suspect exposure is normal protocol. The next thing you should be worried about is your house. Contact an exterminator to have your house checked, and any colonies humanely removed and relocated, as bats are protected in many if not all areas. Be prepared as the CDC and/or local/ State Health Department may visit. Also, if a colony is found, you and your family may be required to get the series of Rabies vaccine as a precaution. Very serious stuff, my sister went through this two years ago.

PS Wash the shovel too and anything that may have come in contact with the bat.

If Milo had the bat and then you touched Milo, you are at risk (if the bat was rabid). I hope it turns out that the bat isn't rabid, but with it being out in the daylight it had to be sick with something.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Great answer!


Milosmom, best of luck with this and I'm so glad your baby was up to date on his vaccines!

I hope Milo's booster shot goes great!! I would call your doctor to double-check for yourself. I had a scare when I was babysitting and their dog found a dead raccoon that was out in the day. Everything turned out fine, but if you are at risk they may need to give you the shots.

Scary. I hope everything is ok.

My one and half old cat dragged into my house (kitchen) a half alive/dead bat. I didn't notice when I let her in, but then when I walked back into the kitchen noticed the bat on the floor. This was in the morning too, which is obviously a sign something is wrong with the bat. The bat didn't have any blood on it or anything just was laying and flapping a bit on the ground. I put a plastic bowl over the bat and used cardboard to maneuver under the bat and bowl. Then I took it outside to a field and threw it free. Threw out the cardboard and bowl obviously and called the vet. The vet said the cat would be fine since she had her rabies shot. And my cat was perfectly okay and has been ever since. I didn't need any shots myself and I just washed my kitchen floor with bleach and some other products. :) My cat is serious hunter! She also caught a bird by its wing when it was flying away and off the ground too. Luckily I was able to distract her so she let go of the wing and boy did she give me the nastiest look ever! If your puppy has had it shots he should be fine and sounds like you took safe steps to get rid of the bat too. Hopefully everything is okay. :)

The difference in these scenarios is that you let the bat go free, the other was dead and Animal Control was called to have the bat tested. Maybe where you live Rabies isn't as prevalent, so your vet didn't recommend a booster for your cat. Animals and people can die within days of showing any symptoms of Rabies, and once symptoms are present the vaccine will not work. You took a very big risk with your life. Many people avoid having questionable wildlife tested because it can be a major pain, but considering how dangerous contracting Rabies can be, is worth going through. Also, vets are supposed to report suspect contact to the state, as it is a contagious disease and a public threat.