Table of Contents
What happens if my cat gets bit by a bat?
If you think your pet has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep vaccinations current for cats, dogs, and other animals.
Can you get rabies from bat saliva?
You cannot catch rabies just by being near a bat. Although rare, exposures can also occur from contact between infected saliva or nervous tissues and open wounds or the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. The principal source of rabies exposure from bats is through careless handling.
Can a cat catch rabies from a bat?
The primary way the rabies virus is transmitted to cats in the United States is through a bite from a disease carrier: foxes, raccoons, skunks, and bats. Infectious virus particles are retained in a rabid animal’s salivary glands to better disseminate the virus through their saliva.
What to do if you are bitten by a cat?
If a cat or dog bites you, you should:
- Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
- Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop any bleeding.
- Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.
- Keep the wound elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.
Can you get rabies from a bat bite on your dog?
In addition, people can t get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur. If you think your pet has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies.
What should I do if my pet is bitten by a bat?
If you think your pet has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health department for assistance immediately and have the bat tested for rabies.
Can a cat kill a bat and get rabies?
Personally, my own classmate from vet school had a similar situation where at his clinic, he had a technician’s own cat kill a bat in the house. They submitted the bat and it turned up rabies positive. So it can and does happen. Not with a lot of frequency, but since rabies is such a serious disease, chances shouldn’t be taken.
Can you get rabies from seeing a bat in your attic?
People can t get rabies just from seeing a bat in an attic, in a cave, at summer camp, or from a distance while it is flying. In addition, people can t get rabies from having contact with bat guano (feces), blood, or urine, or from touching a bat on its fur.