I was here on on the computer when i heard this noise in my kicten and i got up to look. Thats when i seen my 2 cat's playing w/ something that looked like a bird or bat. Then thats when i realized it was a bat so my step dad got up and killed it. Now its outside and an soooo scared that my 2 cats might have gotten rabies ( since bats r the most common animal to carry it) We cant afford to take my cat's to a vet and get tested (btw the cats r on my backporch right now ) Im scared shitless because i dont want my 9 month old son to get it and i dont wanna have my cat killed and find out later they dont have it..... Please some1 help!!!! What should i do!?!?
2007-05-24 17:34:43 · 8 answers · asked by N!cky 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
In all honesty do not worry about rabies. There are billions upon billions of bats but there is only about .05% of them with rabies.
It is kinda one of those things people just pass along to freak people out or keep their children from messing with wildlife.
If you really are worried about it a vet is your only option. Even then the vet will probably tell you the same thing. You can also try sending the bat in for testing, some places will charge, others might not.
I would not worry though.
2007-05-24 17:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by The Cheshire 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anything warm blooded can get rabies, that includes you and your family. First, call the health dept., second is...are your cats rabies vaccines current? either way, check the cats for any bite wounds and call your Vet, they will give you the proper protocal. Either way, the bat can be tested....put the bat in a bag and keep him refrigerated, not frozen. The health dept. can come and pick the bat up and test for rabies. More than likely everything will be ok but after all is said and done, make sure you keep the cats up to date on atleast rabies. In most states, they have rabies clinics that only cost $5-$7 per pet.
2007-05-25 05:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chances of the Lissa virus or the Hendra (transferred via horses) virus (the only ones the USA have to worry about) is about 5%. Most of the bats out there have already had it and recovered.
There was a study done not long ago where out of all the bats caught (a couple of thousand in each state), they tested their blood and found onluy 10% to contain the virus, the rest either were clear, but of the clear, by far the majority they discovered had antibodies and not the virus.
I read the papers from it, (I have always loved bats, hence the screen name), friend of mine was involved and let me see the results of the study.
People have far more to worry about rabies with other animals than bats.
2007-05-24 18:28:22 · answer #3 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's alright don't calm down. go check your cats and see if there are any bites on them. I worked in a vet clinic for 10 yrs and never heard of a cat get rabies from a bat. it was prob fruit bat. Infact in all 10 yrs never saw a case of rabies at all. just watch your cats see if there behavior changes. call the health department and give them the dead bad they can test it for free. I don't think u have much to worry about.
2007-05-24 17:41:36 · answer #4 · answered by cat_tails_77 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bats are NOT the most common animal to carry rabies...nowadays rabies is quite rare. If your cats are vaccinated against it you have nothing to worry about. If they go outdoors you should have them vaccinated automatically. You cannot get cats tested for rabies....they would have to be dead to test them.. you CAN have the bat tested for rabies but it is unlikely that it has it....and your cats would have also had to have been bitten by the bat resulting in their skin breaking for the rabies to be transmitted.
2007-05-24 19:48:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
PLEASE TRY NOT TO PANIC,IT IS HARD TO MAKE CORRECT DECISIONS WHEN YOU ARE NERVOUS OR UPSET.Have your cats had their rabies shots?? Most states
require that you have your pets vaccinated,atleast annually.
PLEASE TRY AND FIND A WAY TO TAKE THOSE CATS
TO THE VET.The vet will not take them from you,unless they
come up positive.It sounds like your four-legged friends are inside cats??Am I right?? The best way to protect them completely,is to keep them inside.Cats can be very happy indoors.I have 5 indoor neutered male indoors,they are like children and have to be protected,and loved.Your right as a pet owner,is to tell the vet you want them checked,for everybody's peace of mind.IT WILL BE THE BEST MONEY
YOU COULD EVER SPEND,YOUR CATS WILL THANK YOU,GOOD LUCK!! I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR CATS TO HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.
2007-05-24 17:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by Myra 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your local EPA. Sometines they will takedead animals known to carry rabies (ours take racoons) so they can test and track the disease. I'm not sure if they will tell you the results or not, but it could be a way to find out if your kitties are at risk.
2007-05-24 17:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by nxzema_grl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is their any cuts or anything on your kitties. I would call the vet right now and ask them what he/she says. If their is a chance of them getting it. I would not let them in the house. Also is your cats vaccinated for rabies? If not call your local SPCA and see if you can get the vaccines.
2007-05-24 17:42:00 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋