My cat caught a bat tonight IN OUR HOUSE...please help

[Anonymous]

Tonight our kids started yelling that our cat was chasing a bird around our house - we thought they were kidding. Turns out it was a bat!! My cat was going crazy chasing it, then kind of jumped up the wall and caught it under his paws. We thought it was dead and my DH went upstairs with a bag to collect it (it was lying very still on the floor)...but all of the sudden it took off and started flying around the upstairs. In my panic I opened the window and it flew out.

What I didn't realize is that I should have captured the bat somehow so we could have it tested for rabies. I don't think my cat was bitten but he was definitely in contact with the bat for a minute or two while it lay under his paws - I don't know if he bit or licked the bat. My cat is 10 years old and received his rabies shot every year for 8 years but at present he is 21 months behind for his vaccine - F**K!!! He's an indoor cat and hates the vet, so I wasn't all that worried about his vaccine and planned to take him in before the summer. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this scenario - I always assumed that indoor cats aren't really at risk for rabies.

I've been reading a bit about this and it seems that because I can't prove that my cat wasn't actually bitten, I have to assume he was exposed. And though less than 6% of bats are rabid, because I wasn't able to have the bat tested, I have to act as if it was rabid. I'm terrified that I will have to euthanize my cat who I love dearly. Had anyone been in this situation? I feel sick to my stomach and so guilty that I delayed my cat's rabies vaccine. I just never imagined my indoor cat could be exposed to rabies in my own home.

[Anonymous]

where do you live

[Anonymous]

i have no idea about the cat thing, but you need to google bat bites and check everyone in your family for bite marks. that bat could have been in your house for awhile.

[Anonymous]

My mom has been through something similar with her outdoor dogs. They were under quarantine for a certain period of time, (but were not taken away) and they had to get another rabies shot.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure most of the rabies shots are good for 3 years now. I'd check with your vet.

[Anonymous]

Your cat's rabies shot is still good. They last for 3 or more years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i have no idea about the cat thing, but you need to google bat bites and check everyone in your family for bite marks. that bat could have been in your house for awhile.

Really? wouldn't we have seen or heard it? I think my cat would have been all over it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your cat's rabies shot is still good. They last for 3 or more years.

If that's so, why do they tell us to get him a shot every year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have no idea about the cat thing, but you need to google bat bites and check everyone in your family for bite marks. that bat could have been in your house for awhile.

Really? wouldn't we have seen or heard it? I think my cat would have been all over it.

not necessarily you--bats are noctournal. the cat is more likely but who knows? definitely check for bites.

[Anonymous]

OP, read this. It will help you freak out a bit less. You don't have to have your cat put down. Have titers drawn. And read this:

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/f/RabiesVaccine.htm

Chances are on your side. Talk to your vet about how to handle this.

[Anonymous]

OP - please call your doctor asap. seriously. i say this as someone who had rabies shots.

please people -vaccinate your animals. i was bitten by an "indoor dog" who never got his shots. those owners were terribly irresponsible in my opinion. 20,000 dollars worth of rabies medical care it cost my insurance. i wish the owners had been charged. sorry, OP, you too are irresponsible.

but call your doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your cat's rabies shot is still good. They last for 3 or more years.

If that's so, why do they tell us to get him a shot every year?

I just linked an article. The rabies vaccine is good for three years before a booster is needed. However, some states (DC included, i believe) require yearly rabies shots. This has nothing to do with the immunity conferred by the vaccine. However, read the article I linked to for a better explanation, because although chances are good the cat is protected, it's not certain. Some of it has to do with the cat's health, etc.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/veterinaryqa/f/RabiesVaccine.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your cat's rabies shot is still good. They last for 3 or more years.

If that's so, why do they tell us to get him a shot every year?

Don't know. Our vet schedules them every three years after the second shot (so one when a kitten, next at 1 year, then every 3 years after that. In Alexandria, the whole pet licensing system is predicated on the 3 year shots-you can get a 3 year license that corresponds with your rabies vaccine. seriously, you should check with you vet to see what was given and how long its supposed to last for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - please call your doctor asap. seriously. i say this as someone who had rabies shots.

please people -vaccinate your animals. i was bitten by an "indoor dog" who never got his shots. those owners were terribly irresponsible in my opinion. 20,000 dollars worth of rabies medical care it cost my insurance. i wish the owners had been charged. sorry, OP, you too are irresponsible.

but call your doctor.

Oh come on. Not OP but it's not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your cat's rabies shot is still good. They last for 3 or more years.

If that's so, why do they tell us to get him a shot every year?

Don't know. Our vet schedules them every three years after the second shot (so one when a kitten, next at 1 year, then every 3 years after that. In Alexandria, the whole pet licensing system is predicated on the 3 year shots-you can get a 3 year license that corresponds with your rabies vaccine. seriously, you should check with you vet to see what was given and how long its supposed to last for.

I worked for a vet for many years. The "3 year shot" and the "one year shot" are the same shot. Ask your vet.