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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our cat's rabies vax expired (vets office dropped the ball so now we have a new vet) and we didn't realize until he got attacked by a raccoon during the day. Trust me, we were just as freaked out. Vet gave him a rabies shot but per MoCo policy we had to sign something saying he would be kept "in a locked cage" "in a locked room" for I think 90 days. Vet said the immunity from his many years of rabies shots should be enough and he wasn't worried but he had to follow county policy and report it. Said he couldn't force us to do anything but theoretically the county could follow up. We separated our cat from the rest of the house for a week I think to make sure we didn't see any rabid signs then let him out in the house but did respect the quarantine period of 90? days before letting him outside again. The county never followed up, I thought there would at least be a fine or we'd get something in the mail.

Good luck!

Ask your vet is he is going to report you. I was taking care of an unvaccinated feral cat that got an injury of unknown origin. The vet was obligated to report it and Animal Control did come to my house every month (unannounced) for six months. They also checked with the vet to make sure the cat got a second (in six months) rabies shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our cat's rabies vax expired (vets office dropped the ball so now we have a new vet) and we didn't realize until he got attacked by a raccoon during the day. Trust me, we were just as freaked out. Vet gave him a rabies shot but per MoCo policy we had to sign something saying he would be kept "in a locked cage" "in a locked room" for I think 90 days. Vet said the immunity from his many years of rabies shots should be enough and he wasn't worried but he had to follow county policy and report it. Said he couldn't force us to do anything but theoretically the county could follow up. We separated our cat from the rest of the house for a week I think to make sure we didn't see any rabid signs then let him out in the house but did respect the quarantine period of 90? days before letting him outside again. The county never followed up, I thought there would at least be a fine or we'd get something in the mail.

Good luck!

Ask your vet is he is going to report you. I was taking care of an unvaccinated feral cat that got an injury of unknown origin. The vet was obligated to report it and Animal Control did come to my house every month (unannounced) for six months. They also checked with the vet to make sure the cat got a second (in six months) rabies shot.

Wow great use of tax payer money for a thrown away cat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - what a crazy night! Last night I assumed the bat flew out the window because he disappeared after we opened our bedroom window and closed the door. Well, I was an idiot, it seems. Later I read you should always stand in the corner of the room to make sure the bat gets out, because they can hide and crawl behind/under things. So last night after reading up on bats for too many hours i sat up in bed listening for the bat, just in case. My cat suddenly pricked his ears up and stared at our closet door - and there was the little creature, nestled in a towel that was thrown
over the door. We called animal control and they came out at 2am to remove the bat. Poor thing. They'll test it for
rabies and get back to us in a day or two. I'm so worried
about my cat and praying the bat was healthy - apparently
15% are rabid, according to AC. I will never delay the rabies shot again!

This is a very good thing. The larger concern (besides the cat) is whether the bat was in a room with a child or a sleeping person. Bat bites can be invisible to the human eye (their teeth are super sharp and thin). The CDC recommendation is to do post-exposure prophylaxis for any children, disabled or sleeping persons who have had been in the same room as a bat UNLESS the bat is captured and tested for rabies. Several people die in the US each year from bat rabies exposure and while most can remember being around a bat, they almost never remember being bitten (because it happens at night). The odds of this happening are exceedingly rare but the consequences severe (rabies is always fatal), hence the CDC's recommendation. You have 7-10 days following exposure to get vaccinated.

We went through this whole shebang about a year ago when we discovered a bat in our house. We couldn't account for it's whereabouts at night (found it flying in our hallway). Thankfully we were able to capture it (animal control) and it was sent to the DC Public Health lab and they were incredibly prompt and helpful in getting it tested. I called our pediatrician and they confirmed what I read on line. They vaccinate about a half a dozen families a year who run into this problem.

[Anonymous]

It is nesting season for bats and many of their habitats have been destoryed, so they look to nest in whatever is available. This includes attics, houses, etc. So the fact that it was in the house does not mean that it was rabid.

If you are interested in keeping them out of your house, you and your neighbors should put up bat houses. Bats are beneficial to the environment, especially since we had such a mild winter. The insect population will be high and bats feed off of insects.

http://www.batcon.org/

We've been seeing bats fly around the street lights over the past few weeks (we live in Rockville). Here is the bat house that we placed in our yard-
http://www.amazon.com/Looker-Products-Approved-Organization-Conservation/dp/B000FLTO6A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331308782&sr=8-2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - what a crazy night! Last night I assumed the bat flew out the window because he disappeared after we opened our bedroom window and closed the door. Well, I was an idiot, it seems. Later I read you should always stand in the corner of the room to make sure the bat gets out, because they can hide and crawl behind/under things. So last night after reading up on bats for too many hours i sat up in bed listening for the bat, just in case. My cat suddenly pricked his ears up and stared at our closet door - and there was the little creature, nestled in a towel that was thrown
over the door. We called animal control and they came out at 2am to remove the bat. Poor thing. They'll test it for
rabies and get back to us in a day or two. I'm so worried
about my cat and praying the bat was healthy - apparently
15% are rabid, according to AC. I will never delay the rabies shot again!

This is a very good thing. The larger concern (besides the cat) is whether the bat was in a room with a child or a sleeping person. Bat bites can be invisible to the human eye (their teeth are super sharp and thin). The CDC recommendation is to do post-exposure prophylaxis for any children, disabled or sleeping persons who have had been in the same room as a bat UNLESS the bat is captured and tested for rabies. Several people die in the US each year from bat rabies exposure and while most can remember being around a bat, they almost never remember being bitten (because it happens at night). The odds of this happening are exceedingly rare but the consequences severe (rabies is always fatal), hence the CDC's recommendation. You have 7-10 days following exposure to get vaccinated.

We went through this whole shebang about a year ago when we discovered a bat in our house. We couldn't account for it's whereabouts at night (found it flying in our hallway). Thankfully we were able to capture it (animal control) and it was sent to the DC Public Health lab and they were incredibly prompt and helpful in getting it tested. I called our pediatrician and they confirmed what I read on line. They vaccinate about a half a dozen families a year who run into this problem.

OP here. Just got back from the vet where my cat was given the rabies booster. PP, how long did it take for you to get the results of the rabies test? Our results aren't back yet. The vet told me that one of their clients had this same thing happen a few weeks ago, and the bat was indeed rabid...plus one of the vets found a rabid bat in his backyard - so it's not so uncommon in these parts. Another question for PP - last night was the first time we (or our cat, who would probably let it be known) had ever seen a bat - I think we have a little colony in our attic/wall and one somehow got in last night. It came from the lower level of the house and wasn't initially in the bedrooms. My kids didn't go anywhere near it and their doors were closed last night while the bat was in our bedroom. If this bat is rabid, is it recommended that the kids get the shots, even if the bat wasn't found in their room? I'm so eager to get these results!

[Anonymous]

OP, I would be so worried in your shoes, but like you, I'd be overreacting. Chances are SO good that the bat isn't rabid. Even if the AC estimate (15 percent?!) is accurate (I really don't think so and just spent a while googling to see if I could see anything that puts confirmed bat cases at higher than the nationwide average (itself thought to be perhaps high) of about 5 percent). But anyway, even if that's accurate, chances are good that YOUR bat is not rabid. So don't borrow trouble. thankfully you have the bat in hand and can figure it out. If the bat indeed turns out to be rabid, then you have to make a decision about the kids. But don't even think about that yet - you probably don't need to even owrry about it.

Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who said that we need the bats (just not in our homes). If the bat population decreases, we'll have a lot more illness spread by the swarms of mosquitos that love this area. This area is a perfect breeding ground for them and bats are one of the only things that will keep them under control. The number of mosquitos that carry and convey illness is millions of times greater than the number of bats that carry and distribute illness.

I think the PP who works with bats is closer. Perhaps A/C meant .15% rather than 15%. According to most sources, there are fewer than 1% of bats in Maryland that carry rabies. One such source:
http://www.probatcontrol.com/marylandbatcontrol.htm

Maryland Bat Control, Maryland Bat Problem

When looking into a Maryland bat control bat problem there are two seasons that differ. This is because some bats will live in the state and other will migrate to Maryland during the spring and fall months. This leads to a large amount of bats ever year looking for new homes. In the state of Maryland there are ten different bat control species of bats that call the state their home. Many do not realize that bats are more like humans than many other mammals. The bones in their hands are similar to ours. The bones are just longer to support their wings, they have hair and they feed their pups milk after a live birth. Their pups also take a period of time before they are able to fly and the mother provides their milk till weaned. This leads to certain types of bats to form colonies and the mothers will take care of the pups in groups. The male bat control species never take care of the young. Also people are very afraid of bats for multiple reasons. When we are young we all have seen bats in movies and cartoons turning into vampires. There are actually vampire bats but they feed on small amounts of blood and do not look to human blood. Also there are no vampire bats in North America. They are found in the rain forests of South America. So there is not legitimate worry there. The next worry is that they may carry the rabies virus. This can be true in less than 1% of the population of bats. This does not mean you should handle bats but the likely hood of getting rabies from a bat is less than a dog. Since 1960 there have been 40 deaths related to bats because of rabies. These where spread over different types of bats over the whole nation. So when we look into a Maryland bat control bat problem we are not looking for killer bats but unwelcome guests in our home. Bats have taken notice to our homes and when looking for places to stay our attics and walls have been a top spot for them. This can lead to smells from their droppings, brown spots on the exterior walls, and strange noises throughout the house. Nobody wants them in the house. If you find yourself to have a bat problem there are solutions you can take on your own. But many times it is better to hire a bat control specialist. A bat control professional know the correct steps to remove bats from a home without harming the bats. Maryland Bat Control and Maryland Bat Problem providers are experts in relieving your bat control issue in these counties: Allegany county, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City Baltimore county, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil county, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett county, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's county, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's county, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester county.

[Anonymous]

OP here - even with all that happened, I have nothing against bats. That poor little thing wanted out, and he wasn't trying to harm anyone. And he was actually quite cute! I'm sad that they had to kill him. I've learned about all of the good they do, and I will humanely remove them.

[Anonymous]

OP - I admire your calm. My whole family would have been at the ER demanding rabies shots. I am way too paranoid!!!

I really hope it isn't rabid and that's the only that is in your house.

That video a PP posted was scary and gross.

[Anonymous]

talk to your vet and the pediatrician. And thanks for convincing me to buy a highrise condo instead of a house. I can't take it!

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to say thank you for this conversation thread! I was researching the internet because I had a situation that mirrored OP's and this thread has me breathing easier. We did, indeed, save the bat (my husband put it in the freezer ... don't ask) and we'll get it tested. I had read on sites that I should euthanize my cat immediately and this had me in a panic. She was given a bath within five minutes of pouncing on the bat in our house, so I know she didn't have anything on herself to lick off. And my vet confirmed the fact about the three years rabies shot as I, too, had gotten some months behind. Just wanted to add somethings we've learned living through this in Kansas City: There is rarely a situation of just one bat, especially if you find it during the months of June and July which is nesting/nursing months for the babies. Here in KCMO, they won't remove the bats until the nursing is done because you have to wait until the babies are ready to leave. Then they put up a one way door where the bat can leave but can't return. The one we had the other night was a baby bat that got lost in the house trying to get out. In older homes, there are more opportunities for them to find holes into the attic, so always good to keep an eye on the roof. One other thing: shop around when it comes to having someone do a bat inspection because the costs do have a range. We got quotes for the initial inspection of $90 to $200 and that's just to look for a colony. The solution cost $400. Some home insurance policies cover this, by the way, so check that out. Once more, thanks for this thread and good luck to you, OP. KEV

[Anonymous]

I read in the past that for animal vaccinations (at least for cats and dogs) are:

1. The initial shots when the animal is just a few months old
2. The shots at one years old
3. A shot seven years after that
4. A shot seven years after #3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to say thank you for this conversation thread! I was researching the internet because I had a situation that mirrored OP's and this thread has me breathing easier. We did, indeed, save the bat (my husband put it in the freezer ... don't ask) and we'll get it tested. I had read on sites that I should euthanize my cat immediately and this had me in a panic. She was given a bath within five minutes of pouncing on the bat in our house, so I know she didn't have anything on herself to lick off. And my vet confirmed the fact about the three years rabies shot as I, too, had gotten some months behind. Just wanted to add somethings we've learned living through this in Kansas City: There is rarely a situation of just one bat, especially if you find it during the months of June and July which is nesting/nursing months for the babies. Here in KCMO, they won't remove the bats until the nursing is done because you have to wait until the babies are ready to leave. Then they put up a one way door where the bat can leave but can't return. The one we had the other night was a baby bat that got lost in the house trying to get out. In older homes, there are more opportunities for them to find holes into the attic, so always good to keep an eye on the roof. One other thing: shop around when it comes to having someone do a bat inspection because the costs do have a range. We got quotes for the initial inspection of $90 to $200 and that's just to look for a colony. The solution cost $400. Some home insurance policies cover this, by the way, so check that out. Once more, thanks for this thread and good luck to you, OP. KEV

Hi PP, this is OP. Turns out the bat wasn't rabid. Phew!!
Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear it, OP! If one bat isn't rabid, can one assume the rest of them in the house are also not, or do you have to test each one?

[Anonymous]

Great. Now I have something else to worry about.