Post-exposure Management of Domestic Animals
Standardized procedures to deal with domestic animals that have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal (such as a wild, carnivorous mammal or a bat) are detailed in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control. Note that the procedures detailed below do not apply to animals that have bitten or otherwise potentially exposed a human to rabies. The interventions for animals that have potentially exposed a human to rabies are discussed on page 9 of the Compendium.
Any domestic animal that has been bitten or scratched by either a wild mammal or bat should be considered potentially exposed to rabies. If the bat or wild animal is available for testing, the local health department should be contacted for further recommendations.
If the wild animal or bat that exposed a domestic animal is not available for testing, the appropriate action depends on the species of the potentially-exposed domestic animal, as follows:
Unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets: Euthanizing unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets exposed to a potentially-rabid animal will eliminate the risk of that pet subsequently developing rabies. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be placed in strict isolation for six months with no human or animal contact, and vaccinated one month before being released. If the animal develops symptoms consistent with rabies during that time period, it should be euthanized and tested.
Currently vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets: Currently vaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner's control, and observed for 45 days. If the animal develops symptoms of rabies during that time period, it should be euthanized and tested.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets with expired vaccinations: Animals with expired vaccinations need to be evaluated on a case by case basis by the local health department with the assistance of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section.
Livestock: Currently vaccinated livestock exposed to a potentially rabid animal should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 45 days. Unvaccinated livestock should be slaughtered immediately. If the owner is unwilling to have this done, the animal should be kept under "very close observation" for six months. Additional recommendations relating to the slaughter and sale of livestock exposed to a potentially rabid animal are detailed in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control. Anyone dealing with unvaccinated livestock should refer to the Compendium for further direction.
Other animals: The local health department should be contacted for guidance in situations where other animals have been bitten by a potentially rabid animal.
