Did you hear? A Rabid Bat was found in San Francisco, not too far from our hospital. A recent post on Supervisor Mar’s facebook page forgot to mention some important considerations and cautions.
Bats are fascinating creatures. Cute? Scary? No matter what your opinion is, their fuzzy appearance is nice to admire at a distance. But Remember: Do NOT touch or handle a bat. Bats are wild animals and can transmit Rabies, a deadly viral disease with no cure. According to the CDC:
- Bats are “the most common source of human rabies in the United States.”
- Unfortunately you cannot tell by just looking at a bat whether or not it is infected with rabies.
The CDC reassures us that most bats do not have rabies and you cannot get rabies by merely seeing a bat in your home or attic. They say, “The most common mode of rabies virus transmission is through the bite and virus-containing saliva of an infected host.” Remember dogs and cats are curious carnivores (ok, dogs are omnivores.) They could easily pick up a diseased bat and come in contact with saliva. Don’t put your dog or cat at risk. Even a cat that “just sits on the porch” should be vaccinated. Vaccinate them against RABIES!
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call us — Our veterinarians are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
