Ellie in rabies scare

Ellie caught a bat today - my daughter found her walking round the garden with it, still alive though only just. Unfortunately I was indoors resting my knee so she called to her grandmother who was also out watering, and together they got the bat away from Ellie, then my mother threw the bat into the shrubbery! It was still fluttering but apparently nearly dead. Then they came to tell me. All wrong things to do, or in the wrong order at least.

I said 'find the bat and get it in a box, get Ellie inside and I will call the vet.' But both Ellie and the bat had vanished and it took some time to find her, minus her prey. We took her to the vet at once and she had a rabies shot. Now she is in isolation. There are no puncture wounds on her and she is behaving normally, though it is too early to tell.

I know bats carry rabies - the last two people who died of it in the UK were bitten by bats. Normally cats do not catch them and for that to happen the bat must have been sick or injured. Last year when it was time to vaccinate my cats the vet advised against it, saying that France was now rabies free and it was a totally unnecessary procedure. But today the vet (different one) was completely in favour of a jab, and said I had done the right thing in bringing her in at once. We have searched and searched and cannot find the bat - the best thing would be to test it. So now we have to wait and hope that everything will turn out all right.

Lots of prayers that the bat was not rabid and that you'll have your baby home safely and as soon as possible - although I think the precautions are totally necessary. I know a lot of people in the US sort of poo-poo rabies shots - but I will never neglect getting my cats vaccinated even though my cats are inside - too many times a sick animal gets inside a home, and there's always the chance my cats would get out.

Oh gosh how scary, sending huge vibes to you that Ellie is ok.You did exactly the right thing.xx

That's a scary experience, and it's better to be safe than sorry, but you may be worrying needlessly. If Ellie had a rabies shot two (or even three) years ago, she probably still has antibodies. Jamie has caught several bats out on our balcony (and released them in our living room), and none seemed sick or injured, just scared out of their wits. His vets didn't seem to think it was unusual or anything to be particularly concerned about, though he is UTD on his shots.

Bat bites are hard to see/find on humans(doctors have issues identifying them), much less a fur covered animal. Unless you know what you are looking for you won't see them.

The precautions are necessary for yours as well as her safety.

Mine are vaccinated every year, it is one vaccine I won't skip. We have raccoons and opossums, coyotes(even though if one of them is caught by a coyote rabies won't be relevant since they'll be killed), bats, deer and lord only knows what else and if they get out I don't want to risk it.

Taryn

Goodness, what an ordeal! LOTS of vibes coming your way hun, and I'm hoping for the best!

Oh my goodness!! Prayers that all will be ok. What time frame are you looking at? Are your other cats vaccinated?

All the cats were rabies vaccinated two years ago - last year the vet said it was pointless unless I was planning to take them to the UK, where they need the shots for legal entry to the country. I know that it is a case of better safe than sorry, and that it is probably OK. But I just wish we could find that bat - we will look again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

All the cats were rabies vaccinated two years ago - last year the vet said it was pointless unless I was planning to take them to the UK, where they need the shots for legal entry to the country. I know that it is a case of better safe than sorry, and that it is probably OK. But I just wish we could find that bat - we will look again tomorrow.

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Good luck !!! You have a skilled kitty there ! Or maybe a keen bat that either snapped into hibernation mode or was playing dead.

I thought for sure, though, they hated being on the ground and if so were either dead, or dying. Just have a net and jar ready. Hopefully no budding naturalists in the vicinity that would have strolled past and grabbed it up in the interim...

Originally Posted by jennyranson

All the cats were rabies vaccinated two years ago - last year the vet said it was pointless unless I was planning to take them to the UK, where they need the shots for legal entry to the country. I know that it is a case of better safe than sorry, and that it is probably OK. But I just wish we could find that bat - we will look again tomorrow.

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In the EU your cats need to be vaccinated against rabies to get legal entry into any country. I had to have dEUS vaccinated because I wanted to show him in Belgium.

Which rabies vaccine did they get two years ago ? dEUS got Nobivac and according to the manufacturer it will protect for three years (maybe it's the same for other brands). In Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg the vaccination is officially valid for three years to cross the border, but I read the government in France still requires yearly (or two-yearly, I found conflicting info) boosters. So even if it was two years ago it might still offer protection according to the manufacturer (just not according to the government rules)

All the cats I brought in from Bosnia (where I lived before) were vaccinated to come in to France, and I kept it up until I was advised not to by the vet last year. And yes, it was Nobivac they had. So I am hoping that there is some protection there. Anyway, Ellie is fine so far, no evidence of any bites, and of course the bat was in all likelihood rabies free. So I am optimistic but continuing cautious.

The protection from vaccines typically lasts longer than what it says on the package. I'm sure your cats are protected from rabies because of their past vaccines. Sending that all goes well.

Well. so far Ellie is fine, angry because she can't get out or socialise with the others, but I will keep her in isolation for a week just to be super-safe. You don't mess about with rabies.

Aww bles, I am glad she is doing ok, yep, better safe than sorry.x