Rabies Veterinary Advisory

Posted Aug. 18, 2025. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.

What is Rabies and How is It Transmitted?

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system of mammals. The virus is in an infected animal’s saliva and can be transmitted through a bite, scratch, or other contact with a wound, mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth), or non-intact skin. The virus does not penetrate intact skin and is not present in blood, urine or feces. 

In Washington, bats are the only known source (reservoir) of rabies. All mammals are susceptible to infection with rabies, but pets (including dogs, cats and ferrets) can be protected from infection with routine rabies vaccination and by following recommended post-exposure management in case of exposure.

Clinical Disease in Animals

• Incubation period: Generally, 2–3 weeks to 3 months (but can range from several days to 6+ months) in domestic animals.
• Clinical signs: Variable but can include inappetence, abnormal behavior, cranial nerve deficits, ataxia, paralysis, vocalization changes, drooling, dysphagia, overreaction to stimuli, and seizures.
  In Bats: Unusual behaviors like daytime flight, inability to fly, vocalization, or approaching people.
• Infectious period: Rabies is communicable during the period of salivary shedding of the rabies virus, which occurs while a mammal shows signs of rabies. Dogs, cats and ferrets can shed the virus a few days prior to the onset of clinical signs.
• Treatment: There are currently no known effective rabies antiviral drugs or other treatment. Progression to death is rapid once signs are present, usually within days.

Managing a Dog or Cat that Bites a Person (10-Day Observation)

• Have the owner confine a healthy animal (i.e., not showing signs of rabies) for 10 days from the date of the bite.
• Do not give rabies vaccination during this period (to avoid confusing any developing clinical signs).
• If signs of rabies develop or the animal dies/is euthanized during the 10 days, contact Public Health immediately.
• If the animal remains healthy for the 10-day observation, it does not have rabies.
• If the animal is unvaccinated or not up to date on rabies vaccination, give vaccination at the end of the 10-day confinement.

NOTE: This 10-day observation protocol only applies to dogs or cats that bite humans, not those exposed to rabid animals.

Managing Dogs and Cats Exposed to a Confirmed or Suspected Rabid Animal

(e.g., a bat that cannot be tested for rabies or a bat that tests positive for rabies)

All exposed dogs and cats should receive a rabies vaccination within 96 hours of the exposure. If rabies vaccination is delayed, please contact Public Health to discuss whether the observation/confinement or quarantine period should be extended. The recommendations below are based on national protocols and studies; they support high effectiveness rates in preventing rabies infection with timely intervention.

• There are also post-management guidelines for ferrets and livestock. Please call Public Health for guidance in these situations.
• If a bat is being tested for rabies and tests negative, confinement or quarantine can be immediately discontinued.
• The effectiveness of post-exposure rabies vaccination in helping to prevent rabies infection decreases if not given within 96 hours. Delaying vaccination beyond 96 hours may increase length of confinement or quarantine for the pet.
• When handling animals that have potentially been exposed to rabies, follow established infection prevention and safety protocols and pre-exposure rabies vaccination recommendations. Wear appropriate PPE, including gloves and facial protection for any procedure that could generate sprays or splashes.

Responding to a Client who Calls after their Pet was Exposed to a Bat 

Have the client come into the office as soon as possible. The animal should be checked for any bites or wounds to document their baseline health, and to give a rabies vaccination. (Note: Bat teeth are very small and bites are not likely to be discovered.)

Consult Public Health for the Following:

• Exposure risk assessment for both humans and pets.
• Coordination of rabies testing for domestic animals, bats, or other wild animals with the appropriate agency.
• Guidance on PEP for humans and confinement/quarantine for animals.
• When in doubt, consult SRHD for case-by-case guidance

Resources

• NASPHV NASPHV Rabies
• CDC Rabies Information for Veterinarians
• WSU Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Rabies Submissions
• OSU Oregon State University, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Rabies Submissions
• WSDA Report Form 

Washington State Department of Health

• Rabies Vaccination Requirements for Dogs, Cats, and Ferrets
• Rabies Activity in Washington
• Guide for Veterinary Offices - Handling Calls about Bat Encounters (PDF)
• Guide for Veterinary Offices - Protocol for Potential Rabies Exposures (PDF)