Rabies Information for Veterinarians

The WA State Department of Health has the following guides available for Veterinary Offices.

Cowlitz County Health & Human Services works with animal owners, bite victims, and animal control agencies to determine the risk of rabies transmission from a bite or other exposure.

Our role is limited to rabies prevention when exposure has occurred.

Pet Exposure
If there is a potential for rabies exposure to an unvaccinated pet from a bat, pet owners can pay for testing to be done on the bat at Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, or at Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

Capturing a bat for Rabies testing
Never handle a bat with bare hands! Call Cowlitz County Health & Human Services (CCHHS) at 360-414-5599 so we can help you determine if the bat needs to be tested for rabies.

Do not touch or pick up a bat without thick gloves. Some animal control agencies and private companies can help capture a bat. The Washington State Department of Health has instructions for safely capturing bats for rabies testing.

Most bats don't have Rabies
We need bats! Bats are very important to our environment. They disperse fruit seeds, pollinate plants, and eat tons of insects. Bat droppings are an excellent natural fertilizer providing nutrients for many living things. The vast majority of bats don’t have rabies.

Resources for Veterinarians
National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV): Rabies Compendium
WA State Dept. of Health (DOH): Veterinarian Resources
Guide for Veterinary Offices - Protocol for Potential Rabies Exposures (PDF)

More Information
WA State Dept. of Health Frequently Asked Questions about Rabies
WA State Dept. of Health: Rabies Activity in Washington
WA State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife: Living with wildlife - Bats
CDC Rabies Information