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GreatGazoo

(4,732 posts)

19. Yes - You would start empirical treatment immediately but if the bat test comes back negative

Reply to Alpeduez21 (Reply #18)

Thu May 21, 2026, 08:57 AM

May 21

you could stop. There is a similar protocol for ticks here. Eg. They can test the tick to see what you have been exposed to and then treat accordingly.

If you’re able to do so safely, you should also catch or trap the bat, or contact your local health department or animal control to catch it. Testing it could spare you from rabies treatment if the bat doesn’t have it. If testing the bat isn’t possible, the safest thing to do is give you rabies-preventing treatments as a precaution.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/bat-bite

Testing the bat includes killing it so if you are in the state of Vermont you have to fill out paperwork (a permit) to avoid a fine because small brown bats are endangered (due to White nose syndrome) and protected.

https://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/sites/fishandwildlife/files/documents/Learn%20More/Living%20with%20Wildlife/Bats/2011_General_Permit_for_Incidental_Take_of_Bats%20A_and_App_1.pdf

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Slept with a window open. Woke up with a bat in my kitchen [View all] GreatGazoo May 20 OP

Please don't do this. Bats remain the most common source for human rabies transmission hlthe2b May 20 #1

Excellent advice! LuckyCharms May 20 #4

Well my options right now are to remove it or let it leave on it's own GreatGazoo May 20 #6

Given there have been reports documented of exposure where the individual (and not just hlthe2b May 20 #8

If that happened in my house EYESORE 9001 May 20 #2

Hardwood or aluminum? LastDemocratInSC May 20 #3

hard wood GreatGazoo May 20 #5

Love this story! MoonlightHillFarm May 20 #7

I love bats too but rabies Laurelin May 20 #9

Forgot to add Laurelin May 20 #10

Bats are quite non-responsive in the daytime. Talitha May 20 #11

Thanks - Just after sunset here GreatGazoo May 20 #12

If you want, keep an eye on it till it wakes up and flies out, then close the door. Talitha May 20 #14

It is recommended by the experts that someone who wakes up Alpeduez21 May 20 #13

As I understand it if you suspect any contact and the bat is still present GreatGazoo May 20 #15

Pretty sure they could treat you for rabies without testing the bat Alpeduez21 May 21 #18

Yes - You would start empirical treatment immediately but if the bat test comes back negative GreatGazoo May 21 #19

10:15 PM update -- She left GreatGazoo May 20 #16

Was the door to your bedroom closed mnhtnbb May 21 #17

One case of rabies incubation was documented proable in India at 25 years ! GreatGazoo May 21 #20

!!! Mad_Dem_X May 21 #21

Triggered my instinctual fear for sure GreatGazoo May 21 #22