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Original poster

Rabies

290 replies

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 23/07/2023 06:46

We found a bat in our spare room today. We live in the US. It is currently triple bagged in our refrigerator waiting to be sent to the health authority for analysis for rabies. We won't know if the bat is rabid until Wednesday. We are terrified. We have no idea when or how it got in. We have 2 kids and I am 37 weeks pregnant.

Apparently rabies vaccinations can cost thousands of dollars which we really can't afford right now .

If you believe in the power of prayer please send one up for us. We are very very scared.

OP posts:
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BiscuitBeast · 23/07/2023 07:53

Erm, a prayers request is really OTT OP. Has anybody been bitten or scratched? If not, then please rest assured the risk of rabies infection is zero. Was it deceased when you found it? You handled it wearing gloves? Have you thought about how it gained entrance to your spare room - window left open?

Did you get photos of it?

Here in the UK there are local bat conservation groups you can call who are vaccinated and trained to handle/rescue/rehabilitate wild bats. I bet similar groups exist locally to you in the US.

CoachBeardsJane · 23/07/2023 07:52

Actually I'm going to go against the grain here

, I used to have a colleague who was an American dr and they found a bat in their room and they were told if it was in the room when they were sleeping then they needed to get a rabies shot because bats can bite and scratch without you noticing and you can't tell if it's got rabies til they dissect it.

If you call your insurance they may cover it. You do need to go to urgent care though to start the vaccines.

Jongleterre · 23/07/2023 07:49

Two adults scared of a dead bat? Seriously?

The mind boggles.

If it has t bit anyone, then why are you worried about any of you having rabies?

Bizarre.

AnSolas · 23/07/2023 07:49

@Anonymous20232023 with three plastic bags keeping it warm, the cold would be a shortlived problem.

OP as people said unless somebody has a bite mark there is no risk of infection.

However do you know where it came from?
You should be checking for any small holes in the outside of your home to see if rhey show aigns of animal activity

muddlingthrou · 23/07/2023 07:46

Rabies develops incredibly fast from what I remember, so if you haven't got any symptoms you're fine.

The vast majority of bats are non-rabid, so the risk is very tiny. I don't know why your brain is jumping to that...

Imknackeredzzz · 23/07/2023 07:46

If you ever find a bat in a room you were sleeping in, you have to always assume you were bitten, as their teeth are so small you wouldn’t even know. People have caught rabies without knowing that way.
look it up. So for everyone saying we’re you bitten, it’s not as simple as that.

however if you weren’t asleep in the room with it, and you’ve not been near it - no issue

CorBlimeyGovnr · 23/07/2023 07:44

Did it bite you?

Anonymous20232023 · 23/07/2023 07:42

I'm more concerned about the poor bat in the fridge. I'm assuming he's dead? If not, I hope he's got a coat and wooly hat. Poor little fella!

WhatHasHeDone · 23/07/2023 07:41

Was it dead before you froze it?
I know you are worried, I’m sure you would have noticed if you had been bitten though. I hope the analysis comes back clear so you can relax. Flowers

WunWun · 23/07/2023 07:40

Did you kill it?!

As everyone else said, unless it but someone you're being utterly ridiculous

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 23/07/2023 07:39

If it bit you then yes be worried, but bat bites are rare, and getting rabies from a bat is even rarer.

Just finding a bat means nothing

StefanosHill · 23/07/2023 07:26

Did it bite anyone?

Aprilx · 23/07/2023 07:25

Why are you terrified? Rabies isn’t airborne.

Yellowlegobrick · 23/07/2023 06:47

I think this is only relevant if it bit someone, no?

LMNT · 23/07/2023 06:47

Did it bite anyone?