Reduced to a screaming girl

[Tuckervill]

Uh, I think little bat fangs would hurt enough that I would KNOW that I was bitten. They don't just randomly bite people. They're looking for bugs. I guess if I were covered in bugs....

Karen

[Cataboo]

I think they act a little bit weird and aggressive when rabid and bite more than normal bats.

And my little brother could definitely sleep through a bat bite... Or an earth quake.

[Heifzilla]

Uh, I think little bat fangs would hurt enough that I would KNOW that I was bitten. They don't just randomly bite people. They're looking for bugs. I guess if I were covered in bugs....

Karen

When you're asleep you wouldn't feel it. That's why vampire bats are so successful at what they do.

A rabid bat (or any rabid animal for that matter) does not act like a normal animal, and will bite randomly. When the rabies starts to affect the animal, rabid animals will approach people when they normally would not, act friendly, or attack randomly. So, yes, it is a real threat.

I love bats and would hate to see one killed for no reason, but when it comes to rabies I am a wee bit paranoid.

[NoNo]

Update! Called the landlord and he went to look again. Was moving things around in the kitchen when he heard a chirping noise. Saw the bat on the floor. I'm guessing after two days without food and water, it was dying. In the meantime, I had called animal control and asked what their policy was for bats in the house. She said it has to be tested if it's been in living quarters. I also had to call the health department and arrange to get it shipped to Hartford for rabies testing. Called my landlord back and he said it's out of his hands now. He also mocked the "public health threat" the bat posed. Obviously, he's just worried about how this might affect his wallet So I called the health department, told them he wouldn't deal with it, what do I have to do? They can't take it alive (he had put it in a plastic bag and placed that in a cooler that was outside). Ok, how do I, uh, take care of it? They need to test the brain, so do go cracking it's skull. Either a hose to your tailpipe or freezing it is preferred. So I get to put this little bugger next to my hot dogs till tomorrow morning The good news is that the rabies results will be back usually within 24 hours, definitely some time Thursday, so I'd know before the trip. The bad news is I have to eat the cost of sending it to the lab, at least $100, because my landlord won't do his job

Edit: All the things I read said that if you're sleeping you most likely wouldn't know you had been bitten because the fangs and claws are so tiny. It is also standard procedure that any bat that's been around a child or intoxicated person needs to be tested. The child might lie because they don't want to get in trouble or don't realize how serious getting sick would be, and the drunk person wouldn't feel it.

[Kimmyt]

Do you have anywhere you can buy dry ice? Just put some dry ice in a cooler or something and put the carcass in there overnight.

[Zen]

It's his property and his responsibility. if the health department requires the testing can't they bill him?
He'd better find out how it got in or else lose a tenant and possibly face other legal problems.
Something along the lines of endangering the health of a tenant.

[NoNo]

I'm not sure where this falls in my lease. I know he's said if I have to buy something for the house, I can take it out of my rent. I don't know why this wouldn't fall under pest control, which is part of the lease, but he seemed very unconcerned about the whole thing. I foresee an uphill battle trying to get reimbursed for the test, let alone trying to convince him to get the house inspected. I really, really love the house and the location, I don't want to move. I'm hoping this was just an isolated incident with a wayward bat that somehow got in without my noticing.

Speaking of Mr. Bat, he was dropped off at the health department this morning. I had to fill out a very confusing rabies exposure form mainly because we don't know how long the bat was actually in the house. I know nobody came in contact with it Sunday, but I guess it's possible it could have been in there earlier than that, while I was sleeping. Results back possibly this afternoon, most likely tomorrow. I'm fairly certain everything will be fine. At least my house got a good cleaning last night!

[Heifzilla]

Results back possibly this afternoon, most likely tomorrow. I'm fairly certain everything will be fine. At least my house got a good cleaning last night!

Fingers crossed, otherwise you will be required to get the shots They're fairly expensive, and I think there is a series of five. They give them in the arm or thigh now. I believe most health insurance policies are required to cover them, too.

I know it seems like a total pain in the rear, but this is one virus you don't want to take chances with.