Reduced to a screaming girl

[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.

[Aggie_Ama]

According to my friend who is a vet, only two humans have lived with rabies and both are pretty much brain dead. I don't know how accurate that is but that is what he learned in vet school, he has been out 2 years. If you are concerned get the shots. He had them for vet school and did get sick but hey sick is better than death.

I don't think you need to be completely freaked out but you can err on the side of caution.

On a side note, I watched a documentary about humans fear response. It said it is actually a deep rooted response from our ancestors who know the things we fear are dangerous. Hey, I hate snakes and will have a response to any snake. Not a bad thing if you live in rattlesnake country. I know what to do and I am hoping to never have to face one.

[Kano]

I remember coming home to a bat in the house one night -- FIRST we saw the cat acting TOTALLY crazy -- leaping and twisting around the living room, then we saw what he was leaping at! Whacked the bat with a badminton racket and put him out, then had a repeat performance the next night. Found the "hole" in the house and put an end to the batty cat antics!

Karen in Boise

[salsabike]

According to my friend who is a vet, only two humans have lived with rabies and both are pretty much brain dead.

I saw one of those survivors many years ago when I did part of my school psych internship in the neuropsych department of a rehab hospital. It was very distressing to see and I have never forgotten it. I love bats, but I would do whatever is advised by the public health folks in response to this. You're lucky, really, that they have the bat to test.

And about phobias--they by definition aren't rational and almost everyone I've ever met has SOME phobia. Part of the human condition.

[NoNo]

You're lucky, really, that they have the bat to test.

From the sounds of it, there would be a lot more samples if people didn't just shoo them out windows. Besides the rabies, I think it's good to provide a sample so they can see what's going on in the local population. Still waiting for the test results....

And about phobias--they by definition aren't rational and almost everyone I've ever met has SOME phobia. Part of the human condition.

I wonder why people have different phobias. Why aren't we conditioned to fear the same thing? Maybe something to do with where your original ancestors came from and the dangers that were present in that area? That would be interesting to study.

[Aggie_Ama]

No-No we found that documentary on National Geographic channel. Not sure if you have cable but it was fascinating. It talked about the psychological factors, how we react, the reason they theorize we do it. There was a variety of topics like bears, snakes, being buried alive, etc...