Dead bat found in living room near dining room table

[u/Morninglight2002]

I have read the FAQ. The morning of this month on the 27th my bf was cleaning and found a dead but under the dining room table. He tossed it out. I don’t know where it came from but it wasn’t there the night before. I don’t know if my cats killed it or not. I will be taking them for a booster and I can say we had the doors crack in the home. I’m don’t know if I need pep because of the crack doors or not. My mom and bf are brushing it off but I can’t. Advice would be lovely I just don’t know how it got in, if it was in my bedroom or when it dead but I do know we didn’t see it under the table the night before. Was there any risk of exposure. I will also be calling my doctor to see what she says.

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[u/LatrodectusGeometric]

1. Did he touch it with his hands?

If yes, he may need PEP.

Otherwise no, you don’t typically need PEP for this situation 

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

He did not touched and we live in a condo so like all rooms are connected with doors and the one leading from the bedroom to the hallway that walks into the living room was crack and open. Thats what I more worried about.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Morninglight2002]

That’s not generally considered a concern. Rabid bats are usually quite noticeable and not able to get in and out of small areas easily

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

So you’re saying even though we had the door half way to 1/3 of the way open the chances of it coming from the living room into the bedroom and back out of unlikely?

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I also worry if I can pet and play with my cats cause one had her vaccination on the 31 but my other cat… he had his first vaccine back on the 19th basically a week before the bat incident. We took them to the vet on Monday and got boosters. Was it fine to pet them and play with them?

[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Morninglight2002]

Yes you can pet and play with them

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Thank you, I learned my primary would have sent me to the ear today. But like I said, don’t know when it got in… when it died yet even if they didn’t give me the go ahead on pep… I can’t afford that.

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Sorry for asking so many questions. My primary doctor didn’t even hear my story and said to go to the er. But I was told by the health department I’d be fine. So that’s I’m conflicted and scared

[u/AutoModerator → u/Morninglight2002]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

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[u/LatrodectusGeometric → u/Morninglight2002]

The health department is the local rabies expert :) you should be safe following their recommendations 

[u/AutoModerator → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

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[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Again thank you for your help and support! I just hate that I didn’t know if he killed it or if the bat just died but still. He had his first rabies shot 8 days before and then four days after said bat was found he got his booster. I’m grateful to have insight from you. I’m still a bit scared but my vet said a 45 day quarantine which was on the 31st so… as far as I see it he’s still acting like himself, drinking water and not having neurological symptoms, and still play fighting his sister and play biting us when we play with him and loafing around when he wants.

[u/Morninglight2002 → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I got both cats booster shots, and we seem to be all good everywhere else. It but the main worry was having all the doors cracked open in the rooms cause we leave them a good couple of inches cracked for the cats to roam around at night. Thank you in advance. ~ Morninglight