My puppy was near a bat. When is rabies contagious & why quarantine?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 10 lbs
I have a puppy that hasn't had the rabies shot yet. We came back from a trip and discovered a dead bat. The puppy wasnt bitten and was examined by a vet. I dont know if she touched the bat. Ive read that in this case she shoukd be quarantined but in my country in Israel they claim that there are no rabies. If she were to have rabies when would she be contagious? Why do theu quarantine an unvaccinated dog for 6 months is she contagious in these 6 months when are they contagious?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 6th, 2018
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In retrospect you should have had the bat tested. That would have been the best way to know. If your country is Rabies free then the bat likely doesn't have Rabies either. I would trust your countries health officials on this. The bat would have had to get it's saliva in to your dog via a bit or her mucous membranes (gums, eyes, cut on skin). In the US an unvaccinated pet that may be exposed to rabies is quarantined for 6 months because that is the maximum amount of time it can take for rabies to become contagious or obvious. It can happen sooner. Rabies is only contagious when it is in the final stages, in the salivary glands. Once it is in the salivary glands the animal will show signs of rabies with in 10 days. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 5th, 2020
Hello. Symptoms of rabies generally coincide with the point in time the virus become infective to others. This is because of how thew virus ascends the nervous system to reach the salivary glands & the brain, which can be 2-10 days. A mammel with active viral load could not survive as long as 7 weeks, but we can see very long pre-infective periods. This is why in some instances a pet may be quarantined for up to 6 months, depending on vaccination status or a known exposure to a rabid animal. It would be best to really discuss this with your local vet who can sort out all the particular details of your situation. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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