How to Test Animals for Rabies

Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system, leading to serious brain damage or death if it goes untreated. Animals like bats, rodents and dogs are susceptible to rabies, and their bites can pass the disease to animals or people. It's important to test an animal for rabies to prevent the virus from spreading.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Capture and secure the animal. Rabies can make animals ferocious, so you must exercise caution when dealing with a potentially rabid animal. If you are not trained in dealing with animals, call animal control services.

2. Get information on the animal. Observing the animal is an important part of testing for rabies. However, many infected animals don't exhibit acute symptoms. Ask around to discover the animal's previous whereabouts. Ascertain what other animals it might have come in contact with and to make sure it didn't bite anyone.

3. Euthanize the animal. Rabies tests can only be conducted by taking brain tissue. If you find the animal dead, use gloves to place it in a garbage bag and seal it. If not, have animal control services remove and euthanize the animal so it can be tested.

4. Send the animal to a lab. Many animal and disease control centers test for rabies. Contact professionals at the organization in your area that is responsible for rabies testing and control. Ask them to retrieve the animal or send the animal's head to their lab. If you send the animal to a center, ask the professionals how to properly package and transport the specimen.