HomeMy Public PortalAboutDogs or Cats Exposed to DomesticsRABIES PROTOCOL
Exposure Category
MANAGEMENT OF DOGS & CATS EXPOSED TO OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(Wolf Hybrids and other exotic pets are considered to be wild animals)
Vaccination Status of Exposing Animal Not Relevant to Recommendations
Exposed Dog or Cat is Exposed Dog or Cat is
Currently Vaccinated NOT Currently Vaccinated
Category 1
Visible bite or scratch
from another domestic
animal which has been
1. Notify local director of health and
local animal inspector
2. Biting animal will be placed under
strict confinement for 10 days
1. Notify local director of health and
local animal inspector
2. Biting animal will be placed under
strict confinement for 10 days
identified and is
3. A) If biting animal is healthy at the
3. A) If biting animal is healthy at the
available for quarantine
end of 10 days, victim is not at
end of 10 days, victim is not at
risk for rabies
risk for rabies - Vaccinate victim
3. B) If biting animal begins to exhibit
3. B) If biting animal begins to exhibit
signs compatible with rabies,
biting animal should be
signs compatible with rabies,
biting animal should be
euthanized and submitted
euthanized and submitted
for rabies testing
for rabies testing
4. A) If test results are negative,
victim is not at risk for rabies
4. B) If test results are positive,
1. Booster victim immediately
2. Notify local director of health
4. A) If test results are negative,
victim is not at risk for rabies,
vaccinate victim
4. B) If test results are positive,
1. Notify local director of health
and local animal inspector
and local animal inspector
3. Strict confinement by owner for
2. Euthanize, or Isolation for 3
45 days
months followed by 3 months
strict confinement - vaccinate
at 5 months
Category 2
1. Booster victim immediately
Visible bite or scratch
1. Notify local director of health and
from another domestic
2. Notify local director of health and
local animal inspector
animal which has NOT
local animal inspector
2. Strict confinement by owner for
been identified and is
3. Strict confinement by owner for
6 months - vaccinate at 5 months
NOT available for
quarantine
45 days
• Any non -domestic animal biting a human needs to be reported to the Department of Public Health
• Protocol for ferrets is similar, but notification must be made to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
• Do not vaccinate any dog or cat which is under a 10 -day quarantine
• Any animal euthanized while under a 10 -day quarantine MUST be submitted for rabies testing
• If most recent rabies vaccination was administered within 30 days, it is not necessary to re -vaccinate
1. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology: (617) 983-6800
2. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Bureau of Animal Health: (617) 626-1786
3. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: (617) 626-1575
This document was prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health
Revised: 11/10/08
Questions? (617) 626-1786