What should you do if your Pet has eaten or been bitten by a Bat or Flying fox?
Immediately call us on 07 33571588, there is a specific protocol in place to handle dogs or cats that have had potential contact with a bat or a Flying fox infected with Lyssavirus. You can fill out an application for post exposure treatment here.
Should I try and move the bat from the pet?
- AT NO TIME SHOULD YOU ATTEMPT TO HANDLE A LIVING BAT.
- IF YOU’RE NOT SURE DON’T TOUCH IT.
- Even if the bat is dead I would advise against any direct contact.
What Should I do if I think I might have been bitten or scratched?
GO IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
What can happen if I don’t get treatment or post-exposure vaccination for my Pet?
- Maybe nothing – if the bat wasn’t carrying Australian Bat Lyssavirus. The risk of infection is low. but the result of infection could be death, that’s a big risk!
- If the pet becomes infected, it will die usually within 90 days but it has been recorded for deaths to take as long as 27mths
You can call us and ask to speak to Dr Ben Charlton, to further clarify all of the points discussed above, the Queensland government has a protocol in place we follow to provide the correct treatment for these patients.