Mike Sussman (sussman at cvm.msu.edu) wrote:
>Perhaps to be on the safe side you have consulted with a
>veterinarian, and investigated whether your pet bat was or
>wasn't a rabies carrier .... It is easy for a veterinary
>professional to determine if your pet has rabies, you could
>have saved yourself a hassle and perhaps some grief for
>your pet bat.
On the contrary, it can be difficult to diagnose rabies
clinically in some cases with some species of animal and
bats would probably fall into this category. Behavioural
changes in rabies may be subtle and not likely to be
pathognomonic. Bats can be carriers of rabies without
exhibiting clinical signs. Serological tests are unreliable
indicators of rabies exposure. Definitive diagnosis of
rabies requires that the suspected affected animal be
destroyed and the brain examined histopathologically and by
immunofluorescence or other immunological technique for the
presence of rabies antigen.
Adrian W Philbey
Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute
Private Mail Bag 8
Camden NSW 2570
Australia
