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What if I have been bitten or exposed to a stray or wild animal?
If the wound is a cut or puncture, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if the animal did not have rabies, the risk of infection is great. The Health Department urges persons to seek treatment immediately, even if the animal is isolated or has been sent in for lab testing. All wild animals supected to have bitten a human or domestic animal captured or found dead will be sent to the State Laboratory of Hygiene for rabies analysis. Stray dogs or cats will likely be isolated for rabies observation for 10 days. If an owner is not found in that time, the animal typically goes up for adoption. The Health Department in your county is typically notified of and lab results and will contact you.
If the animal is available, it should be captured for observation or testing. If it cannot be captured, you should report a description (only if domesticated animal) to the Health Department so that a search for the animal and animal’s owner can be done.
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What if I have been bitten by a domesticated animal?
All bite incidents involving a domesticated animal must be reported to the Sheriff’s Department in order for a report to be taken. The Sheriff’s Department will locate (if at all possible) the owner of the animal, complete the report and determine where the quarantine will occur based on the type of animal and vaccination status. If a dog, cat, or ferret was vaccinated at the time of the bite, the animal will typically be isolated at the owner’s home. If it is not, it will either be isolated at the county pound or at a veterinarian’s office. Quarantine typically lasts for 10 days with examinations of the animal on day one, day five, and day ten. If the bite involves another type of domesticated animal, special considerations have to be made. The Sheriff’s Department or Health Department will contact the State to determine quarantine periods on a case by case basis.
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What does home quarantine involve?
The term QUARANTINE refers to keeping the animal leashed or tied at all times, or confined to a particular room or kennel, with as little human exposure as possible. It is recommended that one adult family member be responsible for feeding, watering, and toileting the animal during the quarantine period.
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Who is responsible for isolation and testing fees?
The owner of the animal is responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with keeping the animal in an isolation facility, supervision and examination of the animal by a veterinarian, preparation of the carcass for laboratory examination and the fee for the laboratory examination. If the owner is unknown, the County is responsible for these expenses ( Wisconsin State Statutes Section (8) Responsibility for quarantine and laboratory expenses ).
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What are the quarantine requirements for dogs and cats?
If the animal is current on vaccinations:
Animal may be quarantined at the property of the owner if the owner is reliable and capable of doing so.
The animal may also be quarantined at an isolation facility.
Quarantine is for a period of 10 days.
The animal must be seen by a vet for rabies observation on day one, day five and day ten.
An examination form must be completed by examining veterinarian before quarantine is lifted.
If the animal is not current on vaccinations:
Animal may ONLY be quarantined at an approved isolation facility (ie., veterinarian, kennel).
Animal may NOT be quarantined on owners property.
Animal must be quarantined for a period of 10 days with examinations on day one, day five, and day ten.
An examination form must be completed by examining veterinarian before quarantine is lifted.
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What if my dog or cat is bitten by a stray or wild animal?
These bite incidents should be reported to the Sheriff’‘s Department or Health Department. Since stray and wild animals can give rabies to your domestic animal, and your domestic animal can give rabies to you, it is important to be certain that your animal’s vaccination status is up to date. If the animal that bit your animal has died, it needs to be kept for testing. Your animal will be in quarantine until the results of the testing come back. If the stray or wild animal is not available for testing, your animal will have to be quarantined. Unfortunately, there is a big difference in the quarantine periods for vaccinated and unvaccinated cats and dogs. The following breakdown provides an explaination.
If animal was current on vaccination during incident:
Animal may be quarantined on the property of the owner if the owner is reliable and capable of doing so.
Animal may instead be quarantined at an isolation facility.
Animal must be quarantined for a period of 60 days.
Although there is no examination requirements, it is suggested that one be done. The animal MUST be re-vaccinated as soon as possible after the incident.
There is no exam form requirements from the vet.
The Health Officer will lift the quarantine after the 60 days.
If animal was NOT vaccinated during the incident:
Animal may be quarantined on the property of the owner if the owner is reliable and capable of doing so.
Animal may instead be quarantined at an isolation facility.
Animal must be quarantined for a period of 180 days.
Although there is no examination requirements, it is highly suggested that one be done.
The animal MUST be vaccinated between the 155th and 165th day. There is no exam form requirements from the vet.
The Health Officer will lift the quarantine after the 60 days.
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What species are most identified with being carriers of rabies in Wisconsin?
The species most identified and tested for rabies in Wisconsin would be bats, raccoons and skunks.
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I woke up this morning and found a bat in my house. Should it be tested?
In Wisconsin, bats often can be carriers of rabies. It is suggested that if you have awoke to find a bat in your house, the bat should be captured, frozen, and taken to the Health Department or a veterinarians office for testing. Even if you have no signs of a bite, you need to have it analyzed or if it can’t be, start rabies prophylaxis. Many victims did not remember being bitten or noticing bite marks in human rabies deaths involving a bat .
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How can you tell if an animal has rabies?
Only testing can tell. Trained observers or veterinarians can tell if it is likely an animal has rabies. It is very difficult for others to tell. The best description I am able to think of would be that the animal would display a behavior that is out of the ordinary. Agressive dogs may become quiet just as friendly dogs can become agressive. Noticing changes in your animal's behavior is very important.
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Who pays for my medical bills when I am bitten?
Typically, the owner of the animal is responsible for the medical bills. Each bite situation is different so I can't comment on responsiblity in every case. You should contact your attorney should you have legal questions. Many bite cases end up in small claims court.
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Is there a dog and cat ordinance?
Yes. In Marquette and Waushara County there is. You can obtain a copy on this site and in person. In Green Lake County, the same rules apply because of Statute. You see, the Ordinance follows State Statute. The difference is, the Ordinance allows for local control and the abiltity to levy local fines in certain cases.
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RABIES FACT SHEET
Rabies Fact Sheet.
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