It’s an unpleasant situation. A dog, cat, or other mammal has bitten a human. While some bites are more serious than others, if a person’s skin has been punctured to the point of bleeding, it’s referred to as “broken skin,” and the bite is supposed to be reported to the local medical authority, even if it happened just before or during a euthanasia appointment. Mammals can transmit the rabies virus through their saliva, and a bite from one mammal to another is the number one cause for concern. Rabies testing can be tricky, so let’s review CAETA’s understanding of the requirements in the US, especially as it pertains to euthanasia decisions.
What We Know for Sure
Rabies is transmitted from mammals to humans through saliva in bite wounds. Because the virus is passed through biting, the infected animal first becomes “rabid” and aggressive to actively spread the virus to the next host. This is why aggression cases (usually dogs) with a history of recent biting have become a big deal in veterinary medicine. Rabies is a fatal condition in all animals once symptoms present. If a human has been bitten and rabies is suspected, rabies immunoglobulin injections can be given to stop the virus from replicating (1). These injections are only viable if given before symptoms appear. The virus cannot infect through unbroken skin, so if the animal’s teeth graze the outer dermis and do not puncture, rabies transmission is unlikely (2).
If the animal who did the biting is highly suspected to have rabies, immediate euthanasia is warranted, not only for safety reasons but for the animal’s welfare. Rabies is a violent and unpleasant fatal disease that mandates swift action on the part of veterinarians and animal control agencies. If rabies infection is unlikely, a 10-day period of quarantine can be done first to observe for rabies symptoms in the animal. After 10 days of quarantine, the animal is considered not infected, and no further action is required.
If a bite occurs before the 10-day quarantine is complete and euthanasia is carried out, it is safest to submit the animal’s body and head to the nearest rabies testing center. A pet’s death, followed by immediate body disposition, takes away any hope of knowing if it was rabid or not. Err on the side of caution and have the body tested before cremation or aquamation.
Do You Test the Animal for Rabies?
This question often centers on whether the animal’s bite was simply due to unruly behavior or from an actual disease like rabies. In the United States, if a dog bites a person, the requirements for rabies testing and the procedures vary depending on local laws and the specific circumstances of the bite. However, the general guidelines usually follow these key points:
- Bite broke the skin – the injured person should seek medical attention. Medical personnel are required to report bites to the local authorities so they can discuss rabies concerns with the animal owner.
- Animal already has signs of rabies infection – euthanasia is required so the brain tissue can be immediately tested for the virus. The person who was bit will undergo rabies treatment to increase the chances of survival.
- Animal has no signs of rabies – a 10-day quarantine is the next step. The animal is kept in confinement for the following 10 days, after which they may return to a normal routine if no signs present. This may still be recommended if the animal is fully vaccinated for the rabies virus.
The answer is that veterinary professionals are always safe advocating for testing, even if the animal has been vaccinated for rabies and the owner has proof. There are instances when showing proof of vaccination is enough and rabies testing can be avoided; however, it varies from state to state, country to country, and from what CAETA could find, there is no website that provides a reliable list of requirements.
What To Do If a Bite Happens During a Euthanasia Appointment
This is a tough scenario, especially when the animal is not known for biting and unfortunately decided to bite just before being euthanized. If a mammal bites a human during the euthanasia appointment, first look closely at the skin. If the bite punctured skin, pause the appointment to help the client thoroughly clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply a bandage if necessary. Next, you and your team will need to decide if immediate medical attention is needed or if it’s acceptable to still move forward with euthanasia. Emotionally, it may be hard for pet owners to have their beloved pet’s final moments together culminate in a bite incident.
If the skin was broken during the bite, and proof of rabies vaccination cannot be located, the animal’s body must be submitted to the local rabies testing site right away following euthanasia. The body should be fresh and not frozen, if possible. Most testing sites take the entire body and then either remove the head to sample brain tissue or, depending on the species, sometimes just open the cranium to remove the brain, leaving the head otherwise intact. Removing a beloved pet’s head is not a pleasant thought for pet owners to consider, but they should be told what’s going to happen, especially if they intend to retrieve the body afterward for burial or take the pet to an aftercare company (e.g., crematory). Imagine their horror to open a body bag and see what’s inside.
Rabies testing results come back quickly. The veterinary team or local animal control authorities can notify the family of the results. If the test is negative, nothing else needs to be done. If positive, the bitten person hopefully still has time to receive prophylactic treatments. Within the veterinary practice, the team should be notified about the client’s rabies exposure, which can lead to feelings of great concern. If any staff may have been exposed to saliva in open wounds, they should also be treated for rabies infection. Beyond this, the staff should discuss how the bite happened during euthanasia in the first place and make improvements to prevent it from happening again.
Resources to Learn More
The Animal Legal and Historical Center at Michigan State University tends to have good information related to all manner of companion animal issues. They list statewide rabies vaccination laws, but CAETA did not uncover state rabies testing mandates (3). Ultimately, it appears that rabies testing and quarantine laws are determined primarily at the state level, meaning there is considerable variation out there. Regardless of how long you have been practicing, it’s always the right time to freshen up on the local rules and regulations in your area. As of 2025, Hawaii is the only US state without rabies (4). The rest of us need to be extra vigilant, and do our best to prevent bites during veterinary appointments, especially during euthanasias.
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351826
- https://www.who-rabies-bulletin.org/site-page/transmission-and-pathogenesis
- https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-rabies-vaccination-laws
- https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/faqs/#:~:text=Hawaii%20is%20the%20only%20state,that%20we%20maintain%20that%20status
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