Rabies Types: Category 1 and Category 2

RABIES PROTOCOL
MANAGEMENT OF DOGS & CATS WHICH BITE HUMANS
(Wolf Hybrids and other exotic pets are considered to be wild animals)
 
Catagory 1
Visible bite or scratch from a dog or cat, which has been identified and is available for quarantine
 
  • Notify local director of health and local animal inspector
  • Biting animal will be placed under strict confinement for 10 days
  • If biting animal is healthy at the end of ten days, victim is not at risk for rabies
  • If biting animal begins to exhibit signs compatable with rabies, biting animal should be eunthenized and submitted for testing
  • If rabies test is negative, victim is not at risk for rabies
  • if rabies test is positive, notify Massachusetts Department of Public Helth, Division of Epidemiology
Catagory 2
Visible bite or scratch from a dog or cat, which has not been identified and is not available for testing
 
  • Animal must be assumed to be rabid
  • Notify Massachusetts Department of Public Helth, Division of Epidemiology
  • Notify local director of Health and local animal inspector
  • Furnish local Animal Control with a description of the dog or cat and location where animal was last seen

Additional Details

  • Domestic animals other than dogs and cats biting humans should be handled on a case by case basis
  • 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 resting