Rabies symptoms can vary depending on an individual or species but may involve some of the following: the bat may be agitated, aggressive, roost alone, reluctant to eat or groom, suffer from spasms or fits.
Treatment Options
Any bat displaying symptoms that could suggest rabies must be isolated immediately and handling kept to a minimum. Do not euthanase until further advice is obtained.
Please contact BCT immediately if a bat in your care is displaying any abnormal symptoms.
Considerations
Species of bat: the behaviour of some species and some individuals is more agitated and aggressive when taken into care, if in doubt contact BCT. Daubenton’s bats are normally placid but are the species most likely to show symptoms of rabies. Arching of wings and ‘playing dead’ are two occasional but normal behaviours of individual bats.