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1. Do rabies shots hurt?

Current rabies vaccines are relatively painless and are given in the arm, like a flu or tetanus vaccine. Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) will be administered around any wound(s) and may be more painful depending on the severity of the wounds.

Adverse reactions to rabies vaccine and immune globulin are not common. Newer vaccines in use today cause fewer adverse reactions than previously available vaccines.

Mild, local reactions to the rabies vaccine, such as pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site, have been reported. Rarely, symptoms such as headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, and dizziness have been reported. Local pain and low-grade fever may follow injection of rabies immune globulin.

2. What should I do if I was bitten / exposed to a bat?

If you can safely capture the bat, put on heavy gloves, wait for the bat to land, and cover the bat with a coffee can or container. Slide a piece of cardboard or something similar between the container and the wall. Secure the cardboard to the container and call the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) at 602-747-7500 to arrange to have the bat picked up and submitted to the Arizona State Lab for testing.

Any wounds should be immediately washed and medical attention from a health care professional should be sought for any trauma. You may need a tetanus booster shot. The need for rabies vaccination should be evaluated under the advisement of your physician and/or local health department.

3. What should I do if I was bitten by a wild animal?

Any wounds should be immediately washed and medical attention from a health care professional should be sought for any trauma. You may need a tetanus booster shot. The need for rabies vaccination should be evaluated under the advisement of your physician and/or local health department.

4. What should I do if I was bitten by a domestic animal like a dog or cat?

Any wounds should be immediately washed and medical attention from a health care professional should be sought for any trauma. You may need a tetanus booster shot. Report any bite to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) at 602-506-7387.

Rabies is not common in Maricopa County. If you think you may be at risk contact the Maricopa County Department of Public Health at 602-747-7500 .

5. How can rabies be prevented in animals?

There are several things you can do to protect your pet from rabies:
- Take your pet to your veterinarian regularly to keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.
- Maintain control of your pets by keeping cats and ferrets indoors and keeping dogs under direct supervision.
- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly.
- Call animal control to remove all stray animals from your neighborhood since these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.

6. How can I tell if an animal has rabies?

There is no way to tell if an animal has rabies unless it is tested at a laboratory. It is best to avoid contact with wild animals and report any suspicious animal behavior to Arizona Game and Fish (for wild animals) or Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (for domestic animals).

7. What can I do to reduce the risk of rabies?

Vaccinate your animals from rabies and stay away from any wild animals.

For more information on avoiding contact with wild animals, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Living With Wildlife page.

8. Is there anything available for someone who is at high risk of being exposed to rabies?

Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis is available to people at high risk for being exposed to rabies. Some situations in which rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis should be considered are:
- Persons in high-risk occupational groups, such as veterinarians and their staff, animal handlers, rabies researchers, and certain laboratory workers.
- Persons whose activities bring them in frequent contact with rabies virus or potentially rabid bats, raccoons, skunks, cats, dogs, or other species at risk for having rabies.
- International travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in areas where dog rabies is common, especially if they will have limited access to appropriate medical care.