Rabies

[BillB]

I heard the other day that rabies was found in North Richland Hills.
Growing up, I always heard that an animal's head was sent to Austin to determine if it was rabid.
Has medical technology advanced enough to make a local diagnosis?
Does anyone know?

[LibraryLady]

Guess you will have to ask a vet.

[Bob Of Burleson]

Guess you will have to ask a vet.

Why do that when you've got Google?

Specimen Preparation:

Do not submit live animals.

Ship only the animal head, unless you are submitting a bat or a very small rodent.

Have a qualified person separate the animal head from the body as soon as possible after death. Avoid damage to the brain, as it may compromise the test. If only the brain is submitted, the minimum tissue requirements for rabies testing are a complete transverse cross section of the brain stem and tissue from the cerebellum and/or hippocampus.

Immediately chill the specimen(s) to between 32º and 45º F.

DO NOT FREEZE! Freezing may damage the brain tissue and can compromise the test.

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/lab/rab_prep-ship.shtm