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OAVT RRP Submission Request FAQs
Can I call to arrange the dispatch of a RVT to collect a specimen before I submit my Specimen Collection Request Information Form?
  • No, in order for the OAVT RRP to dispatch a RVT we require the completed details on the form to co-ordinate the collection.

How long will it take for a RVT to collect the specimen?
  • Our goal is to have a RVT to the collection location within 1 business day. The exception to this would be holidays and weekends due to the inability to ship the sample.

Will RVTs pick up specimens on weekends/holidays?
  • The OAVT office operates Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm, not including holidays. Any rabies submission requests outside of these hours would not be addressed until the next business day. If you do encounter a case after hours, submissions can be entered online 24/7 and once we return to the office we would proceed with dispatching your case. RVTs in some cases collect specimens at all hours on weekdays and weekends depending on the RVT’s schedule and the collection location’s available hours. They do not however receive new cases outside of our office hours.

Will a RVT collect from a residence?
  • Due to the sensitive nature of the collection process, it is preferred that animals be taken to their point of disposal (domestic animals-veterinary office for cremation, wildlife-animal control for cremation) where the RVT can collect safely. In cases where disposal includes burial on the property, where the animal/property owners prefer the collection to occur there, they should be made aware by the PHU of the nature of the collection process and ensure there is a suitable area, away from public view, that this can be accomplished. They should also have the ability to store the animal cold/frozen until the collection can take place.

Will a RVT be able to euthanize an animal before collection?
  • No, RVTs will not be responsible for providing euthanasia services. Before submitting a specimen collection request the PHU should confirm the animal is deceased. The RRP cannot dispatch a RVT until this is confirmed.

Will a RVT take the entire remains of the animal with them?
  • No, the RVT will not be responsible for any remains left behind. In the case of domestic animals or livestock it is the animal owner’s responsibility to dispose of remains. In the case of wildlife, this is the responsibility of the property owner to make the appropriate arrangements (calling animal control, burying the animal etc.)

Will the RRP collect a sample with a gunshot wound or other head trauma?
  • Yes, the RVT will collect and ship specimens with trauma. The CFIA will determine, once the sample arrives at their lab, whether there is viable tissue available for testing. If you are aware that a gunshot wound exists, or any other sharp objects, please include this information on your submission request form.

How will I receive the test results?
  • Normal test results will be emailed by the CFIA Lab to the email address the RRP received as specified by your Rabies Program Manager. Positive or unfit test results will be communicated by the CFIA lab by telephone first, to the number provided on your submission request form, then followed up by email confirmation.

When will I receive the results?
  • In most cases, providing the specimen is not frozen upon arrival at the CFIA lab, results will come back the day the sample arrives at the lab. Please note: it may take up to 72hrs after arrival at the lab to receive results.

If I have questions about a rabies specimen collection request who do I call?
  • Please calls us at 1-844-872-2437 for any questions or concerns Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30 pm (excluding holidays) or email us at rrp@oavt.org.


Humane Euthanasia For Bats
August is our busiest time of year not just for collections as a whole but for bats in particular. An increase in bat collection requests often results in an increase in the number of bats being inhumanely euthanized. Most often we see this when bats are placed alive in a freezer. This is not only inhumane but also causes bats to go into a state of torpor. The ability of bats to enter a state of torpor is what makes them such hardy animals and able to survive extreme conditions.
 
Definition of Torpor (as found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary)
  • a state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or total insensibility a state of lowered physiological activity typically characterized by reduced metabolism, heart rate, respiration, and body temperature that occurs in varying degrees especially in hibernating and estivating animals
 
Bats can enter a state of torpor (relatively deep sleep) for a few hours or a few days at a time. "Hibernation is a more advanced state of torpor where the bat can remain in a very 'deep sleep' for a number of days or weeks at a time." (The Landmark Practice: Bats and Hibernation).
 
Due to their ability to hibernate it can be very difficult for a member of the public to determine if the animal is in fact deceased or just sleeping. If there is ever a doubt that the bat is still alive it must be taken to a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or wildlife control company to confirm and humanely euthanize, if necessary.
 
To give you an idea of how hardy these animals are we have included below some of the circumstances in which the bat was still alive:
  • Frozen for 72 hours, shipped overnight to the CFIA laboratory - this resulted in a lab technician receiving PEP for a bite and testing delays
  • Crushed in between a door, nasal blood secretions
  • Sealed in an airtight container for 48hrs
 
Please note: None of the above methods are considered humane methods of euthanasia
 
In order to assist the Public Health Units in managing "live" bat cases we wanted to provide some options for humane euthanasia.
 
If you have a live bat that needs to be tested for rabies you can reach out to the following facilities and/or organizations:
  1. Veterinary Hospitals
  2. Municipal Animal Control Service
  3. Humane Societies
  4. Wildlife Rehabilitators - click here for a list of all Authorized Wildlife Rehabilitators in Ontario. When looking for someone in your area please ensure they handle rabies vector species.
  5. Wildlife Control Companies
 
Please review the links below for additional information on bats and humane euthanasia:


Rabies in Ontario - NDMNRF Report
The NDMNRF is reporting on their results of wildlife testing (with no human/animal exposure), surveillance and bait drops. As of July 6th, 2022 the MNRF is reporting a total of 504 cases of raccoon strain and 21 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario since the outbreak began in December 2015.

In 2022, the NDMNRF has tested a total of 2396 animals and distributed over 30 000 baits. Below are the positive rabies cases as of July 6th, 2022.
  • Niagara: 9 skunks, 1 raccoon

The total number of raccoon strain cases since the outbreak began in 2015 are distributed among the following Public Health Units:

  • Hamilton: 215 raccoons, 112 skunks, 1 fox, 2 cats
  • Haldimand-Norfolk: 30 raccoons, 2 skunks, 1 llama
  • Niagara: 43 raccoons, 37 skunks, 1 dog
  • Brant: 26 raccoons, 2 skunk
  • Halton: 17 raccoons, 9 skunks
  • Waterloo: 2 skunks

The total number of fox strain cases since the outbreak began in 2015 are distributed among the following Public Health Units:

  • Perth: 6 cows, 2 skunks
  • Huron: 1 cow, 3 skunks
  • Waterloo: 1 fox, 5 skunks
  • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph: 3 skunks

The last case of fox strain rabies was detected in 2018. No cases have been detected in 2019-2021.

CFIA Report on Rabies in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has a website with statistics on all rabies cases in Canada (including the MNRF cases reported above) dating back to 1988. They update their website on the 28th day of each month.

As of June 30th, 2022 there has been a total of 1141 animals submitted across the country, including 659 which were submitted by Ontario. Of these cases, 69 were positive for rabies, including 19 that were from Ontario.

The rabies positive cases in Ontario are distributed among the following species:

  • Bat: 9
  • Dog: 1
  • Raccoon: 1
  • Skunk: 8

Visit the CFIA website for more information on rabies in Canada.


How To Store Animals Prior to Specimen Collection
The RRP office frequently receives questions regarding what to do with the animal until the collection can take place. The ideal situation would be for the animal to be placed in a refrigerator but many animals are too large to fit in a fridge; therefore, the next best option is to place the animal in a freezer. This is done to maintain the integrity of the sample prior to collection and shipping.

Before placing the body in the freezer the animal should be positioned with the neck extended and the front legs placed caudally against the chest. This provides the RVT with the best access for collecting the specimen.

For more details on storing animals prior to rabies testing please visit our website to review the document titled "Storing Animals Requiring Rabies Testing". Public Health Inspectors are welcome to share this document with collection locations.


Do You Have Enough Shipping Supplies?
August is our busiest month of the year and it is important that you maintain on-hand inventory for the shipping supplies as RVTs will be in need of replenishment more often.

RVTs require 2 sizes of bags, 2 sizes of boxes and rigid ice packs. When we start to hit the warmer temperatures in July and August RVTs will need to use 2-3 ice packs per shipment; therefore, it is crucial that you have them in stock for RVTs.

Example of shipping supplies needed for:

Bat

  • 4 small bags
  • 1-2 ice packs (depending on temperature)
  • 1 small box

Large Dog

  • 3 large bags
  • 1 small bag
  • 1 large box
  • 2-3 ice packs

The instructions on how to order shipping supplies can be found on the RRP Public Health Portal.

Shipping supplies have been procured to meet the regulations under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act while keeping shipping costs to a minimum. It is important that only these selected supplies be provided to RVTs.
The OAVT Public Health Rabies Response Program
107-100 Stone Rd West
Guelph, ON
N1G 5L3
1-844-8RABIES