Rabies Suspects

Definitive testing for rabies unfortunately requires that an animal suspected of having rabies and associated with human exposure be put to sleep (euthanized) and the brain removed for testing. Two tests are performed for rabies: the definitive FA test, which is performed by Alabama Department of Public Health, and histopathologic examination of brain, an additional test conducted at the Auburn Laboratory.

The veterinary diagnostic laboratories do not perform the official FA test for rabies. A minimum of two to three working days are normally required for specimen collection and testing for rabies to be completed.