Animal bites are a common and serious public health problem. Bites can result in transmission of disease including rabies. This document outlines the required management of a dog or cat that has bitten an employee while at UVS. These requirements are based on South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 47 known as the “Rabies Control Act”. Refer to www.scdhec.gov for additional information not covered by this document.

Rabies Vaccinations:
A pet owner must have their pet vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccine must be given by a licensed veterinarian.

Reporting to DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control):
All animal bites will be reported to DHEC within 48 hours. The employee that was bitten and the owner of the pet will receive a phone call from DHEC to go over information.

Mandatory Post-bite Quarantine:
DHEC requires any dog, or cat which has bitten a person to be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days. This quarantine may be done at a veterinary clinic or at the owner’s home. If quarantined at the owner’s home the pet must be kept indoors at all times other than short leash walks. Quarantined animals may be treated by a veterinarian, but rabies vaccine should not be administered until after the quarantine period is complete. At the end of quarantine the pet should be reexamined by a veterinarian and the results documented.

Rabies testing:
Rabies can only be diagnosed by testing an animal’s brain tissue. Unfortunately, if an animal dies or is euthanized before a 10 day quarantine period is over, the animal may need to be tested for the rabies virus. UVS and DHEC (rabies control) will be notified of the pet’s passing and will decide if the animal needs to be tested.

Current rabies vaccine information is needed, so that our staff can properly handle any potential rabies threat. If vaccine history is unknown please be aware of the potential steps (see above) that will be taken if your pet bites an employee while at Upstate Vet.

Upstate Vet operates solely on the funds collected from the treatment and care of your pets. We are not subsidized by any organization, private or public; therefore, we must adopt a strict payment policy in order to provide you and your pet the best possible care. Upstate Vet does not bill or offer any type of payment plans. For those clients that may need financial assistance to provide for their pet’s care and treatment, please ask our receptionist about the Care Credit Plan.

Upstate Vet requires that all fees be PAID IN FULL when service is rendered (Our Emergency Exam Fee is $205.00.

Additional Fees will be estimated in a Treatment Plan by the Attending DVM at your request.)

Any balance left unpaid upon completion of services will be subject to billing fees.

I understand that failure to pick up this animal and pay all charges incurred during treatment will result in this animal being transferred to an appropriate animal shelter pursuant to State Ordinance 47-3-75 subsection A, dated May 19, 2000. Sub-section C of said ordinance states, “A person who fails to pick up an animal provided for in subsection A, who fails to pay his boarding fees in a timely manner, or who abandons an animal at an animal hospital, a dog kennel, a cat kennel, another animal care facility, or boarding facility is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, may be imprisoned not more than thirty days or fined not more than two hundred dollars.”