Rabies Testing

The state lab plays a vital role in the tracking of rabies in Colorado by providing rapid test analysis of animals suspected of carrying the virus.   The Serology laboratory removes the brains from submitted animal heads to test for the rabies virus. The majority of animals testing positive for rabies in Colorado each year are wild animals including, bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.

In Colorado, domestic animals account for less than one percent of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid.

If you are bitten by an animal, contact your medical provider or local health department to determine the potential for rabies exposure, the need for treatment and to decide whether or not to test the animal for rabies.
 

Additional Resources

• Procedures for the Submission of Laboratory Specimens for Rabies Analysis
• Rabies Testing -- How to Set Up a New Account, and Obtaining Form 272 Rabies Test Requisition Forms
• Rabies, Plague and Tuleremia -- When We Charge for Testing (Criteria used to determine whether testing is paid by state funds or paid by the submitter.)
• Laboratory Fees
• Read more about rabies