Official Louisiana State Websites use .la.gov 
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 
Veterinary Resources
Disease Reporting Requirements
Veterinarians are required to report diseases of both agricultural and public health importance. The Office of Public Health requests that conditions on both the agriculturally important diseases list and the State Sanitary Code be reported to the Public Health State Veterinarian and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Infection Control and Veterinary Standard Precautions
Infection control refers to policy and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading infections, especially in hospitals and other heath care facilities. Humans and animals can also be exposed to conditions favoring disease transmission in veterinary care facilities.
Standard precautions refer to the recommended work practice for protection against transmission of bloodborne pathogens and other infectious disease in the workplace.
The Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions: Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel, referenced below, provides guidance related to personal protective actions and equipment, protective actions during medical procedures, environmental infection control, and employee health.
Brucellosis
Giardia
Rabies
Vaccine Guidance
- Louisiana Healthcare Facilities That Carry The Rabies Vaccine
- Human Rabies Prevention (MMWR 2008)
- Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Human Rabies (MMWR 2010)
- Use of a Modified Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices- United States (MMWR 2022)
- Information on Ordering Rabies Vaccines and HRIG
Bats and Rabies
- Bats and Rabies at Schools
- Bat Exclusion, Removal, and Cleaning
- Louisiana Bat Removal Companies Refer to La. Wildlife & Fisheries
Post-Exposure Guidance
- Post-exposure Protocol for Unvaccinated Dogs, Cats or Ferrets
- Protocol for Animal Control and Law Enforcement Agencies Addressing Animal Bites and Potential Rabies Exposures
- Appropriate Ten-Day Observation in Dogs, Cats or Ferrets That Have Bitten Human Beings in Louisiana
- Animal Bite Quarantine Order & Observation Notice (model form)
Rabies Testing, Shipping Instructions and Forms
Rabies Reports, Summaries, and Facts
Zoonotic Diseases
Diseases in Nature That Can Cause Infections
Guidance: Handling Animals and Pets
Posters: Handling Animals and Hand Hygiene
Animal Exhibits and Handwashing
Handling Reptiles
Amphibian/Reptile Pets Poster (8.5 x 11)
Amphibian/Reptile Pets Tear Off (3 x 8)
Amphibian/Reptile Pets Poster (11x17)
Chicks/Ducklings and Salmonella - Handwashing Poster (8.15 x 11)
Chicks/Ducklings and Salmonella - Handwashing Tear Off (3 x 8)
Chicks/Ducklings and Salmonella - Handwashing Poster (11x17)
Partners
Contact
For more information, contact State Public Health Veterinarian, Amy Bunch, DVM at amy.bunch@la.gov or (504) 722-3094.
To contact the La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, Veterinary Health Division, Animal Health and Food Safety, email vetreports@ldaf.state.la.us or call 225-925-3980.