How should an animal be handled for rabies testing?

For rabies testing, the proper handling of an animal is crucial to ensure accurate results and to maintain safety. Humane euthanasia with the head intact is the recommended method because rabies is primarily diagnosed through examination of the brain tissue.

When an animal is suspected of having rabies, the head must remain intact to allow for the collection of brain samples necessary for testing. This procedure ensures that laboratories can perform the required tests, such as the direct fluorescent antibody test that is standard for rabies diagnosis.

Other methods suggested in the choices do not comply with the testing requirements. Freezing the animal can damage tissues and make them unsuitable for examination. Immediate burial prevents access to the body for testing, and transporting with heat packs is unnecessary and can alter the condition of the animal, potentially compromising test results. Therefore, humane euthanasia preserving the head is the only reliable method for effective rabies testing.