Message Number: YG7622 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Karen Purcell, DVM
Date: 2001-10-02 10:32:00 UTC
Subject: Re: rabies

> Rabies question (animals in general, not just ferrets) - Why are animals
> that have bitten killed and a brain sample taken? More accurately, why are
> they still handled this way? I recall this practice from my childhood
> decades ago--surely someone has developed a less drastic method of checking
> for the rabies organism?
>
Nope, that is the only choice we have. Believe me, all vets would
prefer something less gruesome than decapitation. I have clients
routinely ask me to test their animals for rabies - apparently the
method is not common knowledge.

-Dr. Karen

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