From:
Linda Iroff
Date: 2005-05-16 15:10:57 UTC
Subject: Rabies protocol
To: Ferret Health List <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-id: <1B78EC13-B19B-40C6-804F-2E198AF54DC8@mac.com>
Dr. Ruth writes
> Most localities follow the recommendations of the annually released
> Compendium on Rabies Control, which recommends that a properly
> vaccinated ferret
> undergo the same quarantine as a properly vaccinated dog or cat.
Actually, the quarantine recommendations are REGARDLESS of
vaccination status!
> 6)MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS THAT BITE HUMANS
> a) DOGS, CATS, AND FERRETS
> Rabies virus may be excreted in the saliva of infected dogs, cats,
> and ferrets during illness
> and for only a few days prior to illness or death. A healthy dog,
> cat, or ferret that
> bites a person should be confined and observed daily for 10 days.
> During the
> observation period, administration of rabies vaccine to the animal
> is not recommended to
> avoid confusing signs of rabies with possible adverse effects of
> vaccine administration.
http://www.avma.org/pubhlth/rabies_compendium_2005.pdf
Having your ferret vaccinated can provide better protection from and
reassurance to the "pissy" people.
Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org