From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2009-07-16 14:57:34 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] of course, we all know that ferrets can get rabies
To: fhl <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>, Ferret Mailing List <ferret-l@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG>
It rarely happens, but a case has arisen in Nebraska:
http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/07/16/4a5e51ed76b7b
BTW, the statement about rodents is not really true. In parts of the
U.S., including New Jersey ground hogs are a major rabies vector
animal, for example.
(Obviously, everyone here knows that ferrets are mustelids, members of
Carnivora rather than Rodentia, but I guess the reporter or readers
were expected to not know the difference. Taxonomically, we primates
are closer to Rodentia than members of Carnivora are which is why
studies on animals as vastly different from them as rodents can be
suggestive but don't always apply for ferrets -- and even ones on
closer animals don't always apply. So, they can cause pause and
consideration but always use a grain of salt, too, until more is known.)
It is wise that the shots are being done by the people because even
though there are no recorded cases of a ferret ever surviving long
enough with the brain damage of rabies multiplying there to transmit
the virus the potential does exist for that to happen. So, while it
is unlikely it is not impossible.
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
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