I read in Ferrets for Dummies that ferrets are thought to have "Dumb
rabies"; where the ferret becomes lethargic and deathly ill, they
usually die quickly, within about 7 days.  With dumb rabies there is no
agression, biting or foaming of the mouth.  Just a really sick animal.
The rabies that dogs and racoons and cats and other animals like that
get is called "furious rabies".
 
Since 1954 there have been fewer than 20 rabies infected ferrets,
documented by the CDC.  From 1989 - 1994 there were 4 cases of ferrets
with rabies, at the same time there were *15* cases of human rabies..  I
think the ferrets win here.  By the way, in that time frame there were,
infected with rabies:
 
928 - dogs
1,425 - cats
21,447 raccoons
10,733 skunks
[Posted in FML issue 3964]