Perhaps one of the Vets on the list can help me out here. I'm a people
doctor who specializes now in Sexually transmitted diseases. Most are viral
in nature and I have a pretty good understanding of viral transmission in
people in general. But as I understand Rabies (and I am not an expert),
transmission among domestic animals requires some sort of exposure by either
secretions or aerosolized droppings. In the absence of other animals, with
a ferret-proofed home (so nothing bigger than a ferret can get in either)
where is the risk of rabies? If I have bats in my attic, my risk for rabies
is as great as my ferrets. So why is vaccination routinely recommended?
[Posted in FML issue 2187]