From:    "marie i. schatz" <[log in to unmask]>
>and BTW did you know there is a vaccination for rabies?  My vet has been
>vaccinated.
 
Mary,
 
It is true that humans can be innoculated against the rabies virus.  To my
understanding, it is the same as the shot given to those bitten by potential
rabid animals.
 
And what many people don't know, (I sure didn't) is that once you are
inoculated, you are protected for life.  Should a vaccinated person be
exposed to rabies again, he/she would simply need a booster shot.
 
>From:    Tony Mastropolo <[log in to unmask]>
>isn't it safe to assume that ferrets have already undergone the same studies
>that cats and dogs did in order to establish their shedding period?  If this
>is true, then the shedding period should be defined for ferrets, just as it
>has been defined for cats and dogs.
 
Tony,
 
That's a logical assumption.  Unfortunately, it's incorrect.  Dogs and cats
were not subjected to scientific studies of the calibur that ferrets
currently are and the quarantine periods were more subjectively set.
 
This is one reason we have been so angry with the state of Florida.  The
state is requiring all these studies be done on the ferret when dogs and
cats were *never* subjected to this level of scrutiny.  And even though the
chances of contracting rabies from a dog or cat is greater than ferrets,
public officials refuse to vary from the recommendations of the Compendium.
 
>Has the CDC published the results of the skunk and raccoon studies??  If
>not, is it possible to obtain a draft or interim copy of the report??
 
This information has been available for a long time from a number of
sources.  (See the rabies infobank on LIFE's web page for one example...)
 
Happy ferreting!
 
Susie
Member of Brevard Ferret Lovers Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 1935]