As of October 1, 1996 the State of Maryland put into effect the rabies law, which considers ferrets in the State of Maryland domesticated. The ferret will be treat just like cat, dogs, etc. The following is a draft of the Interim Procedure fro the Managemetn of Bitting Ferrets. Class I: Investigation indicates that there is no probable risk of a previous exposure to rabies of a biting ferret, wheter vaccinated or unvaccinated. 1. The animal should be place under a routine 30 day quarantine/observation period. 2. The ferret should not be exposed to the public outside of the owner's premises. Class II. Investigation indicates that the hisory of exposure, cicumstances of episode and current health status of the ferret meets all conditions of a Class II Bite Episode. The ferret may be placed under 30 day quarantine/observation period** as follows: * The ferret is confined in a cage or its enclosed room within the owner's premises. * Only the owner has contact with the animal; and * Any change of the behavior or physical health of the ferret is immediately reported to the local health department. Condition 1: The ferret is APPARENTLY HEALTHY and Investagation indicates: a. No behavioral change in the past 30 days. b. No changes in health in the past 30 days, such as lethargy, lameness, weakness, slowness of movement or gait, paresis, paralysis or loss of appetite. c. Behavioral and health changes identified by veterinary examination prior to the bite are unrelated signs with rabies; AND Condition 2. The BITE WAS PROVOKED by the actions of a human. a. Ferret was being playes with, petted, handled, held, or attempt made to touch it. b. An atempt was made to redirect the ferret's actions; AND Conditon III: The attending physicians and the bite victim have determined to administer postexposure rabies treatment. The ferret is to be placed under a 30 day quarantine period** as follows : * The ferret is caged or condined to its enclosed room within the owner's premises; * Only the owner has contact with the animal: and * Any changes in the behavior or physical health of the ferret is immediately reported the the local health department. Class IV: Investatigation indicates thte bite episode does not meet the criteria of I of II or III. The biting animal may be humanely killed and tested for rabies by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygenie Laboratory. * These " Interim Procedures" are guide to ferret bite investigation only until revisions of the rabies regulation are complete. They are not intended to supersede applicable sections of COMAR 10.06.02 including but not limited to .04A, 04C(2), 06A, and 06B(5). **Veterinary examination and health status report of a biting ferret may be required as a local health department policy. The veterinary examination schedule selected may be one of a t least 6 possible schedules: 1.) Days 0 and 10: 2.) Day 0; 3.) Day 10; 4.)Days 0, 10 and 30; 5.) Days 0 and 30. When required, the veterinary examination should be made as soon as possible following the bite but it is recognized that it might not occur on day 0. If you have any further question. please contact Diane Rogers at 1-410-448-1281. [Posted in FML issue 1730]