Introduction

• Uncommon, but of public health concern in the USA and other countries.
• The virus occurs worldwide except in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Hawaii, Japan and parts of Scandinavia.
• May be transmitted to ferrets from dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, polecats, other land mammals and bats.
• Ferrets housed outdoors may be at risk of exposure.
• Cause: rabies virus transmitted via saliva from a bite wound.
• Signs: posterior paresis/paralysis, paresthesia, anxiety, behavioural changes.
• Diagnosis: history and clinical signs.
• Treatment: vaccination.
• Prognosis: fair.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• The most common exposure is from a bite as the virus is primarily transmitted by saliva.
• It has been shown experimentally to have an incubation period of 28-33 days with death ensuing in 4-5 days in ferrets.

Predisposing factors

General

• Ferrets are only moderately susceptible to raccoon and skunk strains of rabies virus.

Pathophysiology

• Transmitted almost exclusively through bites of a rabid animal.
• Travels in the axons to the CNS, where it exerts its effects.

Timecourse

• Incubation may last from 20-90 days.
• Generally, about 4-5 weeks.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes