Conditions Of Rabies And Animals Known To Pass On Rabies

8. Dogs

Now on the endangered species list, the African wild dog population experienced a notable outbreak among packs of breeding dogs in Tanzania in December 2000. Of the fifty-two animals, forty-nine succumbed to the disease. The risk of domestic dogs contracting the disease is higher the more they are exposed to wild animals. Infected dogs usually become aggressive and irritated and may have a locked jaw, foaming at the mouth, and a disoriented appearance.

7. Woodchucks

Woodchucks are the only rodents, which when suspected as rabid, can be submitted to health departments in the United States. For other small animals, like gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and chipmunks, which are rarely infected with the disease, notification can be made to officials who will decide if post-exposure prophylaxis should be considered. The prevalence of rabies in woodchucks was notable from 1985 to 1994, when, of 368 incidences reported, eighty-six percent were attributed to woodchucks.