If you think you or your pet have been exposed to an animal you suspect is rabid, the wound should be washed out with soap and warm water immediately. Then contact your local verternarian or medical doctor. Children should be taught never to handle wildlife or stray animals. If you suspect an animal, domestic or wildlife, is rabid stay away fromit and contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency office. The time between exposure to the virus and the animal showing clinical signs of the virus can be anywhere from two weeks to six months.
Animals are able to transmit the disease a few days before the signs of rabies are visible.
If an animal that has not been vaccinated sufficiently for rabies has been in contact with a rabid animal they could be put in quarintine for as long as six months. If the CFIA is convinced an animal has rabies it must be destroyed. There is no live test for rabies available. The brain of the animal must be sent away for evaluation. Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Gervin of the Boissevain Animal Clinic feels most pet owners in the area are aware of the dangers of rabies.