Rabies is a virus that attacks nerves and brain tissue of most animals. When an animal is sick with rabies, the virus is shed in the saliva. It is then spread to other animals or people when the virus-laden saliva get into a wound or mucous membrane. This is usually through a bite. Most rabies is found in wildlife, such as skunks, bats and raccoons.
Pets get rabies from wildlife.
Dogs and cats pose the greatest risk in spreading the disease from wildlife to people. Birds and reptiles do not carry rabies. There is still no cure for rabies once symptoms develop, but the disease can be stopped in people if a series of rabies immunizations are given soon after exposure to the virus. Untreated, rabies is almost always fatal in both man and animals. It is important to remember that most animals are not rabid.