Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and sinal cord in both humans and other animals. Paralysis and almost certain death result once symptoms appear.
Symptoms develop in two to eight weeks after one is infected.
Rabies is, however, rarely seen in rodents such as mice, squirrels, chipmunks, guinea pigs, and hamsters, or in rabbits. The rabies virus is present in the saliva of infected animals. Contaminated saliva is introduced to a human or other animal through a bite or scratch by an infected animal. The most likely to be exposed to rabies are cats and dogs who are allowed to roam, farm animals, and humans who hunt, hike, and camp. By a wild animal.