Rabies is a fatal virus that attacks the nervous system. It’s excreted through saliva and is most commonly spread through bites from an infected animal. In rare cases, it can also be contracted when infected saliva makes contact with an existing open wound. It’s most common in wild animals, like racoons, bats, skunks, coyotes, and foxes, and it can sometimes be found in feral cats or stray dogs. The prognosis for rabies is fatal once mammals show signs of the virus, as there’s no treatment once it’s contracted. Even scarier, the virus can stay dormant for months as it travels through the spine and brain.