Do Reptiles Get Rabies?
Rabies is an important viral illness which affects both humans and animals. It is generally regarded as a disease which impacts only mammals, such as cats, dogs, and foxes. But, can reptiles also get it?
What is Rabies?
Rabies is an extremely infectious and fatal virus that is present in the saliva of infected animals and humans. It is usually spread through the bite of an infected animal. It can cause symptoms such as fever, seizures, confusion, and paralysis. If untreated, it can be fatal.
Can Reptiles Get Rabies?
The answer is generally no, reptiles cannot contract rabies. It is not known to have been documented in any species of reptile. This means that the risk of contracting rabies from a reptile is low.
Do I Need To Vaccinate My Pet Reptiles?
As reptiles cannot get rabies, it is not necessary for pet owners to vaccinate their reptiles against rabies. However, reptiles can still transmit other illnesses, including salmonella, to humans. Therefore, it is important to practice good hygiene when handling them, such as washing your hands after handling them.
Other Measures to Take
It is also important to remember that although reptiles cannot get rabies, they may still come into contact with other rabies-carrying animals. This can happen if your reptile is kept outdoors or if it is brought home from a pet store. Therefore, it is important to take steps to protect your pet and yourself from rabies, such as avoiding contact with wild animals and keeping your pet indoors.
Conclusion
To summarize, reptiles cannot contract rabies, so there is no need to vaccinate them against it. It is, however, important to take other measures to protect both you and your pet reptile from rabies, such as avoiding contact with wild animals and keeping your pet indoors.
