The recent reports of raccoons suffering with rabies has
    prompted the advice from health officials within my town that no
    food sources be left for animals.  This advice along with my
    concern for the welfare of our dogs and cat prompted me to do a
    computer search for files having anything on the subject.  Here's
    the information and source:
    
    "Copyright 1989
    Quincy, FL 32351                   Carolee Boyles-Sprenkel
    (904) 627-2254                     Second Serial Rights"
    
    
    Rabies
    
         Despite modern vaccinations, rabies is still a potential
    threat.  Unlike most of the other diseases you can acquire in the
    woods, rabies has no treatment - if you get it, you die.  It's
    that simple.
    
         "Any warm-blooded animal can get rabies," says Wilder.  "But
    certain animals seem to play a more important role as a
    reservoir.  The main ones throughout most of the country are
    insectivorous bats, skunks, foxes, and of course raccoons."  Even
    deer and antelope can become infected if a rabid animal bites
    them.
    
         You're only at a slight risk to pick up rabies if you dress
    an infected deer or other ungulate without gloves on.
    Theoretically, though, it's possible for you to get it,
    especially if you skin out the head and get saliva on your hands.
    
         Direct contact is not the only way you can acquire rabies. 
    In rare cases, spelunkers have become infected from inhaling the
    virus in bat caves.
    
         If you're bitten by a rabid animal, the first symptom of the
    disease is what Wilder terms "an unusual sensation" at the site
    of the bite.  "It's an increased sensitivity, a feeling of
    prickliness, just an odd sensation arising from the healing
    wound."  A fever and stiffening of the neck follow.  Then you'll
    have convulsions.  You'll salivate because you're unable to
    swallow.  Death will follow in days or weeks.
    
         A post-exposure vaccine for people has been available for
    many years.  Recently, scientists have developed a pre-exposure
    vaccine.  Wilder says whether or not you need to get vaccinated
    depends on what you're hunting.  Most people don't need to worry
    about it.  But if you're a woodchuck or raccoon hunter, he
    recommends it.  At a cost of about $100, it's cheap insurance.
    
         Wilder also stresses that hunters need to have their dogs
    vaccinated against the disease.  Some raccoon hunters in
    particular fear the inoculation will affect the dogs' ability to
    hunt, and so don't have them vaccinated.
    
         Don't do the vaccination yourself.  In Florida and perhaps a
    few other state, rabies vaccine is available over the counter at
    feed stores.  "We've been most fortunate that no identified cases
    of rabies have occurred from this practice," Wilder says."
    
    End of text excerpt.
    
         In addition to the above, I have heard from a source that I
    consider to be reliable that rabid animals are a risk for attack
    and that if you are physically exposed by bite or other contact;
    1) get in touch with your health department and animal control
    people, 2) get a gammagloben (however it is spelled) shot and
    then a rabies shot.  The incubation period is about 7 to 10 days
    and hence getting the shots is of immediate importance.
    
         If the rabies develops and gets to you before the shots can
    work then best get religion.
    
         Also be sure to keep your animals up to date with their
    shots and keep garbage and other food away from places that the
    animals can look for it.  Be sure that your home is protected by
    capping your chimneys and closing all cat or dog doors or other
    entrances that a raccoon could get in.
    
         It is so very sad that these creatures have become infected
    of late and of course they are no longer cute little friends but
    now a potential danger to your health and that of your family and
    animals.  I cannot understand the cruelty of nature to visit such
    a horrid thing upon it's own, but that is not the question in the
    end.
    
         Finally I would encourage folks to check out the information
    with competent authorities to ensure a proper understanding and
    correction of any information that may be inaccurate above.