Can he have rabies?!

[Sabz]

The meat bird I save from an attack, can I eat it?!

It was attack by I don't know what. We think weasel. The bird had lots of blood to the head and chest.

He is OK now, 2 weeks after. Very, very nice bird. I like him a lot but not sure I want a rooster again.

But also not sure I can eat it! I doubt I can tell if he has rabies, right? There could be an incubation period, or no symptoms..

What would you do?

 

[cavemanrich]

READ UP A LITTLE MORE ON THE INCUBATION TIME FOR THE RABIES INFECTION. Most likely if he lives beyond that period, he does not have rabies. I personally would let him live and not eat him...... He already went thru trauma once ....

 

[Toddrick]

Birds can't get rabies, they aren't mammals.

 

[cavemanrich]

Birds can't get rabies, they aren't mammals.

You are right... I was just thinking about bats, BIRD and MAMMAL.

 

[Sabz]

Heum... ok but they are still warmed-blooded. Are you sure rabies is only for mammals? Wikipedia:

"Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals"


All warm-blooded species, including humans, may become infected with the rabies virus and develop symptoms. Birds were first artificially infected with rabies in 1884; however, infected birds are largely if not wholly asymptomatic, and recover.[22] Other bird species have been known to develop rabies antibodies, a sign of infection, after feeding on rabies-infected mammals.[23][24]
The virus has also been adapted to grow in cells of poikilothermic ("cold-blooded") vertebrates.[25][26] Most animals can be infected by the virus and can transmit the disease to humans. Infected bats,[27][28] monkeys, raccoons, foxes, skunks, cattle, wolves, coyotes, dogs, mongooses (normally yellow mongoose)[29] and cats present the greatest risk to humans.
Rabies may also spread through exposure to infected domestic farm animals, groundhogs, weasels, bears, and other wild carnivorans. Small rodents, such as squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, rats, and mice, and lagomorphs such as rabbits and hares, are almost never found to be infected with rabies and are not known to transmit rabies to humans.[30] The Virginia opossum is resistant but not immune to rabies.[31]"

 

[Sabz]

I would correct your post above.. it could actually kill someone..

Maybe don't answer a post that relates to life or death if you are unsure? hahah

 

[Toddrick]

I would correct your post above.. it could actually kill someone..

Maybe don't answer a post that relates to life or death if you are unsure? hahah

Do you trust the CDC?

http://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/animals.html#anchor1

Birds, snakes, and fish are not mammals, so they can´t get rabies and they can´t give it to you.

 

[Sabz]

Hum I don't know anymore

Seems like know one ever lived this?

I trusted wikipedia at first. No.. I trusted my knowledge first and as an assistant vet I thought all warm blooded animals could get it.
Now I don't.

This is strange. Not sure if I trust the Center for disease and prevention more or what. I suppose not many people are bitten by rabies-positive birds so it doesn't get reported often. And I suppose most victims of attacks die?

So you trust the CDC and you would eat the meat bird? I honestly never questioned this before this week. I feel like the CDC's website is more toward kids versus adults who eat their own chicken.

Well.. I'll let him "incubate" for a few weeks and we'll see I suppose

 

[Sabz]

By the way, thanks. This opened my mind to something.

I had no idea about rabies versus birds. It seems on other BYC post it was also not 100% clear. Even Wiki is wrong? This'll teach me to read on wiki!!!!

 

[Sabz]

Strange, this post is 50-50.

I really wonder now!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/157906/can-chickens-catch-rabies