chinchilla rabies vaccines necessary?

[CommonYak]

I recently came across a document that indicates that a chinchilla was found to have rabies between 1992 and 2002 in Massachusets, US. This is somewhat surprising to me. How common is this? Should chinchillas be vaccinated for rabies?

Document can be googled and found at www.mass.gov, titled 1992_2002rabies_summary.doc

 

[Becky]

No. Chinchillas do not need any vaccinations or shots of any kind.

 

[nicky]

No chins don't receive vaccines. I guess any animal could be infected with rabies if exposed, but chins shouldn't really be exposed to those sources to contract the disease.They shouldn't be outside or placed directly with other animals to be able to contract it. I'd say it's probably pretty rare.

 

[Terbear24]

I say no only because the chance of a chinchilla getting rabies is very slim to none so I think i would worry about it!

 

[equus_peduus]

I have no idea how a chinchilla would have gotten infected by rabies and come to be tested.

I say no not because the risk is minimal, but because there is no legal vaccine for chinchillas, so even if it was vaccinated, if for some reason, it was suspected rabid, it would need to be euthanized and tested anyway.

 

[VAChins]

I would think it would be next to impossible to even find a chinchilla with rabies

 

[kogia]

Yes, I would be really surprised to see a chinchilla with rabies. Unless there is a probability of your chinchilla becoming in contact with a rabid animal like bats or raccons (or God forbid your own dog or cat)- I'd say you're safe. Your dog or cat, however, need vaccinations.