Rabies or Distemper

On December 16, 2015 I wrote about some local raccoons that tested positive for rabies. The total number in the area is 10. With any luck, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) plan of dropping raccoon food with rabies vaccination will continue to show no new cases.

Then came December 28, 2015 and the fears were renewed. A police officer in the downtown area of Toronto attempted to remove a strange acting raccoon form a busy city sidewalk. This officer was bite by the raccoon and still we have no word if the raccoon was rabid.

Now the MNR reports that there has been an outbreak of Distemper in Southwestern Ontario. Distemper is always deadly to the infected animal but not transmittable to humans.

A raccoon infected with rabies or distemper display many of the same signs, such as:

• Discharge from the eyes and nose
• Walking as though they are on hot stones and/ or falling over or circling
• Glowing green eyes
• Unkempt fur
• Seizures and foaming at the mouth
• Disoriented, lethargic and overall loss of aggression
• May approach people

If you believe the raccoon is infected do not approach the animal and call your local animal services. Please keep the Toronto police officer in your thoughts and remember safety first.  More information

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