There are many different diseases that raccoons can transmit to dogs. Some of these diseases are very serious and can even be fatal. It is important for dog owners to be aware of these illnesses and take steps to protect their furry friends from them. In this article, we will discuss the most common raccoon diseases that are transmitted to dogs, as well as the symptoms and treatment options for each one.
Diseases That Raccoons Can Transmit to Dogs
Rabies
Rabies is a common and deadly disease that is transmitted by raccoons. It is a virus that affects the brain and nervous system, and it can be fatal if left untreated.
This can be spread by the bite or by getting scratches from infected animals. Rabies can be also transferred through saliva, open wounds, scratches, and even though the nose, eyes, and mouth if the saliva gets into it from a wild animal with rabies.
Rabies symptoms include fever, irritability, aggression, seizures, and difficulty breathing. In the weeks following exposure, the first symptoms are usually flu, fever, headaches, and general weakness. Symptoms of exposure happen within days, and nerve damage gets worse causing agitation, disorientation, and seizures.
If a raccoon has rabies, it will be very aggressive and may attack people or other animals. It can take up to weeks to months for symptoms to appear after they have been bitten or scratched by an animal with rabies.
Dogs are frequently fatally afflicted with rabies, which has no cure. In any case, if you suspect that your dog has been bitten by a raccoon or another infected animal, you should take it to the vet immediately.
Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris infection)
Raccoon roundworm is a parasite that is transmitted to dogs when they ingest infected raccoon feces. The roundworm eggs are very resistant and can stay alive for many months outside of a host. They can be spread through soil, water, contact with infected dog feces (such as touching your mouth after playing with your dog outside in the dirt), and even ingestion of contaminated items.
Roundworm infection can cause a number of serious health problems in dogs, including blindness, liver damage, and death. Symptoms of roundworm infection include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, blindness, coma, loss of muscle control, tiredness, loss of coordination, liver enlargement, and even lack of attention to surroundings.
If you think that your dog may have been exposed to raccoon roundworms, take it to the vet for a check-up. Treatment typically involves medication to kill the roundworms.
Giardia
Giardia is one of the raccoon feces bacteria that your dog can be infected with. Giardia is also a zoonotic disease, which means that it can be transmitted from animals to humans. However, it is dogs that usually suffer the most serious health consequences from this infection.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration in dogs. It can also lead to intestinal inflammation and ulcers. In severe cases, giardiasis can be deadly.
The best way to protect your dog from giardia is to keep it away from areas where raccoons live and defecate. There is no specific treatment for giardia infection in dogs, but the vet will likely prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection. It is important to make sure that all of your dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date, as this will help protect them from other illnesses that raccoons may transmit.
Your dog can get giardia by ingesting raccoon feces or drinking contaminated water. Among the symptoms of giardia in pets are vomiting, losing weight, and feeling lethargic. It’s important to have your pet’s feces evaluated because many pets do not exhibit any symptoms of giardia.
Whenever you notice that your dog or pet is experiencing diarrhea that does not seem to go away, you should consult your veterinarian. It is possible that your pet has contracted giardia from raccoon feces.
Leptospirosis
Various animals, including raccoons, can transmit leptospirosis through their urine, which can cause influenza-like symptoms in humans and pets. Dogs that have ingested water contaminated with raccoon urine are particularly susceptible to this disease.
The symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, yellowing of the eyes, dark color of urine, lack of energy, muscle aches, and even diarrhea. When your pets show any sign of symptoms of leptospirosis, it is important to take it to the vet. This disease can be fatal if left untreated.
There is no specific cure for leptospirosis, but the vet may prescribe antibiotics to help your pet fight off the infection. It is important to keep your pet’s vaccinations current as this will help protect it from this disease.
Canine Distemper
Distemper virus infection is a common viral disease in raccoons. It is a deadly virus to any animal, especially to your dogs. It spreads when your dogs come into contact with infected water, soil, or the saliva of infected raccoons.
The canine distemper virus causes inflammation and irritation to the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. The signs and symptoms that your dog may have distemper are fever, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, disorientation, seizures, and eventually death.
If you think that your dog has been infected with a distemper, you should take it to the vet immediately. There is no cure for distemper, but some treatments are available to help manage the signs and symptoms of the disease.
It is important to keep your pet up-to-date on their vaccinations, as this will help protect them from many of the illnesses that raccoons carry.
Parvoviral enteritis
Parvoviral enteritis is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the gastrointestinal system of dogs. The virus is transmitted through contact with feces, saliva, or the blood of infected wildlife. This virus can survive in the environment for many months and is resistant to most disinfectants.
The signs and symptoms of parvoviral enteritis include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and dehydration. The disease can be deadly if left untreated.
There is no cure for parvoviral enteritis, but there are treatments available that can help manage the signs and symptoms of the disease. Dogs that are infected with this virus should be isolated from other dogs to prevent the disease’s spread.
Vaccination is the best way to protect your dog from this deadly virus. Puppies should receive their first vaccine at six weeks of age and then be boostered every two to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Adult dogs should also receive an annual booster vaccine to help keep them protected.
Infectious canine hepatitis
Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects the liver of dogs. As a result of this virus, the blood vessels, the kidneys, liver, spleen, and even the lungs are affected. Viral transmission can occur through contact with the urine, blood, feces, nasal discharge, or saliva of an infected animal.
Dogs suffering from this contagious disease often exhibit symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and dehydration. As well as, congestion of mucous membranes, mild fever, depressed mood, poor blood clotting, and even low levels of white blood cells.
Treatment for ICH is available, but there is no known cure. Dogs that are infected with this virus should be isolated from other dogs and monitored closely by a vet.
Adult dogs should receive an annual booster vaccine to help keep them protected against infectious canine hepatitis. Puppies should receive their first vaccine at six weeks of age and then be boostered every two to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. Visit the vet immediately when the sign and symptoms are seen.
Preventing transmission of raccoon diseases
Keeping your surroundings safe by keeping raccoons away is the best way to prevent your pet from getting any of these illnesses. Raccoons are wild animals and they carry different germs and viruses that can be harmful to pets, especially dogs. There are a few things you can do to help keep raccoons out of your yard:
- Install a fence around your property.
- Put up a raccoon proof garbage can.
- Clean your yard, especially when you love to grill outside your house.
- Keep your pets inside especially at night.
- Eliminate any food sources that may be attracting raccoons, such as pet food or bird feeders.
- If you see a raccoon in your yard, scare it away by making loud noises or throwing objects at it.
- Avoid having contact with raccoon or other wild animal feces.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with any animal feces.
- Avoid direct contact and drinking in stagnant ponds, puddles, and soil that has been affected by raccoon.
- Take a vaccine schedule for your pets regularly to protect your pets from viruses and bacterias.
- If you think your pet may have been infected, take it to the vet for a check-up.
By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your pet safe from illnesses transmitted by raccoons. If you have any concerns, please call your veterinarian.
Need help with raccoon removal?
Raccoons are very common pests in the United States and sometimes they can really cause a lot of problems. Not only do they pose significant threats to your pet’s health, but they can also damage your property and cause a lot of noise.
A raccoon disease is not something you want to deal with, so if you’re having a problem with the raccoon population on your property, it’s best to call in the experts. AAAC Wildlife Removal is a trusted name in raccoon removal and can help you get rid of these pests safely and effectively. We have years of experience dealing with raccoons and know how to handle them in a way that is safe for both you and your pet. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Originally published on https://aaacwildliferemoval.com/blog/raccoon/raccoon-diseases-transmitted-to-dogs/
