Common Traits of a Rabid Raccoon

Do you see raccoons on or around your property regularly? Have you been concerned about the potential risk for contracting Rabies through a raccoon bite or scratch? Continue reading to learn what a an actively rabid raccoon looks like, as well as some pertinent facts about raccoons and the Rabies Virus.

Raccoon Removal Indianapolis Indiana 317-535-4605
Raccoon Removal Indianapolis Indiana 317-535-4605

Raccoons are a Rabies Vector Species (RVS)

Raccoons are stunning in appearance and have been known to make fun lovable pets; but there is another side to raccoons we must all be aware of. Unfortunately, raccoons are classified as a Rabies Vector Species (RVS) in most states, which means they are a species of wildlife capable of carrying and transmitting the Rabies Virus to humans and other animals. Although all mammals can become infected with rabies, raccoons are more at risk because their bodies can act as reservoirs for the virus.

If a human or animal is bitten by a raccoon, whether it’s rabid or not, they must call animal control and immediately seek medical attention. Always behave as if a wild animal is carrying a disease if ever attacked or bitten. If a person or another pet is bitten by a dog that has not had a rabies vaccination, always behave as if the dog is carrying the virus and seek immediate medical care, just in case.

How to Tell if a Raccoon is Rabid

Even though you should always take action as if a wild animal is rabid, it is good knowledge to know what one looks like. A healthy raccoon should be out at night, or dusk. Also, they should appear healthy, walk straight, and seem as though they have an agenda. A healthy raccoon should exhibit all characteristics that a mammal in good condition would. Now, as for a rabid raccoon, the signs are not so pretty.

Here are the signs that a raccoon is infected with the rabies virus:

The raccoon cannot walk straight or has trouble walking. They might even appear to be intoxicated or confused and might also be walking in circles.

The raccoon appears confused, disoriented, or reacting slow. The raccoon is making strange sounds and noises. A little chit chatter with other coons is normal, but strange noises while out and about is not.

The raccoon is foaming at the mouth or has an abnormal amount of saliva. The raccoon may look like its drooling excessively. But no one should ever be close enough to a raccoon to see the foam in their mouths!

The raccoon looks ill, weak, or dying. The raccoon is out during the daytime hours. Although a healthy raccoon can do this from time to time, if a raccoon is demonstrating any of the above signs in addition to being out during the day, it may be rabid.

Are you dealing with repeat raccoon intrusions and property tampering in Indy? Contact Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis raccoon control services you can trust.

Related Posts:

What Happens When a Raccoon Has Rabies?
Sick Raccoons: If it’s Not Rabies, it’s Probably Distemper
Why Do I See Raccoons Out at Daytime?

Indiana Raccoon Removal and Contro
Indiana Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

What Happens When a Raccoon Has Rabies?

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605


Fortunately, the number of human fatalities that occur from rabies has drastically reduced over the past 10 years. This is primarily a result of increased pet vaccinations, effective after-exposure treatments, and Rabies-awareness. The good news is that fewer people and pets are involved in rabid animal confrontation because wide-spread education and mindfulness has made an impact on society. The bad news is that, although humans have found a way to steer clear of the Rabies virus, wild animals such as raccoons are not so lucky.

Many animals, especially raccoons, are common carriers of the virus. This does not mean they are infected, it just means they carry the virus in them. Raccoon that are in fact infected with Rabies show tell-tale signs that should come as a warning to all others, pets and people.

Continue reading to learn how to identify a Rabies-infected raccoon, or other wild animal, and who to call if you ever spot one on or around your property.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Rabies and Raccoons

When a raccoon has rabies, there are several signs that give it away. It is very sad to see a wild animal with Rabies because it is an incurable and unkind disease. It is a very sad and frightening sight to see, but if you do see it, stay far away. Never attempt to touch, hold, or trap a wild raccoon. Not only are there state laws that prohibit it, you can put your life and health in grave danger.

Here are possible signs of a rabid raccoon:

Awake During the Day
Excessive Drooling
Reduced Inhibitions with People
Swaying, Shaking, or Convulsing
Circling or Wobble-Like Walking
Aggressive or Agitated Behavior
Odd Behavior
Partial Paralysis
Self-Mutilation
Disorientation

It is important to know that the above signs can also be indications of other communicable diseases; such as distemper or lead poisoning. Exclusive signs of rabies do not exist, making it difficult to diagnose from afar most of the time.

What To Do About Raccoon Activity

If you think you have rabid raccoons on your property, take immediate action and contact a local Wildlife Rescue and Control service. They retain the proper equipment, resources, and industry-training to safely and humanely remove raccoons and relocate them to a faraway habitat. Be sure that the Indianapolis raccoon removal and control company of your choice actually uses safe and humane methods to extract raccoons and prevent their return. Also be sure they are licensed and permitted to facilitate raccoon control services.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Raccoon Removal and Control 317-535-4605

Call 317-535-4605 for 24 hour raccoon removal in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists that offer a wide range of safe, non-lethal raccoon removal services and attic restorations. Request a free estimate, today.

Are Raccoons Dangerous?

Depending on the situation, raccoons can be dangerous even though they rarely pose a risk to humans. If you ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one human in the United States has ever died from a raccoon and that raccoon had rabies. Rabies can be found in any warm blooded animal; however, in the United States, the most common carriers of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.

How to Tell if a Raccoon is Rabid?

Most importantly, please be safe and not be sorry. The information giving is not a full proof plan that guarantees that the animal does or does not have rabies. These are only suggestions on what to look for. The only way to tell, with 100% accuracy, is to get the animal tested by a professional.

Here are 6 Signs an Animal May have Rabies:

1) Walking uncontrollably, or looking funny while walking; such as staggering around, etc.
2) Oblivious to their surroundings and ignoring activities normal raccoons would be aware of; such as a car coming, etc.
3) Discharge or foaming of the mouth
4) Hair around the face is wet or looks like it has been wet in the past
5) May make crazy noises that make high pitch sounds
6) Hurting itself by picking or biting itself

If you see a raccoon or any other type of animal that may have these signs of rabies, please call the Raccoon Removal Specialist in Indianapolis at 317-535-4605 right away.

Rabies is not the only thing that may be dangerous. Raccoons are known to carry infectious diseases that humans are susceptible to. A disease such as Baylisacaris, also known and roundworm, can be found in raccoon poop (feces). This disease not only has the potential to infect humans, they also can infect pets such as dogs and cats. Be sure to keep raccoons out of your house, attic, and crawl spaces. Once they get into your house, these guys or gals are not potty trained. They can destroy the inside of your home within a matter of hours. Another disease known to be carried by raccoons is called Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be carried through the urine of a raccoon. So if a human or pet were to come in contact with a raccoons urine, he or she may be contaminated. So please avoid touching the urine of a raccoon or any other type of wild animal.

If you suspect a raccoon has entered your house or attic, please contact a wildlife animal removal company as soon as possible. Please be weary of, not only the inside of your house, but also the outside. If you are aware of an area around your home that you suspect raccoons of using the bathroom, you may want to give us a call to help. We not only remove raccoons from the house, we are also experienced at keeping raccoons away from your whole property; not just your home.

The last thing to be worried about when seeing a raccoon is that fact that it may bite. This type of aggression toward other animals and especially humans is highly unusual. Usually when a raccoon bites a human or pet, they feel threatened or their young are nearby. If you don’t corner the raccoon and you leave it alone, the majority of times it will leave you alone as well. However, as mentioned before, if you see uncharacteristic behavior, please be weary of some of the dangers mentioned above. Or to be safe, don’t wait tell you see signs, call an animal removal company to relocate the raccoon as soon as possible.