Sick Raccoons: If it’s Not Rabies, it’s Probably Distemper

Since raccoons are nocturnal, spotting one out during the day might instantly lead you to believe that it is sick with the Rabies virus. But more often than not, what may initially appear as Rabies is actually another type of viral disease called Canine Distemper. Continue reading to learn how to identify signs of Distemper in raccoons, and what you should do if you ever come across a sick raccoon during the daytime.

Raccoon Distemper

Raccoon Distemper is a highly infectious viral disease that is similar to the measles virus. It’s commonly found in wild raccoons and other nuisance wildlife as well. If you own a cat or dog, then you may be familiar with the Canine Distemper vaccine. This is a common vaccination given to pets every year to boost their immunity to the Distemper virus in case they ever come in contact with it some way or another.

It is spread just like a common cold, by airborne droplets of bodily fluid or discharges (i.e. sneeze, cough, spit, mucus, saliva, blood, feces, etc.). This virus can cause partial paralysis, violent seizures, fevers, vomiting, and more, and can affect both humans and pets. Without vaccinations, pets are unlikely to survive the virus, whereas, humans can be treated and cured. It is strongly suggested to have your pets vaccinated against Rabies, Distemper, Lyme, Leptospirosis, and more. Consider your veterinarian’s advice in terms of annual pet vaccines.

Distemper in Raccoons

If you spot a raccoon out during the day, alone and behaving oddly, then it is very likely that it is sick. Many symptoms of sickness fall into several of the same categories, so what sometimes seems like one illness is actually another. But in terms of Distemper, a raccoon that has been infected with the virus may display the following signs:

• Wet Eyes
• Runny Nose
• Lethargy/Fatigue
• Aggression
• Lack of Ability to Stand or Walk
• Loss of Appetite
• Inactivity
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• And More

Spotting a Raccoon Nearby

If you happen to come across a raccoon during the day, whether they appear to exhibit signs of sickness or not, always keep your distance and never taunt them. Just because a raccoon is out during the day does not always mean there is something wrong with their health; they may just be lost from their mother, or foraging for food a bit early.

So regardless if a raccoon is sick or not, never attempt to approach or touch a wild raccoon. Instead, turn around and go the other way, or simply wait for the raccoon to wander off. If the raccoon appears sick and is on public property, there is no way to tell if it will move from that spot or not. In this case, as a Good Samaritan, it is polite to notify a raccoon removal company to pick up the sick raccoon so that it cannot indirectly harm another person, child, or pet.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife control contractors with decades of experience providing safe and humane raccoon exclusion services for residential and commercial properties. We offer raccoon removal, raccoon cleanup, minor attic restorations for raccoon damages, raccoon proofing, and much more. Call 317-535-4605 today for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can trust!

How to Protect Your Property From Nuisance Raccoons

Raccoons are a widely prevalent species of mammal in regions with ample forestry and woodlands, as well as, city urban areas, suburbia, and more. They are very intelligent creatures, with the keen capacity to remember, learn, implement, and survive at all costs. This is why they have become a nuisance pest problem for many home and property owners. Smart raccoons learn and remember places with good food and shelter resources, and also learn and implement how to access these areas. For this, and more, raccoons are more and more a problem for home and property owners. They gain entry into attics through loose roof shingles, broken windows, cracks, crevices, and gaps in siding. They use their nimble and dexterous paws to pry open doors and locks, and make their way into crawl spaces, walls, attics, porches, sheds, garages, and more.

Raccoons cause structural damages to a home and surrounding property, leading to costly repairs and renovations. They use attic insulation to build nests where they breed their young. Breeding leftovers, eating leftovers, and droppings leave behind a mess that will shock you. The odor is strong and distinct, and can linger into the living quarters of a home. Drywall is soiled and wet, which means it is probably also moldy. All of this is also dangerous to our respiratory health.

Airborne spores from infected raccoon droppings, for example, can cause illnesses in humans within the home. Many more health consequences can occur from a raccoon infestation as well; such as rabies virus, Histoplasmosis, allergies, and more. Structural damages and health threats are not the only mischievousness raccoons are capable of. They can also steal food straight from our cabinets, shelves, and even pantries! Leaving behind nothing but ripped open cereal boxes and empty cartons of juice all over the floor and countertops!

Raccoon Removal and Control

So how do people prevent raccoons from trespassing onto their properties? Is this feat even possible? How can I protect my home from wild raccoons? These are common and apposite questions that most certainly come with an answer that makes sense to everyone! Here are some expert tips for protecting your property and home from nuisance wildlife, and who to call for trusted service and professional advice:

• Do Not Leave Pet Food or Pet Dishes Outside
• Install Automatic Sprinklers or Outdoor Lighting
• Take Garbage to the Curb on the Morning of Trash Day
• Remove Squirrel and Bird Feeders
• Implement Needed Interior and Exterior Renovations (i.e. sealing, insulation, siding repair, roof replacement, etc.)
• Install Door and Window Locks
• Purchase an Outdoor Sound Machine
• Hire a Licensed Raccoon Control Contractor to Inspect and Raccoon-Proof Your Home

These messy mammals have become a nuisance in many populated regions of the country; however, raccoons are wonderful creatures that deserve a right to live and thrive. No one should ever trap, harm, or kill a raccoon unless they have proper licensing to do so. If you find a raccoon colony in your home, or an injured raccoon in your yard, contact an Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control contractor right away for prompt, safe, and humane service.

Indiana Raccoon Removal

Call 317-535-4605 for licensed raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Indiana Raccoon Removal, our highly trained and DNR licensed animal control contractors retain the latest technologies and advanced equipment to safely and humanely extract raccoons from residential and commercial settings. We also provide a wide range of additional raccoon removal services, such as raccoon cleanup, minor restorations and repair, raccoon-proofing, inspections, free estimates, and more. Call 317-535-4605 for prompt, humane, and professional raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN.

What Does Raccoon Removal Service Include?

When raccoons become a threat to your property, it is time to contact a licensed raccoon removal company. They are the only solutions for prompt, safe, and humane raccoon control. These companies are owned or employ state licensed and industry-trained professionals with extensive experience removing raccoons. They retain the latest technologies and proper equipment to safely and humanely extract raccoons and provide related services. If a company does not practice these methods and retain these qualities, continue looking for a reputable company.

There are several services offered by these companies. The services are usually ale carte, and priced separately. Depending on the extent of damage, infestation, and degree of difficulty, the price for an Indianapolis Raccoon Removal Company’s’ services will fluctuate. Common raccoon removal services offered for residential or commercial properties include:

Raccoon Removal

When raccoons are inside a home or building, a licensed contractor that specializes in removing raccoons can extract them, quickly. They should, and usually do, only use safe and humane methods to capture and release raccoons to a faraway habitat. They are specially licensed by the state to provide animal removal services such as these; it is illegal for anyone else to attempt these kinds of jobs. Removing raccoons from attics, crawl spaces, garages, porches, sheds, pool decks, and more all require comprehensive strategies and extensive training.

Raccoon Control

When raccoons are not inside your home of office, but outside causing problems instead, you need raccoon control. This is another service offered through professional raccoon removal services. This includes thwarting raccoons from loitering, visiting, damaging the exterior, damaging the landscaping, and more. It is highly recommended to opt for raccoon prevention services if you need raccoon control or removal. Professionals can implement certain strategies that keep raccoons from returning to your property.

Raccoon Damages

When raccoons damage the exterior or interior of a home, some raccoon control companies can provde solutions. They are proficient and capable of providing minor attic and crawl space restorations for damages caused by wild raccoons. These services include attic insulation replacement, urine and feces removal, sanitizing, patch work, hole repair, and more.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Call Indiana Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for professional raccoon control services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal contractors with more than two decades of experience removing nuisance raccoons. We offer a wide range of services; from raccoon removal and control, to raccoon cleanup, prevention, and more. Call 317-535-4605 for fast and reputable raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, IN and its nearby locations.