Urgent! Sick Raccoon?

[Keekers]

Okay.

Yesterday around maybe 11pm, three boys found a raccoon that looked like it was disoriented on the side of the road. Thankfully they actually cared about this little critter and wanted to take him to the park, so he wouldn't get hit. Instead, me and my dad lured the raccoon into a dog crate and released him in the back of a forest in my backyard. Animal control wouldn't do anything, and my dad said he doesn't want to pay $100 just to get critter control to put him down, because he's going to die soon anyway.

So the next day passes, and we can see the raccoon from our house. He was sitting outside the dog crate with his head on the ground, but still standing up. Then it looked like he had a seizure because he fell over and shook really fast, and after was trying to get up gripping the ground. He wasn't getting back up so we thought he finally passed.

Here's the depressing part. He still is on his side, on the ground in my backyard, and is breathing. He is probably starving to death or suffering from whatever disease he has. I just want him to be out of his misery, i feel so guilty because i can't do anything. I think he has rabies, because he has the following symptoms:

• Unusual friendliness (When we first saw the raccoon it was letting one of the boys pet it.)
• Stumbled, fell, disoriented
• Usually they are active during the night. We found him during 11pm, but he hasnt moved in the morning.
• Unprovoked Aggression? When he got out of the cage last night when we were letting him go in the forest, he got all aggressive and arched his back up.

Now my Dad says if he's still alive tomorrow he'll call critter control. Sad, isn't it?

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

You need to call Animal Control immediately if you think this raccoon has rabies. For the safety of your family and any animals that might wonder up to him. My state has a 311 system for non-emergencies, you could also call 911 or the non-emergency number for your local police. You should not be charged for Animal Control to come out, you pay for it with your tax dollars. (if you are in the USA). If you tell them you think the raccoon is rabid they should be there on the double. Rabies is not to be taken lightly.

Have you seen your doctor? If you or your children have touched the raccoon you may need to get vaccinated for rabies, if the raccoon does indeed have rabies (it could have any number of issues really). If you can get animal control there they will be able to test it and you may be able to avoid the vaccination. You really need to speak to your doctor first though. Rabies has no cure. It is transmittable to all mammals and it has a 100% mortality rate.

I'm not trying to be scary, just factual. It's a very serious disease. Please try calling animal control again and telling them that you think the raccoon is rabid. Tell them children have been touching it, that should get their attention right away! The poor raccoon. Thank you for caring for the raccoon, even the wild animals need someone to look after them now and again.

 

[bpatters]

Ditto Inle_Rabbit. Animal Control in Houston will come quite promptly if a wild animal is acting like it might have rabies, especially if there are children in the neighborhood. Do call and see if they have an emergency team they can dispatch.

 

[Paula]

I wouldn't suspect rabies, based on what you've listed - because you're describing two separate and distinct phases of rabies that per your description are happening at the same time. Rather, I'd think it might be distemper - which can often be mistaken as rabies.

In either case, I agree with the others - animal control/critter control should be called. The animal is clearly suffering and should be humanely euthanized as soon as possible.

 

[Lyonmom]

I agree sounds like maybe distemper. Poor thing.

 

[Keekers]

It is distemper. We are calling someone to humanely euthanize him. Thank you so much for your support.

 

[Paula]

Good to hear. Thank you for looking out for him and taking care to see his suffering ends.

 

[Lyonmom]

Sad but you are a wonderful person for not just ignoring the poor little raccoon. At least he isn't suffering any more. The world need more people like you.