Pasco Animal Control Seeing Increase In Sick, Injured Raccoons

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Pasco County Animal Control is warning residents to beware of sick or injured raccoons that may be carrying rabies or distemper.

Since Wednesday, Jan. 24, animal control has responded to six reports of sick raccoons. Four of the animals had to be euthanized but the other two escaped capture.

All of the raccoon reports came from highly populated areas on the west side of Pasco County.

Since November, Pasco animal control has seen a significant increase in sick or injured raccoons.

According to Melissa Watts, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, raccoons can carry and transmit both rabies and distemper.

Both humans and their pets are at risk, especially if the pets have not been vaccinated. Watts recommends that pet owners keep their pets up to date with both their rabies and distemper vaccines.

Additionally, residents should avoid contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm-blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.

Distemper can be found in both domestic and wild animals. It affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of dogs, raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes. The virus can be transmitted through the air as well as through shared food and water bowls.

Distemper is often fatal and dogs rarely survive. The symptoms of distemper are similar to the symptoms of rabies.

The Florida Department of Health offers the following recommendations to avoid exposure to rabies or distemper:

* Keep vaccinations up to date for all pets.

* If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.

* Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving pet food outside or garbage cans open.

* Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

* Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

* Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.

* If you are bitten by any animal, seek care promptly. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Go to your family doctor or hospital for medical attention immediately.

* To report animal bites or scratches, sick or injured animals and stray dogs or cats, contact Pasco County Animal Services at (727) 834-3216, (813) 929-1212 or (352) 521-5194.

* Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-863-648-3203 for concerns about wild animals.

For further information, contact the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County at (352) 521-1450 or visit the department's website.

Photo via Pixabay: Photographer Lolame