Symptoms of Distemper & Rabies in Raccoons

Distemper and rabies are neurological diseases that affect raccoons and can be easily transmitted to canines. Both have a degenerative effect on the raccoon's behavior, slowly eroding its instincts and intelligence until it behaves in self-destructive and often violent ways. Ultimately, these diseases kill the raccoons, even if their increasingly erratic behavior doesn't do so first.

  1. Stupor

    • Rabies affects raccoons in two different ways. The first way is to slowly bring them into a stupor. They move less, become slower, and seem to grow depressed. Although they're nocturnal animals, they may remain outside during the daytime. They also lose their fear of humans and other animals, and although they aren't overtly aggressive, they may attack if provoked, spreading the disease. These unusual behaviors are the surest way to spot a rabid raccoon.

    Aggression

    • Alternatively, a rabid raccoon might become aggressive. Typically raccoons do not attack creatures larger than them, such as dogs and people, but a rabid raccoon may attack. These aggressive tendencies can be especially dangerous, as the raccoon's saliva will spread the disease. A bite to your dog could lead it to developing its own case of rabies. A raccoon exhibiting these symptoms is likely to have rabies, though it may also be acting aggressively to defend itself or its young.

    Distemper

    • In terms of behavioral changes, distemper affects raccoons in much the same way as rabies. They become easily disoriented and will often wander aimlessly. If provoked, they're quick to anger and will attack. In later stages, their fur will have thinned and their bodies become emaciated. When a raccoon appears both sickly and disoriented, there's a chance it has contracted distemper.