Symptoms and Stages of Rabies in a Raccoon

Rabies is a brutal disease that slowly erodes the instincts and intelligence of the animal it infects. It can affect humans as well as their pets, though it is most commonly seen in the wild among animals like skunks and raccoons. Early on, there are few symptoms, but as the disease advances the animal's behavior is noticeably altered.

  1. Early Stages

    • In the early stages of rabies, the raccoon's behavior may not be altered at all. Short of a blood or saliva test, you will be unable to distinguish a rabid raccoon from his healthy peers. Although the raccoon is less likely to attack or engage in erratic behavior, the symptomless nature of this stage makes it insidiously dangerous. Even though you can't tell it has rabies, the raccoon is still capable of infecting other animals.

    Stupor

    • Once the disease has advanced, rabies can lead raccoons to behave in one of two extremes. The first of these extremes is a stupor. The raccoon becomes seemingly depressed, unwilling to move or interact with its environment. It loses its fear of humans and other animals, though if provoked it may still attack. Although raccoons are nocturnal, it may remain outside during the daytime.

    Aggression

    • Alternatively, the raccoon may become highly aggressive. Although raccoons will generally protect themselves and their young, they are not by nature aggressive towards larger animals such as dogs and humans. When rabid, they may attack anything that catches their notice. As with the raccoons suffering from a rabid stupor, they might also wander outside during the daytime.

    Stiff, Unnatural Movement

    • In its final stages, the raccoon moves with an unnatural gait, like a marionette controlled by an unskilled puppeteer. Its facial expressions also become irregular and spastic, though people unfamiliar with raccoons may be unable to distinguish rabid facial expressions from natural ones.