The rabies alert was issued in Fort Pierce, Florida after a raccoon tested positive for rabies following an unprovoked attack on two dogs. This means that if you live in the Southern Indian River County or Northern St. Lucie County areas, it is important to be aware of the risk of rabies and take precautions.
Make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations, and if your pet is bitten by another animal, contact a veterinarian immediately. Rabies can affect the nervous system and is spread through saliva; it can be prevented but not cured.
Urban Raccoons
Urban raccoons are raccoons that live in or around human-populated areas. They are distinguished from rural raccoons by their habits and morphology. Urban raccoons are more likely to be infected with rabies and other diseases, and they are also more likely to attack humans and pets.
Raccoons are common in urban areas because they adapt well to living near humans. They often live in parks, wooded areas, and abandoned buildings. They scavenge for food in garbage cans and dumpsters, and they also steal pet food left outside.
They are omnivorous animals and they eat a variety of things, including fruits, vegetables, insects, small mammals, and bird eggs. They also eat garbage and pet food. Raccoons are crepuscular animals, which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Raccoons can be dangerous animals. They can carry rabies and other diseases, and they can also be aggressive when defending their territory or when protecting their young. In addition, raccoons can cause property damage by entering homes or businesses in search of food or shelter.
Diseases That Raccoons Carry
Diseases that raccoons carry can be a major problem for humans and pets. Raccoons are known to carry rabies, which is a deadly virus that can cause serious illness or death. They can also carry other diseases, such as leptospirosis, which can cause fever, muscle aches, and vomiting.
Rabies is the most serious disease that raccoons carry, and it is important to take precautions to avoid exposure to it. Rabies can be transmitted through contact with the saliva or blood of an infected animal. It can also be transmitted through contact with an infected wound. If you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon, seek medical attention immediately.
Leptospirosis is not as serious as rabies, but it can still cause health problems. It is transmitted through contact with the urine of an infected animal. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and vomiting. If you think you may have been exposed to leptospirosis, see a doctor right away.
Other diseases that raccoons carry include tularemia and distemper. Tularemia is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through contact with an infected animal or through contact with contaminated soil or water. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and vomiting. Distemper is a virus that affects the respiratory system. It is transmitted through contact with an infected animal or through contact with contaminated saliva or blood. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose.
What To Do When You Encounter a Raccoon
If you see a raccoon in your yard or near your home, do not approach it. Raccoons can be aggressive and they may attack if they feel threatened. If you see a raccoon that is acting strangely or appears to be sick, contact your local animal control agency or wildlife rehabilitation center.
Do not attempt to trap or capture a raccoon yourself. This is illegal in many states and it can be dangerous. Raccoons are wild animals and they can bite or scratch you if they feel threatened.
You can help prevent raccoons from entering your home by sealing up any openings that they could use to get inside. This includes repairing holes in your foundation, fixing broken windows, and trimming back tree branches that touch your house. Raccoons are attracted to places where they can find food and shelter. If you remove these attractions, they will be less likely to come onto your property.
Things To Do When Bitten By Raccoon
If you are bitten by a raccoon, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Raccoons can carry rabies and other diseases, and their bites can be very dangerous.
You should also:
- Wash the wound with soap and water.
- Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
- Elevate the wound above the heart.
- Put ice on the wound to reduce swelling.
Call your local animal control agency or wildlife rehabilitation center to report the incident. Do not attempt to capture or kill the raccoon yourself. This is illegal in many states and it can be dangerous.
Conclusion
Raccoons can be dangerous animals. They can carry rabies and other diseases, and they can also be aggressive when defending their territory or when protecting their young. If you see a raccoon in your yard or near your home, do not approach it. If you are bitten by a raccoon, seek medical attention immediately. You should also call your local animal control agency or wildlife rehabilitation center to report the incident.
Professional Wildlife Removal Services
If you need help get rid of raccoons from your property, contact a professional wildlife removal service. These companies specialize in safely removing animals from homes and businesses. They will also be able to provide you with information on how to prevent raccoons from entering your property in the future.
At AAAC Wildlife Removal, our experts have years of experience safely removing raccoons from homes and businesses. We use state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that the animal is removed quickly and safely. We also offer a wide range of services to prevent animals from entering your property, such as animal proofing and exclusion services.
If you have any questions about urban raccoons, contact AAAC Wildlife Removal. We can provide you with information about how to safely deal with these animals.
The news originally from: https://www.wpbf.com/article/rabies-alert-issued-after-raccoon-attacks-2-dogs/1326078
