Types of Dangerous Parasites Found in Raccoons

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Raccoons are known to carry bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. These diseases can be transmitted to other mammals by saliva entering the blood stream, scratches, bites, feces, and more. Bacterial infections like Leptospirosis are well-known, as are common viral infections like Rabies; but many are unaware of the parasitic diseases that are common to the raccoon species.

Continue reading to learn the two most common types of parasites that can be carried and transmitted by raccoons, and how to protect your loved ones and pets from exposure.

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Common Raccoon Parasites That Can Be Passed On to People and Pets

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoal parasitic disease in raccoons. Raccoons are not carriers or “passers” of this disease, but it is possible for raccoons to become infected. It is caused by Toxoplasma Gondii, which is an essential, single-celled intracellular parasitic protozoan. As for raccoons, it is generally associated with immunosuppression, resulting from the common virus, canine distemper. Raccoons can become infected by ingesting the parasites eggs in some way or another. There are no concrete signs of this parasitic disease in raccoons, but it is contagious and can be passed along to humans and pets.

Baylisascaris Procyonis – Racoon Roundworm

Also known as raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris Procyonis is a common parasitic disease found and carried in several raccoon species. This disease can be transmitted through an animal bite or by ingesting its eggs. Other hosts pass along this disease through feces as well. Although raccoons are immune to this disease, it can cause severe illness or even death to other mammals, including humans. Signs include a wide range of serious affects, including blindness, central nervous system diseases, and more. Avoiding contact with all wild animals is the best way to prevent contracting raccoon roundworm and other dangerous illnesses.

Hire Professional Raccoon Control Services

If you have a raccoon problem on your property, call a licensed Nashville Tennessee animal removal service to safely remove raccoons and prevent their return. You can also implement several precautions to ensure raccoons are no longer a threat to your house or loved ones, such as using non-toxic repellents, installing motion-detection lighting, securing garbage can lids, sealing your attic and crawl spaces, and much more. A professional critter control specialist can help you with all the proper raccoon abatement systems and implementations to better secure your protect your premises from wildlife threats and tampering.

Are you dealing with pesky raccoons around your property? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured animal removal and control for raccoons in Nashville, Tennessee. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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Should I Be Afraid of Wild Raccoons on My Property?

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Often time, raccoons wander into the local and residential communities in search of food and shelter. As residential and commercial construction expands, the natural homes for these wild animals are depleting. This plus the fact that they multiply rapidly, ensures that wild raccoons will be spotted in the backyards, porches, roofs, driveways, and decks of our beloved homes. There are several options to consider if you have repeat raccoon visitors each night. Whether or not you should be afraid of them depends on the situation.

Continue reading to learn about wild raccoons and the potential threat they pose to our health, homes, and property.

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Raccoons Can Carry Diseases

The first thing to be aware of when it comes to a possible raccoon encounter, is that they are common c carriers of diseases like rabies, Leptospirosis, roundworm, and more. Coming into contact with a wild raccoon puts you and your family at risk for contracting a raccoon illness or disease. his is especially so if a raccoon bites or claws a person. Once a raccoon’s saliva, feces, urine, or other bodily excretion comes into contact with a person’s bloodstream, they are immediately exposed to the contagion.

When it comes to disease, you should be scared of touching or being attacked by a wild raccoon. Domesticated raccoons or pet raccoons have been vaccinated and raised in custody and probably won’t pass along any diseases; however, they can still bite and claw if they feel threatened. The bottom line is to not mess with a wild raccoon, and keep your distance if you ever see one nearby.

Raccoons Can Attack People

Wild animals are subjected to primal behaviors when it comes to protecting their territory and especially their young. If a person or pet provokes or antagonizes a wild raccoon, they will attack to protect themselves. They have sharp teeth and long claws that can rip through skin in seconds. Not only are raccoon bites and injuries extremely painful, but they can also pass along diseases and infections as well. It is always best to avoid an encounter with a wild raccoon. If you see one, never feed it or offer it food, and never try to touch it.

Raccoons Can Cause a Lot of Damage

Wild raccoons are capable of causing an extensive amount of damage and mess to a home or property. They are known to take shelter in residential and commercial areas, commonly invading attics, crawl spaces, roofs, vents, ducts, garages, sheds, porches, and more. They use these areas to protect themselves and their young from harsh weather and cold temperatures; as well as, for breeding grounds and feeding.

Once raccoons are occupying a particular area of a residential or commercial property, they immediately begin their destructive tendencies. For instance, raccoons can chew through wood beams and electrical wiring, rip down attic insulation, and saturate dry wall, sheet rock, ceilings, and other areas of a home with urine and feces.

Do you have a raccoon control problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed wildlife removal services for raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also provide attic restoration and cleanup.

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Can I Contract an Infection From a Raccoon?

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Wild raccoons are dangerous for many reasons, and pose a threat to humans, pets, lawns, gardens, structures, and more. But one of the most qualifying reasons why raccoons are so dangerous is that they are common carriers of various infectious diseases and illnesses. Although raccoons are notoriously known for the Rabies virus, there are many more diseases and infections that are just as dangerous to contract, for both humans and pets.

Continue reading to learn what types of illnesses and diseases you and your pets can contract from wild raccoons.

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Raccoons Can Transmit Infectious Diseases and More

Rabies Virus

Raccoons are known to be common carriers of the Rabies virus. If the saliva, blood, or bodily fluid of an infected raccoon comes into contact with another mammal’s blood stream, they are at high risk of contracting the virus. For this reason, it is important to vaccinate your pets against the Rabies virus, as well as other potential illnesses they can contract. Your vet will have all this information for you. As for humans, if you are bitten by a rabid or infected raccoon, it is important to seek medical attention from your health care provider the same or next day. You will likely be administered a Rabies vaccine shot. Unfortunately, once a non-vaccinated dog or cat is exposed to the virus, there is no cure.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is another contagious disease known to be transmitted by wild raccoons. It is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which is found and transmitted in raccoon urine. Most mammals are infected after coming into contact (eyes, throat, nose, skin, etc.) with water that has been contaminated with raccoon urine containing the bacteria. Dogs are mostly at risk of contracting Leptospirosis, which is why vaccinations are so vital to their health.

Distemper

Raccoon distemper comes from canine distemper, and is dangerous virus that can be passed along to pets but not humans. Also known as canine distemper, this virus is extremely contagious and common in large populations of raccoons. Signs of the virus initially appear flu-like, eventually maturing into a state of confusion and disorientation. If transmitted to a pet, it can cause acute illness and death. And unfortunately, there is no treatment once infected.

Other Infectious Diseases Transmitted By Raccoons

There is more to be concerned about when it comes to raccoon diseases. They can also transmit other ailments, including roundworm, parasites (i.e. coccidiosis), mange, lice, fleas, ticks, allergic reactions, and more.

Do you have a nuisance raccoon problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal and control services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?
What to Do if You Have a Raccoon in the Basement
Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage