ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WAVY) – Isle of Wight County Animal Services has issued a warning for people to be vigilant of raccoons at this time.
Animal Services said they have received multiple calls for service regarding raccoons recently. They issued a PSA on Facebook, saying there are many possible causes for their unusual behaviors, including poisoning, dehydration, rabies, distemper or females foraging to care for their young.
They said distemper is a viral disease that primarily affects dogs, but can also impact other wildlife including foxes, raccoons, skunks, coyotes and ferrets.
Symptoms in wildlife infected with distemper virus may exhibit the following:
- Fever and lethargy
- Seizures and other neurological signs
(tremors, twitching, lack of
coordination) - Behavioral changes (increased aggression
and confusion).
Animal Services also posted key information for pet owners regarding this disease:
- This virus is highly contagious among unvaccinated dogs and can lead to severe illness.
- Symptoms to watch for in dogs – similar symptoms may appear in dogs including coughing, nasal
discharge, fever, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea, along with potential neurological signs. - Vaccination – Please vaccinate your pets! We strongly encourage all pet owners to ensure their dogs are up to date on vaccinations, as this is the most effective way to stop the spread of the disease.
- If you suspect your pet is showing symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Precaution – please avoid close contact with wildlife, including feeding wildlife.
If you observe any sick or injured wildlife, please do not approach. You can contact Animal Control or non-emergency dispatch to have an animal control officer sent out to your location.