Raccoons are one of those animals that have adapted themselves to suburban and urban lives very well. They are usually seen in parks, yards, neighborhoods and can even go to the extent of being encountered inside your own homes. Apart from serious biting and scratching injuries these creatures are known to carry diseases that can be categorized as communicable both in humans and pets
Following are the three most common raccoon diseases:
Rabies
This is a fatal disease that is caused by a virus that can spread when you come in contact with the saliva of an infected animal which in this case could very well be a raccoon. Sometimes raccoons enter house attics and gnaw on wooden materials that are lying there leaving traces of their saliva behind. If you get scratched or hurt in any form by these materials, the saliva can get into open wounds leaving you at a risk of getting rabies.
Raccoon roundworm
A roundworm commonly known as the baylisascaris is present in the body of raccoons which get passed on to their feces. Any person or animal can swallow the eggs of baylisascaris by accident if they consume water or soil. Young children who tend to play outside along with people that are developmentally disabled are the most vulnerable. These eggs after entering the body can hatch in larvae and cause serious illness within a week. Common symptoms include lack of coordination, fatigue, loss of muscle control, coma and blindness.
Leptospirosis
This refers to a bacterial infection that can be contracted by humans and animals through bodily secretions especially urine of raccoons, rats and other rodents. Water containing any of their bodily secretions may come in contact of eyes, nose, throat or mouth causing severe headaches and influenza like symptoms including high fever and liver problems.
For removal of raccoons and disinfecting services call: 647-557-7932