As raccoons are a common sight in urban areas many people are wondering these days if humans can get rabies from raccoons. Humans in fact can get rabies from raccoons, but these instances are very rare as medical advances have it made quite difficult to die from these critters. In fact, there only has been one recorded case of human death by a raccoon.
If you have a raccoon on your property or inside your home, contact the professionals from Raccoon Control to have a high-quality service at an affordable rate!
Raccoons will most likely have 3 days after they get infected by rabies before they die. To transmit rabies from an animal to a human, the rabies virus needs to travel from an open wound into the system. Raccoons will display several symptoms that will indicate they have rabies and are actively suffering from it.
They will display aggressive behavior, unordinary tame behavior where they will go to people instead, seem disoriented, and will foam from their mouth. Raccoons are incredibly social animals that have adapted amazingly to the urban way of living and will take any opportunity to take advantage of the supply of food that the city offers.
Most of the encounters that the raccoons will experience are mostly positive, but also negative as it battles for dominance with other animals that call the city their home. The erratic behavior allowed the raccoon to become a viral hit with many while being equally despised by those who have gone through a negative raccoon encounter. Most animals that will most likely get rabies are pets.
Raccoons love pet food and will do anything in their power to get a hold of it. This will naturally turn into a fight between cat, dog, and raccoon. The raccoon has very sharp fangs along with dexterous paws that have an uncanny resemblance to human hands. These paws are the very reason that the raccoon is so successful in the urban landscape. These paws also have very sharp nails that can easily cut through skin and cause an open wound which can serve as an entry point for the rabies virus if the raccoon happens to be rabid.
These are the symptoms that will help you find out whether your pets are infected with the rabies virus. These symptoms can show weeks or even months after the pet becomes infected.
- Lethargic. The animal might seem very fatigued.
- Vomiting. The pet might vomit more often.
- A significant shift in mood. Your pet might seem more reserved and reluctant to partake in activities.
- Paralysis. The pet might be paralyzed.
If you recognize any of these signs or even suspect these symptoms, do not feel hesitant to contact a veterinarian.
Raccoons are an urban nuisance that is equally beloved by many. Raccoons are destructive when they are in the right place at the right time. Many have been the victim of these critters and have seen extensive damage that has cost them thousands of dollars. If you do not want this to happen to you, contact Raccoon Control for a free consultation and to schedule your next visit!