Rabies is a deadly disease affecting mammals and is caused by a virus. It is transmitted through saliva affecting the nervous system, most commonly through a bite. Any mammal (including humans) can contract rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal. Preventing exposure is the key.
If you know you have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, seek medical treatment immediately. If your pet has been exposed to a potentially rabid mammal, call your veterinarian for advice.
Use extreme caution when helping bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes and woodchucks (groundhogs). Read more about Rabies in Ohio.
Rabies disrupts the brain of infected animals, and these animals can display many different symptoms, not just aggressive behavior and foaming at the mouth. Other common presentations include loss of balance, loss of fear of humans, general depression, lethargy and paralysis.
However, these symptoms can also be due to another more common disease, Canine Distemper Virus, or from general head trauma. It is important to note that any mammal may exhibit these signs and not have rabies.
Simply seeing a nocturnal mammal out during the day is not an indication of rabies; these animals may be searching for food or finding new territory during the day, particularly during baby season.
Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is not transmissible to humans, but is the same virus found in dogs and has the potential to infect unvaccinated pets. If a raccoon or skunk is showing signs of lethargy, disorientation, seizures, crusty eyes/nose, sore feet, incontinence (smells very bad) or starts approaching humans, there is a chance the animal may have the virus. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available for this disease. Animals suspected to have CDV have a poor prognosis. The disease progression leads to a very poor quality of life very quickly. In addition, the ill animal is at a significant risk of walking into traffic. Capturing the animal to prevent further suffering is a humane option.
If a questionable raccoon is in the vicinity, bring all pets indoors. Properly vaccinated dogs are not at risk of contracting the virus.
For information on how we treat ill animals at Ohio Wildlife Center, check out our Wildlife Hospital.