Rabies is a viral disease that mammals — including humans and raccoons — can contract. It’s almost always fatal, but thankfully, it’s also preventable. That’s why it’s so important to know the signs of rabies, especially in raccoons, so you can keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe.
Raccoons are common carriers of the rabies virus, particularly in North America. Knowing how to spot a potentially rabid raccoon allows you to act quickly and reduce the risk of exposure.
This article will give you a detailed look at rabies, focusing on how to know if a raccoon has rabies and what to do if you think an animal is infected.
Understanding rabies
What is rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that messes with the central nervous system. It can cause swelling of the brain and is almost always fatal. Rabies is generally passed through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, although scratches or other contact with saliva can also transmit the virus.
The time between infection and symptoms can vary from days to years, but it’s usually one to three months. Symptoms start after the virus reaches the brain.
Rabies and public health
Rabies is a serious public health concern. Human cases are rare in the U.S. because of effective prevention and treatment. Raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes are the animals that carry the rabies virus most often. The number of rabies cases in domestic animals has gone way down, but it’s still important to be careful.
If you think you’ve been exposed to rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is very effective at preventing the disease. PEP involves a series of vaccine and immune globulin shots.
Raccoons as rabies carriers
Raccoons are nothing if not adaptable. They live in cities, suburbs, and rural areas, which means they often come into close contact with people and domestic animals.
These masked bandits can do a lot of damage as they search for food and places to live. But there’s also the risk of rabies.
Raccoons are a major carrier of the rabies virus in the United States. Because of that, it’s important to know the risks of encountering them and take steps to avoid them.
Preventing raccoon encounters
One of the best ways to avoid coming in contact with a raccoon is to make sure they’re not attracted to your property. Put your trash cans in a secure place and remove any other food sources that might tempt them. Don’t leave pet food outside, and definitely don’t feed raccoons or other wild animals.
Keep your pets vaccinated against rabies, and keep an eye on them when they’re outside, especially in areas where raccoons are common.
Signs of rabies in raccoons
If you see a raccoon, it’s important to observe its behavior from a safe distance to see if it’s acting strangely. Here are some things to look for:
Recognizing abnormal behavior
- Difficulty walking or uncoordinated movement. A raccoon with rabies may stumble, stagger, or otherwise seem unable to walk normally. It may appear generally weak or even paralyzed.
- Confusion and disorientation. The raccoon may seem confused, disoriented, or unusually aggressive. It may wander around aimlessly or not seem to be aware of its surroundings.
Physical symptoms
- Strange noises. Listen for any unusual vocalizations, such as excessive growling, hissing, or chattering. These sounds may be different from the usual noises a raccoon makes.
- Foaming at the mouth (salivation). Keep an eye out for excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, which is a classic, though not always present, sign of rabies. This symptom is caused by the virus affecting the salivary glands.
- General ill appearance. A raccoon with rabies may look sick, weak, and emaciated. Its fur may be unkempt, and it may have discharge coming from its eyes or nose.
Important considerations
- Diurnal activity. Raccoons are usually nocturnal, but a raccoon with rabies may be active during the day. However, daytime activity alone isn’t enough to diagnose rabies, since healthy raccoons may sometimes be active during the day, especially during mating season or if food is scarce.
- Paralysis. Rabies can cause paralysis, which may affect different parts of the body. The raccoon may have trouble moving its limbs or may be completely paralyzed.
What to do if you suspect a raccoon has rabies
- Do not approach. If you see a raccoon that you think might be rabid, keep your distance. Do not try to interact with the animal.
- Call for help. Contact your local animal control, health department, or wildlife authorities. Tell them where the animal is and what it’s doing.
- Report bites and scratches. If a raccoon bites or scratches you, get medical attention right away. Wash the wound well with soap and water. Let your healthcare provider know what happened and give them as much information as you can about the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do raccoons scream when they have rabies?
Not necessarily. While rabid animals can exhibit unusual vocalizations, a scream isn’t a definitive sign of rabies in raccoons. Rabies affects the nervous system, leading to a variety of behaviors, but screaming isn’t always one of them.
What do rabid raccoons sound like?
Rabid raccoons might make unusual noises, but there’s no single, specific sound that definitively indicates rabies. They might growl, snarl, or make other atypical vocalizations due to neurological effects, but these sounds can also be caused by other factors or illnesses. If you hear an animal acting strangely, it’s best to contact animal control.
Is it obvious if a raccoon has rabies?
Not always. While some rabid raccoons display classic symptoms like aggression, foaming at the mouth, and uncoordinated movement, others may show more subtle changes in behavior. A raccoon that is unusually docile, or appears tame, or is active during the day, is far more likely to be rabid than one that is outwardly aggressive.
Can raccoons carry rabies without dying?
No. Rabies is almost always fatal in raccoons and other mammals. Once symptoms of rabies develop, death typically occurs within a few days. There are no known cases of raccoons carrying rabies without eventually succumbing to the disease. It’s a deadly virus that severely impacts the nervous system.
Wrapping Up
Knowing the signs of rabies in raccoons is important for keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe. By understanding the symptoms and taking precautions, you can lower your risk of getting exposed to the rabies virus.
Stopping the spread of rabies depends on prevention. Vaccinating your pets, keeping your trash securely covered, and avoiding contact with wild animals are important steps to take.
If you think you’ve been exposed to rabies, act quickly. Wash any wounds thoroughly and get medical help right away. Quick action can significantly reduce your risk of developing rabies.