Have you ever encountered the unsettling sight of a disoriented raccoon wandering in daylight—a hallmark of a canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreak? In this article, we'll break down what CDV is, what canine distemper in raccoons looks like, and how an outbreak can affect other wildlife species as well as your pet.

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that periodically sweeps through the GTA raccoon population, creating significant risks for local wildlife and pets. 

Rabies continues to spread through Ontario, mainly the Raccoon strain.  Here is an update on the situation on rabies in Ontario from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) as of March 29, 2017.

OMNRF are reporting 1 new case of raccoon strain rabies from the previous week, occurring in a raccoon from Haldimand.  As of March 29, 2017, there have been a total of 295 cases of raccoon strain and 8 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario. Hamilton has been the hardest his area with a total of 232 cases of Racccoon Rabies.

Below are answers to some of the questions we most often hear when it comes to canine distemper virus (CDV) risk and raccoons, and what to do if a raccoon has distemper.

Q:Do wildlife rehab centers take raccoons with distemper?

A: Many wildlife rehab centers may take in raccoons with suspected canine distemper, mainly to test and confirm the diagnosis. Because canine distemper is fatal and highly contagious, centers generally have to euthanize infected raccoons to end their suffering and prevent the spread to other animals. Do not approach or handle sick animals yourself. In the GTA, contact your local animal control unit or a professional wildlife operator like Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control.