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. 

Raccoons-Foxes-Coyotes-Bats VS. You and Your Pets

COVID-19, otherwise known as Corona Virus, has been running rampant around the globe. Almost every country has declared a state of emergency due to this virus with hundreds of thousands of cases reported and thousands of deaths reported worldwide; the numbers are growing exponentially. Using current and extrapolated numbers, the death rate reported for this virus is estimated (we don’t really know) to be 0.1% up to 3%. This strain of the Corona Virus originated in Wuhan, China and the initial cause of the virus is still unknown to scientists. There are many different forms of the Corona Virus that have been present around the world, but according to NBC News, this form of the virus was initially thought to be caused by horseshoe bats; so far all we know is that these bats carry a virus that closely resembles Covid-19. Scientists and Virologists are working diligently to determine the true cause of this virus in humans and are also working on creating an effective vaccine. For now, the Canadian government is urging everyone to practice social distancing, wash their hands, and stay home unless absolutely necessary. 

Although there is currently a global panic about the Covid-19 virus, many people don’t panic or seem to even care that an estimated 59,000 humans die annually from the rabies virus. Rabies is transmitted from wild animals in 91% of reported cases; 30% of which are transmitted from raccoons. If you are a Torontonian, or live in the GTA, chances are you have seen a raccoon more than one time; this is because there are a very large number of raccoons in the city, possibly even more than there are humans. With litters ranging from 2-6 babies, the raccoon population is growing at a much higher rate than ours.

Many people don’t know this, but when humans contract rabies, the death rate is a whopping 99.9%. Luckily, the current presence of rabies in Toronto is quite low. According to Toronto.ca, we are federally, provincially, and locally listed as low risk after the constant decrease in cases due to the implementation of the Raccoon Rabies Control Program that began in 1989. In saying this, it does not mean that there is no risk at all. There are still cases of rabies in Ontario every year. 

Rabies is considered a neurological virus because it gains access to your central nervous system through your outlying nerves. The symptoms of rabies start with a headache, fever, fatigue, and pain at the injured site. The incubation period for the onset of neurological symptoms of this virus is dependent on how far away the exposure site is from your brain; the further away it is, the longer it takes for neurological symptoms to set in. Once symptomatic, this viral infection is almost definitely fatal. 

If you see a raccoon you suspect is ill, there are many key indicators that can help you identify if this raccoon has rabies or not. Always remember, keep your distance and do not approach a raccoon you suspect is ill. While most non-symptomatic raccoons will not unwarrantedly approach you, a rabid raccoon may attack you on purpose due to their neurological symptoms. Paralysis for rabid raccoons almost always starts in the hind legs, so if you see a raccoon that is having difficulty walking, this is a major sign of rabies. To accompany this symptom, the raccoon will make uncommon and strange noises, seem disoriented, be foaming at the mouth, have a strange discharge coming from its eyes, and over all appear to look sick. These same symptoms apply for all mammalian wildlife that can carry rabies including foxes, coyotes, and bats.

In Ontario it is mandated that all pets get vaccinated for rabies, but humans are not required to get this vaccine. It is only recommended for those of us who work in high risk jobs dealing directly with raccoons or other animals. That being said, there are still people in Ontario that own pets that are not vaccinated and although the rabies vaccine is highly effective, it is not fool proof. Rabies can be transmitted from a bite, scratch, or the saliva of a rabid raccoon (or other animal). Many people leave their pets unattended in the backyard, and most times it is hard to identify if your pet has come in contact with a rabid raccoon until it’s too late. Even if your pet is vaccinated, there is still a chance they can get rabies and or transmit the virus to you via their saliva by licking you, sneezing, or from their drool. Other forms of transmission include bites or scratches. Always keep a close eye on your pets when they are outdoors so that you can take action immediately if an incident were to occur. 

If you or your pet have been bitten, scratched, or come in contact with a wild animal it is imperative you go to the doctor or vet immediately. There are post-exposure prophylaxis measures that can save your life even if you have not been previously immunized. For humans, this procedure consists of 5 different visits to the doctor. During the first visit they will administer one dose of the rabies vaccine, but also multiple vials of the rabies immune globulin (IM) directly into the contact site. Each additional visit consists of one does of the rabies IM. Also, depending on your immune response, you may be given an antibody serology anywhere from 7 to 14 days after this series of injections. If you have previously been immunized for rabies, the process only consists of two different shots on day 0 and day 3 after exposure. Now although these measures are designed to help those who have been exposed to rabies, they are not guaranteed. In fact, no doctors’ office carries these vaccines and IM’s on hand. After performing a physical analysis of the injured site, the doctors’ office is then required to send off these finding to your regional health department who will determine the risks of you contracting rabies and will only send out the vaccines and IM’s if you are in a higher risk category. We must also stress that treatment depends on the person and the exposure risk. Make sure that if you work in close proximity with raccoons that you are immunized for rabies; this could save your life. 

If you are having raccoon problems in your house or on your property, please heed this warning; raccoons are unsafe animals. Anyone who is not a trained professional should not attempt to scare off or come in close proximity with a raccoon or any wild animal. Raccoons are disease ridden animals that can cause you serious physical harm and dire health issues. If you need help with a raccoon or have spotted a raccoon or other wildlife that you suspect may have rabies, call us at 416 HAWKEYE (416-429-5393). We have trained professionals that can deal with your problem effectively and permanently. We hope that everyone stays safe during this time of global pandemic with Covid-19, but also always remember to stay far away from wild animals and raccoons. As cute as they might be, please do not approach, attempt to feed, or try to pet a raccoon; these are wild animals and will respond as such. 

Most importantly - DO NOT! Do not handle a raccoon suspected of carrying rabies, alive or deceased. A rabid raccoon requires a professional response; attempting to catch, handle, or remove the animal yourself can expose you, your family, and your pets to the virus.

In this article, we'll break down how to report, respond safely, seek professional intervention, and navigate the legal considerations of dealing with a rabid raccoon.

Rabies is a serious viral infection that affects both animals and humans, with one of the most common carriers being raccoons in the wild.

But how do you know how to tell if a raccoon has rabies? Knowing the signs and symptoms can be crucial for your safety and that of your pets.

Let's explore the behavioral and physical clues that can indicate a raccoon may be infected with rabies so you can keep yourself and your family safe.

Understanding Raccoon Rabies

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a serious virus that affects the brains of animals and humans. It usually spreads through the saliva of an infected animal, often through bites.

It's important to know that not all animals have rabies, but it's a dangerous disease if they do. Additionally, it can be hard to know how to tell if a raccoon has rabies, so the safest bet is to assume they do.

For the week of January 9th there were 2 new cases of raccoon strain rabies in a raccoon in Brant and a skunk in Waterloo.

This brings the total cases of raccoon strain to 451, the total of fox strain rabies to 21 cases in Ontario  to 451 since December 2015.

We would like to remind you again to not handle raccoons, skunks, or foxes yourself - please contact a professional animal control specialist!

The most recent update from the Ministry of Natural Resources includes 5 new cases in Ontario which puts the total number of confirmed raccoon strain rabies cases at 516, and 8 fox strain cases to date.

The most recent cases affected 2 raccoons and 1 skunk from Hamilton, 1 raccoon from Haldimand, and 1 skunk from Halton.

There have been 471cases of raccoon strain, and 21 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario to date.

At the end of the 2019 calendar year for MNRF’s rabies program there were were 22 raccoon strain and 0 fox strain rabies cases detected in southern Ontario, a ~70% decrease in rabies cases from 2018. In 2019, we tested 4,425 samples for rabies, a ~15% increase in sampling effort from the previous year. Rabies surveillance of this scale would not be possible without the support and assistance of animal control specialists like Hawkeye.

The maps will be submitted for posting on the Ontario.ca website after 1 business day unless one of the affected health units advises us to postpone release pending specific health unit website updates or media releases. 

MNRF’s rabies lab will resume testing in early January 2020.

2019 Number of DRIT tests: 4,425

2019 Number of baits distributed: 1,164,992

Number of confirmatory tests performed by CFIA (Ontario only, including bats): 39

Number of confirmatory test performed by CFIA (Ontario only, terrestrial animals only): 26

Number of rabies positive terrestrial animals subject to virus variant typing by CFIA (Ontario only): 23

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.

Are Raccoons Aggressive Toward Humans?

Hawkeye’s Control, Prevention, and Removal of Aggressive Raccoons

Raccoons are naturally curious, but invasive creatures. As scavengers and creatures of habit, they tend to go where they can find easily accessible food sources and warm and cozy living spaces for their nests. Once raccoons have nested in your residential or commercial property, getting rid of them can be a challenge.

Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control provides extensive raccoon control, prevention, and removal services in Toronto and the GTA. We use safe, humane, and effective industry-recognized practices to ensure that all raccoons are removed from your property with minimal downtime and property damage. 

How Dangerous are Raccoons?

When Will a Raccoon Attack You?

What to Do if a Raccoon Attacks You

Staying as far away as possible during a raccoon attack is imperative. Try to use whatever long-form objects are available to you to keep the raccoon from scratching, biting, or clinging to you. Broomsticks, large branches, trash cans, or even pieces of furniture like chairs and step stools are ideal. Avoid throwing blunt objects at the raccoon as this will only further aggravate it. Just use the objects to keep the raccoon as far away as possible while you make your escape.

Don’t corner the raccoon, as this will just aggravate it more. Getting to a safe distance from a raccoon should be your primary objective to avoid disease transmission and injury.

Steps to Take if a Raccoon Bites You

If you’re attacked by a raccoon, then your first course of action should be to seek out medical treatment. In Ontario, this consists of local treatment of the wound and administering post-exposure prophylaxis with Rablg (rabies immune globin) along with four to five doses of HDCV or PCECV.

If the raccoon has been captured, they’ll most likely also undergo rabies testing and treatment.

It is important to know that if you do contract rabies from a raccoon, the virus is nearly 100% fatal. All efforts must be made to avoid direct contact with these animals as rabies is no joke. To learn more about rabies – please see these rabies updates.

Hawkeye’s Removal of Aggressive Raccoons Services

In the event that you have a raccoon infestation on your property, don’t try to take care of it yourself. Call the raccoon control, removal, and prevention experts at Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control to do it for you. Our experienced and fully trained technicians have the right skills and equipment to guarantee that all raccoons and other pests or wildlife are safely and effectively removed from your property. Contact us today to learn more or book our services.

Why Hawkeye?

We GUARANTEE results. We offer PERMANENT solutions above and beyond what other companies can offer. Hawkeye is the ONLY pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" AND holding the following licenses:  

• Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur-bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.
• Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.
• Pest ControlLicense: We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.

We are ready to serve you at several locations in Canada and the U.S, - contact us for removal of aggressive raccoons.

Related Articles: 
https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/raccoon-infestation-in-apartments
https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-a-rabid-raccoon

Calls for Raccoon Control and Removal are among the most frequent request in Oakville. Like so many other communities along the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville provides plenty of space and habitat for raccoons to flourish. While the masked bandits are often thought of as just a bit of a nuisance, they actually cause a great deal of damage to properties and structures, as well as pose health risks to humans and pets alike.

Residential Raccoon Damage

• Roofs: Raccoons gaining access to attics through roof vents - leaving behind damaged shingles, vents, 
• Refuse and compost: Raccoons are boisterous animals, making a great deal of noise when carrying out their searches for food and shelter such as when they raid garbage and compost containers in search of food. They often leave behind a considerable mess, which can attract more animals;
• Food left outdoors: Eating food for domestic animals such as pet food and livestock feed plus feed for wildlife such as birdseed;
• In gardens: Especially in gardens containing fruit, tomatoes, melons, berries or sweetcorn, plants are eaten, dug up, or otherwise damaged and tracks and excrement are left behind;
• Raccoons are attracted to lawns and gardens, especially after a rainfall when grubs and larvae are near the surface. They dig small round holes and will repeatedly turn over large swathes of freshly laid sod to un-earth worms, grubs and larvae. This particular type of behaviour is common when other sources of food are less abundant. They may return repeatedly and because of the dexterity of its front paws, the extent of the damage caused by the raccoon is generally greater than skunks.

Raccoon Damage on Farms

• Corn crops: many cobs partially nibbled, with the husks pulled back and the leaves folded downwards. Stalks may be broken as the animal tries to climb to get at the ears;
• Raccoons are alo quite fond of fruit, able to demolish a whole berry patch in no time at all;
• Hen houses and farmyards: The extreme dexterity of their front paws allows raccoons to kill or injure poultry even when the birds are kept inside enclosures or cages, as they try to reach and destroy them through the wire mesh. Poultry are often found with their heads torn off and left a short distance from the body. The neck and breast may be torn open and chewed and the entrails consumed. ; Legs or feet of the young birds may be missing. Pieces of flesh may be found near water. The eggs are often broken lengthwise and the materials used to make the nest are disturbed. Eggs may be removed completely from nests or eaten on the spot with only the heavily cracked shell remaining. Raccoons can also destroy bird nests in artificial nesting structures such as bluebird and wood duck nest boxes.

For Oakville raccoon control and/or raccoon removal contact Hawkeye at 416.429.5393 today!

Why you should call Hawkeye for Raccoon Control and Removal

We GUARANTEE results. We offer PERMANENT solutions above and beyond what other companies can offer.

Hawkeye is the ONLY pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" AND holding the following licenses:  

Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.

Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.

Pest Control License:  We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.

Toronto isn't called the "Raccoon Capital of the World" by accident. But all across the GTA, urban raccoon populations are rising, including in Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Markham. So, raccoon control in Toronto and surrounding areas is serious business.

Why GTA Parks Are Prime Raccoon Habitats

Is there a raccoon problem in our parks? Well, these distinctive animals are present in many parks and green spaces in the GTA and pose safety risks to children, pets, park staff, and community users. Before we get more into the risks and prevention/removal strategies, including whether there are effective raccoon deterrents for parks, let's look at what draws raccoons to our parks and why that is so undesirable:

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.

Why you should you be concerned about RABIES in RACCOONS

If you suspect a raccoon in your area has rabies, keep you and your pets away and contact us. 

Learn how to tell if a raccoon has rabies »

Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control cares about your family’s welfare. We service Hamilton, Burlington, the Golden Horseshoe and surrounding areas for animal and wildlife control and can safely trap animals that have, or are suspected to have rabies.  We will make sure your residence, business, industrial or commercial property is secure.

Recently quoted in the Hamilton Spectator, Dan Frankian of Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control said: "We are going to make the pre-exposure vaccine compulsory for all staff; the last thing we want is for my staff to be affected."

The number of documented cases of raccoons having rabies in the Greater Hamilton area of Ontario has grown to 60 and counting since December 2015. Twenty-Four skunks have also been identified in this area along with two fox in Perth County.  This is not only a threat to the raccoon population but has a large impact on people, homes and businesses. 

Related Articles:
https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-a-rabid-raccoon