SPCA Monterey County confirm distemper outbreak in raccoons
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE MARCH 15, 2022 at 3:17 p.m. --The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center said it is seeing a higher than usual number of raccoons suffering from distemper.
In 2022, 136 raccoons have been saved compared to 77 raccoons being rescued in all of 2021.
Most of the rescued critters had to be euthanized to end their extreme suffering.
A distemper outbreak was confirmed with laboratory testing by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Health Laboratory.
These raccoons are being seen in Marina, Seaside, Monterey and Pacific Grove.
Be on the lookout for these symptoms: discharge from the nose and eyes, a rough coat, emaciation, and unusual behavior such as disorientation, appearing unable to see, loss of fear of humans, seizures, or wandering aimlessly.
Symptoms will get worse and the disease is usually fatal.
You can help by:
- Get pets vaccinated for distemper and other viruses. The SPCA Veterinary Clinic offers $25 vaccines. You can make an appointment at www.spcamc.org.
- Remove human-food and water sources for raccoons, including pet bowls and accessible garbage, to help reduce areas where raccoons can congregate and pass the virus to each other or pets.
- Do not attempt to touch or handle local wildlife. If you see wildlife in distress, please contact the SPCA Wildlife Center at (831) 760-0426
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ORIGINAL STORY
People are wondering what is going on with raccoons lately.
Many have been seen trembling and appear sick.
Brian McCarthy pulled out his phone when one raccoon stood in the middle of the road losing control of its movement and fears the animal had distemper.
McCarthy was taking a walk around his neighborhood earlier this week when he encountered the raccoon acting strange.
“I had gone for a walk around 8 o'clock in the evening, just around the block when I noticed the raccoon in the middle of the street there,” said McCarthy. “I thought it was strange. But as I came back 15 minutes later it was in the exact same spot"
McCarthy told KION this is the first time he's seen a raccoon act like this, over the past couple of months, other neighbors have seen with "suspicious behavior. He said he believes that the raccoon he saw might have had distemper.
Neighbors who have seen the video of the animal are feeling a lot of sympathy for the creature.
The SPCA said signs its been seeing within the raccoons includes not seeing properly, not walking correctly, and being less scared of people
“The SPCA wildlife center has been seeing quite a few raccoons right now,” said Beth Brookhouse with the Monterey County SPCA. “In an average year at this time, we might have rescued about 70 raccoons. But so far we've rescued about 110. They are displaying signs that seem to be distemper.”
Brookhouser told KION they're still waiting on results from fish and wildlife. but kion showed Brookehouser if the raccoon McCarthy encountered could've had distemper.
“It's awful to see an animal acting like that but those are the classic signs of distemper,” said Brookhouser.
Brookhouser said the best way to keep other animals safe is to make sure your pets are vaccinated and to keep wild animals wild.
“We offer very low cost vaccines at the SPCA,” said Brookhouser. “We do require appointments but there is no office fee or no additional fees. It is a good reminder to keep our pets safe and keep them vaccinated.”
The Pacific Grove Police Department also confirmed to KION that it's also still picking up raccoons displaying signs of distemper.