Distemper outbreak reported among raccoons
SALEM – Canine distemper, a virus fatal to raccoons, is striking the masked critters in parts of Salem and threatening other animals, wild and domestic, as well.
Humans are not affected.
Melanie Smith, a raccoon rehabilitator with the Salem Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, has received 23 calls since mid-January and has had to euthanize about 20 raccoons, since they cannot be cured.
Symptoms often include a pus-like discharge from the eyes and nose and a dehydrated or starved look.
A neurological form of the disease creates paralysis and seizures, said Dr. Janette Ackermann, a veterinarian with the American Wildlife Foundation in Molalla, Ore.
She said the virus is being passed to dogs, mainly strays. Vaccinated dogs are immune.
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