A sick raccoon has been recently spotted on Rosebank Avenue in Dundalk, Maryland. According to the Baltimore County Health Department, the animal was captured and tested positive for rabies. What does this mean? Should you worry? This simply means that raccoons are common in Maryland and it’s rather common for them to get rabies. In fact, raccoons are the species that suffers the most from rabies in the eastern U.S. Raccoons are also one of the animals most likely to break into our homes and attics. You should worry if you have a raccoon living in your attic or chimney, because there is always a chance it can get rabies. Let our Baltimore raccoon removal experts walk you through some precautions you can take to keep yourself and your family safe.
Signs of Rabies in Raccoons
You can often tell if a raccoon you’ve encountered has rabies. Watch out for these tell-tale signs:
- The animal is moving slow, in circles or erratically and looks disoriented.
- The animal appears to have a partial paralysis in its legs.
- The animal is making odd noises for no particular reason.
- There is foam at the animal’s mouth.
- The animals looks sick in general.
What to Do if You See a Rabid Raccoon
If you see a rabid raccoon, first of all, stay away. Don’t approach to take a closer look—the animal may perceive it as a threat and attack you. Report the rabid animal to your county’s authorities. In Baltimore County, you should call Baltimore County Animal Services at 410-887-7297. You can use this number to report any sick, injured or dead animals even if you are not sure if the animal has rabies. If your pet has been bitten by a raccoon that may have rabies, scrub the wound with antibacterial soap and then take your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic right away. In general, it’s a good idea to keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date. If you are the one who was bitten or scratched, seek medical attention right away.
If Raccoons Are Living in Your Attic
If you suspect that raccoons may be denning in your attic, call our Baltimore raccoon removal professionals. Even if there is no risk of rabies, raccoons in the attic can still spell disaster. They break open air ducts, shred your insulation into little pieces and make a big mess. Raccoon poop also often contains something just as bad as rabies, if not worse. Raccoon roundworm is a parasite that doesn’t harm raccoons, but may cripple and even kill a human, especially if it’s a small child. Children playing outdoors near a raccoon’s litter box are at risk of contracting this parasite. And if you have dogs that roam freely outdoors, they could bring the parasite inside your home on their dirty paws. Let our Maryland raccoon removal experts help you keep your home safe and free of raccoons and other nuisance wildlife.