Dayton residents take great pride in their pets. Whether they have dogs, cats, birds, fish, or rabbits, pets hold a special part of their hearts and tend to become part of the family. As pet owners, we will do whatever necessary to protect our pets from harm. Dayton pet owners should become aware of the potential threats raccoons pose when exposed to domestic pets. Most normal and healthy raccoons will not attack domestic pets. For the most part, they will eat alongside domestic animals and never try to bother them. Dogs actually tend to attack or chase raccoons first. While raccoons tend to just feast on garbage and left over food from your pets, kittens and rabbits tend to fall prey to raccoons as well. To avoid these encounters, limit your pet’s time outside at night, when raccoons are most active. If you choose to feed your pets outdoors, clean up after them immediately and avoid leaving food outdoors for long. The major threat raccoons pose to pets, especially dogs, is their spreading of raccoon roundworm. The roundworm comes from larvae that can be found in the feces of raccoons. Once dogs have become exposed to the roundworm, they are left vulnerable to infection and could suffer the symptoms of the roundworm. The roundworms will infect the intestine of the dog and then make their way to other organs of the animal. This can also affect the nervous system of the dog as well. Some symptoms of roundworm infection in your dog can include :
- Lack of attention
- Circling
- Lack of balance
- Fatigue
- Lack of eating
If you suspect roundworm infection in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately. Raccoons can also carry rabies, which can infect any mammal, including humans. If you find evidence of raccoons on your Dayton property, call the experts at Mid Atlantic Wildlife Control. Our professionals are trained to humanely remove raccoons from your Dayton home while never harming the animal. They can also help sanitize your home after the raccoon exposure as well as prevent future raccoon activity in your home or on your property. Want to protect your pets from raccoons in Dayton? Call Mid Atlantic Wildlife Control today at 443-417-3137, or visit our contact page. We are available to help when you need it. Follow our official page on Google+, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter today
Source:
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/raccoons/tips/raccoon_pets.html http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_baylisascariasis