Canine Distemper Virus is spread when dogs come into contact with infected food, water, urine, or feces. While distemper cannot be passed onto humans, it is extremely deadly to dogs, particularly puppies. In 2009, Toronto was plagued by a case of distemper that killed hundreds of raccoons and skunks. Symptoms include loss of coordination and muscle control, difficulty swallowing, lethargy, circling, confusion, and seizures. Oftentimes, the early stages of roundworm are mistaken for rabies. While raccoons are not adversely affected by roundworms, they do cause a number of problems in dogs since roundworm larva migrate to the brain and attack the central nervous system.

Similarly, dogs that become infected with raccoon disease have the capability of passing it along to humans, as roundworm is a zoonotic disease. Raccoon disease, also known as roundworm, occurs when dogs eat feces from raccoons that have been infected with the Baylisascaris procyonis parasite. Whenever your dog develops unexplained vomiting or diarrhea, a veterinarian should test for this infection. Many dogs do not show symptoms, however, which is why annual fecal exams are important. Raccoon scat, however, will consist of berries and other vegetation while otter. Giardia symptoms in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. Species that are often confused with otter are beavers, raccoons, mink. Dogs can contract Giardia by consuming raccoon feces or by drinking infected water. Like Leptospirosis, Giardia can be passed from raccoon to dog to human with disastrous results. Raccoon feces is home to a number of bacteria, including Giardia. Dogs that spend any amount of time outdoors should receive the Leptospirosis vaccine. Symptoms include muscle aches, fever, yellowing of the eyes, diarrhea, lethargy, and dark urine. This disease is most commonly spread when dogs ingest urine from a raccoon latrine, or drink infected water, such as from a puddle or stagnant pond. Additionally, dogs can pass Leptospirosis to humans who then come into contact with their dog’s urine. Raccoons are one of many animals that can transmit Leptospirosis through their urine, which is a bacterial infection causing flu-like symptoms. Source: Diseases Spread by Raccoons Leptospirosis

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