Do Raccoons Have Rabies? (3 Signs That A Raccoon Has Rabies)

Raccoons alongside some other animals like skunks, bats, and foxes are the main carriers of rabies in the wild today. So, as innocent as that raccoon you just saw may look, it could be a carrier of the deadly rabies virus. Which it can pass to any other animals, including humans if given the opportunity. 

But where and how do raccoons get rabies? There are a few ways that these arguably cute mammals can get infected with rabies. And in this article, we have provided every information you need to know about raccoons and rabies. 

Are Raccoons Born With Rabies?

How do raccoons get rabies, are they born with the rabies virus? No, raccoon babies, also called pups or kits are not born with rabies. 

Rabies is not hereditary in wild animals such as raccoons. However, an infected mother can easily pass it to her pups during breastfeeding. Baby raccoons can also get the rabies virus from their mother’s saliva when they are feeding on food that their mother must have brought to them using its mouth.

So, raccoons are never born with rabies because it is not a hereditary disease.

How Do Raccoons Get Rabies In The First Place?

If raccoons are not born with rabies, then how do raccoons get rabies in the first place? Raccoons are not the only mammals that can get infected with rabies. The other carriers of rabies in the wild like bats, foxes, and skunks, can pass rabies on to raccoons.

When raccoons get bitten by these infected animals, they come in contact with the infected animals’ saliva which contains the rabies virus. And the moment an infected animal’s saliva gets into the raccoon’s body, rabies infection starts. 

Do All Raccoons Have Rabies?

No, some raccoons are free from rabies. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of the raccoons in the wild have immunity against rabies. So, no matter how high the number of raccoons with rabies gets, it’s not all the population of raccoons that will be infected.

How Long Can A Raccoon Live With Rabies?

A raccoon can live its entire life without showing symptoms of the infection. But they remain the carriers of the rabies virus and can pass it on to other animals. 

Research shows that most raccoons can live up to a maximum of three days after showing symptoms of the infection. But so long as they are not exhibiting the symptoms, they can live their normal lives all through the incubation period of the virus, which varies from weeks to years, depending on the strain of the virus.

What Are The 3 Signs That A Raccoon Has Rabies?

You might not be able to tell if the cute raccoon in your backyard has rabies because the infection will not change its color or shape.

However,  there are certain signs that raccoons exhibit when they get infected. It is the signs that you have to look out for in a raccoon, to tell if it is infected. These signs and symptoms can be categorized into three, which are;

Abnormal Behavior: Normal raccoons are shy and tend to avoid humans as much as they can. But when you find a raccoon that will not show any sign of shyness or fear when facing you, it could be a sign of rabies infection.

They may also get pretty aggressive even without you provoking them, as the infection makes them violent. Lastly, infected raccoons tend to make strange screeching sounds, so you might want to beware of that screeching raccoon out there.

Abnormal Appearance: Another symptom that raccoons exhibit when they get rabies is the presence of ruffled and matted furs. Also, they tend to foam around the mouth, especially when the infection gets very serious. 

Unusual Pattern of Movement: An infected raccoon may become paralyzed with time or walk as if it’s drunk. 

Raccoons are known to go to places with purpose, so when you see one walking about without direction or just rotating in a spot, it could be a sign of rabies infection. Lastly, they tend to sleep a lot during the day and move about at night, but a rabid one and a mother raccoon looking for food for its babies will most likely be found outside during the day.

Does Rabies Kill Raccoons?

Yes, rabies has been known to kill raccoons at random. The disease is fatal if left unchecked in the body of a raccoon because it affects the central nervous system of the infected raccoon. 

This is one of the reasons why some people do not believe that raccoons are carriers of the virus. They see raccoons as cute victims of rabies. And looking at it from their perspectives, one might agree because they get infected and then die from the virus after a few days of showing symptoms of the infection. 

How Common Is Rabies In Raccoons? 

Even though raccoons, the common culprits of rabies infection account for about 30% of all rabies infections in the United States of America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that only about 35% of the raccoons tested turned out positive.

Going by this report, we can say that although rabies infection is very common in raccoons, only about 35% of the tested raccoon population in the United States has rabies.

Can Raccoons Carry Rabies Without Symptoms?

Yes, depending on the strain of the rabies virus and the duration of the infection. Raccoons with rabies do not show symptoms during the incubation period of the virus. Making it possible for a raccoon to live with rabies for months without showing any sign of the infection. 

It has also been reported that most strong and mature animals with rabies in the wild do not show any sign of rabies infection for months and sometimes years. This is why you have to treat every raccoon with care as it might be infected. 

Can Raccoons Get Rabies Shots? 

Yes, there are rabies shots that you can give to your raccoon pets to prevent the incidence of rabies infection. You can also go for the oral rabies vaccine, which is more common. Meanwhile, let’s remember that raccoons have been banned in some states in the United States as pets. 

What To Do If A Raccoon Has Rabies? 

If you observe any of the symptoms of rabies infection in a raccoon, do not confront the animal. Don’t try to kill it, as the poor creature will probably die in a matter of days. 

Their aggressiveness could also expose you to the danger of getting bitten or coming in contact with their body fluids. So the best thing to do is to maintain a safe distance and call the authority in charge of wildlife control in your vicinity. Alternatively, call a professional that can handle such. 

Remember to take all the necessary precautions to prevent raccoons from coming in contact with your family and loved ones. Vaccinate your pets and report any case of exposure to the right authority, for immediate medical intervention.