3 Raccoons Found with Distemper. Be Sure to Vaccinate Pets!

Wildlife officers at Chicago’s Animal Care and Control recently responded to calls about three raccoons suspected of having contracted distemper, a highly contagious disease that can affect several species, including domestic pets. Humans cannot contract the distemper virus.

“We want people to know that prevention is the best opportunity here,” said Animal Care and Control Executive Director Cherie Travis. “Vaccinating pets against distemper is very important to prevent the spread of the disease.”

Animal Care and Control is offering low-cost vaccine clinics at its facility located at 2741 S. Western Avenue on Tuesday, December 28 from 9 a.m. - noon, and on Wednesday, December 29 from 4 p.m. -7 p.m. The cost of the vaccine is $7 and no appointment is necessary. 

Additional Vaccine Clinics will be available on January 15, February 5, February 26, March 19, April 9 and April 30 – all from 9 a.m. until noon.  Rabies vaccinations will also be available at a cost of $15.

Distemper attacks the nervous system and symptoms of the virus include: trembling, seizures, twitching, partial or complete paralysis, and eye and nasal discharge. 

The public is encouraged to call 311 to report sightings of wild animals that appear infected and to take pets immediately to a veterinarian if they are exhibiting symptoms.

In 2004, the Chicago area experienced an outbreak of distemper virus that affected over 120 dogs and may have been transmitted to unvaccinated pets through exposure to infected wildlife.