Distemper Warning for North Oregon Coast Raccoons

Published 12/14/2010

(Seaside, Oregon) - There may be a problem for some pet owners on the north Oregon coast as Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is investigating a probable outbreak of canine distemper affecting raccoons along this shoreline from Seaside to Astoria.

Authorities in the area have noticed a run of complaints about sick and injured raccoons for the last two weeks, all showing symptoms consistent with canine distemper.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that infects raccoons, coyotes, skunks and unvaccinated dogs. The disease does not affect humans. Symptoms may include discharge from the nose and eyes, a rough coat of hair, emaciated appearance and unusual behavior such as disorientation or wandering aimlessly. The symptoms become progressively worse and the disease us usually fatal. Animals affected by canine distemper can be unpredictable and therefore potentially dangerous, according to Dave Nuzum, assistant wildlife biologist with ODFW’s Tillamook office.

During the last two weeks, police and commercial wildlife control operators have disposed of about 10 raccoons that exhibited such symptoms.

“We definitely have an outbreak going on here,” said Dan Smith, owner of Clatsop County Wildlife Control, a commercial wildlife control operator. “This is getting to be a daily thing.”

People who see a raccoon that is acting abnormally are advised to keep a safe distance and call the police, a commercial wildlife control operator or ODFW. They should not feed the animal or try to administer any medications, should make sure their dogs are vaccinated for distemper and remove any food sources that might attract raccoons.

Officials say that feeding raccoons is highly ill advised because it can concentrate animals and facilitate the spread of disease.

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