‘It was probably the sickest raccoon I’ve ever seen,’ said Aleigha McLean, a falconer and wildlife advocate<\/p>\n
A local falconer is concerned a deadly virus could be spreading in the city\u2019s raccoon population \u2013 and it\u2019s one that poses a grave risk to pets.<\/p>\n
Since Easter Sunday, two residents in the Bayview neighbourhood and surrounding area have reached out to Aleigha McLean about raccoons that she said were seriously ill.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a common occurrence for McLean, who frequently connects injured wild animals with the care they need.<\/p>\n
The first raccoon McLean was contacted about was particularly ill when she went to pick it up.<\/p>\n
\u201cA girl messaged me on Easter Sunday, and said\u00a0that there was a raccoon in her yard. It wasn’t moving much,\u201d she told SooToday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI picked it up. It was really not doing well. That\u00a0was probably the sickest raccoon I’ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLean brought the raccoon to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society, where it was kept outside before getting euthanized.<\/p>\n
She said this raccoon\u00a0exhibited symptoms of canine distemper \u2013 a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that can impact domestic dogs and ferrets.<\/p>\n
While the disease has not been confirmed by a lab, McLean suspects that’s what it had, given the\u00a0symptoms.<\/p>\n
“The most telling sign of it is if they are not moving much, and then eye discharge and nose discharge,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are\u00a0the classic symptoms of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the symptoms show, they don’t ever make it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
It’s a slow and painful death.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needed to be euthanized by the vet that comes there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier today, McLean was contacted about another sick raccoon on Whitney Avenue, just a few blocks from where the first one was found.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt had the same exact symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
She told the resident to contact animal control.<\/p>\n
SooToday found the raccoon on Whitney Avenue,\u00a0resting on a\u00a0lawn in broad daylight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It did not get startled when it was approached.<\/p>\n
To help prevent the disease, McLean said residents should get their pets vaccinated, as well as take\u00a0extra precautions.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep an eye on what your animal is doing outside,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn’t let them approach any wildlife at all, or eat anything off the ground. Then\u00a0wash their paws when they come inside.\u201d<\/p>\n