RELATED | Picking up wildlife may do more harm than good, experts warn local residents<\/a><\/p>\n Several raccoons in Abilene have been reported to have distemper. (Bessie Hollar)<\/p>\n Distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease.<\/p>\n Hollar said the disease can easily spread to other animals, including pets.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a raccoon wants to drink out of the water dish or something on your porch, that can be transmitted to your dog if your dog has not been vaccinated recently,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n RELATED | Prairie dogs at Red Bud park treated for mange outbreak by local wildlife center<\/a><\/p>\n Distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. (Bessie Hollar)<\/p>\n Hollar said if you leave food or water outside for animals, you should bring those dishes in when they are not being used to help prevent the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n She also told us that if you think your pet has been exposed to distemper, take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully your animal does have yearly vaccines,” she said. “It should be vaccinated against any kind of distemper from a raccoon. But if they share the same water bowl, if they smell any droppings from the raccoon that can transmit the distemper virus, and they can catch it if they have not been vaccinated.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED | Abilene Animal Shelter closes to prevent distemper outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n if you think your pet has been exposed to distemper, take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. (Bessie Hollar)<\/p>\n Hollar said there are several signs that can indicate a raccoon may be infected.<\/p>\n \u201cWith raccoons, it’s lethargic,” she said. “They’re going to be very, very tired. They’re not going to act normal. Typically when they see you that they’re not going to run away. They’re going to show no fear of humans. They’re going to act, basically like they’re confused and lost. They will stumble a lot. They will have discharge coming from their eyes and their nose. They can also have respiratory issues. And towards the end, they’ll start having seizures.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED | ‘Drastic increase’ in dog distemper cases reported in Abilene<\/a><\/p>\n Hollar told us there is a treatment for pets with this disease but there is no cure for distemper. (Bessie Hollar)<\/p>\n Hollar told us there is a treatment for pets with this disease but there is no cure for distemper.<\/p>\n She said that if you encounter a raccoon that you suspect has distemper, do not mess with it.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t try to handle the animal yourself,” she said. “Don’t try to raise it or heal or anything. Because distemper with raccoons is fatal.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Several](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/b541a87c-1862-4a28-98c5-e9c9cd51e1a7-IMG_7198.jpeg\"\/)
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