A lot of raccoons in my area-downtown Sebastopol-lately. What's up? I have not seen these critters here before. They seem cute but as I recall from my East Coast days they cause a lot of trouble, no? Who knows something?
o o
>O<
Lily S.
04-14-2009, 10:25 PM
They are cute, but vicious and major pests. If you have pets, do not leave their food out at night as it encourages the raccoons to hang around. Same thing with a doggie or cat door. They have been known to come in and that is not fun! Do not try to pet them or catch them and instruct your kids in the same way. You will rarely see them during the day, but if you do it could indicate rabies and you will want to call animal control. One year in Forestville we had a ton of them and they were out day and night. No rabies, but daytime sightings are rare. If you have chickens or other fowl, be sure their coop is varmint tight as the coons will tear them to pieces when they are hungry which is, of course, every day.
Vet-To-Pet
04-14-2009, 10:33 PM
My guess would be that their former "neighborhood" has been eliminated, such as by buildings or other human-made artificial environment. Raccoons tend to be nocturnal (active at night) & are up in trees a LOT. They'll usually avoid interaction with people or residential areas, however, they can be a nuisance at night if you live near a wooded area & they come by to check out your garbage cans or any outdoor pet food dishes. You'll usually see evidence of their "mischief", such as dirty/muddy smears near/on the pet dishes, or they'll even take the top off garbage cans---some people have had to resort to bungee-cording the tops of the cans to the bottoms or placing a large stone on top of the can lid. If they're coming into an area where they haven't usually been seen, there's probably been construction nearby. warning: If they come around during the daytime and/or they don't seem to have any fear of humans (especially if you approach them), they could be rabid & run (the other way) like hell, scoop up all your pets & kids, put them (pets & kids, not the raccoons) indoors & call Animal Control or the Police/Sheriff. If they seem disoriented, that would also be an indication that they might have rabies---it effects the neuro system. Don't try to get close to it, it/they could attack you, bite you (or your pets, who might approach this "odd little fellow") which is how rabies is spread---via saliva of the animal with the virus. Don't take any chances, report this "new" development to Animal Control, they'd know if your suspicions 9about them being more prominant downtown lately) are
correct & advise you what to do or not do. Same warnings apply to skunks, but most people don't want skunks around, period.
Paula/Vet-To-Pet
A lot of raccoons in my area-downtown Sebastopol-lately. What's up? I have not seen these critters here before. They seem cute but as I recall from my East Coast days they cause a lot of trouble, no? Who knows something?
o o
>O<
Magick
04-15-2009, 12:07 AM
Aren't they amazing creatures! There hands are very much like our own watching them eat is a trip! They look like bandits and indeed have a mischievous nature. They will definitely eat any food left out and its best to keep your compost vegetarian.
Cats, dogs and raccoons definitely have issues with each other in all three directions.
I had a family of raccoons living under my apartment in the city with no problems.
Of course there was the time I was sleeping on the 4th floor of a house in SF when i was awakened by a jingling sound. Then I realized that sound was my gypsy vest I wore to do tarot readings and I opened my eyes to see a raccoon at the window with my vest in his hands!
It was such a hilarious vision I started to laugh and then I realized if I didn't act fast that little guy was going to be doing tarot readings out on the Wharf and i was going to be out of a vest! So I jumped out of bed and grabbed the vest. But he would not let go so easy, and a tug of war ensued.
Well, I won and I still own that vest, and I guess you could say they can be trouble, but the other thing I find fascinating is they are pretty fearless even around the most "troublesome species" of all...
If you have a specific question about something they do that you really need to keep under control for your well-being please send me an email and I will try to find an answer.
As the Mayans say, I am another yourself, Yours in truth, Magick
A lot of raccoons in my area-downtown Sebastopol-lately. What's up? I have not seen these critters here before. They seem cute but as I recall from my East Coast days they cause a lot of trouble, no? Who knows something?
o o
>O<
Hot Compost
04-15-2009, 12:26 PM
it's hard for me to think or raccoons as pests. i grew up with books like this
I think racoons are wonderful creatures and I have much admiration for their beauty, dexterity, ingenuity, and ability to adapt to human presence in what was formerly their turf.
They can be very gentle, sweet creatures if they’re not met with fear. Like all of us, they respond well to being treated with kindness and respect.
When they behave in a way that we call a nuisance, it’s simply because they’re hungry and are trying to scrounge some food to take the edge off the ache.
I used to have a family of racoons living near me in a suburban neighborhood. I had two cats at the time. The racoons would try to get into the house to eat the catfood in the cats’ bowls simply because they were hungry.
My solution was to provide them with their own bowl of cat crunchies outside. I’d give them a bowl of water, too, because they like to wash their food and wash their hands after eating. They’re very hygiene-oriented and like to keep clean.
I would sit nearby, on the other side of the screen door, while they ate and they’d look at me with appreciation and I them. The mother racoon and her babies became regular visitors, like friends stopping by for supper. I came to know them so well that occasionally they’d eat out of my hand, and would take the food very gently so as not to hurt me. I watched the little racoons grow up and go on their way. The mother racoon continued to return over the years with subsequent litters all of whom were gentle and courteous to me. They’d wait patiently at the screen door until I’d bring them their food and water. They never disturbed my cats.
They reminded me of mendicant monks stopping by for alms. I was always happy to see them. I felt priviledged to be able to sit and admire their beauty at such close range.
As a young child, I read the very book that Hot Compost mentioned. A charming story that evidently made a lasting impression.
Sara S
04-16-2009, 08:26 AM
All animals are great in books, I think, but out here in the country, they are definitely pesky! I have had to bungee my compost bucket lid on (after they ripped the lid edges off) and have had to cover the compost pit with heavy wire, weighted down with cement blocks, to keep them from digging it up and spreading it all around. And when I had a great crop of cherries last year, I got about a third of them, before the raccoons ripped off the rest of the cherries and half of the branch ends. I won't shoot 'em, but I'd love to be able to keep them out of the orchard!
it's hard for me to think or raccoons as pests. i grew up with books like this
Oh, dear...apparently, you've never heard of "Rabies". It's a virus that's transmitted through the saliva of an animal or any mammal (including humans) that's infected with the virus. Unfortunately, there's no cure for rabies---it's fatal and it's a TERRIBLE way to die. It effects the neurological system in the body---the nervous system---and one of the "signs" that a wild animal (including raccoons, skunks, bats) HAS rabies is an unusual lack of fear of humans, approaching someone's home in the middle of the day, or even approaching a human, which is VERY unlike their normal behavior. They are typically nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active at night, getting into garbage cans (scrounging for food) and eating pet food that's left outside, digging up certain plants, in general making a mess, even though most people pciture them as these "tidy little critters" who wash their hands because they're so fastidious about their hygiene---poppycock! They are not "washing" their hands, they're either washing off something they're about to eat, or trying to "fish" something out of the water. honestly, I don't know exactly what they're doing with the water, but rest assured it's NOT "washing their hands". And they do NOT respond to "kindness & respect"---they respond to free handouts.
Please, for the safety of yourselves, your kids, your pets, keep a distance between you and any raccoon or other wild animal that shows no fear of humans and/or is out & about during the daytime---this is NOT normal behavior & could be the early signs of rabies. If they're stumbling or disoriented, definitely run the other way, because they're already showing signs of the disease effecting their brain(s). Make sure all of your pets (dogs & cats) are up to date on their rabies vaccinations (every 3 years for most adult pets). Call the police or Animal Control & report where & when you saw that animal---don't try to catch it yourself. Don't feed it or go near it. The virus is in the saliva, so even if they don't bite you, if you have an open cut on your hand & you touch their saliva, the virus could enter your body that way. If you have any doubt about being exposed to rabies, see your MD or ER immediately, since there IS a treatment if you are immediately started on the medication.
Wildlife is to be admired & marveled at, but don't be foolsih and put yourself, your family, or your pets, at risk of death.
Vet-To-Pet/Paula
I think racoons are wonderful creatures and I have much admiration for their beauty, dexterity, ingenuity, and ability to adapt to human presence in what was formerly their turf.
They can be very gentle, sweet creatures if they’re not met with fear. Like all of us, they respond well to being treated with kindness and respect.
When they behave in a way that we call a nuisance, it’s simply because they’re hungry and are trying to scrounge some food to take the edge off the ache.
I used to have a family of racoons living near me in a suburban neighborhood. I had two cats at the time. The racoons would try to get into the house to eat the catfood in the cats’ bowls simply because they were hungry.
My solution was to provide them with their own bowl of cat crunchies outside. I’d give them a bowl of water, too, because they like to wash their food and wash their hands after eating. They’re very hygiene-oriented and like to keep clean.
I would sit nearby, on the other side of the screen door, while they ate and they’d look at me with appreciation and I them. The mother racoon and her babies became regular visitors, like friends stopping by for supper. I came to know them so well that occasionally they’d eat out of my hand, and would take the food very gently so as not to hurt me. I watched the little racoons grow up and go on their way. The mother racoon continued to return over the years with subsequent litters all of whom were gentle and courteous to me. They’d wait patiently at the screen door until I’d bring them their food and water. They never disturbed my cats.
They reminded me of mendicant monks stopping by for alms. I was always happy to see them. I felt priviledged to be able to sit and admire their beauty at such close range.
As a young child, I read the very book that Hot Compost mentioned. A charming story that evidently made a lasting impression.
bodegahead
04-19-2009, 11:05 PM
You are parranoid of people leaving the tavern, parranoid of raccoons.You are probably just as likey to have some kook up on Main St. jump up and bite you Watch out for the birds. I live and have lived around raccoons much of my life and have never been attacked nor do I know of anyone who has. I know of at least a few people who have been attacked by other humans though.I have the feeling most people here have a basic sense of how to take care of themselves. My suggestion is if you come face to face with a raccoon is don`t act parranoid, keep a distance, talk to them, tell them what you think, appreciate the enconter. Most likely they will split, but if you are fortunate, they might feel comfortable and hang around. You know, it`s their planet too. I wish I knew how to help you feel less parranoid of life and how to lighten up.
enigmaha
04-19-2009, 11:10 PM
Fear not! The raccoons who visited only came by at night and they exhibited healthy caution when approaching. They showed no signs of being rabies carriers. It was only after mutually growing familiar with each other over time that I risked extending my palm with food in it, and I did so cautiously. The raccoons used their hands to take the food from me, not their mouths, so no contact with saliva was made. I watched them wash their hands many times. There was nothing in the water bowl to fish out. They really did respond to kindness and, yes, it was being offered in the form of food. Mutual trust was built.
My experience with these particular raccoons happened between 15 to 25 years ago. I'm fine. No worries. I thank you for your concern, nonetheless.
In subsequent years, I have worked off and on with many forms of wildlife at various wildlife rehab centers, in this country and internationally. If an animal was a candidate for being healed and released we'd make a point of having as little contact with it as possible, so it would maintain its wary distance from people once back out in the wild. Some were permanently injured so had no hope of surviving if they were to be released so some became permanent residents who were ultimately brought to schools for educational purposes or kept at the centers for people who came to visit to see and appreciate. These animals would definitely respond to kindness.
I agree that the advice you're offering is good sound advice as a general policy for the sake of the general public, but I don't advocate fear as the main driving force in doing so. This can encourage the mentality of the gun-toting sector of the population who would be inclined to shoot wildlife out of fear. Instead, I advocate keeping one's distance out of respect for allowing wildlife to stay wild.
The raccoons I described above were already inhabiting an unnatural setting (a suburban neighborhood) which I felt justified the actions I took. It stopped them from trying to get into the house for the duration of the time that I lived there, too. It was a gratifying exchange.
And yes, rabies can be transmitted by some wildlife, so your cautionary advice pertaining to that is important for the public to be aware. But, again, the rabies carrier is not the norm. One needn't be afraid of all of them just because some are sick.
If they're out at night and are not exhibiting other unusual symptoms one needn't react to them out of fear. I prefer love as a response to our fellow creatures and appreciation for their plight, while doing what's necessary to discourage them from frequenting one’s house, such as securing one’s garbage or other food sources, and, I agree it’s a good idea to make sure pets are kept at a safe distance so no unnecessary rows occur.
Lily S.
04-19-2009, 11:46 PM
The reason raccoons "wash" their food is to moisten it. They do not have salivary glands.
enigmaha
04-20-2009, 12:00 AM
By the way, we often hear or read that raccoons don't have salivary glands, so they often dunk their food in water before eating it. It's true that raccoons often manipulate their food in or near water before eating it, but they do have salivary glands. In fact, when veterinarians check to see if a raccoon is infected with the rabies virus, saliva from the animal's salivary glands is checked with fluorescence micrography.
bodegahead
04-20-2009, 05:21 AM
Wow. They say you learn somthing everyday. I already learned my somthing and it`s not even 6a.m. yet.:jig
Barrie
04-20-2009, 12:41 PM
Oh, dear...apparently, you've never heard of "Rabies". It's a virus that's transmitted through the saliva of an animal or any mammal (including humans) that's infected with the virus. Unfortunately, there's no cure for rabies---it's fatal and it's a TERRIBLE way to die. ...
Last time I checked, there have been no instances of rabies in Sonoma County for a long time. I had a skunk walk across my deck in the middle of the day, drink out of the cats' water dish, and amble on by completely unafraid of me. I was concerned & called animal control. They told me there was nothing to worry about. So I don't worry any more. Barrie
enigmaha
04-20-2009, 11:49 PM
Hi Vettopet,
First, I want to clarify that I’m not a vet and so defer to your expertise as to what methods are currently employed to detect the rabies virus. My understanding (more limited than your own) is that different methods are available, including that of saliva. (I found a link pertaining to this which I’m including at the end of this post).
When studying Microbiology in college, some years ago, was when I first heard mention of fluorescence microscopy being used to detect the rabies virus. Since the rabies virus is transmitted by saliva it makes sense that saliva could be tested for its presence, even though, based on your experience, brain tissue is what is now in use. The information I shared last night was stated on a website.
Perhaps the saliva method has now been replaced?
My intention in posting on the Raccoons thread was simply to share my personal good experience with them and to encourage people to appreciate them as very likable fellow beings rather than viewing them mainly through the lens of being a nuisance or creatures to be feared.
I personally like them a lot. I also really like bats, fox, skunks, bobcats, coyotes etc.
They’re all wonderful in their own right. I’m so glad they’re here even if they can become an inconvenience to people at times.
Discussing diagnostic methodologies for the rabies virus is out of my league. I pass on this link for you to pursue if you wish.
The presence of rabies virus in an animal or an infected person is determined by multiple tests:
Serology (neutralizing serum or cerebrospinal fluid antibodies in an unvaccinated person are diagnostic but usually are only detectable late in disease).
Immunofluorescence antigen determination using biopsy skin, brain or corneal specimens (figure 8). A full thickness nuchal skin biopsy (skin biopsy from the nape of the neck in which the observer looks at the nerves at the base of the hair follicles) or brain biopsy can be examined for rabies antigen using a direct fluorescent antibody test.
Saliva may be tested for rabies virus RNA by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) or by isolation of the virus.
Histologically very characteristic is the presence of Negri bodies. These are eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions formed by aggregates of nucleocapsids in neurons of about 50 to 80% of infected humans (table 3 and figure 7). They are typical of rabies, but the results need to be read by someone experienced with rabies and there can be false positives - so all such results need to be confirmed by another method.
Other tests include the growing of virus in the brains of mice or in culture, after which antigen tests are used to determine the presence of virus. Also anti-rabies antibodies can be detected BUT only very late in the disease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can also be used to detect virus (figure 6).
bodegahead
04-21-2009, 06:55 PM
From what I`ve heard and read thru the years, being bit by a rabid animal, humans included, is not necesisarily fatal. If the bitten seeks immediate medical attention and recieves a series of vaccination shots prior to onset of rabie symtyms, chances of survival are good. That.. is why, if someone gets bitten and the bitter can`t be found for testing, the docs will automtically put the bitten thru the serries of vaccinations, about seven, as a precaution. So, if you get bitten while communing with our fellow rascals, or get bitten by anyone you don`t know, it is imperative that you let a doctor know immediately.
Vet-To-Pet
04-21-2009, 11:46 PM
Hmmmmm....That sounds quite a LOT like exactly what I posted in reply to another person's comments about "communing with nature/wildlife". vaccinations, by the way, are given to prevent being infected with a disease (such as having your dogs/cats vaccinated for Rabies virus as well as other canine & feline viruses). If someone who hasn't been previously vaccinated for protection from rabies is bitten by an animal of unknown rabies status (ie, it's not known if they have rabies & they can't be caught to test their brains, or quarantine them, if they're domestic pets), that's when they receive treatment, or the antidote for rabies, since the vaccination, given after the fact, is useless. Call the Dept of Public Health if you have any questions about rabid animals in this area and/or what to do if you or someone you know is bitten. The CDC in Atlanta would also have a record of all rabies cases everywhere in the country, recorded by year, region of the country, what kind of animal transmitted the virus, fatalities (yes, some people still die from rabies at least a few times every year, so don't get complacent), everything you could ever want to know about rabies or any disease of public concern. Sometimes what you 'hear' can be incorrect information, especially word of mouth info. Always double check with the local authorities about whatever area of info you're questioning. Be careful while enjoying the nature in your backyards & beyond. Be informed. Get current information. The treatment for rabies is no longer 21 injections into the person's abdomen, although it still involves some injections, but progress has been made. Don't be too trusting of these "little rascals", however---it could be a dangerous approach.
Enough about rabies!
Smiles,
Vet-To-Pet/Paula
From what I`ve heard and read thru the years, being bit by a rabid animal, humans included, is not necesisarily fatal. If the bitten seeks immediate medical attention and recieves a series of vaccination shots prior to onset of rabie symtyms, chances of survival are good. That.. is why, if someone gets bitten and the bitter can`t be found for testing, the docs will automtically put the bitten thru the serries of vaccinations, about seven, as a precaution. So, if you get bitten while communing with our fellow rascals, or get bitten by anyone you don`t know, it is imperative that you let a doctor know immediately.