[ad_1]
This may seem like a Hollywood invention, but the "zombie raccoons" are real and the police say they pose a threat to pets.
The Riverside Police Service warns pet owners that raccoons are carriers of the distemper virus, which can cause infected animals to walk on their hind legs, stagger and deflate teeth – reason for which they are called "zombies".
According to the American Kennel Club, distemper is one of the most serious diseases that can be contracted and one of the easiest to prevent. The name probably sounds if you took your dog to a veterinarian for routine care. It's one of the basic vaccines that your dog has probably received, "with vaccines against parvovirus, canine adenovirus and rabies," says the Kennel Club website.
According to Police Chief Tom Weitzel, animals that have not been vaccinated are at high risk in the Riverside area after three reports of "Zombie Raccoons" recently.
"We have had several cases involving raccoons with distemper in our jurisdiction," said Weitzel. "If you see a sick raccoon that may pose a threat to public safety, call the police."
The distemper virus affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system of the dog. Symptoms may include ocular and nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. Death can occur from secondary pneumonia or from an epileptic seizure, he added.
"It seems that every year around the same time, we are hearing more and more calls about raccoons and responding to calls about raccoons that may be dangerous to the public. Our policy allows us to shoot animals that are suffering or posing a threat to public safety, "said Weitzel.
The police will drop the animals and the public works teams will dispose of the carcasses, he said.
The police department said that dogs in back yards, even fenced, could be particularly exposed to wild animals. It suggests direct monitoring of dogs to avoid unwanted contact with wildlife.
The best way to prevent Carap disease in dogs is to vaccinate them. It is recommended to visit a veterinarian twice a year. Pet owners who bring their dogs with other animals, such as dog parks, training courses or boarding houses, should check if these places require proof of vaccination.
"The most virus-sensitive animals are those who are immunocompromised by age or another disease," the police department said on its website.
Twitter @ 312BreakingNews
Read more local news ยป
[ad_2]
Source link