Raccoons & Parvo

The raccoon is a solitary animal in the wild.

Raccoons are susceptible to a type of parvo (parvovirus) known as Parvoviral enteritis. It is very similar to feline parvovirus (FPV), but is its own subspecies and is designated raccoon parvovirus (RPV).

Signs and Symptoms of RPV

Signs of RPV present themselves a few days after infection. They include watery, bloody diarrhea that smells very bad, lack of appetite, fever, and vomiting. RPV is often fatal, but if the raccoon starts eating again within a few days it has a good chance of survival. An animal that does defeat RPV has natural immunity and can pass it in vitro.

Passing the Virus

Adult raccoons tend to be solitary animals. Lacking the social interaction that occurs within other species, there is less opportunity for direct animal-to-animal infection. Instead the disease is passed through the feces of a contaminated animal. No form of RPV can be passed to humans.

Treatment for Captive Raccoons

There is no medical treatment for RPV, so supportive treatment is vital. Providing intravenous fluids and antibiotics to maintain strength and prevent secondary infections can be the difference between life and death.

References

• Journal of Wildlife Diseases: Parvovirus Infections in Wild Carnivores
• University of Northern British Columbia: Parvovirus
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Raccoon Fact Sheet