Sick, Growling, 'Zombie' Raccoons Reported In Stickney

STICKNEY TOWNSHIP, IL — Growling, teeth gnashing and crawling in circles. If you see a raccoon acting this way, stay away from it, and keep your dogs and kids away from it too.

The Stickney Police Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for raccoons that may be “acting strange.” The raccoons may have canine distemper virus. Warning signs in animals possibly sickened by the virus include "not moving and just staring, growling [while] showing their teeth or crawling in circles."

“If you see one of these animals do not approach them,” Stickney Police posted on Facebook. “Do not let your dogs and children near them. Do not try to feed them.”

Between Jan. 23 and March 15, Stickney Township Animal Control responded to four to six raccoons who were walking around in circles and falling over,” NBC 5 Chicago reported.

Animal control officials have not confirmed if the sick raccoons recently recovered have distemper. Now, the virus appears to be popping up in skunks as well. Test results won’t be back for a few days.

Dog owners are urged to make sure their dogs distemper vaccination is up to date. Symptoms of canine distemper include:

• Fever
• Nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Crusty eye discharge
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Canine distemper is a virus that affects multiple systems, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, according to Pet Assure. It is highly contagious and frequently fatal.

If you think your dog has distemper, keep it away from other dogs. Dogs rarely recover from distemper on their own, so take your dog to the vet right away. There is no specific test that can be performed to determine a distemper diagnosis, Pet Assure says. Dogs with weakened immune systems may not survive the early respiratory stage of the virus. Stronger dogs may recover only to develop neurological signs later. A dog that does recover from distemper may still infect other dogs from 12 to 18 months.

Should you see a raccoon, skunk or other wildlife exhibiting zombie-like behavior, call the Stickney Township Animal Control at 708-424-9200 or your local police department. Whatever you do, don’t feed the critters or try to befriend them.