My dog tries to approach a raccoon in the yard. Is it dangerous?

It's difficult to say if this is raccoon feces for sure from the picture, but if it is, raccoons can carry a form of roundworm, and it can be harmful to dogs and humans. Even if it is not raccoon feces, other types of wildlife can also carry parasites that can be harmful to dogs and humans. I recommend calling your vet to get dewormer for Hachi right away. Your vet may also recommend an appointment to have Hachi examined and running a fecal test on him to check and see if he has any parasites. If this is not an option I recommend seeing if you can get an over the counter dewormer that is labeled for dogs and giving it as per the label directions. If you notice diarrhea or vomiting, or worms in Hachi's stool, I recommend seeing a vet right away, as these could be signs that Hachi has intestinal parasites. Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning up Hachi's stool to reduce the risk of infection.

The good news is she is current on her Rabies vaccine if it was administered 3 months ago. It would be recommended to have her evaluated, though, to ensure no additional treatment needs to be provided for any bite wounds that are present. Raccoons can also carry Canine Distemper Virus so make sure she is current on that vaccine as well.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Teddy is current on his rabies vaccine, there is almost no concern in that department. If he is not up to date, you’ll need to call your vet because state laws vary on what has to happen next. I would warn first, that it may become infected and he may need an antibiotic so watch for swelling, redness, oozing, or excessive pain at the site. That being said, if that doesn’t seem to be happening yet, that’s a great sign. Next, I would recommend cleaning the wound as thoroughly as you can with dilute betadine or hydrogen peroxide. Then he needs an E-collar ASAP (most pet stores carry them) to prevent the licking so he doesn’t get it infected and lets it heal. If he cannot get to it, feel free to apply a triple antibiotic ointment like Neosporin. Repeat the cleaning and the Neosporin once daily until healed. If at any time the wound looks weird to you or Teddy is acting differently (lethargic, not eating, etc) take him to the vet right away. Side note: if he doesn’t already get regular flea/tick treatment, I’d get some because raccoons can carry fleas. Best wishes to you and Teddy!

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Rabies is commonly spread through a bite wound. So there is very low risk of rabies transmission based on what you have described as making ocntact through a screen net. It isn't impossible because rabies is found in the saliva, just very unlikely in this scenario. Just keep an eye on your pet Kate for the next 7 days for any abnormal behavior (i.e. excessive vocalization, irrational behaivor, aggressive behavior, and if she is not up to date on her rabies vaccination, I would highly recommend getting her vaccinated asap. I hope that things work out well for your pet Kate moving forward. Best wishes and take care.

If he gets in contact with such wild animals, yes,it is definitively best to have him vaccinated. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

They are probably nothing to be concerned about. Minor scratches can be cleaned with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Dry thoroughly afterwards. Monitor for redness, swelling, discharge, bleeding, fever or lethargy. If Pepper is current on her vaccines, rabies is not a concern either.

Hello. Daisy may have been bitten by a raccoon or another cat, but cats do not get coon fever as we know the disease to affect dogs. Without a picture, I can not evaluate the coloration on her nose, so the best would be to have her evaluated by your veterinarian in case she needs antibiotics or other treatment. I hope she is feeling better soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.