Raccoons Cause Concern for Local Pet Owners
(28 Aug 06) by Eric Gustafson, CNO Staff

Sightings of raccoons in neighborhood alleyways have been on the rise, causing concern of disease amongst pet owners. Raccoons and other wild animals can carry Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can affect liver and kidney functions, and is transmittable to humans. “It’s a disease that’s difficult to diagnose, so prevention is key,” said Dr. Courtney Blake of VCA Cedar Animal Hospital, a clinic in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood.

Blake advises pet owners not to allow drinking from lakes and puddles, as transmission can occur through contact with urine or other bodily fluids left behind by other animals. She also urges good hygiene practices by pet owners, especially hand-washing. To learn more about Leptospirosis and other pet health issues, contact the VCA Cedar Animal Hospital, 3604 Cedar Avenues South, at (612) 721-7431 or visit www.vcacedar.com. More information is also available online at www.avma.org, www.mvma.org, and www.cdc.gov.