Diseases and Conditions of Mammals

Illness or disease is an entirely different issue. The following information is being provided so that you might be able to better assess a wild animal's needs before you call a rehabilitator or game warden in your area for assistance.

Be advised that stress is the #1 cause of death in wildlife.  Cats are #2.

This disease is typically present in sick raccoons, but can also be seen in foxes and skunks. The indications of this disease are not usually apparent until the disease has reached the progressive stages indicating euthanasia for the infected animal. Once neurological signs are present, this disease cannot be successfully reversed.

Also be advised that many of the signs of this illness duplicate the signs found in rabid animals. For that reason, a situation with an animal displaying any or all of these characteristics should be referred to a local animal control shelter, a game warden, or a rehabilitator in your area for on-site assistance. DO NOT APPROACH THIS ANIMAL.

2) FELINE DISTEMPER(Panleukopenia):

This is another major problem for certain feline sub-species of wildlife in the United States. Also referred to as Parvoviral enteritis, transmission of this disease can come from raccoons directly or indirectly, through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials ( food, water, bedding, etc.). The disease can be spread by fleas and/or house flies.

The incubation of this disease is 2 to 6 days.

Signs of this illness include depression, fever, vomiting (resulting in dehydration of the animal), and diarrhea which may have mucous or blood in it (another dehydration factor).

This disease is not transmitted to humans, but it can have a severe affect on family cats who are not vaccinated. This illness is very contagious. 

3) SARCOPTIC MANGE:

This condition is the result of small mites which burrow under the skin of an animal and feed on the animal. This infestation causes severe itching and a rash on the skin surface. As this illness develops, the animal (most commonly seen in foxes) loses fur. As this parasitic illness progresses, the animal's immune system is compromised and can result in death of the animal.

Red foxes are highly susceptible to this condition and often do not recover. Grey foxes seem to be better candidates of rehabilitation for this curse and usually recover with appropriate medical management.

4) RABIES (Hydrophobia):

Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to any warm blooded mammal through direct exposure to the saliva of an infected animal. This is another of those neurological disorders, which means that it affects the central nervous system to the brain. It cannot be cured.

While many of the symptoms of this disease reflect the same symptoms as canine distemper, it also includes paralysis of the throat, head-tilt, impaired sense of  taste, drooling, and disorientation.

Rabies can be characterized as one of two types - (1) canine rabies , and (2) wild rabies. And being a disorder affecting the brain, the animal that is infected will react to the disease according to what area of the brain is influenced.

Research suggests that this illness is not usually displayed in the form of "furious" rabies. The more common form of rabies in wild animals is usually the "quiet" or "dumb" rabies. The sick animal wanders off to die when the illness is in its later stages.

Research further suggests that this disease is most commonly seen in bats and feral (wild) cats. However, the general population should avoid contact with raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. Some states have included Groundhogs (wood chucks) and opossums to this list in the last few years. It has been reported that these two species have been known to contract the disease while trying to protect their homes from invading intruders.

Rabies is not found in the bird population, and it is rarely found in the rodent family, i.e. mice, rats, moles, voles, beaver, rabbits and squirrels.

Mammals, including man, are at risk.  

5) PASTEURELLOSIS:

Said to be the most common bacterial infection in rabbits, it has also be found in deer, raccoons and chipmunks.

This illness can be easily passed to other animals through saliva and fecal material. This disease spreads rapidly and shows few indicators until the disease in well established in the upper respiratory tract of the animal(s) in question. If treatment is not handled in a timely manner, death will result.

Signs of the illness include respiratory infections (i.e. pneumonia), hemorrhaging, skin abscesses, conjunctivitis, weakness, loss of appetite resulting in weakness, nasal and eye discharge, impaired motor skills (walking, standing, balance, etc.). 

Stress and/or a noticeable reduction in food resources can trigger this condition. Recovery is difficult but sometimes possible in chronic cases of this infection.

6) MAGGOTS:

The intense heat of summer presents wild animals with numerous health issues relating to their continued survival.

Animals and birds who become immunocompromised due to starvation, illness, loss of a mother to provide proper food and care, etc. often become the victims of maggots. These external parasites result from flies laying eggs on the animal. The heat encourages the development and growth of the eggs resulting in large numbers of larvae covering any open wounds as well as attacking the eyes, nose, ears, and anal cavities of the body. Maggots feed on the tissue of the infested animal and will result in the death of the animal if appropriate medical attention is not provided.

7) WARBLE(S):

This temporary condition is the result of a Bot Fly laying an egg on a host (wild animal) and the egg developing under the skin of that animal, feeding from the animal during the larva stage of the fly's development.

Warbles are typically seen on squirrels or rabbits, but they have, on occasion, been found on  house cats. Box turtles can also be affected.

As the larva develops, you will see what appears to be a moving hole on the skin surface of the animal and one or more large skin eruptions or tumor-like growths. The hole is where the larva breathes. Usually the larva develops into another fly and leaves the animal when totally formed.

Worse case scenario:  the animal host scratches the breathing parasite, killing it in the process. If the warble dies while living on the host, the animal will develop an infection and die as well.

Warbles can be removed by a knowledgeable rehabilitator or certainly by a willing veterinarian to reduce the threat to the animal's health. Warbles are a temporary condition and typically do not compromise the well-being of the animal.

8) SALMONELLA:

A serious bacterial infection that in some cases can be transferred to humans, which can be found in some members of the Reptile family, i.e. turtles as well as the family Iguana. Turtles raised in captivity rarely have this illness providing the housing of the turtle is well maintained, cleaned frequently (removing all fecal matter and old food) and the containment area is well disinfected.

The major cause of this illness for domestic animals as well as wild animals is from contaminated food and water.

Salmonella can also be found in certain mammals, e.g.  rabbits, and this dreaded illness can result in death to the animal. Salmonella should be considered for animals who display signs of intestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, bloody urine, etc.