Dog killed raccoon

Post Reply
User avatar
Taylor_B
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 85
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:10 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Dog killed raccoon

Post by Taylor_B » Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:45 pm

Hi all
Opinions needed here: This evening when we took the dogs out in the yard, i could hear a critter crying right as we opened the gate. I assumed it was a young groundhog as we have many out this way this time of year. Needless to say, as we got down in the yard, both dogs headed for the creek...very normal for them so i didnt assume they were after anything. Next thing i know, they're barking like lunatics, i heard the little critter cry again, and then our bigger dog lunged and grabbed it. Turns out it was a baby raccoon. She killed it right there. Both dogs are very up to date with vaccines, and it was just getting towards dusk, so it wasnt as if the coon was behaving strangely by being out. Would you take any further action? Our vet can do a rabies booster they said, but neither dog is late on their shots. Would you send the coon in for testing to the game commission? Or just stop worrying? Thanks!

User avatar
Garrison
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 1213
Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:29 pm
Location: Winchester CA

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by Garrison » Sat Aug 10, 2019 9:36 pm

I personally wouldn’t worry too much, I believe I read that there is growing evidence that the every three year protocol is overkill. Fleas and ticks on the other hand would likely be of concern.
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
- Mark Twain-

User avatar
dog dr
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 1320
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:02 pm
Location: Pike County, IL

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by dog dr » Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:00 am

If the dogs are current on vaccines, you have nothing to worry about.

User avatar
Taylor_B
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 85
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:10 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by Taylor_B » Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:24 am

Alrighty - thanks guys.
Yes - both of our dogs are current on their vaccines and regularly receive flea and tick meds.
I appreciate the replies - gives me peace of mind!

shags
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2717
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:57 pm

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by shags » Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:06 am

Something to not worry about, but to be aware, is ACIP (coondog paralysis). It's rare, serious but recoverable, and might not be something your vet has seen before.

My jagd has killed dozens of coons with no problems other than the occasional wound, but I mark the encounters on the calendar just in case.

User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9113
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by Sharon » Mon Aug 12, 2019 2:47 pm

So true. Just discussing that on our Ontario Out of Doors forum. TWO members are dealing with coon paralysis with their dogs right now. Apparently , nothing much can be done but hope the dog recovers.


"I’d never heard of it. Although not limited to any specific breed, anybody (particularly those that actually hunt coons with dogs) have any experience with this in their dogs?

Unfortunately, we are currently dealing with our near 5 year old yellow lab Bailey for what the Vet suspects is Idiopathic Polyradiculoneuritis, colloquially called Coon Hound Paralysis. Bailey always did sit a bit side-saddle and I did suspect we would be dealing with potential hip dysplasia in later years, but this is different. It is described as a sudden inflammation of nerve roots and peripheral nerves. It can be attributed to contact with raccoon saliva (hence the colloquial name) but there are other suspected causes.

Last Friday he started the day seemingly normal, even on our morning walk. However as the day progressed, his side-saddle sit became more pronounced and I noticed him laying down often. Later that evening, his hind end became weak which is the typical starting point of this affliction and it can eventually include all limbs and neck. He’s on meds since Saturday so I hope we got a quick start. From what I’ve read, there isn’t really any continuous med regimen for this. His front legs and neck seem not too bad. Recovery can be measured in months but we hope we got started before it got too advanced.

At this point, the “diagnosis” of Coon Hound Paralysis is the Vets best guess based largely on there not really being much pain as there might be if it were a herniated disc / nerve pinch or other spinal injury. I keep massaging the legs and “tickling” the paws to see if he jerks them in response. The right-rear leg is the worst with the left-rear leg more responsive but still deficient. Such is the downside of pet ownership that we have all had to experience one way or another. We’ll just have to ride this out and see where we end up. It does not appear to be life-threatening in Baileys case as it hasn’t progressed much and there are subtle hopeful (wishful?) signs of improvement so that’s good and most (not all) info on-line suggest recovery from Coon Hound Paralysis is a high probability. We hope so. This affliction was cited on-line to be fairly “rare” but once you start researching it on-line and find so many discussions/reports of it, one has to wonder............." Private member
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

User avatar
Taylor_B
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 85
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:10 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by Taylor_B » Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:02 am

Thank you for the note - I had never heard of that until now.
I will certainly keep it in mind.

User avatar
kninebirddog
GDF Premier Member!
Posts: 7846
Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Coolidge AZ

Re: Dog killed raccoon

Post by kninebirddog » Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:30 am

shags wrote:Something to not worry about, but to be aware, is ACIP (coondog paralysis). It's rare, serious but recoverable, and might not be something your vet has seen before.

My jagd has killed dozens of coons with no problems other than the occasional wound, but I mark the encounters on the calendar just in case.
This is specially of they got into the urine of the coon.

Rabies and distemper are the other concerns



Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.

Post Reply