If your cat, dog, or other household pet comes into contact with a wild animal such as a raccoon, armadillo, or possum, they could be exposed to:
Millions of animals die every year from rabies. The disease is mostly passed through an infected animal’s saliva, so all it takes is one bite for your furry family member to be exposed to it. Once infected, your pet may suffer from paralysis, weakness, disorientation, fever, loss of appetite, weakness, and even sudden death.
If your pet is exposed to the outdoors frequently, you are probably already checking for ticks on a regular basis. However, when pets are around wild animals, the chances a tick will latch onto them are much higher. The biggest worry when it comes to tick bites is the spread of Lyme disease, which can cause loss of appetite, depression, lameness, and renal failure.
Your pet can be infected with leptospirosis just by coming into contact with an infected animal’s urine. The animals that most commonly carry the disease include rats, mice, raccoons, skunks, and opossums. Leptospirosis attacks the kidneys and liver and can cause vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and more. If not treated, leptospirosis is fatal.
While this disease is uncommon in dogs and cats, your pet can still develop tuberculosis if exposed to an infected animal. Symptoms can range from weight loss and diarrhea to fever and harsh coughing. Sadly, there is no current cure for tuberculosis in animals, and most pets infected with the disease are euthanized.
The importance of keeping your family, especially the furry members, away from wildlife is crucial. A cute video is not worth sacrificing the health of your pet. At Critter Control Orlando®, we understand you may not always have eyes on your dog or cat while they’re playing outside, so let us help you keep your home and yard pest-free. At the first sign of any wild animal, contact our technicians, and keep your pets safe! For a free consultation, call us today at 407.295.7194.