This observation comes to us from Ben Sandifer. It is a follow up of sorts to an article I linked last week about a Distemper epidemic spreading through our local Raccoon population: Distemper Outbreak. The hot spot for the disease seems to be centered around the north end of White Rock Lake—an area of very high Raccoon population density.
Ben photographed this Distemper stricken juvenile Raccoon on one of the many fishing trail cut into the woods that grow up around White Rock Creek. This Raccoon was very sick. He was clearly fever stricken and unable to move. Its breathing was labored. Distemper is a nasty disease, and this animal is doomed to a slow, painful death.
If you come across a Raccoon that appears ill or is behaving strangely contact your local animal control.