Carriers of Rabies
Foxes, skunks, raccoons, groundhogs, and bats are rabies vector species and can carry the rabies virus without showing any of the typical symptoms. It is important to handle these animals with caution if you need to rescue one. Use gloves, towels, or other thick materials. Some symptoms the animal might display are:
- Any discharge from the eyes and nose
- Dragging rear legs
- Excessive drooling
- Scruffy fur
- Signs of neurological disorder
Prevent any type of exposure to the animal. Exposure would be you coming into contact with the animal's saliva from a bite or on any open wounds and mucus areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. These symptoms could also be signs of parvovirus or distemper in raccoons and foxes, keep away from your pets.