The increase in calls about wild animals suffering from canine distemper in London is alarming, with city officials now reporting an average of half a dozen inquiries each day regarding this dangerous disease. Canine distemper is a highly infectious and often lethal virus that primarily affects mammals like raccoons, skunks, and coyotes, and it poses a significant risk to unvaccinated pets. This surge in cases has prompted authorities to strongly encourage pet owners to ensure that their animals are vaccinated and up-to-date on their shots to help curb the spread of this illness.
In the previous year alone, the City of London received around 1,300 reports concerning wildlife suspected of having distemper, revealing a notable 10 percent increase compared to 2024. According to Dr. Kim Millar, the city's veterinarian, a staggering 860 of those calls were specifically related to raccoons. "Raccoons and skunks are the most frequently affected species," she explained. "The distemper virus often experiences periodic spikes, particularly when we see a rise in wildlife populations due to milder winters or easier access to food sources, which facilitates quicker transmission of the virus. That's when we start to notice a troubling uptick in cases."
The virus is known to severely impact the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of affected animals. Dr. Millar noted that distemper is more prevalent during warmer months, likely because more people are outdoors and come into contact with these wild animals. Unfortunately, there is no cure for distemper; treatment options are limited to managing symptoms, and the fatality rates among wildlife can be quite high.
Dr. Millar emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating that the distemper vaccine is a highly effective method for preventing this disease in pets. She noted that instances of distemper among domesticated animals remain rare, and there is currently no evidence suggesting that humans can contract the virus.
Brian Salt, the owner of Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre located in nearby Mount Brydges, mentioned that he receives approximately six calls each day related to raccoons and skunks affected by distemper. "We’ve been aware of this virus for several years, but there has definitely been an increase in reported cases. It’s hard to tell if the situation is genuinely worsening or if more people are simply aware of the signs and symptoms, but the number of calls we receive keeps rising," he shared. Due to the increasing number of calls, Salthaven has stopped accepting raccoons altogether.
So, how can you identify if an animal is infected with distemper? The disease spreads through aerosol droplets, bodily fluids, or direct contact with an infected creature. Early signs can include mild symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever, progressing to severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and thick, yellow, crusty discharge from the eyes. Neurological symptoms, which are often more noticeable, may involve lack of coordination, disorientation where animals seem to circle aimlessly, seizures, and thickening skin on the nose and foot pads.
A key indication of infection is the behavior of the animal around humans; generally, healthy raccoons would flee at the sight of people. If a raccoon appears unafraid, remains motionless, or curls up in a visible spot, this could signal a serious issue. It’s important to note that raccoons can carry both canine and feline distemper, which is commonly seen in cats. Moreover, the virus can survive outside an animal host for several months under cool and damp conditions, making it even more critical for pet owners to be vigilant.
"If a raccoon leaves droppings or urine in your yard and your dog, who isn’t vaccinated, sniffs around that area, there's a considerable risk that your pet could contract the virus," Salt cautioned. He highlighted that the provincial guidelines recommend humanely euthanizing animals diagnosed with distemper to prevent the virus's spread. "Once neurological symptoms manifest, the prognosis is grim. Those animals will not recover, and it’s cruel to let them suffer through that process."
If you come across an animal exhibiting signs of distemper, both Millar and Salt advise contacting the London Animal Care Centre for assistance in safely handling the situation. "These animals can wander into traffic, potentially causing accidents as drivers swerve to avoid them," Salt noted. "Often, they will just crawl off into the woods to die or continue to spread the virus to other wildlife, perpetuating the cycle."
However, it’s worth mentioning that many rural areas surrounding London, such as Lucan and Woodstock, lack the same level of resources to manage such wildlife issues and may require intervention from provincial police, especially when animals are located near busy roads like Highway 401.
To keep wildlife and pets safe, Dr. Millar recommends not leaving garbage or food out in yards, as this can attract wildlife and increase the likelihood of encounters with infected animals.
