Rather Frightening Birding Trip

[Kari]

Maggie,

So glad you're doing OK and not letting this experience stop you from getting back out there. I have never heard of a racoon attacking people, so I'm sure the experience was rather unique. From your description, it sounds like the racoon was pretty desperate and crazed.

Enjoy your weekend birding trips!!!

Kari

[tex]

and to let me know that I was the only person attacked by a raccoon this year.

Lucky you.

I realize that this information is probably irrelevant, but if it's any small comfort, that raccoon may have had canine distemper virus, (which is very similar to human measles virus), rather than rabies. Canine distemper virus is very contagious, and easily spread among animals, and it's almost always fatal to them. A raccoon with distemper will display many of the signs associated with the rabies virus, including very aggressive behavior, and they will attack without provocation, during the final stages of the disease. The similarities are so close, that it's not possible to tell the difference between rabies and distemper, without viral testing.

Based on the county health department's statistics, the odds are in your favor, now, that it won't happen again, so you should be able to get back to enjoying birding, as it is meant to be.

Tex

[Jan]

Dear Maggie,

Sorry to hear about your racoon attack. I live in a subdivision that is out of the city limits. I've seen all sorts of wildlife here. The only time I saw a racoon out in the daytime was one who had an injured baby. I sent the neighbor kids home and into the house just in case.

I hope the remaining rabies shots aren't too painful.

I am jealous of your birding and love hearing your stories.

Jan

[Linda in BC]

Oh, Maggie, just read your post and share others' shock and sadness that this happened to you. One just really has to wonder why it went right past your DH and "latched on" to you! Was it just in your destiny to be one of the "chosen few" who has ever been bit by a racoon?

fingers crossed that all the medical interventions prevent any further problems and do not incite any new ones.

Will be thinking of you tomorrow. Good for you that you won't let it stop you from doing what you love.



Linda

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning All,

Tex - great observation on the possibility of something with Rocky that would be less hazardous to one's health than rabies - that is a mortal disease as they say. They have not found the racoon as of yesterday but he is now probably dead in the woods somewhere. Better he than I.

I went yesterday for the 2nd shot and it was a single shot only - thank heavens - but boy it was hurtful and not a tiny needle. 2 more to go this Sunday and next and then we will have the series done. The leg is feeling better and I am still taking the antibiotics until they are done and doing a clean out and redressing each night. It is starting to look much better.

Thank you to this great family foar your concern and support. It is greatly appreciated and needed.

Love, Maggie

[Robbie]

Your ordeal sounds as scary as all get out! I'm glad you won't let it stop you.

[hoosier1]

What a story!!! Glad you are OK. Rich