Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis)

Raccoon latrine on a roof where roundworm eggs can be washed to the soil below by rain. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

This deadly infection can cause blindness and neurological damage and death. Learn more about this relatively unknown, but dangerous disease by visiting the links below.

While raccoons may be cute and fun to watch, they can be dangerous if one doesn't take appropriate precautions. Recent studies have found that up to 60 percent of raccoons can be infected with this worm.

Note the raccoon feces (called a latrine) on the roof of this home. Photo by Stephen Vantassel.

Resources

CDC Info on Roundworm

http://www.missouri.edu/~vmirorc/Nematoda/Ascarids/Bprocyon.htm

http://www.pathfinder.com/living/latest/RB/1998May22/594.html

http://www.cc.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/devold/twrid/html/hp.htm

Roundworm Info

Cleaning up Raccoon Feces

Raccoon Latrine Clean Up Protocol-A Proposal by Stephen M. Vantassel

Raccoon Latrine Clean Up Guidelines Santa Barbara Cty, CA

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/zoonos2.htm#15 (talks about decontamination of cages)

Egg Deactivation Temperature Study CDC

Images

Images of the Roundworm--Ohio State University
If you want to see what the worms look like this is the site for you.

Image of a worm egg hatching a worm

References

Article abstract on Treating Raccoons with Roundworm

Bauer, C; Gey, A. Efficacy of six anthelmintics against luminal stages of Baylisascaris procyonis in naturally infected raccoons (Procyon lotor). Veterinary Parasitology, v.60, n.1-2, 1995:155-159

Abstract: The efficacy of six anthelmintics against natural infections of Baylisascaris procyonis in raccoons (n = 7 per drug) was determined in a series of critical tests. The drugs were given via moist cat food as a single dose or once daily for three consecutive days. Raccoons treated with pyrantel embonate (1 times 20 mg base kg-1 bodyweight (bwt.)), ivermectin (1 times 1 mg kg-1 bwt.), moxidectin (1 times 1 mg kg-1 bwt.), albendazole (3 times 50 mg kg-1bwt.), fenbendazole (3 times 50 mg kg-1 bwt.) or flubendazole (3 times 22 mg kg-1 bwt.) expelled 1-198, 2-24, 2-14, 3-80, 2-70, or 2-35 B. procyonis stages,respectively, within the faeces. No roundworm was detected in any raccoon at post mortem examinations 7 days after the end of treatment. These results suggest that any of the six anthelmintics can be used at the dose rates tested in a deworming programme for captive raccoons.

Technical Articles Relating to Raccoon Roundworm

Kazacos, Kevin R. and Walter M. Boyce. "Baylisascaris larva migrans JAVMA, Vol. 195, No.7, October 1, 1989. pp. 894-903.

Nance, Dara. "Baylisascaris procyonis and the Wildlife Rehabilitator IWRC Journal Vol. 9 No. 3 pp.12-16

Stephenson, Joan, "RACCOON PARASITE AN EMERGING HEALTH CONCERN" November 6, 2002 Journal of American Medical Association, 2002;288:2123-2129 http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/current/ffull/jmn1106-2.html

Kazacos publications page http://lcme.vet.purdue.edu:8080/cgi-bin/reference/reference.cgi?ID=142&DEPT=3

Books with Information Relating to Raccoon Roundworm

Dr. Kevin R.Kazacos in the 2nd edition of Parasitic Diseases of Wild Animals, Iowa State University Press, Chapter 11, p.301-341, 2001