injured raccoon

snafu

snafu

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Feb 3, 2004
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Nashville, TN
www.fullpullmotorsports.com
I was turning in our driveway and noticed in the middle of the road a lump, looked like a ball. I drove closer and saw that it was a small raccoon and it was curled up and still, but very alert. Rather than leaving it there to die, I went back to the house and grabbed some heavy leather gloves and an old laundry basket. I thought I could put the gloves on and pick it up like a cat, by the back of the neck and put it in the basket. Every time I would touch him (dunno if it's a he or she) he would hiss and bow up and turn to face me. I got a good look from all sides, although quickly, and legs seem fine, and no visible blood. After trying three times to pick him up, I set the basket on its side an walked around behind the coon. He looked at me and back at the basket and walked in and layed down! I gently turned the basket upright and put it in the back of the truck. He is now in a big wire cage inside a building with a blanket over the top to keep it dark. I'm thinking if he makes it though tonight, he might have a chance. At least he doesn't have to worry about defending against dogs or other hungry critters for now.
Anybody have experience with care and feeding of a 10-12 lb. wild coon?
 
No, but often times vets will rehabilitate and treat wild animals to be released at no charge to the good samaritan who brings them in. It's worth a phone call I'd say. And if they won't, you could also check with the local wildlife rehabilitation centers. There's usually someone somewhere qualified to help them out.

Just be really careful around it, obviously, since it could have a disease...
 
Raccoons eat just about anything and everything. Tuna comes to mind as a favourite, if you've got any. You might want to call whatever agency looks after wild animals like that, like Natural Resources (canadian) or the SPCA for some advice as well.

Good luck, I hope your new 'pet' pulls through.
 
I assume it was hit by a car. There is no other obvious reason for it to be in the road not moving.
I just checked and he is still breathing and alert, although hasn't moved.
Maybe I can find a vet or rehab center (good idea) in the morning that will be willing to help.
 
When during the day did you find him? Id be increadibly careful around him, he could have rabbies or something. If you found him during the middle of the day chances are that he has rabbies. Take him into an animal shelter of some sort and they'll quarentine him and see if hes sick. If hes not they generally care for him until hes ok then they release him.
 
I work with a rehabber here in Michigan, and everyone's warnings of caution are valid, but any injured wild animal that is normally nocturnal and is suddenly out in the light of day is not always diseased. Since I'm not familiar with your state regulations on injured rabies vector animals or distemper you should get ahold of a local agency. The DNR local to you should be able to tell you about the rabies and distemper issues and refer you to a rehabber. The animals will not show any outward signs of illness if they are rabies carriers though distemper will show some signs to different degress of being docile etc. I can't stress enough that you need to get ahold of a rehabber and or the local DNR and protect yourself from bites etc.


Two of the great dangers to an injured wild animal is shock and dehydration. Keep a good fresh supply of water for it. The accepted food when rehabbing, atleast up here, if they can eat unassisted is dog food, the hard stuff. Keep the gloves on at all times when you are near it as ANY bite the animal gives you will result in not only it's death for testing but also tests and medications for you, not cheap either.


Here's what I could find on rehabbers in Ten.
Tennessee, Central region (Nashville)..... 615-299-9938
Howard Ezell, Walden's Puddle Wildlife Center

Hope it helps and let us know how it goes. :)
 
Last edited:
chunks: it was midafternoon
I called several local vets, and none of them were liscensed to care for wild animals. I learned it is illegal in TN to keep a wild animal, so if I dont reply again, ya'll may have to have a fundraiser to bail me out of jail. :D
I didn't know there were such things as rehab centers for animals, and have already been in contact with Waldens Puddle. (thanks heat) They take everything except deer, poisonous snakes, and bats. I am waiting for the kids to get home from school before taking the coon, because they love animals and would like to see this place I think.

UPDATE: coon is staying very still, and I put some bread with peanut butter in with it earlier. He ate maybe two bites and drank most of the water that had been in there all night. Outwardly, he looks normal, except he just lays there. He has changed positions several times, and last night he was sitting up like a cat would, but resting his head against the side of the cage. all that moves is his eyes, even when I change water, or put food in. (wearing thick gloves of course) The water was very dirty this morning, like he had taken a bath in it. :confused:

skippy: I am just doing what everybody else here would do in the same situation...
 
They really do like to bathe their food before they eat it, so that should explain the dirty water. The coons at our local rehab centre have hideboxes. Thier new arrivals do the same thing as the one you rescued without them. If he got hit by a car, he might have an internal injury making it hard to move as well.
 
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