Raccoon Distemper Detected In Tulsa: What Pet Owners Need To Know

Wildlife experts say pet owners need to make sure their dogs' vaccinations are up to date after several people in Tulsa have discovered sick raccoons in midtown neighborhoods.

The Tulsa Animal Welfare Department says they tested three raccoons, and they all came back positive for distemper.

Around six raccoons currently live in Beth Provencher’s backyard. As a wildlife rehabilitator, she takes in animals all the time.

“We get them hydrated, we get them fed, we get them comfortable,” she said. 

On Monday, she got a call from someone near midtown Tulsa after they stumbled upon a raccoon that didn’t look well. She tested the raccoon for distemper, a disease that attacks the respiratory and nervous system, and it came back positive. Its symptoms got worse, and she had it euthanized on Wednesday.

That raccoon was just one of a few spotted in neighborhoods like Crosbie Heights, Owen Park and Riverview.

“They look like they’re in poor condition or lost,” Provencher said. 

Provencher believes the outbreak may be due to the recent drought.

“I would think that would congregate everybody to the water sources, and so they're going to spread things easier," she said. "We’re not seeing it out in the country, we’re seeing it in the city.”

She says it’s best to just stay away from a raccoon if you think it might be sick.

“Do not try to handle it, do not feed it, do not approach it, keep your pets away from it,” said Provencher. 

Kaitlyn Burns lives near where the sick raccoon was found. She says she would keep her distance if she saw one herself, especially since she has a dog,

“Definitely pick up the dog, either walk the opposite direction or just go back home," she said.

"If you have a raccoon coming up to you, there's something going on with it," said Provencher.

Provencher says the most important thing to do is to make sure your dogs are up to date on their vaccines, and she encourages people to report any unusual behavior.

You can report sick raccoons to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife or a wildlife rehabilitator.

If you see a dead raccoon in Tulsa, you can't bury it yourself. The city says to put it in a bag or a box on the curb and call 311. The city says if you're not sure it's dead, it's best to not approach it.