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Baylisascaris Infection 114.e3

Chronic Treatment recent contact with raccoon environments is forks of trees, attics, haylofts, abandoned
possible.
• Patients surviving the initial neurologic • B. procyonis does not usually cause any buildings), which may contain raccoon feces
VetBooks.ir • A long course of glucocorticoids may be outwardly observable clinical signs in • Raccoons are attracted to sources of food. Diseases and Disorders
disease may be permanently handicapped
with millions of infective eggs.
and require supportive and nursing care.
People should not attempt to feed them.
raccoons.
necessary to control the necrosis and inflam-
mation associated with larval migration and Prevention • Young children should be closely observed
when outside to reduce risk of ingestion of
parasite death. Preventing exposure to raccoons and their feces infective eggs.
is paramount. Cover sandboxes when unused,
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME and avoid raccoon latrine areas. SUGGESTED READING
Gavin PJ, et al: Baylisascariasis. Clin Microbiol Rev
• Severity of signs and speed of progression Technician Tips 18:703-718, 2005.
are related to the egg burden ingested. • Make clients aware that raccoons should
• Prognosis is poor if clinical signs are advanced never be considered as family pets, indoors ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
at time of diagnosis, fair to good if signs are or outdoors. In most states, laws prohibit READING
mild and treated quickly. maintaining any wild animal as a pet without Kazacos KR: Baylisascaris procyonis and related
official permits. species. In Samuel WM, et al, editors: Parasitic
PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS • Technicians should always wash hands after diseases of wild mammals, Ames, IA, 2001, Iowa
handling feces. State University Press, pp 301-340.
Comments AUTHOR: Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD
• Consider NLM in an animal with acute Client Education EDITOR: Joseph Taboada, DVM, DACVIM
onset of asymmetrical neurologic deficits • People and pets should avoid raccoon latrines
consistent with encephalitis, especially if (e.g., bases of trees, fallen logs or large rocks,

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