Raccoon Roundworm in Rodents

[Diggie's Friend]

Though raccoon roundworm is well known in tree squirrels to be lethal, in the largest of the ground squirrels (marmots) that include ground hogs, it causes damage to the central nervous system, but isn't lethal. This video of in infected ground hog in the Eastern US. is a good example of the impact raccoon roundworm can have on their nervous system. The application of this information is to take a non releasable groundhog out of doors comes with the risk of encountering the eggs of the roundworm spread by raccoons that share the same habitat as the ground hog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SXd8v4PAD4

[RockyPops]

Life is rough for animals.

Poor thing!

[Diggie's Friend]

Raccoons, the main host of this nematode worm (Baylisascaris procyonis), are not killed by the adult worms, which live in the coons’ small intestines. But a variety of other small mammals, including squirrels, groundhogs and rabbits, can be fatally infected.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baylisascaris_procyonis

This squirrel is believed to have been infected with Raccoon roundworm.
(If you are disturbed by seeing a squirrel in this condition please do not view this video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvR96Z3_OJQ

In viewing the abnormal movement caused by damage to the nervous system by raccoon roundworm, some may assume that the squirrel has been inebriated due to ingesting overly ripe fruit; yet unlike the effects of alcohol that wear off, the abnormal movement from the damage of raccoon roundworm will continue unabated till death occurs. Compared to the long term effects of permanent neurological damage from traumatic brain injury if survived, the damage from raccoon roundworm in the brain is short-lived leading to mortality.