Death from dead coon?

[GreeCguy]

So I'm driving home tonight from my parents place in Orlando. About halfway home, a huge suicidal raccoon jumps out in front of me. It happened so quick, I didn't even have time to swerve or slam on my brakes. Like Batman, the air was filled with sign bubbles reading, "POW," "BANG" and "ZOWIE!" (If you're driving highway 50 west of Groveland, that big dead coon in the middle of the road belongs to me).

I drive home, pull out the flashlight and sure enough, coon guts are coating the undercarriage of my car. Yuck! (There's coon hair stuck in various places as well). Busted some plastic parts, but nothing necessary. They are however, hanging down now and I figured first thing in the morning some quick work with a Saws All will do the trick.

However, like Tony Montana after his narrow escape from the Babylon Club, I am paranoid. In these parts, coons carry rabies. Someone put my mind at easy and convince me I will not catch rabies in the morning as I remove the broken parts of my car and wash what remains of said coon away.

Any help with this potentially threatening encounter will make both me and Mr. Rodgers feel better about our neighborhood.

 

[dparm]

Wear gloves and you'll be fine. Rabies has to enter your blood stream (through a bite) -- so unless you had open cuts/sores, and the animal was indeed rabid, the risk is low.

 

[Bandito440]

Spray the messy parts with a bleach/water solution and wear gloves.

 

[kmcavin]

From http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/rabies.html

"The rabies virus does not survive long outside of animals. It is generally destroyed by heat, sunlight, or air. Detergent, ethyl alcohol, or a one-in-ten dilution of household bleach can also destroy the rabies virus."

 

[GumbyJarvis]

GreeCguy, I know that road all too well, I live in hernando county, well, did before I was stationed at fort hood.

 

[Number21]

I know it's hard to resist, but DON'T lick it!

 

[eljefino]

Racoons are nocturnal. The fact that it was out at night works in your favor. However the fact that it was crazy and suicidal works against. Was it just chasing food or some sweet raccoon tail? Normal behavior.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Coons are a regular part of normal life these days. they co-exist easily with humans.

Ours here sleep high in a bigger oak tree, then come down at night to forage. Garbage, dog/cat food, almost anything will be eaten by these guys. They are remarkably intelligent as well.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I got chased by one in the parking lot and dented a neighbors car.

There have been a few rabid ones around here.

 

[jimbrewer]

I believe that Racooms also carry the brain-eating amoeba--no kidding. Take precautions

 

[LoneRanger]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
I believe that Racooms also carry the brain-eating amoeba--no kidding. Take precautions


The spectre of encountering that particular pathogen is why I no longer will swim in lakes. Had a case of it claim a guy's life about 100 miles north. Surprising it hit around here, typically needs warm southern waters to survive in. By the time they figure out what ails you, it's too late and you're a goner.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I got chased by one in the parking lot and dented a neighbors car.

There have been a few rabid ones around here.


My uncle has shot two, one with his Mauser 98 and one with a pistol...one was confirmed rabid, the other there wasn't enough left to test. (He shot it with a .500 Smith & Wesson.)

 

[supton]

Spring for a coin op car wash? That's what I'd do, let the mess be someplace else.

 

[GreeCguy]

Solution: Drove car to local drive through car wash today. While chatting with the fellow who runs the place, I told him what happened and he gave me a deluxe wash, (with the high pressure underbody wash) for the regular car wash price. There's still a little coon hair stuck underneath, but all in all it looks great. In fact, the deluxe wash came with a wax job and tire wash so the old Olds looks better than it ever has since the day I bought it.

After the wash, I simply yanked the plastic pieces off, (they were just about to fall off) and then washed my hands while singing "happy birthday," (seems to me I read that somewhere at some point in time regarding the flu).

Thanks guys for the guidance and making me feel like I'm not so paranoid after all.

 

[GreeCguy]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
GreeCguy, I know that road all too well, I live in hernando county, well, did before I was stationed at fort hood.


Happened in the middle of Richloam around midnight - very dark stretch in the Green Swamp.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
GreeCguy, I know that road all too well, I live in hernando county, well, did before I was stationed at fort hood.


Happened in the middle of Richloam around midnight - very dark stretch in the Green Swamp.


Yeah, been there, withlacoochee forest, grew up in those woods. Richloam is part of it, I wouldn't worry about a raccoon, seen much bigger, scarier things in those woods!

 

[GreeCguy]

Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Originally Posted By: GumbyJarvis
GreeCguy, I know that road all too well, I live in hernando county, well, did before I was stationed at fort hood.


Happened in the middle of Richloam around midnight - very dark stretch in the Green Swamp.


Yeah, been there, withlacoochee forest, grew up in those woods. Richloam is part of it, I wouldn't worry about a raccoon, seen much bigger, scarier things in those woods!


Cool - I grew up on the other side, (between highway 27 and highway 33 south of 474). Some of my people still live out on Laws Road. Night time in the swamp will definitely separate the men from the boys