Raccoons

[pollyandfriends]

I know many people who read about Peaches yet are not close with her in person think she should be put down because of the severity of her disability. I believe these types of decisions should be made on an individual case basis by the person/people who care for the animal on a daily basis. That being said I realize it can be helpful when others share their experience with a suggestion. Over the years I’ve found in most cases only the people who spend time with an animal truly know when its time to let go for the animal’s sake.
I had to recognize something I never wanted to think about one year ago. Before I brought Peaches home I knew if she didn’t improve it would not be fair keep her alive in her condition. Peaches was 2.5 months old by the time she came to me. I was told that the wildlife rehaber before me left her for two months in that condition. Peaches had made no progress or growth at all in two months. From the first day I laid eyes on Peaches I never understood how anyone could leave such a creature in her state with no medical treatment or progress. I’ll never forget how sick Peaches was at first. Peaches arms, legs, hands and feet were all covered in very deep self inflicted wound. Peaches chewed her own thumb off during her constant seizures. After picking little Peaches up I always had her blood all over me from her injuries. To this day one year later Peaches has scares some so severe they look and free like scabs. In addition to her constant seizures and self mutilation Peaches was blind and had no ability to smell at all. She was terrified of everyone and thing around her because she was unable to recognize her surroundings let alone the people who filled them. Peaches moved as she seized but could not intentionally go any where. She had been left laying on the same side already for two months before she came to me. Peaches has a huge patch where no fur can ever grow again. In fact only a very thin layer of skin remains. Peaches being a baby normally would suck a bottle, but Peaches could not suck at all. For two months her previous care giver squirted Kitten Milk Replacer in her mouth to provide nourishment to her. A life for her had she not improved would not be fair to continue.
The day after picking her up Peaches saw a vet for the very first time. She was diagnosed with canine distemper a virus that attacks the brain and is almost always fatal. I did research, networked with other wildlife rehabers and vets who like mine specialize in raccoons. This collaboration began Peaches life saving treatments. I appreciated all who contributed, but the local raccoon rehaber who told me about as well as providing me with Tami Flu and my amazing vet really saved baby Peaches. Over time Peaches never stopped improving for many months. Peaches got her vision and sense of smell back and learned to eat one her own. She had absolutely no seizures for nine months. With treatment she quickly began to demand me to hold and groom her. Due to me being the only one handling her during a crucial time in her life she bond to only me. I quickly realized she loved to go for walks to parks with me. Being outdoors and spending time with mama is her favorite thing to do. When we are together with the sun and wind around us everything is perfect for us. She stretches out to get as much of her covered in sunlight.
April 29, 2007 as Peaches turned one our life of perfections came to a halt. It was a Saturday and I had the entire day off work. Peaches and I had a special day together. It was 9pm or so when I glazed over at Peaches sitting up munching down. I remember how happy I was with Peaches recent progress. Although she had been walking for some time she had only just learned how to sit up. Of course her walking included a lot of tumbling over but she could walk and now sit up as well. Ten minutes later our perfect world fell to pieces. She appeared fine a few moments before when I heard her scream. She was having terrible seizures once again. By the time we got to the vet she was unresponsive and near death again. Once again everyone pitched in to save Peaches. We assumed this to be a second distemper flare up. It was a roller coaster for her and I. She would show improvement for a time and then go so far down hill so fast. I hoped she would survive but just as I had to when she was a baby I knew she had little chance at survival. Vets and other rehabers began to bring up euthanasia. I knew if she didn’t improve soon that letting her go would be the only option because I couldn’t leave her to suffer like she was.
Peaches won this battle yet again. Soon she was not seizing or sick. Once again she must slowly regain her brain function. She had a set back but now a couple months later she is back to her old self with the exception of still working on learning to walk once more. She is very good at scooting but still needs to regain more balance before she’ll be able to walk once again. She’s been making progress in her brain for the last couple months much faster then she ever did the first time around. I’m confident she will soon walk once more. I see her making more steps in that direction by the day.
I’d like to now give you a peak into Peaches today. Peaches eats like a little pig and laps water on her own. She still hates peas as much as when she was a baby. As soon as she lays eyes on me she scoots over and demands cuddles. When she gets tired she makes a nest for her head. She hasn’t figured out that although her head is hidden the rest of her is very visible. Oh well she’s cute what can I say. Peaches has been so happy over the last couple months once again. Her and I got out when its not too hot out and like before these are her favorite times. She has lived with me for one year now ten of those months she has had a wonderful and happy. For the last two months her and I have gone back to our life of perfection. None of us really have a perfect life but Peaches and I feel as if we do whenever we are together and healthy. I know this perfect life of our won’t last forever. I also know the euthanasia will most likely have to be considered again at sometime. I hope this is far from the present. As long as she’s happy we will live in our perfect world. We are so close.

[pollyandfriends]

Polly and Friends is an organization dedicated to raccoons.
If you have found a raccoon or have a wildlife related question please visit our web page:
http://pollyandfriendsraccoons.com

To learn more about me please check out my blog:
http://allisrecovery.blogspot.com/
Alli Aletheia Robinson-Wilson is director of Polly and Friends. She is 26 years old and has been rehabilitating wildlife since she was 10 years old. The Raccoons she's raised have touched her heart and changed her life forever. She loves to write, create art, take photos, make scrapbooks and educate the public about raccoons. She's working on a book about her life and the lives of her raccoons. Alli wants to share the lessons she has learned from her raccoons.

Most of my raccoons over the last 13 years returned to their natural wild home. Raccoons like other wildlife grow up to be wild, restless and hard if not impossible to handle as adults. I realized along time ago it was not fair to me or them to keep them captive any longer than I have to. Peaches the raccoon in my profile photo never could live independently. She required allot of on going medical and supportive care. She had serious brain and organ damage. I spent everyday for a year keeping her alive and happy. Nothing made me happier then to see her enjoy life. Peaches was my world. On July 26, 2007 there was nothing more I could do to keep her organs functioning and Peaches passed away. We remember Peaches May 1, 2006-July 26, 2007.

To learn more about me please check out my blog:
http://allisrecovery.blogspot.com/

[Irie]

Alli....I think it is wonderful what you are doing with raccoons...I love them very much and have raised a few myself. You are so right - they belong in the wild when they are ready. They are so entertaining and intelligent - it was a great experience. Keep up the good work and please post more photos.

[jeremy0341]

Hi there,
hope I gain good knowledge here.