Distemper is a viral disease that can affect raccoons, among other animals in the canine families. Raccoons can acquire canine distemper, which is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that affects animals in the families Canidae, Mustelidae, and Procyonidae. The disease is most often fatal, and those that recover may display permanent neurological damage. The virus is generally passed through inhalation of the virus, but it can also be spread from raccoon to raccoon within their natural habitat. The visual signs of distemper in raccoons include moving slowly, stumbling, losing their fear of humans, appearing blind and confused, and wandering aimlessly. They may also have a mucous discharge around the eyes and nose and may be accompanied by coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, or chewing fits. Raccoons with distemper may appear aggressive but actually be more disoriented and less afraid of humans. Infected raccoons are usually euthanized, as there is no treatment for canine distemper. Humans cannot contract distemper through exposure to the virus, but dogs not vaccinated for distemper can become infected if they come into contact with an infected raccoon.