HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. -- In one of the first sick wildlife cases this year the raccoon remains were collected and tested by the Hernando County Health Department, officials said Friday.

It was determined that the raccoon did not have rabies, but did have distemper.

Raccoons are highly susceptible to both canine and feline distemper. It is the second leading cause of death for raccoons and is nearly always fatal for the animal.

There is no treatment for either form of distemper, which is a viral disease that affects a wide variety of animals.

If you see a raccoon that is showing these signs, stay away from the animal (also keep pets away) and contact a wildlife trapper or the Sheriff's Office.

Distemper is highly contagious. For this reason, HCSO deputies must euthanize any raccoon that is displaying signs of distemper - then bury the animal at least two feet deep, on site. This is to prevent the spread of the virus to humans or other animals.

Please ensure that your pets are vaccinated and kept under control.

Unvaccinated pets that are permitted to wander are at a higher risk to contract distemper and other harmful diseases. It is also a violation of Hernando County Ordinances to allow pets to wander and/or to not be properly vaccinated and licensed.