Raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and native predators infection pathogens and parasites comparison

Abstract

Invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and native predators red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Eurasian badger (Males males) are an important vector for many diseases like rabies, Trichinella spp. and mange. The mange and trichina situation between predators occurring in the burrows in three different Lithuanian regions located in the western (Telšiai), central (Ra­seiniai) and eastern (Rokiškis) districts of Lithuania were compared. The analysis showed that the raccoon dog is a very important vector of sarcoptic mange but red foxes are the most common reservoirs of trichinellosis. Eurasian badger plays a minor role in transmission of these pathogens and parasites.