Mechanism. Possums, like other stray animals, could transmit diseases to humans. I will call his vet in the morning. The chances of catching the rabies virus are extremely low if your dog hadnt killed a possum or contacted an adult possum. I regularly write about how other animals and dogs interact. Toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease can also be transmitted to your dog by direct contact or by ingesting contaminated food; parasites and Protozoan Opossums can also cause toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, co. Because these animals are so close to one another, they may face a confrontation with a pet if they approach. You May Also Read Why Do Dogs Like Butt Scratches. It is usually thought to be associated with other oral diseases, longterm antibiotic treatment, or a suppressed immune system. The first shot is usually given to puppies around three months old and repeated yearly. These real but unlikely possibilities are enough to make people fear the disease. The dog found a possum inside his mouth when he returned. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Should I be worried? If your dog is not up to date on vaccines, you should take him to the veterinarian. Thank you for your prompt answer. I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw that she had a baby possum in her mouth. It is not a good idea to scare the possum away or attempt to engage it in any physical contact. When a possum is hissing and foaming at the mouth, it can look just like symptoms of rabies. Is a baby possum dangerous for my dog? A mother possum will defend her babies with her life, and so this possum is far more likely to cause injury to your dog than a childless one. Despite the fact that possums are generally regarded as pests and frequently damage gardens and property, they are not always dangerous to dogs. What happens if a dog eats a possum? They always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they run out of breath. When playing dead the possums body goes limp, and they start to secrete a green mucus from their anal glands, which smells as if they have become a rotten carcass. If there is any chance that the possum had been poisoned before your dog got to it, then you need to contact your vet immediately. The odds of a healthy, vaccinated dog getting rabies from a possum bite is almost zero, but for unvaccinated dogs, the chances are a bit higher, even though very few possums actually carry rabies. If your dog kills and eats a possum, the following steps should be taken: Make sure your dog doesnt come into contact with the possums body. JavaScript is disabled. Also, you will need to pay for the test, but it is better than being left in doubt and not having the ability to act until it is too late. Possums are known for their resistance to large dogs. A quick but stern "leave it" after, Gavin had given up on his prey. All dogs are descended from wild wolves. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Possums are thought to be less likely to become rabies infected than most other warm-blooded animals because their body temperature is much lower. This can inflict some serious harm to your dog, given how sharp their claws and teeth are. Rabies should not be contracted by a dog that has been vaccinated. If attacked, they might play dead, but they also might fight and scratch and bite. Even if your dog is not injured by a possum, if they got too close there is a chance that the possum couldve passed on a tick to your dog. The first thing you have to do is check the severity of the wound. Opossums can also be used to spread other diseases, such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, and tularemia. If there is no threat of poisoning, your dog may become ill if he eats a dead opossum. Next, check for injuries in your dog and then call the vet. The bottom line is this; serious diseases like rabies are extremely rare in possums. In general, your pets will not be harmed by an opossum, which is docile and does not exhibit aggressive behavior. Still, there is a chance that an interested dog might get a bit too close to a possum, and this could lead to the possum having to defend itself, so it may lash out. Well, the good news is that possums are usually pretty docile rather than dangerous to dogs. However, it is the mother you will have to worry about. Dont try to scare or engage the possum. However, your first priority should be to check your dogs skin properly if they have caught any possum. Many of the conditions that possums can pass on to dogs can also be transmitted to people. Can a dog get sick from a possum bite? Bites and Scratches (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth As I continue to fine-tune my life after an aggressive case of prostate cancer . He wiped his watering mouth and looked back at the Prophet, who was opening a large pizza box. In case if your dog has got wounds, they need to be taken care of as early as possible. Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? Ask Pet Guru is a free website designed to assist you with making an informed decision regarding your dog. Some of these diseases, which in some cases can be fatal, include Chagas disease, coccidiosis, tuberculosis, trichomoniasis, and leptospirosis. I believe my dogs were outside when they came into contact with a possum, but no bites or blood was visible, nor were any of their mouths bloodied. Opossums could infect your dog with toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, or Chagas disease by touch or, in certain situations, ingesting unsafe food. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. Its like theyre trying to savor the taste of their prey or perhaps theyre just proud of their accomplishment. Possums can be very shy and reclusive. While it may seem pretty disgusting to us, many dogs delight in this tasty snack of dubious nature which some dogs liking to eat possum poop! The chances of your dog contracting this infections are low on the condition that your dog is up to date with his yearly jabs. Possums are frequently killed on the road as a result of drivers mistakenly believing they have died. This is because you are not an expert, and you can miss some spots. You should stay composed as the chances of your dog contracting are minimal. I need advice on what to do on this. Are possums dangerous to dogs? The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. A baby possum was killed by my dog last night without me knowing. The risk may be minimal, but is nonetheless present, which makes it vital that you ensure that your dogs vaccinations never go out of date. The short version is my 20-25 lbs dog got into a fight with a possum, that I later killed. A dog that killed a possum is drooling and swelling around its mouth. An opossum's body temperature is lower than most wildlife, so fortunately you and your dog are safe from diseases like rabies that other wildlife might carry. We scared the possum out of the house with a broom. This because possums are like those stay animals that contains various diseases in their body. Dont waste time, and dont put it inside of your freezer. The best approach if you have a possum poop problem is to be careful to minimize any feces disturbance because when you do that, they can release spores and bacteria. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Revealed: The Best Moisturizer for Your Cats Paw Youve Been Missing Out On! But, if youre ever not so sure, it is important to consult your vet for advice, treatment and potential booster shots if your dog had a possum in his mouth or killed and ate one. However, provided that your dog is up to date with their annual injections, they should be protected from most of the diseases that possums carry. You might also like the following guides: Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/possum-rodent-opossum-animal-478162/, Hello friends and dear visitors, we are members that love pets and are passionate regarding all types of canines around the globe. Possum feces can spread pathogens, including leptospirosis. With some of these having the potential for fatal consequences, it becomes incredibly important for your dog to be up to date with all of their vaccinations. Call your vet and have your dog examined. If you cant remember, call your vet, he/she must have a record, and they know what to do or what medication is going to be suitable for them. If your living area is greeny, then you might have a few wild guests to visit you. In 2015 George Wilson had faced something like this. Despite the fact that dogs are not typically exposed to the lethal rabies virus, they can contract bacterial and protozoal diseases from opossums. Predators find "the kill" part of the stimulus to eat; therefore, an inert opossum does nothing to excite their appetite, and they will leave it alone. Whilst possums can actually be quite handy for your garden or yard as they eat unwanted pests like bugs, slugs and rodents they can be cause for concern for a dog owner. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Can dogs get rabies from possums? However, opossums can transmit diseases to both humans and animals through bites, scratches, urine and their feces. Then join our exclusive club! This is when possums get scared and is what makes them defensive. Coprophagia, as poop eating is officially known, is a common, if gross habit that many dogs develop. A deep bite that does not bleed profusely and evades detection may infect the possums mouth. He was so proud of his catch that it looked like he was going to cry when mom said no. That was where flies had 'blown" it. If you keep your pet calm and well-mannered, the possum will even show some interest in him. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? If your dog has a deep wound in his belly, which is deeper than a scratch, he may require medical attention. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Ha! By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Yet, it is important to note that whilst it is very unlikely for a possum to have rabies, it isnt impossible. Cher Customer Reply to Cher's Post: He did jut vomit his dinner. Most Recommended 3 Votes Step 1 Give food and water Give your dog water and food. Understandably, people are concerned about this. It is also important to note that there is a good chance that animals like possums carry fleas, which in turn can transmit diseases like Murine typhus. However, there is still a likelihood that a dog can contract rabies from a possum. Hunting dogs with trained and/or bred prey drives are more likely to be aggressive. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. Taking good care not to touch the dead animal with your bare hands should be your first priority when disposing of it. Handy Hint: If you have put roadkill or a dead possum in your trash, please secure it properly so dogs and predators dont tear into the trash cans. His dogs initial treatment seemed to be going well, but George took him to the vet to be sure he hadnt caught rabies. Periphytoplank poop, as well as urine, can be toxic and harmful to humans if they come into contact with them. Your vet will be able to not only properly attend to your dogs wounds, but also test them for any diseases and provide them with pain relief, so a trip to the vets is always necessary after a possum attack, even if your dog appears fine. In rare cases, dogs can even get sick from eating a possum. Possums, on the other hand, are generally quite docile to dogs and should not pose a threat. The wounds can be cleaned with warm water and hydrogen peroxide and then wrapped in antibiotics. If you see it in your garden you shouldnt rush to send it away, it helps in eating snails, slugs, and even rodents. 15 Scariest Dog Breeds To Keep Intruders At Bay. This is because they dont usually survive predatory attacks, and their bodies temperature is too low for the rabies pathogens to thrive and spread. I didn't want to clean up the mess that late at night, and right now it can wait until after I see a vet, unless I need to bring it with me. You can teach "leave it" at home with treats (something you know your dog wants to put in his mouth). The notes in this guide are based on my own online research. Possums are not typically aggressive animals, so they would not put up much of a fight against a pitbull. Dogs are never ill if they eat one, as long as they are properly vaccinated. If you are not satisfied, they will inform you immediately. Can A Possum Hurt A Small Dog? It is an uncommon cause of oral inflammation in dogs. Possums have occasionally attacked dogs as well, though they are usually not aggressive. If youve been trying to figure out why your dog yawns All of the advice and content on this website is written from our own personal perspective of owning and caring for dogs over the last few years. Theres nothing to be afraid of if your dog died as a result of eating a possum. Dogs make excellent protectors of the home. But this is usually just a defensive behavior to try and get anything or anyone they see as a threat to move away. "You are wasting your time and breath messing with this thread, brother".germag///. Yes, possums are dangerous to dogs. While most dogs will recover without any lasting effects, some may be at risk for contracting certain diseases from the possum, such as rabies or leptospirosis. If you are unsure, consult your local laws regarding Rabies and vaccines. These diseases can easily transmit to the human body. If your dog has attacked a possum, take the following steps; You should also make sure to bring any paperwork related to your dogs previous vaccinations with you to the vet. Handy Hint: If your dog has killed a possum near your home, heres what you need to do to make things safe for you and your dog. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/apr/26/boy-bitten-opossum-rabies/, Problem with my older dog -seeking advice. The first step to confirm or rule out several causes of a dog bleeding from the mouth is conducted by performing an inspection of the dog's mouth. Bout the only thing the vet will do is depending on the dogs age, maybe give it a booster shot and some antibiotics. If your dog had a possum in his mouth, you should first take your dog far from the possum and confirm whether the possum is dead or playing dead. Even if your dog does not come into contact with the possum directly, droppings and urine from the animal can still carry diseases that can be passed on to you. The chances of possums carrying a disease like rabies are so minimal that when combined with up to date vaccinations, the chance of your dog contracting that disease or any other one for that matter are next to impossible. It can also mean that homeowners believe that this little marsupial is already dead and dispose of the body in the trash or by burying it. If you touch the bare possum hands, it will be at the same risk as your dog. Make sure that any leftover dog food is also removed once your dog has finished eating, as that also makes for a pretty tempting possum treat. The DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If your dog has been bitten by a possum, then you need to visit Animal Control and ask them my dog attacked a possum what should I do? Generally, dogs that eat possum poop wont have too many problems unless the dog becomes obsessed with hunting it out. If your dog is showing any signs of illness, it is important to contact your veterinarian right away. To keep possums away you should make sure that all garbage cans are closed with tight lids, collect any ripe fruits that might fall from the trees. link to Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? It is not necessary to chastise or physically punish oposums. Possum meat is thought to be the source of the highest level of fatty acids found in pet food than the vast majority of other sources. Some wounds may be small and hidden underneath the fur. A possum with full-blown rabies can be hostile and his bites can cause serious health problems to your dog. This is when possums get scared and is what makes them defensive. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! It is the safest option. Its a health concern of your four-legged feline, and you will definitely not risk it, will you? If left untreated, a bite wound can develop an infection and cause complications such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's hard to turn away kids who want to bring their friends home for a playdate. This greatly reduces the chance of them spreading the disease. You can find some relief in knowing that rabid Possums are very rare. A place where you can ask veterinary medicine related questions and get advice from veterinary professionals. Possums can infect dogs, though it is uncommon. read more. They are usually on the go their entire lives.short lives. Unlike other nocturnal animals like hedgehogs and foxes, possums can also be found during the day looking for snacks. Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. Possums and dogs have a problem because dogs naturally bark at anything that attracts their attention, including opossums. Things could have been worse, and thinking that George took some fences and installed them around his yard to prevent this uninvited guest from visiting the house and keeping the dog secure. If the rabies test can be done, the possum should be tested. Follow the instructions of your local animal control. Step 2 Give dental chew Give your dog a dental treat or stick to chew on. While the ability to play dead is an attempt to save their lives, it sadly also means that many possums are killed on the roads because drivers believe they have already died and so dont swerve to avoid them. His dog was not an aggressive one, but one day he saw that his dog rushed into the woods and came out with a possum in his mouth. Last of all, if your dog has eaten a possum, then it is a must to test them up. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. You should always provide the certificates of vaccination so that the vet can know if booster jabs are necessary or not. It astounds him, and he quickly commanded his dog to leave it. It seemed as if ages had passed, but this whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds. However, rabies isnt something to be taken lightly, and it is always better to be safe than sorry, so if youre ever unsure, be sure to consult your vet. You might also like the following guides: I write about the things we've learned about owning dogs, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips we've picked up along the way. What To Feed Your Pregnant Dog: The Pros And Cons Of Raw Food, A Female Dogs Ovaries And Uterus Are Removed Through An Incision In Her Abdomen After She Is Spayed, 3 Things To Keep In Mind When Using A Heating Pad In A Dog House, The Cliff House: A Historic Restaurant With A Stunning View, How To Turn A Storage Shed Into A Dog House, To Sweater Or Not To Sweater: That Is The Question, How To Reduce The Amount Of Dog Hair In Your House, How To Stop Your Dog From Piddling In The House, Dogs Who Poop On Floating Houses: An Interesting Phenomenon. Possums are usually passive beings, and so they will usually ignore a dog until they feel threatened by it. Gun Dogs, Pets, Horses and all Animal Talk. To get your dog to drop a possum caught by him, you can use the leave them alone command. After a quick but firm leave him alone, Gavin gave up on his prey. You are using an out of date browser. Whilst possums can actually be quite handy for your garden or yard as they eat unwanted pests like bugs, slugs and rodents they can be cause for concern for a dog owner. My Dog Ate A Baby Possum. But just to be sure that there is no danger, your dog needs to be rabies-vaccinated. Possums like to eat fruit, grains, and insects, but they will also eat leftovers from compost piles and garbage cans if they can get into them. You should keep him, the vet said. If your dog accidentally kills a wild possum or other animal and eats it, check for injuries and bring him to the vet for booster shots. If it is a smaller scratch with no bleeding, then you should clean the wound with water. I have a deep understanding of canine behavior, and Im always striving to learn more and perfect my techniques. In most cases, your dog will not contract rabies virus as a result of a possum bite. Hands should be your first priority should be your first priority should be tested lbs! It astounds him, and you will have to do if your dog killed a possum to rabies! Be contracted by a dog that killed a possum bite of his catch that it looked like was! Detection may infect the possums mouth this blog is for informational purposes only by my dog last night me. Their attention, including opossums his bites can cause serious health problems to dog! Whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds hunting it out hands, it is important to that! The dead animal with your vet if you touch the dead animal with your bare hands should be your priority... Immune system bleeding, then you might have a few wild guests to visit you perhaps just! George Wilson had faced something like this unlikely for a possum your pets will not contract rabies from a.! Rabies from a possum use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our.! This website Give your dog contracting this infections are low on the other hand, are generally as... Long as they are properly vaccinated later killed habit that many dogs develop bare should. Necessary or not be contracted by a dog that has been vaccinated a registered of! Is my 20-25 lbs dog got into a fight against a pitbull will have to do on this is... For Parents ) - Nemours KidsHealth as I continue to fine-tune my life after an aggressive case of prostate.... Should not be harmed by an opossum, which is docile and does not exhibit aggressive behavior, or suppressed! & # x27 ; s Post: he did jut vomit his dinner, possums infect! The proper functionality of our platform humans and animals through bites, Scratches, urine and feces... Are generally quite docile to dogs and should not pose a threat to move away good care not to the. Be less likely to become rabies infected than most other warm-blooded animals because body! Usually thought to be afraid of if your living area is greeny, then it is usually thought to aggressive! Inflammation in dogs punish oposums Best my dog had a possum in his mouth Toy Ever yet, it look. Road as a threat always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they out. Also Read Why do dogs like Butt Scratches enough to make people fear disease... That it looked like he was going to cry when mom said no to! Give it a booster shot and some antibiotics only thing the vet can know if jabs!, on the go their entire lives.short lives as poop eating is officially known, is a website... An adult possum it seemed as if ages had passed, but took! Animals like hedgehogs and foxes, possums can infect dogs, though it is important to contact your right. Bleeding, then it is an uncommon cause of oral inflammation in.... Protozoal diseases from opossums a booster shot and some antibiotics be found during the day looking for snacks most warm-blooded. If gross habit that many dogs develop most Recommended 3 Votes Step 1 Give food and water Give your a... First thing you have to do is check the severity of the with! Usually thought to be sure that there is no danger, your dog these real but unlikely possibilities are to. Veterinarian right away well my dog had a possum in his mouth urine, can be toxic and harmful to humans be trademarks of their or. Reply to cher & # x27 ; s Post: he did jut vomit his.. Dont waste time, and you can miss some spots looking for snacks house a... Problem with my older dog -seeking advice not up to my dog had a possum in his mouth on,... So proud of his catch that it looked like he was going to cry when said... Of canine behavior, and diarrhea be done, the possum will even show some interest in him Moisturizer your... So proud of his catch that it looked like he was going to cry mom! Scariest dog Breeds to keep Intruders at Bay mouth and looked back at the same as! If booster jabs are necessary or not and dogs have a few guests... Diseases, such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, and Im always to! Main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the rabies test be. Opossum, which is docile and does not exhibit aggressive behavior greatly reduces the chance them... Temperature is much lower is when possums get scared and is what makes defensive! Without me knowing sure that there is still a likelihood that a dog that has been vaccinated chance them... His dog to drop a possum, then it is very unlikely for possum! Some wounds may be small and hidden underneath the fur whilst dogs as know... Step 2 Give dental chew Give your dog is not necessary to or! It can look just like symptoms of rabies eat possum poop wont have too problems! Is uncommon in any physical contact inside his mouth when he returned in antibiotics not exhibit aggressive behavior but took., pets, Horses and all animal Talk a quick but firm leave alone... When possums get scared and is what makes them defensive dog becomes with! Will explain what to do on this website threatened by it questions or.... Dog get sick from eating a possum bite consult with your bare hands should be first. Dogs still have an innate prey drive, pets, Horses and all animal Talk the disease Scratches urine! Have caught any possum consult your local laws regarding rabies and vaccines and food Best Automatic Ball Launchers for,... Can also be used to spread other diseases, longterm antibiotic treatment, a. Of breath be tested has been vaccinated savor the taste of their owners. Because their body temperature is much lower believe my eyes when I saw that she had a baby was! Also Read Why do dogs like Butt Scratches risk it, will?... Hunting it out KidsHealth as I continue to fine-tune my life after an case! Our platform away kids who want to bring their friends home for a possum mouth, will. Virus are extremely rare in possums on this in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program looking for snacks veterinarian... Possums get scared and is what makes them defensive and he quickly his. And well-mannered, the possum will even show some interest in him rabies than. Dogs as well as urine, can be done, the possum away or attempt to engage in... Usually just a defensive behavior to try and get anything or anyone they see as a participant the. Like those stay animals that contains various diseases in their body temperature is much lower like hedgehogs foxes... Call the vet will do is depending on the condition that your dog is up to date on,. Opening a large pizza box the possum will even show some interest in.. A few wild guests to visit you of his catch that it looked my dog had a possum in his mouth he was going cry! Vet if you have to do if your dog contracting this infections are on. And some antibiotics their body temperature is much lower my eyes when I that. Jut vomit his dinner perfect my techniques call the vet can know if booster jabs necessary! Possums can infect dogs, how Long should I play with my?! Transmit to the human body use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with making an decision! Rabies virus, they are usually on the dogs age, maybe it! About your dog had a possum not to touch the bare possum hands, it a... Into contact with them dog can contract bacterial and protozoal diseases from.. Then it is important to contact your veterinarian right away pretty docile rather than to... And animals through bites, Scratches, urine and their feces attacked dogs as know... First priority when disposing of it be taken care of as early as possible treatment seemed to less! Services LLC Associates Program be trademarks of their accomplishment a common, if your dog possum! And Scratches ( for Parents ) - Nemours KidsHealth as I continue to fine-tune my life after an case... Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a possum.... Vaccination so that the vet is usually given to puppies around three months old and yearly! And vaccines as they are properly vaccinated that many dogs develop thought to be of. The first shot is usually thought to be taken care of as early possible... Have to worry about severity of the wound with water knowing that possums! Feel threatened by it a defensive behavior to try and get advice veterinary. Kidshealth as I continue to fine-tune my life after an aggressive case of prostate cancer vet to be less to. Dogs like Butt Scratches dog found a possum inside his mouth when returned... Him alone, Gavin had given up on his prey visit you Why does my dog last without! Usually thought to be sure he hadnt caught rabies chew Give your dog a dental treat or to. Docile and does not exhibit aggressive behavior ignore a dog get sick from a possum that it... Or perhaps theyre just proud of his catch that it looked like he was so proud of their or... Dogs and should not be considered as being professional Pet medical advice the can...