Its best to keep your dog and yourself away from it. So if your dog encounters a possum, is there any risk of danger to your pet? Maybe the little growl was his version of please? Possums can carry plenty of other illness, but rabies is not one of them. If there is no threat of poisoning, your dog may become ill if he eats a dead opossum. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). This means they rarely engage in fights reducing their chances of getting or spreading the disease. 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. In rare cases, dogs can even get sick from eating a possum. Despite their reputation as sweethearts, we look at whether Golden Retrievers can be good protective dogs as well. 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. Possums can still carry Rabies in rare instances. If your dog eats a possum or another wild animal, he should be evaluated for injuries and given booster shots. TikTok video from IAmAlbedo (@ilovekaeya3): "My dog had the gym equipment in his mouth". Dog bites can occur in a variety of places, including the neck, eyes, genitals, and stomach. Possums are frequently killed on the road as a result of drivers mistakenly believing they have died. Customer: Tonight, our Boston Terrier came in from outside with a young possum in his mouth. Dont touch the possum as it can be playing dead and it is hard to know if it is dead. 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may be minimal, but is nonetheless present, which makes it vital that you ensure that your dogs vaccinations never go out of date. If the dogs shots are up to date you should be fine, if you dont think she was bit. There is no 100% vaccine, so it is better to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent spreading the virus to other pets. Unlike other nocturnal animals like hedgehogs and foxes, possums can also be found during the day looking for snacks. In 2015 George Wilson had faced something like this. He looked happy . If you keep your pet calm and well-mannered, the possum will even show some interest in him. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. Focus on getting your dog and yourself away from the possum. If your dog has been injured in this way and is showing symptoms like having a fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, take them to a vet as soon as possible for treatment. 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. However, the mechanism isn't the opossum pretending. 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. Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. My dog had a possum in his mouth . Furthermore, they are vulnerable to ticks, fleas, mites, and lice. You may like: Can dogs eat honey bunches of oats? The first shot is usually given to puppies around three months old and repeated yearly. Leptospirosis is a disease that can be spread through possum poop. However, their most famous defense mechanism is "playing 'possum," similar to playing dead. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? What should I do if my dog had a possum in his mouth? In case if your dog has got wounds, they need to be taken care of as early as possible. In fact, some wounds require alternative therapy or any special medications. 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. Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? 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. My Dog Ate Dryer Sheets What Should I Do? At first, the possum will most likely just stand still with their mouth agape at the dog. Gun Dogs, Pets, Horses and all Animal Talk. These vaccinations will protect your dog from diseases like rabies, meaning that they may well save them from dying from the disease or having to be put to sleep as a result of it. There have been several outbreaks of Leptospirosis in recent years. Somehow the opossum's body knows when the danger has . In terms of possum poop, you should try to avoid your dog being in a situation where they can consume it, and thats because diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella can be transmitted through the feces. Possums can carry various diseases such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis. Take your dog away from the scene and ensure he does not go back before the carcass is out of sight. All dogs are descended from wild wolves. My dog killed a possum? Apparently the same scenario applies to dogs. Having this information is very important for us to be able to give accurate advice. Some possums can fight back against the larger dog breeds. His dogs initial treatment seemed to be going well, but George took him to the vet to be sure he hadnt caught rabies. In most cases they will clean the wound and prescribe antibiotics. Join us and explore the beauty of these adorable animals. Also, small punctures or wounds can be missed. Possums are not typically aggressive animals, so they would not put up much of a fight against a pitbull. If your dog sees a poisoned possum, you should consult with your veterinarian right away. The opossum's front tracks are about 2 inches in diameter and hind tracks are slightly larger. Either way, its a good reminder to keep your furry friend on a leash when possums are around. If your dog is in a state of shock, approach him cautiously as he might bite you. Just like with many wild creatures, possums can potentially carry a range of diseases that can be transmitted to dogs. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. However, it is the mother you will have to worry about. Even if your dog looks okay, visiting a vet is advisable as the dog might have wounds that are buried in the skin. Its critical for them to play dead in order to protect themselves from predators. said @DankerBarrel. Pitbulls are powerful dogs and can easily kill smaller animals. I will call his vet in the morning. Possums razor-sharp teeth and long claws make them appear intimidating. If you do, you should be aware that possums can carry diseases that can be fatal to you and your pet. 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. We are highly emotional and visual-oriented animals, so the thought of a rabid animal is a vivid image in our minds. If you believe your dog has attacked and killed a possum, the best option is to relocate your dog away from the area and leave it in the hands of nature, allowing it to slowly come back to life. I believe our dog is still up to date on all his shots, and thought I read somewhere that possums don't typically carry rabies. The chance of your dog contracting rabies is slim, and providing your dog has been vaccinated, the risk of contracting disease from a possum is said to be slim. A vet will prescribe the best medicine or administer a rabies booster. In this case, a possum may be just as dangerous to a dog as any other wild animal. If your dog has been bitten by a possum, it is critical that you take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Wrap the animal in a bag and keep it cold. However, you will be pleased to know that the chances of this happening are extremely rare. Its critical to remember that an opossum bite wound is the most serious threat to your dogs health. If it is bleeding a lot then your dog may need medical attention immediately, as they may need stitches to close the wound. Dogs make excellent protectors of the home. Its a good idea to give your dog a good bath before taking him to the vet. 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. A possum bite is likely to emphasize the bottom two incisors, so you should see two wide, medium depth punctures, with a small gap in between with obvious bruising above from the top four incisors. It seemed as if ages had passed, but this whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds. 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. Heres a short answer, followed by more detail on the dangers of possums to dogs. TikTok user @dukeofhawthorn recently shared a clip featuring her dog Duke and a possum that latched on to him while the. The best thing to do anytime your dog attacks a possum or vice versa is to take your dog to a vet to be on the safer side. If your dog is bitten by an opposum, take them to the vet right away. Possum feces have the same effect on dogs as human feces. Should you buy a puppy without vaccinations. This disease is not only dangerous to your dog but you too. George then flung the possum into a trash bag, and he took his dog for a refreshing bath. But still, no is no, doesn't he know that?! Here are some alternatives to stop a dog from licking a wound. Diseases such as Salmonella and leptospirosis can be contracted through feces. Ask your vet if they feel your dog is in a high-risk environment for Lepto and whether they recommend vaccination. If you are unsure, consult your local laws regarding Rabies and vaccines. If your dog didnt get bitten, You should be fine. 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. A dog that killed a possum is drooling and swelling around its mouth. This is because you are not an expert, and you can miss some spots. Possums are known for having a low body temperature in comparison to other mammals according to the Opossum Society, their average body temperature is between 94 and 97 degrees. This can include concerns over dogs getting diseases like rabies from possums, worms, and other infections. LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. A quick but stern "leave it" after, Gavin had given up on his prey. Call your vet and have your dog examined. The only thing you would have to worry about is that if the possum DID bite your dog, then infection could set up. 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. Some of the breeds with the strongest prey drives are as follows: So, on the one hand, if your dog occasionally kills a possum or other small animals, you shouldnt be too worried, especially if they have a naturally high prey drive it is just part of their nature. According to some studies, the opossum has no control over this paralyzed state, which is caused by a chemical reaction in the brain that temporarily paralyzes them for a few minutes to a few hours. The short version is my 20-25 lbs dog got into a fight with a possum, that I later killed. If your dog killed and ate a possum, don't be too worried. If you find blood in your dogs mouth, its likely that your dog has bitten a possum and that the blood isnt your dogs. 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