Dogs and possums can meet. 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. This thread is archived . 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. In rare cases, dogs can even get sick from eating a possum. 15 Scariest Dog Breeds To Keep Intruders At Bay. 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. So, command your dog to leave it or the way you command to drop it. This disease affects cats as well, and can even be transferred to humans. Even some of them bear rabies, and they are more dangerous for open wounds. If it is bleeding a lot then your dog may need medical attention immediately, as they may need stitches to close the wound. The wounds can be cleaned with warm water and hydrogen peroxide and then wrapped in antibiotics. So that means that if a dog gives a possum them their space, and then both your dog and the possum will be no threat to each other but there still can be some dangers as I will explain below. Please copy the points below and edit your post to include the answers: Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. We're animal lovers whether it's pet or wild animals. Here are some tips Ive written about stopping dogs getting into trash bags outside your home to help. Dogs are adventurous and curious, they will eat and chase after anything that is within their reach. A possum can look pretty intimidating with their long claws and fifty razor-sharp teeth. Somehow the opossum's body knows when the danger has . JustAnswer does not make any warranty or representations as to the qualifications of its experts, nor does it provide any services or website. This puts them at risk of being in contact with your dog, particularly those with a high prey drive! Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. The low body temperature of a possum makes it difficult for pathogens like the rabies virus to survive in them. Handy Hint: My dogs absolutely hate squirrels. It is not uncommon for a possum to become ill with rabies, but it is extremely unlikely. Further to this, even if your dog doesnt attack or kill a possum, there is a chance that any urine and droppings they leave behind can also carry and transmit these diseases to your dog. Just like with many wild creatures, possums can potentially carry a range of diseases that can be transmitted to dogs. That then means that possums will generally avoid homes where they are dogs unless they are hungry, and your yard provides a source of food. Possums can also be carriers of diseases such as tuberculosis and coccidiosis. If attacked, they might play dead, but they also might fight and scratch and bite. If they have been bitten, do the following: Call the vets: If your dog has bitten by a possum, call your vet to discuss the options. It will give you peace of mind. Cher Customer Reply to Cher's Post: He did jut vomit his dinner. Even when threatened, though, possums have another line of defense before deciding to attack, and thats to play dead. If an animal is threatened, it may play possum, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense; this is what any animal would do. If the dog didn't hurt it, and you can let it stay around and leave on it's own, that would be the best and kindest thing to do. Heres a short answer, followed by more detail on the dangers of possums to dogs. Contact animal control; it is best if a skilled person helps you to get rid of the carcass from your compound. We scared the possum out of the house with a broom. Most predators dont eat animals that have already died. Yet, it is important to note that whilst it is very unlikely for a possum to have rabies, it isnt impossible. All animals look for an easy life and wont put themselves in danger unless they really cant avoid it. Disclaimer: If your dog ate a possum or has been attacked, please always seek professional advice. My dog killed a possum? Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. However, there is still a likelihood that a dog can contract rabies from a possum. If possible, clean your dogs injuries with running water or warm water. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will . If the rabies shot is up to date, you wont have to worry about anything. Body temperature of the possum is not high enough to grow the rabies virus. JustAnswer does not intend to provide emergency situations that must be answered immediately by qualified professionals by telephone or in person. He wanted to have a sleepover ," wrote @Daryl Meech. It seemed as if ages had passed, but this whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds. However, when threatened, they might still attempt to scratch or bite your dog. But mom didn't like the little talk back he did. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Its best to keep your dog and yourself away from it. This means they rarely engage in fights reducing their chances of getting or spreading the disease. You may also notice the following signs and symptoms: You are obligated by law to notify your doctor if any of these symptoms appear. Apparently the same scenario applies to dogs. Another good thing is that opossums are largely resistant to rabies and almost never spread the disease, according to the Humane Society of the United States and the Missouri and Illinois Bi-State Wildlife Hotline. 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. Inability to swallow with consequent dehydration/starvation. But sometimes, the answer is just no, whether they understand it or not. My dog had a possum in his mouth . The rabies vaccine protects your dog from contracting the disease and is required by law in many parts of the country. Ask Pet Guru is a free website designed to assist you with making an informed decision regarding your dog. If she has recent rabies and distemper vaccinations, you should not have any concerns. Diseases such as Salmonella and leptospirosis can be contracted through feces. Also, small punctures or wounds can be missed. You may think this is unnecessary as dogs usually do a pretty good job of cleaning their own wounds, but this will help in removing any dirt or bacteria from the area to avoid infection. All rights reserved. Most Recommended 3 Votes Step 1 Give food and water Give your dog water and food. Is it dangerous for a dog to bite a possum? Are possums dangerous to dogs? The notes in this guide are based on my own online research. If your dog killed and ate a possum, dont be too worried. 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. If this is the case, then a vet visit is needed to check for health problems such as parasites, diabetes, and Cushings disease, each of which could be the cause of the habit. That means that its really important to get advice from a reputable pest control company to prevent possums from becoming a problem in your back yard or garden. Our dog seemed fine, other than some drool and phlegm hanging out of his mouth. Possum feces are also harmful to dogs as well. 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. Taking good care not to touch the dead animal with your bare hands should be your first priority when disposing of it. So if your dog encounters a possum, is there any risk of danger to your pet? 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 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. Body temperature of the possum is not high enough to grow the rabies virus. They, on the other hand, would benefit from some assistance in recovering from these injuries. If the possum is clean, as it happens often, consider your dog very lucky and take all precautions to prevent it from happening again. That is, until this dog finds him again tomorrow . If left untreated, a bite wound can develop an infection and cause complications such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. While its very unusual for a dog to get ill and get disease from biting a possum, they carry a range of illnesses that can be transmitted to your dog. You should stay composed as the chances of your dog contracting are minimal. For this, you can use warm water to wash the affected area. Your dog will require immediate treatment if he is diagnosed with Rabies. Wrap the animal in a bag and keep it cold. It'll hiss and stuff when it comes to. Take the possum with you to the vet. Join us and explore the beauty of these adorable animals. Ha! The possum will try to get out of the dogs mouth before getting killed; this can end up with some scratches or bites. Handy Hint: My dogs absolutely hate squirrels. We look at which dog breeds are scariest to intruders. If your dog killed and ate a possum, dont be too worried. Take them to the vet straight away if this is the case. The first thing you have to do is check the severity of the wound. Opossums, commonly known as possums dont just come out at night. Is my dog at risk for Rabies from a Possum? What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Wax Paper? What should I do ifmy dog had a possum in his mouth? What Should I Do If My Dog Killed a Possum That Has Rabies? If there is no threat of poisoning, your dog may become ill if he eats a dead opossum. said @DankerBarrel. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A big worry for a lot of owners whose dog has killed or attacked a possum is whether their dog can get rabies from the possum. If his internal organs are visible, place a warm, wet towel over them as you transport him to an animal care center. They can hide well and only make contact with other species if they are desperate. Possums, which are mammals, are actually quite immune to rabies. The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. "Dog- I don't say anything to you when you bring ur toys in the house. 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's a good idea to give your dog a good bath before taking him to the vet. 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. If you are unsure, consult your local laws regarding Rabies and vaccines. While opossums are often docile, if actually attacked, they will sometimes defend themselves. They can also carry toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease, as well as transmit these diseases to your dog through direct contact or through contaminated food consumption. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! If there is a chance that the possum had already been poisoned before your dog arrived, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. If discarded compost piles and garbage cans are ingested, the stalks can be eaten. Cadcom, wow! However, their most famous defense mechanism is "playing 'possum," similar to playing dead. Description. If this happens, wear gloves before touching your dog or the possum. Examine your dog thoroughly for any injuries that may have occurred. If your dog didnt get bitten, You should be fine. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Next, check for injuries in your dog and then call the vet. 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. Some possums can fight back against the larger dog breeds. Let the dog get some water and stay away from the opossum. There is a chance that one or both of these will be fatal (or that one of them will be a very serious illness). Those are fly eggs. So, you can also use them while cleaning. 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. While they will generally avoid confrontation, there have been instances of possums attacking a dog. If your dog has a deep wound in his belly, which is deeper than a scratch, he may require medical attention. This will help the vet to determine whether emergency booster shots for illnesses like rabies are necessary. Hunting dogs with trained and/or bred prey drives are more likely to be aggressive. Cats can kill possums, but what about other animals? Follow the instructions of your local animal control. This is because they dont usually survive predatory attacks, and their bodies temperature is too low for the rabies pathogens to thrive and spread. Despite the fact that mosquitoes cannot carry rabies, they can carry a variety of other nasty diseases. Gun Dogs, Pets, Horses and all Animal Talk. You might not notice any bite marks unless you notice the possums incisors are 4.5-7 mm wide. This will help the vet to determine whether emergency booster shots for illnesses like rabies are necessary. If your dog has killed a possum in the vicinity of your home, here are some precautions you should take. But just to be sure that there is no danger, your dog needs to be rabies-vaccinated. A man left a tied up gray shopping bag in the bottle room, he threw it on top of the bottle machine. However, if a dog corners a possum who is not playing dead, then it is completely normal for the possum to want to defend itself by acting violently. If your dog eats a possum or another wild animal, he should be evaluated for injuries and given booster shots. Use all precautions, and avoid touching the animal with your naked hands. You can also call your local animal control and follow their instructions for further help. Every dog is different, so the strength of each dogs prey drive can vary, but you can usually expect certain breeds namely, breeds that were trained and bred to hunting dogs to have stronger prey drives than others. The chance of rabies is very, very slim (a possum's normal body temperature is too low for the rabies virus to survive)but if your dog has NOT been vaccinated, you should take him/her to the vet asap. Many of the conditions that possums can pass on to dogs can also be transmitted to people. These treatments would be most effective in cases where your dog is extremely pained. 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. Can a dog get sick from a possum bite? This will also be safe for you as it can spread infections to you. Answered by Dr. Loretta in 5 mins 11 years ago. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Diseases Can My Dog Get From A Possum. JavaScript is disabled. Hydrogen peroxide is also a good item to prevent further infection. Left to their own devices, they will eat anything. This can inflict some serious harm to your dog, given how sharp their claws and teeth are. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Im lovin that dog a real possum killer ehh!! He looked happy . What are the main diseases that a dog can get from possums? Apparently the same scenario applies to dogs. The good news is that possums are smaller than most dogs and they would rather avoid contact or confrontation at all costs. When a bite wound is not treated properly, it can contain a lot of dirt and bacteria. Picture. 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