With that in mind heres all you should know about possums and how to protect yourselves and your pets from these animals. Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! 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. That is, until this dog finds him again tomorrow . 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. In fact, the temperature of their body is also low, which is not suitable for rabies to live. It is the safest option. This is how dangerous possums can be to dogs. I was out walking my dog, when she suddenly lunged forward and snatched something up off the ground. Possums and dogs have a problem because dogs naturally bark at anything that attracts their attention, including opossums. Apparently the same scenario applies to dogs. If your dog has blood in its mouth, consider the possibility that your dog bit the possum and therefore that is not their blood. If your dog has attacked a possum, theres a three-step plan to follow; Before heading to the vets, do check over your dogs vaccination paperwork to ensure that they are up to date with their shots and take these with you to help your vet decide if any further boosters are necessary. LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. 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. 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. The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. Possums can carry various diseases such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis. Call your vet and have your dog examined. If you find blood in your dog's mouth, it's likely that your dog has bitten a possum and that the blood isn't your dog's. If this happens, wear gloves before touching your dog or the possum. Here are some tips Ive written about stopping dogs getting into trash bags outside your home to help. Please copy the points below and edit your post to include the answers: Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. 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. my dog killed a possum will he get rabies, Top 10 Things That German Shepherds Hate Most, This is how dangerous possums can be to dogs. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. My dog killed a possum? If your dog sees a poisoned possum, you should consult with your veterinarian right away. However, you will be pleased to know that the chances of this happening are extremely rare. 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. The wounds can be cleaned with warm water and hydrogen peroxide and then wrapped in antibiotics. 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. Even if your dog looks okay, visiting a vet is advisable as the dog might have wounds that are buried in the skin. The opossum's long tail often leaves drag marks in snow or mud. Its a good idea to give your dog a good bath before taking him to the vet. Some of these diseases, which in some cases can be fatal, include Chagas disease, coccidiosis, tuberculosis, trichomoniasis, and leptospirosis. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? Recommended Read: " Best Legume Free Dog Food in [2020] " Dont waste time, and dont put it inside of your freezer. Picture. Saving money on your pets veterinary care can be a great way to save money on Americas Veterinary Discount. Possums can carry plenty of other illness, but rabies is not one of them. 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. However, their most famous defense mechanism is "playing 'possum," similar to playing dead. If your dog is bitten by an opposum, take them to the vet right away. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? When threatened or confronted, they sometimes stand firm and tall and flash their teeth. 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. They may see smaller dogs as less of a threat and so may feel more comfortable with attacking them rather than playing dead. Dont touch the possum as it can be playing dead and it is hard to know if it is dead. Body temperature of the possum is not high enough to grow the rabies virus. My Dog Chewed a Lidocaine Patch. If you keep your pet calm and well-mannered, the possum will even show some interest in him. Cats, in fact, are capable of murdering animals. It is no surprise to find your dog with a possum in his mouth especially if you have a greener compound where an opossum can find a snack. This is because they dont usually survive predatory attacks, and their bodies temperature is too low for the rabies pathogens to thrive and spread. Hunting dogs with trained and/or bred prey drives are more likely to be aggressive. Our dog seemed fine, other than some drool and phlegm hanging out of his mouth. It's actually an involuntary reaction a lot like fainting that causes the opossum to seize up. In this instance, neither you nor the possum should be touched. 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 are usually docile creatures who avoid conflict and, as such, arent an immediate danger to dogs. said @DankerBarrel. There should be no reason to worry if your dog has been vaccinated regularly. However, if your dog starts killing more animals than normal, the killings become disruptive and your dog starts displaying more aggressive behaviour, it is important to consult a dog behaviourist who can help to make your dogs prey drive more manageable and less destructive. Possums, on the other hand, are generally quite docile to dogs and should not pose a threat. I was out walking my dog, when she suddenly lunged forward and snatched something up off the ground. So, without any delay, lets dive in! 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. For the most part, if your dog kills a possum, it isnt a cause for concern. Cher Customer Reply to Cher's Post: He did jut vomit his dinner. This is especially crucial if you are ever unsure about anything. Thank you for your prompt answer. Animals such as opossums are a favorite prey for dogs. Elizabethan collars can cause many dogs to become disoriented and depressed. He was so, SO upset that he could not bring the little fella and new friend into the house. JustAnswer does not intend to provide emergency situations that must be answered immediately by qualified professionals by telephone or in person. Customer: Tonight, our Boston Terrier came in from outside with a young possum in his mouth. This can youre your dogs behaviour from escalating and prevent anyone from potentially getting hurt in the future. what do i do w/ this animal? If the dogs shots are up to date you should be fine, if you dont think she was bit. Leptospirosis is a disease that can be spread through possum poop. Even though it is very unlikely, dogs may pass the disease on to one another. Your dogs veterinarian will be able to correctly assess his or her wounds, test them for any diseases, and give him or her pain relief. If this happens, wear gloves before touching your dog or the possum. 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. Possums are also more likely to be scared of bigger dogs than smaller ones. Even some of them bear rabies, and they are more dangerous for open wounds. If the possum is infected, it should be noted that pets who come into contact with the rabies virus are often euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease to their family members. 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. Bout the only thing the vet will do is depending on the dogs age, maybe give it a booster shot and some antibiotics. This puts them at risk of being in contact with your dog, particularly those with a high prey drive! Diseases such as Salmonella and leptospirosis can be contracted through feces. Possums can be very shy and reclusive. Coprophagia, as poop eating is officially known, is a common, if gross habit that many dogs develop. You wont be able to find out who started the fight between your dog and another animal, as they usually only fight each other. You should take your dog to the vet if he isnt up-to-date on his vaccines. If the wound is in the tongue, then let the blood flow.Take your dog to the veterinarian if the blood continues to flow even after 15 minutes. However, there is still a likelihood that a dog can contract rabies from a possum. They will have your dogs medical history. The opossum will let out some gross liquid that doesn't taste or smell good. Possums can still carry Rabies in rare instances. Im lovin that dog a real possum killer ehh!! This disease is dangerous because it can force one to lay down a dog with full-blown rabies. I'm taking her to the vet shortly, but I'd like to know whatever anyone knows about these sorts of things. Hi, it looks like you did not include the information we require in the side bar. Also, your dog must be examined if they eat possums. 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. The chances of your dog contracting rabies are low because possums are fearful and peaceful and only interact with animals of the same characters. Soon the dog gave up his hunting instinct and left the prey. The good news is that possums are smaller than most dogs and they would rather avoid contact or confrontation at all costs. All animals look for an easy life and wont put themselves in danger unless they really cant avoid it. Here are some alternatives to stop a dog from licking a wound. I regularly write about how other animals and dogs interact. If your dog killed and ate a possum, dont be too worried. You can also call your local animal control and follow their instructions for further help. 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. It will also include the best course of action to take if your dog kills a possum and how to stop an attack in the first place. If your dog didnt get bitten, You should be fine. And with the largest possums reaching the size of a cat, its no surprise that pet owners are left wondering whether their dogs are safe around these marsupials. If there is no threat of poisoning, your dog may become ill if he eats a dead opossum. I need advice on what to do on this. Almost all dog fights are not as serious as this one. Pitbull Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix: A Powerful Trio. If the possum is clean, as it happens often, consider your dog very lucky and take all precautions to prevent it from happening again. The low body temperature of a possum makes it difficult for pathogens like the rabies virus to survive in them. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. Dogs are descendants of wolves who are known to hunt for their food. OP, your post has NOT been removed. Are possums dangerous to dogs? You should take your dog to the vet. Its not too dangerous for you if your dog kills a possum. Hopefully, you have understood the above facts and wont have to ask anyone my dog attacked a possum what should I do. But mom didn't like the little talk back he did. First of all, you need to check for bites or scratch marks. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Its very unlikely that a possum will attack your dog in the first place, because their main instinct is to play dead when they are in danger. My Dog Attacked a Possum What Should I Do? We can be your friend so you don't have to keep catching possums! Many of the conditions that possums can pass on to dogs can also be transmitted to people. Bites and Scratches (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth As I continue to fine-tune my life after an aggressive case of prostate cancer . 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