But in some rare cases, possum does carry rabies and if you have found scratch marks or bites on your dog, find out when you have given last given them the rabies shot. Maybe the little growl was his version of please? If left untreated, a bite wound can develop an infection and cause complications such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. It was later found out to be a dead cat. Thomas shook his head and opened the window but stopped as he smelt something delicious right behind him. I tried to get her to drop it, but she wouldn't. She just sat there and stared at me with a look that said, "I'm not giving this . Hunting dogs with trained and/or bred prey drives are more likely to be aggressive. Here are some tips Ive written about stopping dogs getting into trash bags outside your home to help. For this, you can use warm water to wash the affected area. 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. This will help the vet to determine whether emergency booster shots for illnesses like rabies are necessary. Im lovin that dog a real possum killer ehh!! 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. Picture. The good news is that possums very rarely become infected with rabies, and thats thought to be because they have a much lower body temperature compared to most other warm-blooded animals. 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. The low body temperature of a possum makes it difficult for pathogens like the rabies virus to survive in them. It is not a good idea to scare the possum away or attempt to engage it in any physical contact. Left to their own devices, they will eat anything. Possums are usually docile creatures who avoid conflict and, as such, arent an immediate danger to dogs. Examine your dog thoroughly for any injuries that may have occurred. 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. If she has recent rabies and distemper vaccinations, you should not have any concerns. They may see smaller dogs as less of a threat and so may feel more comfortable with attacking them rather than playing dead. A possum with full-blown rabies can be hostile and his bites can cause serious health problems to your dog. A lady who was known to be homeless (she would always be panhandling near the store) was found by security to be living in a cabinet on the second floor food court area. The only thing you would have to worry about is that if the possum DID bite your dog, then infection could set up. This will also apply if your dog ate a possum. Since the possum might have been the aggressor and we have other pets in our neighborhood, I put the thing down, and it's still lying near where it fell. This is especially crucial if you are ever unsure about anything. Your dog will require immediate treatment if he is diagnosed with Rabies. 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. My Dog Killed A Squirrel Should I Be Worried? They, on the other hand, would benefit from some assistance in recovering from these injuries. The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. I will call his vet in the morning. This is the site where I will always seek second opinions. Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating when threatened. If your dog has caught a possum, you have to first get rid of it. That was where flies had 'blown" it. Baring their teeth and making themselves look larger is usually mostly for show and to keep away any potential threats. They always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they run out of breath. How To Stop a Dog from Licking a Wound Without Using a Collar (Elizabethan). If it is a smaller scratch with no bleeding, then you should clean the wound with water. All dogs are descended from wild wolves. The firstly you should be to get your dog far from the possum. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Despite their reputation for playing dead, possums can also appear very dangerous and threatening. However, it is the mother you will have to worry about. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. A man left a tied up gray shopping bag in the bottle room, he threw it on top of the bottle machine. In a fight, a possum will be able to seriously injure your dog through scratching and biting, and this can lead to many issues or illnesses for your dog. A possums main line of defense when being attacked is to play dead. Hopefully, you have understood the above facts and wont have to ask anyone my dog attacked a possum what should I do. My Dog Ate A Baby Possum. Can dogs get rabies from possums? The chances of your dog contracting this infections are low on the condition that your dog is up to date with his yearly jabs. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Table of Contents A vet will prescribe the best medicine or administer a rabies booster. 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. With their 50 sharp teeth, it can be enough to frighten people and pets alike. In this case, a possum may be just as dangerous to a dog as any other wild animal. Well, the good news is that possums are usually pretty docile rather than dangerous to dogs. Possum carries diseases like leptospirosis, coccidiosis, and tularemia, and in rare cases rabies. 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. 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. "Dog- I don't say anything to you when you bring ur toys in the house. As a result, if your dog is bitten, you should consult a veterinarian. If an animal is threatened, it may play possum, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense; this is what any animal would do. Customer: Tonight, our Boston Terrier came in from outside with a young possum in his mouth. My Puppy Drank Bleach Water, What should I Do? This is because they dont usually survive predatory attacks, and their bodies temperature is too low for the rabies pathogens to thrive and spread. The opossum will let out some gross liquid that doesn't taste or smell good. 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? No, baby possums are far too small and weak to cause any harm to a dog of any size. So, you can also use them while cleaning. 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. 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. 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. Possums are usually passive beings, and so they will usually ignore a dog until they feel threatened by it. Please copy the points below and edit your post to include the answers: Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. Theres something about the way a dogs tongue hangs out after its killed a possum thats both gruesome and comical. Use all precautions, and avoid touching the animal with your naked hands. Possums razor-sharp teeth and long claws make them appear intimidating. Contact animal control; it is best if a skilled person helps you to get rid of the carcass from your compound. Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. This is one of the biggest worries to dog owners when there is a fight between a dog and possum. We were a little confused at first because what he had in his mouth looked like a stuffed animal. 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. Also, small punctures or wounds can be missed. But this is usually just a defensive behavior to try and get anything or anyone they see as a threat to move away. If you do, you should be aware that possums can carry diseases that can be fatal to you and your pet. Even if you do all these things, I will always recommend visiting a veterinarian to treat the areas properly. what do i do w/ this animal? The rabies vaccine protects your dog from contracting the disease and is required by law in many parts of the country. Some of these diseases, which in some cases can be fatal, include Chagas disease, coccidiosis, tuberculosis, trichomoniasis, and leptospirosis. If you see it in your garden you shouldnt rush to send it away, it helps in eating snails, slugs, and even rodents. You should take your dog to the vet if he isnt up-to-date on his vaccines. Its not too dangerous for you if your dog kills a possum. 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. Wrap the animal in a bag and keep it cold. 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. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. Set up proper barriers to keep your dog away from them, as well as legume fans like rabbits, chipmunks and (if you live near them) deer. Even if your dog doesnt come into direct contact with possum, they can still be susceptible to diseases transmitted within the possums urine and droppings. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? Possum feces are also harmful to dogs as well. Inability to swallow with consequent dehydration/starvation. If you find possum bite marks on your dog and arent sure when they last had their rabies shot. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. All rights reserved. This is the real threat you should be concerned about if your dog gets injured by a possum. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. This means that if your dog sees a small animal, they will consider them prey, and then get the impulse to catch and kill it. Many of the conditions that possums can pass on to dogs can also be transmitted to people. While opossums are often docile, if actually attacked, they will sometimes defend themselves. This disease is not only dangerous to your dog but you too. Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? You can find some relief in knowing that rabid Possums are very rare. My dog attacked a possum; what should I do? 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. Here is what a possum bite could lead to: Its only natural to question if an opossum bite will give your dog rabies after decades of being told about the rabies danger linked with wild animal bites. what do i do w/ my dog, does she need to be treated for anything? TikTok user @dukeofhawthorn recently shared a clip featuring her dog Duke and a possum that latched on to him while the. LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. They can hide well and only make contact with other species if they are desperate. The truth of the matter is, however, that the majority of opossums live in peace. You and your dog should first get away from the possum. Stress, high blood pressure, drinking, and heart pain are all topics that have increased by 33% in the last year. You can also call your local animal control and follow their instructions for further help. First of all, you need to check for bites or scratch marks. Elizabethan collars can cause many dogs to become disoriented and depressed. When a bite wound is not treated properly, it can contain a lot of dirt and bacteria. If your dog has attacked a possum and its then gone into the dead state, the best option is to bring your dog away from the area and leave the possum to slowly come back to life in their own time. They have four legs, a pointed face, and are either white or gray in color. If your dog sees a poisoned possum, you should consult with your veterinarian right away. They hunt and eat in the dark, during the night. This thread is archived . link to Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? 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. Puppy Playtime Guidelines, Road Trip! They just come to your house in search of food. Yet, it is important to note that whilst it is very unlikely for a possum to have rabies, it isnt impossible. Dogs make excellent protectors of the home. Focus on getting your dog and yourself away from the possum. That sounds scary, but your dog should be protected from most diseases if they are up to date with their vaccinations. However, when threatened, they might still attempt to scratch or bite your dog. 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. Your pup will produce saliva when eating, which will naturally clean his mouth, and water will naturally rinse away germs and residue. Some of the breeds with the strongest prey drives are as follows: Afghan HoundsGreyhoundsAiredale TerriersIrish WolfhoundsAlaskan MalamutesJack Russell TerriersAustralian Cattle DogsPharaoh HoundsBasenjisRhodesian RidgebacksBeaglesSalukisBorder ColliesSamoyedsBull MastiffsShiba InusBull TerriersSiberian HuskiesChihuahuasWeimaranersDoberman PinschersWhippetsEnglish Springer SpanielsYorkshire TerriersGerman ShepherdsXoloitzcuintlis. http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/apr/26/boy-bitten-opossum-rabies/, Problem with my older dog -seeking advice. Possums are known for their resistance to large dogs. Please also check the FAQ to see whether your question is answered there. If your dog is eating feces excessively, you should consult a veterinarian. 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. Doubt that the Opposum had rabies they are very resistant to catching the virus. Even some of them bear rabies, and they are more dangerous for open wounds. OP, your post has NOT been removed. However, there is still a likelihood that a dog can contract rabies from a possum. For this, you can use warm water to wash the affected area. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Dont waste time, and dont put it inside of your freezer. This is the most secure way to go. 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. My Dog Ate Dryer Sheets What Should I Do? He was so, SO upset that he could not bring the little fella and new friend into the house. Are possums dangerous to dogs? Though dogs do not hunt for their food, they still have a high prey drive in their genetics. There is a chance that one or both of these will be fatal (or that one of them will be a very serious illness). Theres nothing to be afraid of if your dog died as a result of eating 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. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for Leptospirosis that can be administered to your dog. 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. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? 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. Next, check for injuries in your dog and then call the vet. A possum can look pretty intimidating with their long claws and fifty razor-sharp teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is also a good item to prevent further infection. The good news is that possums are smaller than most dogs and they would rather avoid contact or confrontation at all costs. 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.

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