Your vet may recommend additional medication or alternative treatments. 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. 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. When attacked, possums normally play dead and the predators leave them alone most of the time but not always. Read this guide to see why this is and what you can do about a dog that loves to chase them. Most predators dont eat animals that have already died. Even if the wound is only small, you should still take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up. 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. Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. This is because you are not an expert, and you can miss some spots. If your dog is not up to date on vaccines, you should take him to the veterinarian. There have been several outbreaks of Leptospirosis in recent years. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Somehow the opossum's body knows when the danger has . This is the most secure way to go. When threatened or confronted, they sometimes stand firm and tall and flash their teeth. So, keep this in mind before moving forward. These little animals are cute, and most of them dont cause any harm. This can youre your dogs behaviour from escalating and prevent anyone from potentially getting hurt in the future. Yikes! Consider the possibility that your dog may have bit the possum and that the blood is not your dogs. An uncleaned and untreated bite wound can contain a lot of dirt and bacteria, which can make your dog very sick. This is the real threat you should be concerned about if your dog gets injured by a possum. Yet, it is important to note that whilst it is very unlikely for a possum to have rabies, it isnt impossible. The low body temperature of a possum makes it difficult for pathogens like the rabies virus to survive in them. Well, the good news is that possums are usually pretty docile rather than dangerous to dogs. Yet, it is important to note that whilst it is very unlikely for a possum to have rabies, it isnt impossible. The opossum's front tracks are about 2 inches in diameter and hind tracks are slightly larger. If you find blood in your dogs mouth, its likely that your dog has bitten a possum and that the blood isnt your dogs. That sounds scary, but your dog should be protected from most diseases if they are up to date with their vaccinations. If your dog has caught a possum, you have to first get rid of it. That whole teeth-bearing display is just for show and to scare off anything which might be getting a little too close. You could potentially be forced to use physical force to protect your pet if you are unable to do so. If your dog didnt get bitten, You should be fine. Should I be worried? Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. He was so, SO upset that he could not bring the little fella and new friend into the house. The kangaroo is the only animal in North America that is native to that region. If his internal organs are visible, place a warm, wet towel over them as you transport him to an animal care center. You should take your dog to the vet if he isnt up-to-date on his vaccines. Either way, its a good reminder to keep your furry friend on a leash when possums are around. First of all, you need to check for bites or scratch marks. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? If your dog killed a possum, the highest possibility is that your dog started the fight. 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. If Rabies has been diagnosed, the dog will be put to sleep, and its brain examined. Nevertheless, it is doubly Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? You can poke the opossum with a stick or even put your hand near its mouth when it does this, and it will usually do nothing! 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. 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. 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. Disclaimer: If your dog ate a possum or has been attacked, please always seek professional advice. My dog attacked a possum; what should I do? 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. Take the possum with you to the vet. If attacked, they might play dead, but they also might fight and scratch and bite. 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. Hydrogen peroxide is also a good item to prevent further infection. 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. In fact, some wounds require alternative therapy or any special medications. If you touch the bare possum hands, it will be at the same risk as your dog. 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. However, you can rest easy knowing that rabies is extremely rare in North America. An ousky, also known as a possum or a Virginia ocupid, is a common wildlife invader on your property. 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 should not try to threaten or frighten the possum as the chances of attacking back are high. Examine your dog to see if he or she has scratched or bitten a baby possum. 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. So when your dog encounters a possum, is there any risk that they will be dangerous or present risk to your pup? I would not think you need to bring the possum to the vet. Dogs make excellent protectors of the home. I'm taking her to the vet shortly, but I'd like to know whatever anyone knows about these sorts of things. The level of prey drive will vary from one breed to another. But sometimes, the answer is just no, whether they understand it or not. Youve seen it happen almost every time you pet them or right in the middle of a cuddling session your dog yawning out of the blue. Here are some alternatives to stop a dog from licking a wound. Nevertheless, it is doubly Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? Possums are not typically aggressive animals, so they would not put up much of a fight against a pitbull. If your dog has killed a possum in the vicinity of your home, here are some precautions you should take. Customers from all over the country have chosen Dr. Michael Salkin Veterinarian DVM 58,310 times. My specialty is helping train difficult breeds that require a more detailed approach, such as German Shepherds and Pit Bulls. Possums are usually docile creatures who avoid conflict and, as such, arent an immediate danger to dogs. Most Recommended 3 Votes Step 1 Give food and water Give your dog water and food. In this case, a possum may be just as dangerous to a dog as any other wild animal. We're animal lovers whether it's pet or wild animals. Despite the fact that mosquitoes cannot carry rabies, they can carry a variety of other nasty diseases. These diseases can easily transmit to the human body. If an animal is threatened, it may play possum, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense; this is what any animal would do. The good news is that an opossum bite poses a low risk of rabies for your dog. How Can I Tell If A Possum Has Bitten My Dog? LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. Is it dangerous for a dog to bite a possum? Pets may come into contact with more animals with leptospirosis, such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and opossums, as the development of previously rural areas expands into more urban areas. 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. A place where you can ask veterinary medicine related questions and get advice from veterinary professionals. Please copy the points below and edit your post to include the answers: Links to any test results, X-rays, vet reports etc. Wouldn't sweat it much. http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/apr/26/boy-bitten-opossum-rabies/, Problem with my older dog -seeking advice. If the rabies test can be done, the possum should be tested. Keeping your dog up to date with all the veterinary recommended vaccinations will provide them with the best protection from these types of infections. They may want to send it off. If you see it in your garden you shouldnt rush to send it away, it helps in eating snails, slugs, and even rodents. Bout the only thing the vet will do is depending on the dogs age, maybe give it a booster shot and some antibiotics. 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. 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. Inability to swallow with consequent dehydration/starvation. Thank you for your prompt answer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Diseases Can My Dog Get From A Possum. My dog killed a possum? I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. TikTok user @ogsnooksshared a clip with over 1.3 million views that shows her Weimaranercoming back to the house with something in his mouth. So, if you have found any open wounds, you need to pay proper attention to treat them without wasting any time. Call your veterinarian. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If you keep your pet calm and well-mannered, the possum will even show some interest in him. Thomas shook his head and opened the window but stopped as he smelt something delicious right behind him. 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. They always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they run out of breath. Hi, it looks like you did not include the information we require in the side bar. Unless a possum is posing as a threat to your dog you should leave it alone as it will soon leave. 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 comes in contact with a rabies-infected animal, you must quarantine it and keep it isolated for at most 45 days. Possums have occasionally attacked dogs as well, though they are usually not aggressive. Some wounds may be small and hidden underneath the fur. For this, you can use warm water to wash the affected area. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. Opossums can reach heights of 40 inches in length. If discarded compost piles and garbage cans are ingested, the stalks can be eaten. Check whether your dog has injuries on his skin, if he has any bite marks call a vet. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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. Furthermore, they are vulnerable to ticks, fleas, mites, and lice. Not always this is an easy task. 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. Body temperature of the possum is not high enough to grow the rabies virus. If left untreated, a bite wound can develop an infection and cause complications such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. So, command your dog to leave it or the way you command to drop it. 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. Rabies is the number one concern for dog owners who worry about their dogs getting into fights with wild animals. What should I do ifmy dog had a possum in his mouth? Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. "Playing 'possum". There is no 100% vaccine, so it is better to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent spreading the virus to other pets. The dog found a possum inside his mouth when he returned. 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. It astounds him, and he quickly commanded his dog to leave it. For the most part, if your dog kills a possum, it isnt a cause for concern. Cats can kill possums, but what about other animals? Dog Stung by Bee on Face: What to Do and How to Prevent It, Mycoplasma in Dogs: Understanding, Diagnosis, and Prevention. Saving money on your pets veterinary care can be a great way to save money on Americas Veterinary Discount. 2023 My Pets Guide. Press J to jump to the feed. Pitbull Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix: A Powerful Trio. Cats, stray cats, and even pet cats all kill a larger number of animals than rats, particularly young ones with a much different size or appearance. 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. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. This can include concerns over dogs getting diseases like rabies from possums, worms, and other infections. Join us and explore the beauty of these adorable animals. @Marty added, "Awwww hes like, 'I did good?'" But to our surprise, it was a possum! 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. Step 2 Give dental chew Give your dog a dental treat or stick to chew on. They can get rabies, though it is rare because of the low body temperature. So, you can also use them while cleaning. For permanent exclusion we recommend putting in an "L" footer. Chagas disease is also known as opossum-related haemorrhoids. 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. An adult opossum is usually able to survive an attack by a dog or being struck by a car. Ask your vet if they feel your dog is in a high-risk environment for Lepto and whether they recommend vaccination. 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. 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. All animals look for an easy life and wont put themselves in danger unless they really cant avoid it. Possums can be dangerous to dogs, but they do try to avoid confrontation. 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. Although it is rare for a possum to carry Rabies but not impossible. Possums, on the other hand, may attack if your dog is afraid or provoked. Opossums, commonly known as possums dont just come out at night. This puts them at risk of being in contact with your dog, particularly those with a high prey drive! Its a health concern of your four-legged feline, and you will definitely not risk it, will you? You may like: Can dogs eat honey bunches of oats? Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? However, opossums can transmit diseases to both humans and animals through bites, scratches, urine and their feces. Taking good care not to touch the dead animal with your bare hands should be your first priority when disposing of it. If possible, clean your dogs injuries with running water or warm water. There should be no reason to worry if your dog has been vaccinated regularly. Some possums can fight back against the larger dog breeds. This disease is not only dangerous to your dog but you too. Well, thats the most useful instinct of dogs, until they attack a possum. (You'll also get inside info and cool deals.). 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!