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. @Marty added, "Awwww hes like, 'I did good?'" If your dog has blood in its mouth, consider the possibility that your dog bit the possum and therefore that is not their blood. To avoid infection, you should immediately clean the wounds. The bottom line is this; serious diseases like rabies are extremely rare in possums. 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. Although there are good reasons for this, the chances that your dog will contract Rabies from an opossum are very low. 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may be minimal, but is nonetheless present, which makes it vital that you ensure that your dogs vaccinations never go out of date. I write about the things we've learned about owning dogs, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips we've picked up along the way. Despite the fact that dogs are not typically exposed to the lethal rabies virus, they can contract bacterial and protozoal diseases from opossums. If your dog accidentally kills a wild possum or other animal and eats it, check for injuries and bring him to the vet for booster shots. 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. This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. TikTok video from IAmAlbedo (@ilovekaeya3): "My dog had the gym equipment in his mouth". Possums can carry plenty of other illness, but rabies is not one of them. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. It's hard to turn away kids who want to bring their friends home for a playdate. Coprophagia, as poop eating is officially known, is a common, if gross habit that many dogs develop. Possums can carry various diseases such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis. Cadcom, wow! I tried to get her to drop it, but she wouldnt. 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. For safety measures, ensure that your doggie is up to date with his annual jabs. This is the most secure way to go. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. If your dog killed and ate a possum, dont be too worried. TikTok user @dukeofhawthorn recently shared a clip featuring her dog Duke and a possum that latched on to him while the. Its like theyre trying to savor the taste of their prey or perhaps theyre just proud of their accomplishment. This means they rarely engage in fights reducing their chances of getting or spreading the disease. He wiped his watering mouth and looked back at the Prophet, who was opening a large pizza box. You may have to look at your dog's gums, tongue, as well as the top of his mouth (hard palate). Unlike other nocturnal animals like hedgehogs and foxes, possums can also be found during the day looking for snacks. Possums can carry various diseases such as coccidiosis, tuberculosis. 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. How Can I Tell If A Possum Has Bitten My Dog? However, when possums do attack dogs, this will typically be when the possum is cornered, cant get away, and is left with no choice other than to attack to save itself. Even if the possum contains rabies, the evidence will be wiped out completely. 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. 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? You wont be able to find out who started the fight between your dog and another animal, as they usually only fight each other. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. When a possum is hissing and foaming at the mouth, it can look just like symptoms of rabies. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. Chagas disease is also known as opossum-related haemorrhoids. Skin Chews are used in addition to Skin to relieve chronic skin conditions that cause stress and frustration for dogs. 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. After that, check your dog for any injuries, and then consult a veterinarian. You may like: Can dogs eat honey bunches of oats? Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: MyPetsGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, endless.com, smallparts.com, myhabit.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. So, keep this in mind before moving forward. Thankfully, the possum tested negative for rabies, and that little adventure found a happy ending. Possums are very mobile and can maneuver quickly, but their teeth can be quite dangerous. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? 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. Some of these diseases, which in some cases can be fatal, include Chagas disease, coccidiosis, tuberculosis, trichomoniasis, and leptospirosis. Nevertheless, it is doubly Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? What should I do ifmy dog had a possum in his mouth? Call your veterinarian. Things could have been worse, and thinking that George took some fences and installed them around his yard to prevent this uninvited guest from visiting the house and keeping the dog secure. If attacked, they might play dead, but they also might fight and scratch and bite. After a quick but firm "leave him alone", Gavin gave up on his prey. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. "You are wasting your time and breath messing with this thread, brother".germag///. As a result, they usually move on if they see an animal lying lifeless on the ground. You can fence your compound using a wire mesh, keep pet food in locked places, or use possum repellants. Possums can be dangerous to dogs, but in most cases will do their very best to keep away from your pet. But still, no is no, doesn't he know that?! Cats, in fact, are capable of murdering animals. Possums are also more likely to be scared of bigger dogs than smaller ones. Rabies should not be contracted by a dog that has been vaccinated. If you find blood in your dogs mouth, its likely that your dog has bitten a possum and that the blood isnt your 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. 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! This will help the vet to determine whether emergency booster shots for illnesses like rabies are necessary. Customer: Tonight, our Boston Terrier came in from outside with a young possum in his mouth. Call your vet and have your dog examined. Even if this isnt ideal, its not necessarily a bad thing for your dog to eat possums. This because possums are like those stay animals that contains various diseases in their body. 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. Dogs are adventurous and curious, they will eat and chase after anything that is within their reach. If your dog has killed a possum in the vicinity of your home, here are some precautions you should take. "Poor possum was just vibing when your dog wanted to make a friend ," added @Subarutyler. But sometimes, the answer is just no, whether they understand it or not. 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. Even if your dog is not injured by a possum, if they got too close there is a chance that the possum couldve passed on a tick to your dog. Once you clean the area, use some antibiotics and wrap them up. Recommended Read: " Best Legume Free Dog Food in [2020] " This disease affects cats as well, and can even be transferred to humans. Unless a possum is posing as a threat to your dog you should leave it alone as it will soon leave. Or maybe receive positive K9 Karma? stopping dogs getting into trash bags outside your home, How long it takes for a dogs stomach to dissolve a bone, How to tell how old a puppy by looking at their teeth. If a possum begins to fight, there is a higher chance of a smaller dog being injured. Ask your vet if they feel your dog is in a high-risk environment for Lepto and whether they recommend vaccination. It was later found out to be a dead cat. This can inflict some serious harm to your dog, given how sharp their claws and teeth are. Even if your dog looks okay, visiting a vet is advisable as the dog might have wounds that are buried in the skin. Read this guide to see why this is and what you can do about a dog that loves to chase them. My dog killed a possum? They always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they run out of breath. My Dog Ate Dryer Sheets What Should I Do? My love for animals led me to pursue a career in writing about them. In general, your pets will not be harmed by an opossum, which is docile and does not exhibit aggressive behavior. So, what do you do when your dog has a possum in his mouth? Dogs are never ill if they eat one, as long as they are properly vaccinated. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The conditions which can be passed from a possum include: You can be pretty sure that possums also carry fleas, though ticks tend not to be a problem, and thats because its estimated that one possum can eat up to 5,000 ticks in a 2 to 3-month period! Your pup will produce saliva when eating, which will naturally clean his mouth, and water will naturally rinse away germs and residue. Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating when threatened. If you need to clean a confined space of possum feces such as an attic, you should wear long-sleeved clothes and gloves, along with goggles and a breathing mask to prevent any skin contact. However, opossums can transmit diseases to both humans and animals through bites, scratches, urine and their feces. 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. Is the Kong Classic the Best Dog Toy Ever? Opossums, commonly known as possums dont just come out at night. He was so, SO upset that he could not bring the little fella and new friend into the house. 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. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast . The wounds should be taken care of immediately to avoid infections. If your dog had a possum in his mouth, you should not tense. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Yes, possums are dangerous to dogs. Take them to the vet straight away if this is the case. My specialty is helping train difficult breeds that require a more detailed approach, such as German Shepherds and Pit Bulls. They don't have a very long life span. These diseases can easily transmit to the human body. If an opossum is hiding on your property, it is likely to be removed as soon as possible. For this, you can use warm water to wash the affected area. Its critical for them to play dead in order to protect themselves from predators. i never heard of that before??? 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 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. Do not give OP specific treatment instructions, including instructions on meds and dosages. That sounds scary, but your dog should be protected from most diseases if they are up to date with their vaccinations. If your dog kills a possum or any other wild animal for that matter and eats it, you should check for injuries and take him to the veterinarian for a booster shot. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will . My Dog Was Bitten By Another Dog: What Do 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. A baby possum was killed by my dog last night without me knowing. A possum can look pretty intimidating with their long claws and fifty razor-sharp teeth. They just come to your house in search of food. This is when possums get scared and is what makes them defensive. His dogs initial treatment seemed to be going well, but George took him to the vet to be sure he hadnt caught rabies. Please also check the FAQ to see whether your question is answered there. First of all, you need to check for bites or scratch marks. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. The notes in this guide are based on my own online research. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. Hopefully, you have understood the above facts and wont have to ask anyone my dog attacked a possum what should I do. link to Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? But if you wish to get any help from me, inform me through the comment section below. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. 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. If your dog has attacked a possum, but you have the carcass, you can get them tested for Rabies. I hope all will be well. If your dog gets Rabies, you might have to put him down. Possums are usually docile creatures who avoid conflict and, as such, arent an immediate danger to dogs. Dr. Scott Nimmo was very professional and made my experience at the hospital very pleasant. They may want to send it off. But if you are still worried about rabies, you can test the possum whether it is negative or positive. If your dog is showing any signs of illness, it is important to contact your veterinarian right away. The first thing you have to do is check the severity of the wound. However, it is possible for a dog to contract rabies from biting a possum, so it is important to seek veterinary advice if this occurs. Possums are usually passive beings, and so they will usually ignore a dog until they feel threatened by it. 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. What To Do If a Dog Bites You: Steps To Take Immediately. HA! If there is no threat of poisoning, then your dog may get an upset stomach, sickness, or diarrhea from eating the dead opossum. Yikes! My dog killed a possum? 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