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. Your dog will require immediate treatment if he is diagnosed with Rabies. 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. 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Almost all dog fights are not as serious as this one. George then flung the possum into a trash bag, and he took his dog for a refreshing bath. Guide to Traveling with Dogs in a Car Long Distance, Which Stores Allow Dogs? Even if this isnt ideal, its not necessarily a bad thing for your dog to eat possums. What Should I Do? Apparently the same scenario applies to dogs. With that in mind heres all you should know about possums and how to protect yourselves and your pets from these animals. Although it is rare for a possum to carry Rabies but not impossible. Dont waste time, and dont put it inside of your freezer. JavaScript is disabled. However, you can rest easy knowing that rabies is extremely rare in North America. Most predators dont eat animals that have already died. So, what do you do when your dog has a possum in his mouth? I have been a pet care writer for over 5 years and have extensive knowledge of animal care, health, and behavior. The only thing you would have to worry about is that if the possum DID bite your dog, then infection could set up. When a possum is hissing and foaming at the mouth, it can look just like symptoms of rabies. 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. You may have to look at your dog's gums, tongue, as well as the top of his mouth (hard palate). A scratch or bite from a possum can hurt a dog, and a dog can get ill from eating a possum in certain cases, although it is rare. However, it is the mother you will have to worry about. My dog killed a possum? Customer: my dog just attacked a possum in our back yard, there is small amt of blood on possums neck but it is still alive. Ask your vet if they feel your dog is in a high-risk environment for Lepto and whether they recommend vaccination. Despite the fact that mosquitoes cannot carry rabies, they can carry a variety of other nasty diseases. Handy Hint: If you have put roadkill or a dead possum in your trash, please secure it properly so dogs and predators don't tear into the trash cans. By the way, make sure to acquire all the precautions before touching the possum. Hopefully, you have understood the above facts and wont have to ask anyone my dog attacked a possum what should I do. Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating when threatened. So when your dog encounters a possum, is there any risk that they will be dangerous or present risk to your pup? 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. Providing advice, opinion, humor, information, and product reviews. Yes, possums are dangerous to dogs. Wrap the animal in a bag and keep it cold. She just sat there and stared at me with a look that said, Im not giving this back. I had no choice but to take her home and keep an eye on her until the possum was gone. It's a good idea to give your dog a good bath before taking him to the vet. There is no 100% vaccine, so it is better to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent spreading the virus to other pets. 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. Possums are very mobile and can maneuver quickly, but their teeth can be quite dangerous. Theres something about the way a dogs tongue hangs out after its killed a possum thats both gruesome and comical. Its like theyre trying to savor the taste of their prey or perhaps theyre just proud of their accomplishment. Contact animal control; it is best if a skilled person helps you to get rid of the carcass from your compound. If it is bleeding a lot then your dog may need medical attention immediately, as they may need stitches to close the wound. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Ticks are invasive parasites that can cause a lot of pain to your dog and even make them very sick in some cases by carrying diseases such as Lyme. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. 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. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will . 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. A typical opossum is docile, non-aggressive, and does not attack your pets. A possum can look pretty intimidating with their long claws and fifty razor-sharp teeth. If there is no threat of poisoning, your dog may become ill if he eats a dead opossum. 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. Left to their own devices, they will eat anything. 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. Possum poop as well as urine are toxic and can harm people a lot if they are contaminated. If you are unsure, consult your local laws regarding Rabies and vaccines. But to our surprise, it was a possum! If your dog kills a possum and eats it, he should be evaluated for injuries and given booster shots, as well as to be taken to the vet. A possums main line of defense when being attacked is to play dead. They can get rabies, though it is rare because of the low body temperature. This is an automated general reminder to please follow The Sub Rules when discussing this question: Do not comment with anecdotes about your own or others' pets. Possums razor-sharp teeth and long claws make them appear intimidating. The dog found a possum inside his mouth when he returned. Possums can still carry Rabies in rare instances. You could potentially be forced to use physical force to protect your pet if you are unable to do so. Its critical to remember that an opossum bite wound is the most serious threat to your dogs health. Fetch Machines for Fetch Machines! Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. 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. If your dog is bitten or scratched by a possum or another wild animal, then you should act quickly to avoid your pet becoming sick. Opossums can reach heights of 40 inches in length. If attacked, they might play dead, but they also might fight and scratch and bite. These diseases can easily transmit to the human body. In 2015 George Wilson had faced something like this. Possums are also more likely to be scared of bigger dogs than smaller ones. 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. Possums average body temperature is 94 to 97 degrees, making them extremely cold. 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. Possums like to eat fruit, grains, and insects, but they will also eat leftovers from compost piles and garbage cans if they can get into them. "What should I do if a possum bit my dog?" Clean the wound and watch for any signs of infection. 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. You should receive the results within a few hours. This is the site where I will always seek second opinions. In most cases they will clean the wound and prescribe antibiotics. 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. Our dog seemed fine, other than some drool and phlegm hanging out of his mouth. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Make sure that any leftover dog food is also removed once your dog has finished eating, as that also makes for a pretty tempting possum treat. Last of all, if your dog has eaten a possum, then it is a must to test them up. If your dog has caught a possum, you have to first get rid of 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. Opossums are peaceful and rarely attack. 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. Possums have occasionally attacked dogs as well, though they are usually not aggressive. JustAnswer.com has seen a spike in legal questions about employment and unemployment since October. In fact, some wounds require alternative therapy or any special medications. Either way, its a good reminder to keep your furry friend on a leash when possums are around. Join us and explore the beauty of these adorable animals. LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. The former Bachelor in Paradise star penned a lengthy tribute to the infant via Instagram in February 2023, sharing a slideshow of pics from throughout her pregnancy, as well as a family photo of . The level of prey drive will vary from one breed to another. All rights reserved. Possums are usually docile creatures who avoid conflict and, as such, arent an immediate danger to dogs. The low body temperature of a possum makes it difficult for pathogens like the rabies virus to survive in them. You have a slim chance of your dog contracting rabies, and if your dog has been vaccinated, you have a slim chance of her contracting disease from a possum. Just like with many wild creatures, possums can potentially carry a range of diseases that can be transmitted to dogs. George had the quick wit to throw the possum into a trash bag and give a thorough bath to his dog, before bringing him to the . So, make sure to use a glove or something like that. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. But still, no is no, doesn't he know that?! Possums, like other stray animals, could transmit diseases to humans. 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. 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. But just to be sure that there is no danger, your dog needs to be rabies-vaccinated. Customer: Tonight, our Boston Terrier came in from outside with a young possum in his mouth. I didn't want to clean up the mess that late at night, and right now it can wait until after I see a vet, unless I need to bring it with me. The heavenly smell of hot cheese, meats, and garlicky buttery bread clawed at the starving wolf's nostrils. In fact, the most common way a possum reacts to danger is to pass out or play dead as it is known. Understandably, people are concerned about this. The DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Well, thats the most useful instinct of dogs, until they attack a possum. 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