This is the site where I will always seek second opinions. They hunt and eat in the dark, during the night. If your dog gets into close contact with a possum, he'll risk getting scratched or bitten. Examine your dog for wounds: If your dog has been bitten by a possum, it should be fairly obvious, so check the fur and skin for wounds. Theres nothing to be afraid of if your dog died as a result of eating a possum. Are possums dangerous to dogs? Thomas shook his head and opened the window but stopped as he smelt something delicious right behind him. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? Its not too dangerous for you if your dog kills a possum. What Should I Do If My Dog Killed a Possum That Has Rabies? Handy Hint: My dogs absolutely hate squirrels. Hydrogen peroxide is also a good item to prevent further infection. 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 . 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. If your dog eats a possum or another wild animal, he should be evaluated for injuries and given booster shots. This is a clever technique that possums use to persuade their opponents into thinking that they had won the battle, causing the threat to then leave them alone. The vet will be able to treat the wounds and prescribe any antibiotics or painkillers if needed to help your dog along with their recovery. Most predators dont eat animals that have already died. Possums are very mobile and can maneuver quickly, but their teeth can be quite dangerous. 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, provided that your dog is up to date with their annual injections, they should be protected from most of the diseases that possums carry. This is because they dont usually survive predatory attacks, and their bodies temperature is too low for the rabies pathogens to thrive and spread. TikTok video from IAmAlbedo (@ilovekaeya3): "My dog had the gym equipment in his mouth". Do not give OP specific treatment instructions, including instructions on meds and dosages. You and your dog should first get away from the possum. 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. Ive been working with dogs since I was a child and have been dedicated to helping them learn and grow ever since. Rabies is the number one concern for dog owners who worry about their dogs getting into fights with wild animals. When a bite wound is not treated properly, it can contain a lot of dirt and bacteria. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the bite and the health of the dog. So, without any delay, lets dive in! The main focus is whether diseases and illnesses could be risk if the dog kill a possum. Answered by Dr. Loretta in 5 mins 11 years ago. Use an absorbent and soft cloth like a towel piece or any old washcloth. If you believe your dog has attacked and killed a possum, the best option is to relocate your dog away from the area and leave it in the hands of nature, allowing it to slowly come back to life. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will . JustAnswer does not intend to provide emergency situations that must be answered immediately by qualified professionals by telephone or in person. Doubt that the Opposum had rabies they are very resistant to catching the virus. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. The bottom line is this; serious diseases like rabies are extremely rare in possums. In this guide I will explain what to do if your dog had a possum in his mouth. 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. I will call his vet in the morning. The dog found a possum inside his mouth when he returned. While they will generally avoid confrontation, there have been instances of possums attacking a dog. Why Is My Adult Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? Cabrera.) I hope all will be well. If your dog is not up to date on vaccines, you should take him to the veterinarian. HA! If your dog killed a possum, the highest possibility is that your dog started the fight. In fact, the most common way a possum reacts to danger is to pass out or play dead as it is known. "Poor possum was just vibing when your dog wanted to make a friend ," added @Subarutyler. Recommended Read: " Best Legume Free Dog Food in [2020] " However, you will be pleased to know that the chances of this happening are extremely rare. This is when possums get scared and is what makes them defensive. This can youre your dogs behaviour from escalating and prevent anyone from potentially getting hurt in the future. When threatened or confronted, they sometimes stand firm and tall and flash their teeth. A typical opossum is docile, non-aggressive, and does not attack your pets. An adult opossum is usually able to survive an attack by a dog or being struck by a car. Many of the conditions that possums can pass on to dogs can also be transmitted to people. So, command your dog to leave it or the way you command to drop it. The notes in this guide are based on my own online research. Possums are usually passive beings, and so they will usually ignore a dog until they feel threatened by it. Once you clean the area, use some antibiotics and wrap them up. In the remainder of this guide, I will explain some of the potential risks of your dog killing a possum and whether you should be worried, or when. They prefer to avoid getting into arguments. An ousky, also known as a possum or a Virginia ocupid, is a common wildlife invader on your property. 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 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 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. Read this guide to see why this is and what you can do about a dog that loves to chase them. Customers from all over the country have chosen Dr. Michael Salkin Veterinarian DVM 58,310 times. In fact, the temperature of their body is also low, which is not suitable for rabies to live. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Let the dog get some water and stay away from the opossum. My love for animals led me to pursue a career in writing about them. Your comment will be removed, and you may be banned. Possums can also be carriers of diseases such as tuberculosis and coccidiosis. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The good news is that an opossum bite poses a low risk of rabies for your dog. The DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These diseases can easily transmit to the human body. 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. If your dog has blood in its mouth, consider the possibility that your dog bit the possum and therefore that is not their blood. There should be no reason to worry if your dog has been vaccinated regularly. Should I Be Worried? 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. The chance of your dog contracting rabies is slim, and providing your dog has been vaccinated, the risk of contracting disease from a possum is said to be slim. Take the possum with you to the vet. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. Despite their reputation as sweethearts, we look at whether Golden Retrievers can be good protective dogs as well. Even if the wound is only small, you should still take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for a check-up. According to some studies, the opossum has no control over this paralyzed state, which is caused by a chemical reaction in the brain that temporarily paralyzes them for a few minutes to a few hours. If your dog killed and ate a possum, dont be too worried. If this happens, keep your pet as calm as possible while avoiding contact with the possum. Read this guide to see why this is and what you can do about a dog that loves to chase them. 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. A dog that killed a possum is drooling and swelling around its mouth. You should not be worried as the likelihoods of contracting infections are low. 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. The rabies vaccine protects your dog from contracting the disease and is required by law in many parts of the country. Opossums could infect your dog with toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, or Chagas disease by touch or, in certain situations, ingesting unsafe food. You are using an out of date browser. Disclaimer: If your dog ate a possum or has been attacked, please always seek professional advice. Dogs are never ill if they eat one, as long as they are properly vaccinated. Possums can be dangerous to dogs, but in most cases will do their very best to keep away from your pet. This can inflict some serious harm to your dog, given how sharp their claws and teeth are. 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. For no reason, you should touch the possum or your dog without gloves in this situation. Possums are also more likely to be scared of bigger dogs than smaller ones. 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. First of all, you need to check for bites or scratch marks. To get your dog to drop a possum caught by him, you can use the leave them alone command. The short version is my 20-25 lbs dog got into a fight with a possum, that I later killed. How Can I Tell If A Possum Has Bitten My Dog? The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. JustAnswer.com has seen a spike in legal questions about employment and unemployment since October. Possums are fairly common animals, even in many cities. If your dog has attacked a possum, but you have the carcass, you can get them tested for Rabies. 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. They may see smaller dogs as less of a threat and so may feel more comfortable with attacking them rather than playing dead. Your dog would have a better chance of getting rabies from a squirrel than a possum.that was a big possumany pics? Wanna boost your dog's superpowers? A possum with full-blown Rabies is frightening. This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. Pitbulls are powerful dogs and can easily kill smaller animals. Item to prevent further infection pass out or Play dead as it is known DVM 58,310 times over country. 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