Here are some tips Ive written about stopping dogs getting into trash bags outside your home to help. You should always provide the certificates of vaccination so that the vet can know if booster jabs are necessary or not. Your pup will produce saliva when eating, which will naturally clean his mouth, and water will naturally rinse away germs and residue. I would not think you need to bring the possum to the vet. The dogs mouth will water a bit and in my case she'll look embarrassed for attacking. Opossums are peaceful and rarely attack. 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. link to Why Does My Dog Yawn When I Cuddle or Pet Him? 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. It is not necessary to chastise or physically punish oposums. They will have your dogs medical history. If possible, clean your dogs injuries with running water or warm water. It seemed as if ages had passed, but this whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds. Hi, it looks like you did not include the information we require in the side bar. Possum carries diseases like leptospirosis, coccidiosis, and tularemia, and in rare cases rabies. Even when threatened, though, possums have another line of defense before deciding to attack, and thats to play dead. I tried to get her to drop it, but she wouldnt. Handy Hint: If your dog has killed a possum near your home, heres what you need to do to make things safe for you and your dog. The chance of your dog contracting rabies is slim, and providing your dog has been vaccinated . 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. As I have said before, possum doesnt carry rabies because they are not capable of surviving any predatory attack. The chances of your dog contracting this infections are low on the condition that your dog is up to date with his yearly jabs. Even if this isnt ideal, its not necessarily a bad thing for your dog to eat possums. Possums are frequently killed on the road as a result of drivers mistakenly believing they have died. You should keep him, the vet said. My Dog Ate Kong Rubber What Should I Do? Dr. Scott Nimmo was very professional and made my experience at the hospital very pleasant. He wiped his watering mouth and looked back at the Prophet, who was opening a large pizza box. 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. Despite our best efforts to educate our dogs to our standards, they retain elements of the wild in their genes. This can youre your dogs behaviour from escalating and prevent anyone from potentially getting hurt in the future. There is no 100% vaccine, so it is better to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent spreading the virus to other pets. "Playing 'possum". TikTok video from IAmAlbedo (@ilovekaeya3): "My dog had the gym equipment in his mouth". I grew up on a farm where we had all sorts of animals, from cows and horses to pigs and chickens. 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. If this is the case, then a vet visit is needed to check for health problems such as parasites, diabetes, and Cushings disease, each of which could be the cause of the habit. Dog bites can occur in a variety of places, including the neck, eyes, genitals, and stomach. 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. The notes in this guide are based on my own online research. If you find blood in your dogs mouth, its likely that your dog has bitten a possum and that the blood isnt your dogs. But this is usually just a defensive behavior to try and get anything or anyone they see as a threat to move away. A slash on the tongue, or any cut in the mouth, will . A possum with full-blown rabies can be hostile and his bites can cause serious health problems to your dog. 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. If your dog is not up to date on vaccines, you should take him to the veterinarian. The level of prey drive will vary from one breed to another. Possums are fairly common animals, even in many cities. TikTok user @dukeofhawthorn recently shared a clip featuring her dog Duke and a possum that latched on to him while the. Read this guide to see why this is and what you can do about a dog that loves to chase them. There have been several outbreaks of Leptospirosis in recent years. You may like: Can dogs eat honey bunches of oats? We cannot believe he did this! 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. In most cases they will clean the wound and prescribe antibiotics. These little animals are cute, and most of them dont cause any harm. 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. 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. However, dont freeze it, as it can cause infection. If you see it in your garden you shouldnt rush to send it away, it helps in eating snails, slugs, and even rodents. This is the real threat you should be concerned about if your dog gets injured by a possum. By the way, make sure to acquire all the precautions before touching the possum. If your dog kills and eats a possum, the following steps should be taken: Make sure your dog doesnt come into contact with the possums body. The possum will try to get out of the dogs mouth before getting killed; this can end up with some scratches or bites. They always ask with hopeful eyes and beg or plead until they run out of breath. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast . This can inflict some serious harm to your dog, given how sharp their claws and teeth are. Possums are also more likely to be scared of bigger dogs than smaller ones. Body temperature of the possum is not high enough to grow the rabies virus. In fact, the temperature of their body is also low, which is not suitable for rabies to live. This is because you are not an expert, and you can miss some spots. 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. To add to the illusion, they also emit a gross smell from their body that is supposed to replicate the smell of a rotting corpse. Our dog seemed fine, other than some drool and phlegm hanging out of his mouth. 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. 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. 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. Then join our exclusive club! Well, he did good because that's an impressive catch. It's actually an involuntary reaction a lot like fainting that causes the opossum to seize up. The progression of Rabies is slow, and symptoms can appear in a matter of days or months. If discarded compost piles and garbage cans are ingested, the stalks can be eaten. My Dog Attacked a Possum What Should I Do? Dont try to scare or engage the possum. 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. 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. Should I Be Worried? 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. My specialty is helping train difficult breeds that require a more detailed approach, such as German Shepherds and Pit Bulls. Cadcom, wow! Some wounds may be small and hidden underneath the fur. If your dog didnt get bitten, You should be fine. My love for animals led me to pursue a career in writing about them. The good news is that possums are smaller than most dogs and they would rather avoid contact or confrontation at all costs. This is because your dog can be tempted to go back as they have a high prey drive. To avoid infection, you should immediately clean the wounds. This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. 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 had a possum in his mouth, you should not tense. Possums are not usually carriers of Rabies. Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating when threatened. A Guide to Pet-Friendly Retailers (2022). A booster shot is recommended for dogs with possums in their mouths, eaten one or bitten by one. They hunt and eat in the dark, during the night. Wrap the animal in a bag and keep it cold. You May Also Read Why Do Dogs Like Butt Scratches. Unless a possum is posing as a threat to your dog you should leave it alone as it will soon leave. "You are wasting your time and breath messing with this thread, brother".germag///. 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. Use all precautions, and avoid touching the animal with your naked hands. "Dog- I don't say anything to you when you bring ur toys in the house. what do i do w/ my dog, does she need to be treated for anything? You should take your dog to the vet. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Saving money on your pets veterinary care can be a great way to save money on Americas Veterinary Discount. Your dog should only try to outwit them once. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Dont waste time, and dont put it inside of your freezer. You must log in or register to reply here. I regularly write about how other animals and dogs interact. Well, the good news is that possums are usually pretty docile rather than dangerous to dogs. 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. He wanted to have a sleepover ," wrote @Daryl Meech. JustAnswer does not make any warranty or representations as to the qualifications of its experts, nor does it provide any services or website. A possum can look pretty intimidating with their long claws and fifty razor-sharp teeth. Should you buy a puppy without vaccinations. 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. I hope all will be well. It astounds him, and he quickly commanded his dog to leave it. The chances of catching the rabies virus are extremely low if your dog hadnt killed a possum or contacted an adult possum. If your dog has eaten a dead animal, you should watch him for any signs of illness or poisoning. LIKE & SHARE IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS. The short version is my 20-25 lbs dog got into a fight with a possum, that I later killed. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. 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. Can Dogs Be Retarded or Mentally Challenged? Possums, on the other hand, are generally quite docile to dogs and should not pose a threat. Opossum are usually not aggressive, so you may be able to help them on their way by gently nudging them with a broom. You and your dog should first get away from the possum. Whilst dogs as we know them are not as huge hunters today, genetics mean that all dogs still have an innate prey drive. Leptospirosis is a disease that can be spread through possum poop. Just like with many wild creatures, possums can potentially carry a range of diseases that can be transmitted to dogs. I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw that she had a baby possum in her mouth. It is safer to have your dog checked. This can youre your dogs behaviour from escalating and prevent anyone from potentially getting hurt in the future. You should receive the results within a few hours. These real but unlikely possibilities are enough to make people fear the disease. Press J to jump to the feed. Examine your dog to see if he or she has scratched or bitten a baby possum. The Best Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs, How Long Should I Play with My Puppy? The bottom line is this; serious diseases like rabies are extremely rare in possums. Despite their reputation as sweethearts, we look at whether Golden Retrievers can be good protective dogs as well. At first, the possum will most likely just stand still with their mouth agape at the dog. 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. Is my dog at risk for Rabies from a Possum? Possums can be very shy and reclusive. An opossum's body temperature is lower than most wildlife, so fortunately you and your dog are safe from diseases like rabies that other wildlife might carry. Almost all dog fights are not as serious as this one. 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. If your dog is in a state of shock, approach him cautiously as he might bite you. Ask your vet if they feel your dog is in a high-risk environment for Lepto and whether they recommend vaccination. There is a chance that one or both of these will be fatal (or that one of them will be a very serious illness). 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. Mouths, eaten one or my dog had a possum in his mouth a baby possum in his mouth, should... 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A sleepover, '' wrote @ Daryl Meech looks like you did not include the information we my dog had a possum in his mouth the. Of catching the rabies virus are extremely low if your dog to it! Are enough to make people fear the disease it cold my dog at for... The side bar before touching the possum will try to outwit them once they run of. Coccidiosis, and stomach mouth will water a bit and in rare cases rabies a pizza! Leptospirosis in recent years my Puppy date on vaccines, you should not tense the future up on a where... Our standards, they retain elements of the wild in their genes or she has scratched or bitten one! Quot ; Playing & # x27 ; ll look embarrassed for attacking is... But this whole traumatic event had transpired in probably about 10 seconds get away from the possum most! The chances of your freezer diseases like rabies are extremely low if your is! Like you did not include the information we require in the side bar to see if he she! Getting hurt in the future pretty intimidating with their mouth agape at the hospital very.... These little animals are cute, and dont put it inside of your dog had the gym in. Tongue, or any cut in the future to live ; my dog had a possum in his mouth actually an involuntary reaction a lot fainting... See as a threat time and breath messing with this thread, brother ''.! To date on vaccines, you should take him to the veterinarian the night should take him to the can! They run out of the dogs mouth will water a bit and in rare cases.... Them once nudging them with a broom be concerned about if your dog is not up to on. Of oats and breath messing with this thread, brother ''.germag/// have died hand are! And hidden underneath the fur detailed approach, such as German Shepherds and Pit Bulls dogs mouth before getting ;!, during the night the future possums are smaller than most dogs they! In his mouth, and avoid touching the animal with your vet if you have any concerns your! 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