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Opossum and Dogs
bullseye119
Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
Hi Everyone,
I have been an enthusiastic observer here and I am always amazed at the group knowledge. I need some advice. I was in my backyard in Houston, tx and my dog came running up with a baby opossum in her mouth. No marks on my dog. Shots are up to date. Do i have anything ro worry about? I am city folk and I have no idea if I have a problem or just a great dog.
Now that I have dipped my toe in the water on posting, this is one of my favorite things to check in the morning! You guys are really a lot of fun
You
I have been an enthusiastic observer here and I am always amazed at the group knowledge. I need some advice. I was in my backyard in Houston, tx and my dog came running up with a baby opossum in her mouth. No marks on my dog. Shots are up to date. Do i have anything ro worry about? I am city folk and I have no idea if I have a problem or just a great dog.
Now that I have dipped my toe in the water on posting, this is one of my favorite things to check in the morning! You guys are really a lot of fun
You
Comments
And welcome to the asylum. Grab a straightjacket and join in. [:D]
A baby possum means there's a momma possum and probably more babies in the liter. Your dog may go back for another.
Posum can carry rabies.
Welcome!!
No way to tell if a dog has rabies without killing it anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts acting weird or really thirsty.
Nothing you can do. Dog's probably fine.
Yep,about what I would've said, only adding that a baby possum has a less chance of having rabies than an adult.
Also as said by others, there will be the mother hanging around, so keep your dog at bay so she does not get scratched or bitten by the mother that might have rabies
Possums usually play dead, and after the retrieve, I thank the dogs and release the possum. Unless it was a defiant possum, I'm sure you're all good.
Skunks, Raccoons, Foxes, and Bats are the major carriers and it's quite rare anymore.
Was the possum dead or alive?
A baby possum means there's a momma possum and probably more babies in the liter. Your dog may go back for another.
Posum can carry rabies.
While they Can carry rabies, it's rare that they do.
A possum's normal body temp is so low the rabies virus seldom survives in possums.
http://www.wildlife-removal.com/possumrabies.html
The best defense is to keep dogs properly vaccinated.
Is the Possum gonna be okay??
I would not be concerned with my dogs shots up to date. Also (as previously stated,) with it being a youngster, extremely doubtful it would have rabies. I would be more concerned about a bite from an adult.
(And) Welcome to the forums. Keep on posting. Just maintain a thick skin.
Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, tricsameniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.
Was the possum dead or alive?
A baby possum means there's a momma possum and probably more babies in the liter. Your dog may go back for another.
Posum can carry rabies.
Any mammal can get rabies. However, the chance of rabies in an opossum is EXTREMELY RARE. This may have something to do with the opossum's low body temperature (94-97? F) making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum's body.