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Puppies are jovial animals by nature. They travel with their owners, destroy their favored toys, and play fight with other canines. There are times, though, when your dog does not select the species of animal to play with and may wind up attacking a possum.
What should you do in this situation? Is your dog’s health in danger? These are the remaining questions.
Because possums are not tamed, it is common for people to believe that they have rabies despite the fact that they are wild animals. Your canine, on the other hand, does not associate possums with this negative connotation; instead. They view them as cuddly pets that they enjoy playing with. Possums can still infect canines with rabies, so exercise caution.
1. Should You Be Concerned About Rodent Rabies?
We have been cautious about the risks associated with being bitten by a wild beast. So, if you’re worried that your dog might get rabies from a possum bite. The response depends on whether or not your dog has received an anti-rabies vaccination.
Take it from the Missouri and Illinois Bi-State Wildlife Helpline and the Humane Society of the United States if this does not calm your nerves. Possums are very rabies immune, in their opinion. This translates to a very low to zero chance of having the illness. As a result, there is very little to no chance that your healthy. Immunized dog will acquire rabies from a possum bite. Your dog is protected and has a very low to zero chance of getting the disease if it has received the rabies vaccine.
2. Can possums transmit illnesses to your dog?
Possums may carry some diseases that can spread to other animals, just like any other wild mammal. Dogs can contract illnesses from possums, though it doesn’t happen very often. This still has some chance of occurring.
Chagas disease, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, leptospirosis, and trichomoniasis are a few diseases that possums can spread to your canine. The illness known as Murine Typhus can be spread to your dog by fleas that are carried by wild animals like possums.
If the possum’s urine or droppings come in contact with an open wound on your canine, it may spread a disease. If your dog is current on vaccinations, though, you shouldn’t fret too much.
3. Infection Risk
Instead of obsessing over the possibility that your dog will get rabies from a possum bite. You should consider the possibility that your dog will get an infection.
This infection could be brought on by a bite wound that has not been cleaned or treated and is therefore harboring a lot of bacteria, dirt, and germs. Your dog’s bite wound may become infected if t is not attended to right away. And this might lead to complications like diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
In the event that your canine attacked a possum, what should you do?
These are some of the things you ought to do if your dog assaulted a possum:
3.1 Get away from the rat
The best course of action for you and your canine is to move away from the possum to prevent any further injuries. Even though the likelihood of the possum retaliating is extremely remote because it would have fled the moment it got the chance.
3.2 Examine any wounds on your canine
A scratch or bite scar could be the cause. Verify the skin and fur on your dog, and check for any possible wounds from the assault.
3.3 Immediately visit the veterinarian if your canine has been scratched or bit
Use caution when looking up “homemade remedies to possum bites” online or when giving your dog their own medicine. If your dog has been injured, keep in mind that there may be negative health consequences.
The best method to make sure they are protected from any illnesses or infections is to take them to the veterinarian right away. If your canine needs to use a medication, cream, or antibiotic that your veterinarian has prescribed. Make sure to follow the directions and purchase the items.
3.4 You should still take your canine to the vet even if they weren’t bitten or scratched
In comparison to your canine, keep in mind that possums are small. Additionally, it’s possible that you overlooked a bite or a claw mark on a part of your dog’s body. You would feel more at ease knowing that your dog’s safety and health are not in danger if you visited the veterinarian.
4. Main Point
Possums are helpful if you have a yard or garden, to sum up. Mainly because they consume rodents, slugs, and other invertebrates that are pests. If your canine attacks a possum and receives injuries in return, though, that could be a problem. Do not hurt a possum if you see one in your yard or garden. That is where it is supposed to be.
Rather, pay close attention to your dog, particularly when you’re out for walks. You shouldn’t be alarmed if your canine snaps at a possum, particularly if they have all of their shots. The best course of action is to take your canine to the veterinarian for a checkup if this incident occurs, though, in order to be absolutely certain.
Most of the time, if your dog got into a battle with another animal, you wouldn’t have seen it. You have no idea if it was a vicious raccoon, a poisonous snake, a different canine, or anything else. If you can, avoid getting involved in the altercation and break up the brawl. Air horns and your outdoor hose both work well for this. After that, wash your dog’s wounds with tepid water if you can.
The next step is to examine your dog’s wounds. Are they in a crucial area like the thorax or neck? the heartbeat of your canine, then. CPR is a possibility if there isn’t a pulse. Your dog’s breathing and pulse rate might be erratic and quick in a state of shock.
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