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Opossums are North America’s only marsupial, and they carry their babies in a pouch like kangaroos. Most people in the United States colloquially call opossums “possums,” even though it is a misnomer. A separate species of animal actually bears the possum name.
Either way, opossums are beneficial animals that eat ticks and other pests. However, many people consider them pests because they steal outdoor pet food and break into chicken coops.
If you live somewhere where opossums are endemic, including the American South, the Eastern Seaboard, and the West Coast, there’s a possibility that your dog will get ahold of one. Here’s what you should do if your dog kills an opossum.
The 6 Tips on What to Do When Your Dog Killed a Possum
1. Put Your Dog Away
If your dog caught and killed a possum, they’re likely excited from the experience of catching prey. They’ll try to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong while you try to move forward with the cleanup. Some dogs will eat the possum if given the opportunity.
The more times your dog comes into contact with it, the greater the chance of contracting an illness or parasite from the possum. Put your dog in the house while you deal with the possum.
2. Glove Up
Generally, you shouldn’t handle wild animals without gloves due to the risk of disease transmission. If you don’t have gloves on hand, use a towel, blanket, shovel, or another item to pick up the possum. Anything used to touch the possum should be thrown away or thoroughly disinfected after handling. You should always wash your hands after handling a wild animal, even if you wear gloves.
3. Make Sure It isn’t Playing Possum
When threatened, possums will enter a state where their metabolic functions drop to the point that they appear dead. Their heart rate and breathing slow, and they will allow you to handle them, usually staying limp when you do so. It can be difficult to determine if the possum is dead or not.
This state usually lasts less than an hour but can last multiple hours. If it isn’t undeniable that the possum is dead, you might allow it to sit in a quiet spot outside for a few hours to see if it wanders off.
You should contact a wildlife office if you notice any wounds but the possum appears to be alive. At a minimum, they will be able to ensure the animal meets a humane end.
If your dog kills a possum, you must check to see if the possum is female. If it is, she will have a pouch located on the abdomen. You should check this pouch for joeys or baby opossums. If they are present and alive, you should place them in a warm, safe spot out of the reach of your dog. However, please don’t feed them, and contact a wildlife rehabber.
4. Dispose of the Possum
Once it’s apparent that the opossum is dead, you need to dispose of it in a place where your dog will not be able to get to it. Ideally, you should wrap the possum in a trash bag and place it in your outdoor trash or a dumpster. Remember that the possum will begin to smell after it’s been dead for a while.
If it’s summertime, the smell will be much worse. If this is a concern, you can contact a local animal control or wildlife rehabber for options on getting rid of the possum more quickly.
5. Check and Monitor Your Dog
It’s vital to check your dog over for bites or scratches. Opossums are very passive animals that usually avoid biting under most circumstances, but when threatened or harmed, they will bite and fight for their lives.
Even if your dog has minor scratches or bites, they should be seen by a vet. If your dog has no injuries, you’ll need to watch them for the next few days for notable changes or signs, like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, and fatigue. In most cases, your dog won’t have any problems after killing an opossum.
6. Take Your Dog to the Vet
This step is optional because it depends on a few things. If your dog is injured during the fight, they should be taken to a vet within 24 hours. If your dog develops concerning signs, take them to the vet immediately.
If your dog is not up to date on their rabies vaccine, you should call your vet. Your vet will likely want you to bring your dog in for a booster, but in some cases, they may advise that your dog’s last booster is still working and isn’t a concern.
The 5 Risks Associated with Possums
1. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis, also known as Lepto, is a zoonotic bacterial infection that can be passed from animals to people. Your dog can contract leptospirosis from a possum, which can make them sick, but the possum can also infect other people and animals in the home. If left untreated, Leptospirosis can cause liver and kidney failure, meningitis, and death.
2. Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic infection that can make your dog sick. In people, it’s most commonly associated with food poisoning. Toxoplasmosis poses the most significant risks to people who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, and fetuses. It can be passed to the fetus during a pregnancy, which can cause immediate problems at birth or later on down the road.
3. Trichomoniasis
This parasitic infection is zoonotic but not common in dogs. They can catch it from raw meat, such as a dead possum. Both people and animals can experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloody or mucusy diarrhea, anal swelling, and even rectal prolapse. It’s not commonly diagnosed in dogs or any species other than humans.
4. Coccidia
Coccidia is a parasite that can lead to severe diarrhea and abdominal pain. Infections can be complicated to manage and can damage the digestive tract. Humans and animals can contract this infection, and while it is most commonly passed through dirty water, it can also come from consuming dead animals or handling their feces.
5. Rabies
Rabies is a big concern with many animals in the US, and bats, skunks, foxes, and raccoons are the most common carriers of the disease. Possums have a low body temperature, which makes them poor hosts of this virus, so the risk of rabies transmission from possum to possum is low, but it isn’t impossible.
Rabies has an almost 100% mortality rate if it’s not detected before the symptoms appear. There is no treatment for pets that contract rabies and the treatment options for humans are typically ineffective. Keeping your dog up to date on their rabies vaccine is the best thing you can do to protect them and yourself from rabies.
Final Thoughts
Opossums are a beneficial part of their ecosystems, but it’s not uncommon for them to cross paths with dogs. Between a dog and a possum, the dog typically wins. Your dog is not likely to contract any illnesses from killing a possum, but the risks go up considerably if your dog consumes the possum or has extended contact with the animal.
Always follow all precautions when handling wildlife, even when dead, and contact professionals if you aren’t sure how to handle a situation.
