sometimes transmitted by opossums to people and to Muzzle shape is useful for detecting the direction of the scent and sniffing out bugs under the soil. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. With beady eyes and long whiskers, they look a little bit like rats. Opossums are not destructive in nature. Please see our. If your dog kills a possum, then as an added level of precaution, you can carry the body or carcass of the possum to the vet so that he can examine and gauge any probable chances of infections. The most vulnerable group include pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. She has a bachelors degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. But the infection is pretty rare in dogs. They may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and viruses through their urine or feces. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Possums have no control over when they play dead or for how long they do it: The comatose-like state is an involuntary reaction triggered by stress. They are, however, opportunistic and resourceful, taking shelter and finding food wherever they see fit. Opossum Diseases - One of the important concerns that many people will have if they come into contact with a wild animal is whether or not they could catch a disease, and how the disease can be transmitted. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nerves. We will tell you more about domesticating opossums to keep them as pets, and what to do if you found one (playing dead or not so much) in your backyard in our following articles! At this point, symptoms like confusion, partial paralysis, and excess salivation may appear. If you are pregnant, you should do all you can to avoid getting toxoplasmosis. If you've ever been in this situation, this is the article for you. Both possums and opossums are marsupials with pouches to carry their babies in, just like kangaroos. Although, your pet might be safe if it is regularly vaccinated. Although opossums aren't aggressive or hostile, they do carry many diseases, such as: Chagas Disease Coccidiosis Leptospirosis Relapsing Fever Rabies Spotted Fever TB Toxoplasmosis Trichomoniasis Tularemia Opossums also commonly carry fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. Their body temperatures and high immunity make it rare for an opossum to have the rabies virus, but they often host parasites like fleas and disease. This microscopic and parasitic disease attacks the intestinal tract of animals. Home Do Possums Carry Diseases? How Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. Researchers found that possums are better at remembering which runway led to a tasty treat than rats, cats, dogs, and pigs. They also can cause damage as they burrow under sheds, decks and porches to build nests where they take shelter and raise their young. Their marsupial cousins are, in fact, not rats but koalas and kangaroos. Besides rashes, this disease may also cause fever, muscle ache, headache, stomach pain, and lack of appetite. They have sharp teeth and claws to bite the predators. In fact, they are considered to be amongst most rabies-immune animals. Perhaps the most famous characteristic of the opossum is its tendency to play dead in front of predators. They are certainly game to stop by and clean up the mess left by other wayward critters, though! And just because they are harmless doesnt mean you want them there. The main concern for pets is flea-borne typhus. Block any openings underneath your deck to prevent possums from taking permanent residence underneath your house. Urban Jungle Wildlife services residential and commercial properties in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. Toxoplasmosis occurs when infected with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Diligently follow the suggestions, advice, and treatment given by your vet. More research is needed, but that is still a remarkable contribution. Our Line Guard and Pole Guard products are designed to help keep these critters away from your residence and hinder the spread of these diseases to you and your family. Officially known as the Virginian opossum, opossums are the only marsupials native to the United States. If you find an opossum on your property, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Their basic instincts are to find shelter and food, even if it can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. Heres why. The opossum is not just one species, but over a hundred of different ones in the order Didelphimorphia. Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection that can cause headache, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and persistent episodes of fever. It is better to place it in some remote place with the open exit. In evolutionary biology, the independent development of somewhat similar features in response to similar environmental challenges is called "good move." Most are transmitted through contact with their urine or feces and include leptospirosis, salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and coccidiosis which can affect people and domestic animals. Another concern for most pet parents is if a possum bites their dog. The performance is very convincing: the lips are pulled up, baring the teeth, their saliva is foaming around the mouth, the eyes are closed or half-closed, and a foul-smelling secrete is discharged from the anal glands. It affects both humans and animals. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Do not use traps, she adds. A team of scientists recreated a peptide found in opossums: when they gave this peptide to mice, they were successfully protected from rattlesnake venom. Possums carry various disease-causing agents (pathogens) from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and ectoparasites. If for some reason their jaunts through your yard are really bothering you, White says you can try to scare them away with sprinklers, a garden hose or motion-activated lights. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. They are tiny and naked to the human eyes. So, if you inhale the dust, you can get pneumonic tularemia although this is pretty rare. Some diseases opossums can carry include: Leptospirosis It is a bacterial disease. The next big thing is the difference in the way they look. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Some of the diseases that possums can carry include: Rabies: Rabies is a severe and potentially fatal disease affecting mammals' nervous systems. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! It is caused by a virus and can be spread through bites or scratches from an . These appendages are sometimes used as an extra arm: They can carry grass and leaves for building nests or grip the sides of trees to provide extra stability while climbing. But thankfully, there are effective treatments. And you will keep relapsing following the same intervals until you get treatment. They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. Transmission through the lungs may occur when you run over an infected possum or possum carcass with a farming or landscaping machine. 2015 Copyright Wildlife Removal USA | Web Design by: USA Opossum Removal Education Guide and Resources. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. At this point the opossum is completely unaware of their surroundings, their bodies are completely limp, and they will be entirely unresponsive to any stimuli. Symptoms of the infection include fever, headache, paleness, muscle aches, stomach ache, chest pain, and breathing difficulties. But interestingly, possums rarely host the rabies virus. Email us at info@aaanimalcontrol.com - Humane Wildlife Control Advice - Wild Animal Education, Other Wildlife Species Advice & Information. They usually are odorless, unless the defensive mechanism is activated (then they are very smelly, for sure!). What Do Opossums Like to Eat? The bacteria can enter . They will crawl into the pouch and continue their development there. Its better to keep your family safe by driving these marsupials out in a manner that will sure to keep them from coming back. They also consume rodents like rattlesnakes. To learn more about our products and how to keep opossums away from your environment, contact us today! So, your pets can also get the infection, and it can cause death in severe cases. So, while you take precautions for yourself, ensure you protect your pets too. The exaggerated pupil dilation is thought to help the nocturnal animals see after the sun goes down. Schedule a service with an expert from ABC and get rid of pests once and for all. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. The bacteria that cause Leptospirosis are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months. What about rabies? Marsupials like opossums have a lower temperature compared to other types of mammals in North America, making their bodies a less suitable environment for the rabies virus. They also like roadkill, and are known to eat ticks that they find in their own fur while grooming their bodies. They help regulate the ecosystem in one way or other. Virginia opossums have many predators: prey birds, owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and large snakes. Baby possums can even use their tails to hang from branches upside down as theyre often depicted doing in cartoons. Do opossums carry diseases?

We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Diarrhea is the primary symptom. In fact, most times, tularemia is self-limiting in dogs. Theyre often thought of as dimwitted, dirty creatures whose most impressive trick is acting like roadkill. One example of a disease that has been transmitted from fleas on an opossum to humans is Murine Typhus. ), https://blog.nwf.org/2017/06/opossums-unsung-heroes-in-the-fight-against-ticks-and-lyme-disease, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/beneficial/benefits-of-opossums.htm, https://crittercontroloftampa.com/blog/how-can-i-tell-if-an-opossum-is-sick, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74123.html, https://www.terminix.com/blog/home-garden/opossums-facts-rabies/, https://urbanjunglewildliferemoval.com/blog/are-opossums-dangerous/#diseases, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/symptoms/index.html, https://news.okstate.edu/articles/veterinary-medicine/2018/leptospirosis-in-cats.html, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/transmission/index.html, https://www.cdc.gov/tularemia/signssymptoms/index.html, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-cats, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tularemia-in-dogs, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis), https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chagas-disease-in-dogs, https://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/blog/posts/chagas-disease-in-pets.html, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351256, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250, https://www.cdc.gov/otherspottedfever/index.html, https://adobevets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Newsletter-Tick-Borne-Diseases-and-Your-Pet.pdf, https://www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/index.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6236141, https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/disease.html, https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-dogs/toxoplasmosis-in-dogs, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rabies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351821, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. 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