There are, however, plenty of other infectious diseases to watch out for when it comes to possums. Like many pests, opossums are opportunistic and need to be resourceful. Do possums carry fatal diseases to cats? Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. If and when you see an opossum plodding through your backyard, dont worry. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. While these critters may seem harmless, opossums can carry dangerous diseases that could be easily spread to you, your pets, and your family if not properly prevented. If you happen upon a possum, they tend to hiss and growl, which can be off-putting. Muzzle shape is useful for detecting the direction of the scent and sniffing out bugs under the soil. Tularemia causes swollen lymph nodes and ulcers. But cats are highly likely to be asymptomatic. More research is needed, but that is still a remarkable contribution. The pups grow rapidly, but even after they are ready to leave the pouch, the mother will not leave them behind and will carry them on her back while she scavenges for a meal for about 100 days. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Diarrhea is the primary symptom. If you check out the rest of this article, you will learn about various diseases possums carry. Still, if you have an opossum taking up residence in your home or yard, the most pressing question is whether these creatures are dangerous. Possums are omnivores, and for the animal matter part of their diet, they typically feed on insects, rodents, snakes, and other pests. (What Diseases Do They Get? Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. Possums may snack on pet food, especially cat food. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? Scientists have discovered a line of bacteria in possum faces with the peril to root flesh-eating ulcers in humans. In short, be watchful in every way possible. Your resident opossum might be just a bump in the night, but it could also be a carrier of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella and tuberculosis. sometimes transmitted by opossums to people and to They discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds, or under houses. Do opossums carry diseases? Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Well, this is not the case. Why Is Biodiversity Critical To Life On Earth? Virginian opossums live in many areas of the country and thrive in many habitats. However, they are hosts to various germs and pathogens, which cause diseases. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. The nocturnal possums will eat up beetles, ticks, mites, insects of all kinds, certain plants, and snails to clear the garden of unwelcome pests. Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. ", opossum trapping photographs, Opossum As we have already mentioned, possums can transmit diseases. job blog. In the chronic phase, infected persons may suffer heart, neurological, or digestive issues. In fact, because of their diets, some people even consider them beneficial to have around. Similar to their interactions with humans, an opossum is not likely to prey on cats, dogs or other furry friends. Many of these diseases are treatable, but you should avoid getting them in the first place. So the real question is, has your uninvited guest been bitten by more than just the ugly bug? Do Opossums Carry Diseases? Possums carry various disease-causing agents (pathogens) from bacteria to viruses, protozoan parasites, and ectoparasites.

Their natural reaction to most threats is to stand still with their mouth open, teeth beared. Do opossums carry diseases? (If Yes, How High Can They? Other common behaviors are running, growling, urinating and even playing dead. If they are found in your garden, you can get rid of common pests in just a few days. If you have kids in the house, safety is likely always top of mind. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Tails that look scaly are not too sleek, they do not collect dirt and moisture when digging the ground, and are an excellent adaptation for balancing and climbing. This critter is unpleasant enough as it is, so when they glare at you, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth, its even worse. Disease and the opossum. They evolved to have such an incredible immune system to survive their diet. In such events, do visit the doctor instantly. In other words, if your immunity is high and you get toxoplasmosis, you may only see symptoms like fever, muscle ache, and tender lymph nodes. When you suffer a relapse due to low immunity, you may experience symptoms like seizures, fever, confusion, headache, poor coordination, and nausea. This is why people living with HIV have a higher susceptibility to tuberculosis. Bring in your pets food bowls before nightfall, since possums have a good sense of smell and will eat your pets food if thats its only option. Good news opossums are generally harmless. Rabies is a viral disease . Their hairless tails are prehensile, meaning they can grasp branches or carry small objects. So, if anyone eats veggies or fruits with possum fecal matter, they may catch leptospirosis, meningitis, liver issues, kidney problems, and respiratory complications. While they would prefer a dead or weak one, they would also take down a live one. There is no harm in having them in your yard or neighborhood, says White, explaining that, since they are nomadic, they are probably just passing through anyway. Copyright 2023 ABC Home & Commercial Services All Rights Reserved. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. They have white faces, scaly tails, pink noses, sharp claws and opposable thumbs. They also can cause damage as they burrow under sheds, decks and porches to build nests where they take shelter and raise their young. They will crawl into the pouch and continue their development there. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. They have sharp teeth and claws to bite the predators. Opossum eyes do have whites and irises, but because their pupils are so large, their eyes appear completely black from a distance. Possums carry various pathogens and germs that can cause diseases in humans and pets. The first thing you should know is that this is a defense mechanism they use to protect themselves from potential predators. Maybe you find them lovable, or maybe their pointy ears and toothy smirks churn your stomach. Humans get these diseases when they touch urine or body fluid from an infected possum. They 'play dead' when threatened by predators. Opossums have impressive memoriesat least when it comes to food. to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest Although, your pet might be safe if it is regularly vaccinated. Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. much does opossum removal cost? Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? It's only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth! They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them. They may unintentionally transmit illnesses, worms, bacteria, and viruses through their urine or feces. Toxoplasmosis generally affects warm-blooded animals. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. When the animal experiences intense fear in the face of danger, it seizes up and flops to the ground where it can remain for hours staring blankly ahead and sticking out its tongue. If not, a booster shot is advisable to keep the dog safe, fit, and fine. Tuberculosis may also cause fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and chills. Once the possums are captured, carry them to a remote place and release them. When looking for food, possums will wander into your garbage area or your garden if you have fruit-bearing plants. While most animals look at a snake and see danger, a possum sees its next meal. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! The specific symptoms of tularemia vary, depending on the mode of entry of the bacteria into the body. 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. However, because a possum's body . "@context": "https://schema.org", Well, it depends. As a dog owner, you must immediately get your vet's advice if your dog eats a possum or gets bitten by one, or it kills one of them. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. This means that, when it comes to possums, rabies is not a disease you should fear. In fact, they are considered to be amongst most rabies-immune animals. A viral meme claimed opossums are immune to rabies and ate up to 5,000 ticks annually, thus stopping the spread of Lyme disease. The best way is to rehabilitate them. Leptospirosis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in humans. If frightened by your pet, the opossum will likely play dead or emit a horrible stench. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. Theoretically, of course, if an opossum does get rabies it can spread rabies but, again, an opossum getting rabies is unlikely. Your privacy is important to us. Operating 24/7/365. The thing is, thats a myth. This piece of advice is particularly vital to people who have not had the rabies vaccine. An opossumis characterized by its grayish fur, triangular head and long, pointed nose. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Tuberculosis is a severe infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Their tails, called prehensile, are more functional than rats' ones: they can perform tasks of an extra arm, similar to those of some monkeys'. Your pets and family can also be at risk if they come into contact with a possums urine or feces. Some people would inadvertently kill the animal that "plays dead" by throwing them into a pit, garbage bin, or enclosed trash bag where they suffocate. We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Opossums are often accused, but rarely responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens. While toxoplasmosis is most common in cats and other animals such as opossums, it can be transmitted to humans and cause serious issues for some. But while rabies is not common in possums, it does happen in them occasionally. The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. But they require treatment to keep the disease from spreading. Even if you are unsure whether the bite actually happened, go to a hospital at once. Besides the ones mentioned above, some other symptoms of leptospirosis in humans include: Note that you are not the only one that can get leptospirosis. They would get put off by a putrid-smelling, looking as if it died of sickness, possibly toxic corpse. Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. When it comes to opossums, you can be at peace knowing that these animals are typically docile. Triatomine bug carries Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite which causes Chagas Disease. To learn more about our products and how to keep opossums away from your environment, contact us today! Opossums are the unsung heroes in the fight against ticks and the Lyme disease they can transmit. Possums carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets. Tularemia is a disease, which is also caused by a bacterial pathogen. The point here is, try not to get infected with tuberculosis. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. Yes, possums can carry a number of fatal diseases, these diseases can be passed onto cats. Its an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness cant be chalked up to the possums acting skills. kangaroos, wombats and koalas) opossums carry their offspring in a pouch. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. These omnivores will dine on plant matter just as readily as insects or small animals. The infected person may suffer kidney damage, liver failure, or respiratory distress in this phase. ), 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. This mechanism evolved in response to their natural predators: foxes, bobcats, and other. Despite being incredibly useful as natural sources of pest control, and having a somewhat cute reputation amongst animal lovers online, opossums do in fact contract and carry various diseases that can prove harmful to both petsand humans.

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