As long as you exercise common sense then the chance of getting a disease from an opossum is slim. The first phase starts with fever, muscle aches, chills, and headache. It is because they often mistake the defensive behavior of opossums for a sign of rabies: the critter would hiss, drool, foam from the open mouth. Do Opossums Carry Lyme Disease Or Rabies After Eating All Those Gross Things? Marsupialsmammals that carry and nurse their young in pouchesare absent from much of the world, and in Canada and the United States opossums are the sole representatives of the group. Then, secure the lid so it cant happen again. 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. The aerosol or dust raised in such a situation may contain the bacteria. With beady eyes and long whiskers, they look a little bit like rats. Others believe that these furry, gray marsupials with hairless tails are scary. The brain of baby opossums also sometimes fail to react this way at the appropriate moment: they often can not "play dead" when threatened. Lets learn more about possums and the risks they can pose to humans. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Do not use traps, she adds. Females have two vaginal tracts and two uteri, and males in turn have a forked or bifurcated penis. Do Possums Carry Or Transmit Diseases? Trim any overgrown shrubs or tree limbs that extend over your roof so possums dont have any way to hide or maneuver into your home. 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. Youve probably heard time and time again that possums have rabies. According to the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum consumes 5000 of the parasites per tick season. However, someone infected with tularemia will have elevated fever (as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Given the opportunity, opossums will run away or climb to safety. Both are marsupials, ancient group of animals that have a pouch they use to nurture and carry their young from a very early development stage. Tick-borne relapsing fever can affect cats and dogs. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Chagas disease: Caused by the tiny one-celled parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, a possum may bring this parasite into your garden where it then transfers onto your Coccidiosis: Caused by a parasite that lives in the wall of your dog's intestine, it may not cause any symptoms, but it can be fatal for young pups as it causes a severe infection. Spotted fevers are a group of bacterial diseases. lower than other species. This does not influence our choices. other animals too. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. There are rare chances of possums getting into a tussle. It is not uncommon for animals like possums to carry rabies. 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. Possums may also carry parasites like ticks and fleas, leaving your pets at risk of infestation. 'Show more' : 'Show less' }}. These instincts can lead to property damage, such as overturned trash cans, ransacked birdfeeders, raided chicken coops, torn ductwork or insulation and more. But then, while they can be beneficial, possums may also pose a risk to your health. . But after a while, the infected person may recover, then fall sick again. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. Possums are found in four colors black, gold, silver-grey, and brown. More commonly, opossums play dead or emit a horrible stench if frightened. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. We know it can be confusing: Google Images show you opossums when you search "possum," and it is very common to call the North American animal "possum." Make sure your garbage can has a tight-fitting lid and is properly sealed when left out for your neighborhoods garbage pickup day. They can eat anything, including plants, frogs, rodents, table scraps, insects, fruits, and grains. While possums arent totally immune to rabies (a few cases have been documented), finding a specimen with the disease is extremely unlikely. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Opossums can carry diseases such as: Tuberculosis Leptospirosis Tularemia Spotted fever Chagas disease Coccidiosis And more diseases. These remarkable critters are immune to a lot of things! This, perhaps, is the most dangerous thing about them. Are Opossums Dangerous to Cats or Dogs? Relapsing fever is a bacterial infection that can cause headache, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and persistent episodes of fever. This can put your pet in serious danger if its bitten by a possums pointy teeth and ultimately, put your family in danger by exposing you to any disease that was transmitted to your pet. "duration": "PT0M16S", {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? If your pet is outside at night, its possible that your cat or dog may get into a fight with a possum on your property. Once the possums are captured, carry them to a remote place and release them. Trap them in no-kill traps and release them into the wild. They also consume rodents like rattlesnakes. Theoretically, of course, if an opossum does get rabies it can spread rabies but, again, an opossum getting rabies is unlikely. The best way to avoid them is to keep any food away from the garden or outdoors. As mentioned in the question and answer above, rabies . Rashes are quite common amongst people infected with spotted fevers, especially those who have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Your privacy is important to us. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Nonetheless, they may not be the best companions for your pets. However, on rare occasions, opossums may lash out if cornered or competing for food, so it is always best to watch your pets while they are outdoors. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. Block any openings underneath your deck to prevent possums from taking permanent residence underneath your house. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community! The best way is to rehabilitate them. Their natural life span is only two to four years. Opossums as a species are not particularly prone Lyme causes nerve pain, stiffness, and swelling of the brain or spinal cord. Other common behaviors are running, growling, urinating and even playing dead. Their teeth structure is different from rats or mice as a response to a highly flexible diet. Answer: Any mammal can get rabies. The interesting part is that physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), and it is triggered when nothing else works automatically, rather than as a conscious act they can control. However, they can carry a variety of other types of disease that can be potentially harmful to your family. Why Is Biodiversity Critical To Life On Earth? But they would be glad to clean up the dog or cat food left outside, or the leftovers from your picnic. In fact, because of their diets, some people even consider them beneficial to have around. Ticks spread Lyme disease, which is a severe infection. If you ever find any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet at the earliest. Either opossums or possums are not a rodent, so they are not related to mice or rats. It's only natural to wonder what concoction of diseases is bubbling up in that mouth! Interestingly, having toxoplasmosis before pregnancy protects unborn children because mothers have developed immunity against the disease. Despite the urban legend, there have been very few cases when they would try and steal a chicken. It is so terrible that once an infected person or animal starts showing signs of the disease, there is almost no chance of survival. Cats, dogs, and many other pets may also get tuberculosis. Only once theyve grown big and strong enough do they venture out, transitioning between their mothers back and the warmth of the pouch until they mature into adults. Well, pet parents certainly need to be more careful about possums. However, there are The opossum has earned the title of "Nature's Little Sanitation Engineer." One thing to note is that possums carry some of these pathogens and germs without showing signs of the disease. Yes, some of the illnesses and diseases that possums carry can be fatal to dogs. Operating 24/7/365. Besides fever, other general symptoms of tularemia include muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and general tiredness. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. The Predator Free 2050 project aimed to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats by 2050 when it was set up in 2016. It is a disease that comes from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite. They provide free pest control by eating a variety of insects, small snakeseven venomous speciesmice and baby rats, White explains. When not on the female's back, or holding her tail, they keep in touch by communication through bird-like sounds, clicks, and lip-smacking sound. Their body temperatures are low in comparison with other mammals, making their bodies less hospitable to the rabies virus. They 'play dead' when threatened by predators. "@type": "VideoObject", It is a parasitic infection transmitted by a bug (Triatomine Bug) you may find on possums. As the name says, relapsing fever follows a relapsing pattern. One of the opossums most recognizable features is its pair of opaque eyes. Opossums have many adaptations that made them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions: they even have opposable digits that act like thumbs. Despite the potential for confusion, possum is accepted as the shortened version of opossum in this part of the world (and if you see the word possum in this list, you can assume its referring to the animal from the Americas). Opossums as a species are not particularly prone to carrying bacteria in the same way other pest animals such as rats, as the biology of the animal includes a body temperature that is significantly lower than other species. 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. creative tips and more. Possums use their strong sense of smell to locate food, which makes your trash can an easy and appealing source of nutrition, especially since they will eat just about anything. Their low body temperature makes them kind of immune to the rabies virus. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. They have impressive memories when it comes to food: better than rats or dogs. When pets come into contact with infected feces or ingest contaminated tissue, they are at risk of contracting coccidiosis. Lexie came from HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angies list) and is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. There may also be hyperactivity and hallucinations. Being hit by vehicles, especially at night, is the most common threat: with all their adaptations, opossums are not road-smart. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. opossum trapping photographs, Opossum 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. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. So they do not carry Lyme disease. Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home, Find its way into a garbage can and, subsequently, get stuck. Their favorite states are those along the West coast, as well as east of the Rocky Mountains. If a rabid possum (or animal) bites you, or if a suspected rabid animal bites you, get to a hospital immediately. So, sometimes the treatment is comprehensive. If you live in the countryside with a garden filled with insects and pests, having possums around will greatly help. Diligently follow the suggestions, advice, and treatment given by your vet. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. At Critter Guard, we are aware of the havoc opossums can potentially cause in your home. If unable to escape or defend themselves, opossums will enter a catatonic state and 'play dead'. When the opossum is infected, leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans as well as animals through their feces and urine. 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