My puppy is little, too young for the vaccine, according to the vet. 2 weeks she will be old enough. I just found 2 baby opossums in the back yard that she killed...what should I do? The vet is closed until tomorrow!
2007-05-06 15:08:13 · 13 answers · asked by CBJ 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Don't worry, unless you know the opossums had rabies, there is nothing to worry about. It's not nearly as common as you are thinking.
Rabid opossums are actually extremely rare, and it's believed to be due to their low body temperature - making it difficult for the virus to survive in an opossum’s body.
2007-05-06 15:16:40 · answer #1 · answered by MaxManning 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your 10 week old puppy killed 2 baby opossums? Or were they dead and she mouthed them?
Either way, I would suggest that you call the vet anyway... most vets have someone on call for them just like people doctors. The vet should call you back and give you the best advice...
keep the baby opossums just in case they want to test them or something. (using safe handling techniques, of course).
just found better advice for you:
"What should I do if I find a dead animal on my property?
If there has been human or animal exposure, contact your local health department for instructions. If there has been no human or animal exposure, the animal may be buried. If it is necessary to touch the animal, gloves should be worn. An easy way to handle the animal is to place your hand into a large garbage bag, grab the animal by a hind leg through the bag, and pull the bag over the animal and tie it shut. Bury the animal at least three feet deep or dispose of it through the local animal control agency. Do not throw it out along a road or in the woods or a field."
What should I do if my dog, cat, or farm animal has been exposed to a wild animal that I think may have rabies?
Call your local animal control agency for help. If your animal has killed the wild animal, your animal control agency can provide information about bringing the specimen in for rabies testing. Do not handle the animal without gloves and try not to damage the head.
If the wild animal is positive for rabies, what should I do with my dog, cat, or farm animal?
If a dog, cat, or farm animal has a current rabies vaccination, the animal must be boostered immediately by a veterinarian and restricted for 45 days. If the animal has no current rabies vaccination, or if the vaccination is not up to date, you must either destroy your animal or hold it in strict isolation (quarantine) for 6 months in a manner approved by the local health department. Farm animal exposures are managed by the Department of Agriculture.
http://www.mchumane.org/rabiesclinics.shtml
2007-05-06 15:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by dedum 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
she will be fine probebly. They were babies and rabis is usually spread by the bite. I doubt t hey had full blown rabies. They were just babies and your dog took advantage of that fact. Keep all your food in the yard put up. Wild animals will come in for the leftover food in bowls. Is not fair to the wild critters to have a bowl of food in front of them when they are hungry and a killer dog on the loose. Get your puppy a shot as soon as it is old enough. I take in and handle wildlife that is abandoned or orphaned for many years. Fence an area off so your puppy can run free without harm to him or the wildlife. thanks.
2007-05-06 15:15:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call your vet in the morning. I seriously doubt that she was capable of killing the opossums at her age. They are very feisty animals even when young.
2007-05-06 15:15:44 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
She will be fine. But I know she is your baby and you are worried. She will be just fine, the only she could get rabies is if the opossums had rabies. Now, saying that, when she does get the shot in a couple it will probably stop any progression IF she did get something.
2007-05-06 15:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by Seasidelover23 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It'll be fine until tomorrow. Just give your vet a call in the morning.
2007-05-06 15:11:41 · answer #6 · answered by LokiBuff 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There's nothing you can do at this very moment. Keep her supervised if you take her outside where the opposums were and call your vet in the morning, when they open to see what their suggestions are.
2007-05-06 15:11:42 · answer #7 · answered by VetTech1016 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call the vet tomorrow.
Keep the dog contained till you do... not loose... and if the dog acts fine, it should be ok.
2007-05-06 15:12:19 · answer #8 · answered by Nedra E 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call an animal emergency hospital, and ask them.I'm sure there's nothing you can do till tomorrow ,but it will make you feel better to talk to a professional about it.
2007-05-06 15:13:04 · answer #9 · answered by BERT 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Relax.... opossums are less likely to have rabies than any other animal....
2007-05-06 15:14:15 · answer #10 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋