My dog chased a possum. What signs of illness should I watch for?

Opossums can carry several diseases, but there isn't much a vet would do right now since Ash isn't having any symptoms of disease. I would recommend continuing on like normal. If she starts acting irregularly, or has a change in appetite or bowel or urinary movements, then it is time to see a vet. If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/.../trouble_affording_pet... https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant.../ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary.../

I would recommend cleaning the wound with antibacterial soap and warm water tonight, then having your dog examined by a vet tomorrow to be safe - even if the wound is not actively bleeding, bite wounds from other animals have a high risk of becoming infected so she may need antibiotics to help prevent this. Your vet can also advise you of any rabies quarantine laws that may apply in your state - possums rarely carry rabies and if your dog is current on her vaccines she should be well-protected, but in some states an in-home observation period may be required to make sure there are no problems.

So the good news is that Mercy can't get rabies from the opossum. The chance of rabies in an opossum is very rare. They do carry leptospirosis, however. Signs of leptospirosis may include fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, reluctance to move, increased thirst, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes), or painful inflammation within the eyes. The disease can cause kidney failure with or without liver failure. Dogs may occasionally develop severe lung disease and have difficulty breathing. Leptospirosis can cause bleeding disorders, which can lead to blood-tinged vomit, urine, stool or saliva; nosebleeds; and pinpoint red spots (which may be visible on the gums and other mucous membranes or on light-colored skin). Affected dogs can also develop swollen legs (from fluid accumulation) or accumulate excess fluid in their chest or abdomen. If you see any of those signs, take Mercy into a vet immediately.

You should take him to your vet to check how deep the bite wound is, the main concern is an infection that will probably occur if it is left untreated, the vet will prescribe an antibiotic course to prevent that.

Hello. This is excellent advice, but I doubt you will need to place Ruby on antibiotics. Possum are very rarely implicated in the spread of disease, including rabies, so I would not be concerned at all. She should be just fine. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Potentially yes. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis could be caused by it. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is unlikely that he caught anything. You can just monitor Ares for any signs of illness such as inappetence, vomiting or diarrhea and have him examined if observed. However, that is unlikely. I can tell that you take great care of your pup. Good luck!