hummingbird42256

Can't think of the name of the disease that horses pick up from the Opossum's droppings. I know it carried disease.Has anyone else had any experiences with this? It is more common that I once thought. We had my daughter's beloved pet pony die from it this summer.

ShortTail

Really! I didn't that Opossum droppings are dangerous to horses. What are the signs that made you conclude that it was the opossum disease? And what can you suggest to prevent our horses from getting this kind of disease?

hummingbird42256

The vet said that was what it was based on the symptoms. Drunkeness,convulsions.We thought it was grass tetenus. You will have to ask your vet on ways to prevent this ,but I would get rid of any fruit trees in the pasture that would attract the opossums. My sister's horse had that also ,but she caught it in time.It is expensive treating a horse for that also. If you notice signs like staggering, best call the vet.

Remark

Wow, That's a new one for me too. Sounds like a neurological type thing with the staggering and disorientation, but I never heard of it coming from opossums.

hummingbird42256

Yes, I think you are right about that neurological thing. My sisters horse got it and it was very expensive to treat .It almost died. They used drugs by IV and oral ones too.Look it up .Can't remember the name but I looked it up maybe google something like "horse +possum +disease".Watch your animals every day for symptoms if you have a problem with those critters.My sister sets out traps for them and catches them and takes them off somewhere else.

alexis

Can this happen to other animals besides just horses? There is a opossum that we see from time to time in our back yard, and it makes me wonder if my outside pets (dog and cat) are safe.

hummingbird42256

Well,I'm no expert on the subject.But,I have never heard of a dog or cat getting it .Probably for the reason that they do not graze near the ground.