Opossum feces and urine are very toxic and can make humans seriously ill through contact with contaminated soil, food, and water. They can affect dogs and horses, too. This is also why you should not allow opossums near them.
Full Answer
Are possums harmful to horses?
Possums are the only known carrier of a disease in horses called EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). This is a nasty muscular/neurological disease in horses. Exposure occurs thru possum feces which horses ingest thru feed, water, grass, anywhere there may be possum feces.
Is possum poop sanitary for horses?
This is a good one.It isn't sanitary but there is no such thing as "Poison Possum Piss". Possums are the only known carrier of a disease in horses called EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). This is a nasty muscular/neurological disease in horses.
Is opossum urine harmful?
Opossum Urine - Diseases, Smell, and Color Diseases - Although possums can carry some diseases, as can their parasites, the urine is sterile, like all urine. It's possible or likely that mold will grow on the areas of feces and urine, and urine can damage wood or sheetrock.
Do you wash your hands after handling possum urine?
Of course, I wash my hands after I handle it! Color - Opossum urine is yellow in color, like pretty much all mammal urine. But when it stains through from the attic onto your ceiling, the stain will look darker, because of the nature of drywall.
Are possums poisonous to horses?
Opossums can transmit Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) to horses. It is caused by a protozoal parasite whose eggs are shed in opossum feces. Infected animals show various signs of illness, including symptoms of central nervous system disease.
Can possum poop kill horses?
Opossums of North and South America carry and shed a parasite called Sarcocystis neurona that is capable of infecting equines and causing a devastating neurological disease named Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, or EPM for short.
What can possums give to horses?
Answer: The disease is equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM, and is transmitted from opossums to horses when they eat or drink where infected opossums have defecated. The organism responsible for EPM is a parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, a protozoan or microscopic single-cell organism.
How is leptospirosis transmitted in horses?
Causes. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in many animals. It is zoonotic, which means it can also be spread to humans. Horses become infected when mucus membranes (in their eyes, mouth, and nose) or cuts and scratches on the legs contact infected urine or blood.
What disease do opossums carry that kill horses?
Sarcocystis neurona is the causative agent of a neurological disease, known as EPG (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis), in horses, especially in the Americas. The definitive host for this coccidian parasite is the opossum. Horses contract the disease from sporocysts spread by roaming opossums.
What are the first signs of EPM in horses?
Owners frequently notice obscure lameness, stumbling and incoordination. If the brain stem is involved, usually a head tilt is present. Clinical signs may include: Ataxia (incoordination) and weakness: Generally centered in the rear limbs, symptoms worsen when the head is elevated, or the horse moves up or down slopes.
Can a horse fully recover from EPM?
If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurological deficits. The success rate for treated horses is high. Many will improve and a smaller percentage will recover completely, but 10-20% of cases may relapse within two years.
Can EPM be transmitted from horse to horse?
The disease is not transmitted from horse to horse. Rather, the protozoa are spread by the definitive host, the opossum, which acquires the organism from cats, raccoons, skunks and armadillos and possibly even from harbor seals and sea otters.
Can horses get EPM from hay?
EPM can affect horses of any age, breed or gender. EPM cannot be passed from horse to horse. Caused by a protozoa, horses acquire EPM through pasture hay, grain, and water contaminated with opossum feces. Early detection and treatment increases chance for recovery.
What are the signs of leptospirosis in horses?
Leptospirosis is a common cause of equine uveitis. The disease is typically seen as a mild fever with loss of appetite, although severe forms can cause the presence of free hemoglobin in the urine, low blood counts, jaundice, depression, and weakness. Kidney failure has been seen in affected foals. Recurrent uveitis.
Can leptospirosis affect horses?
Horses can become infected with leptospirosis through the mucous membranes of the eyes or mouth, and sometimes through broken skin that is in contact with infected urine, blood, or tissues (e.g., mares will sniff the contaminated aborted fetus and/or placenta and become infected).
Is there a lepto vaccine for horses?
LEPTO EQ INNOVATOR® is the first and only leptospirosis vaccine for horses. *Currently, there are no vaccines available with USDA-licensed label claims against equine abortions, uveitis or acute renal failure due to L. pomona.
Is horse disease an epidemic?
The disease is not an epidemic, however, because most horses are apparently able to control the infection. It would seem that there is a small subpopulation of horses that are susceptible to the disease.
Can opossums transmit EPM?
Opossums are the culprits that transmit the causative parasite of EPM to horses. Dr. Dan Howe of the University of Kentucky recommends making an effort to keep them out of the barn and away from the food and water supplies.
Do opossums transmit sarcocystis neurona?
A. You are correct that opossums (not cats) are the host animal that transmits Sarcocystis neurona, the protozoan parasite that causes EPM. You are also correct that opossums are everywhere in the Bluegrass region, and they’re not very selective in where they defecate (the mode of parasite transmission). So, it’s not too surprising that many horses in this area (>75%) have been infected by S. neurona, as revealed by the presence of antibodies against the parasite circulating in their blood.
What is the parasite that infects horses?
Sarcocystis neurona is a protozoan parasite wherein opossums have been proven as definitive hosts. Among the symptoms that may be seen in infected horses are depression, facial paralysis, head tilt, and lameness. Fortunately, infected horses cannot pass this disease to humans and other horses.
What do opossums do when they are scared?
Once opossums are frightened, they hiss or growl and bare their 50 sharp teeth. But instead of attacking, they will retreat or will “ play possum ” (play dead) until the predator goes away. Now that you know how opossums look, you can think of ways to get rid of them. But so far, the best technique is to trap them.
How big are opossums?
Opossums are 2-3 feet long (excluding the tail) or as big as a house cat. They have a conical head, pointed face, hairless ears, white or grayish hair, and a rat-tail which is well adapted for grasping. Their legs are short, and they have five toes on each foot. Interestingly, females have a stomach pouch for their babies.
When was leptospirosis first reported in opossums?
The first reported leptospirosis occurrence in an opossum was in 1953, and since then, several incidents have followed. For humans, among the symptoms of having leptospirosis are headache, high fever, and diarrhea. In most cases, infected persons will not show symptoms. In severe cases, patients may have meningitis.
What animals have tularaemia?
It is also seen in rodents, squirrels, rabbits, and some domestic animals, including cats, pigs, and horses. Nevertheless, cattle and dogs are less susceptible, and person-to-person transmission is very unlikely.
Where are possums native to?
Both of them are marsupials. However, opossums are native in the US, while possums are native in Australia and New Zealand. Nevertheless, ‘opossum’ is pronounced with silent ‘O.’ Therefore, both animal names have the same pronunciation.
Do you cover garbage cans with opossums?
Also, cover your outdoor garbage cans properly so they won’t attract opossums.
What color is opossum urine?
Color - Opossum urine is yellow in color, like pretty much all mammal urine. But when it stains through from the attic onto your ceiling, the stain will look darker, because of the nature of drywall.
Can you see brown stains on animal urine?
However, you may notice the brown stained patches. These can happen in anywhere that the animal has inhabited, and there have even been signs of the urine actually leaking through the ceiling to create dark stains, especially with animals that have been successfully living in an attic.
Can opossums contaminate your home?
This is very much so the case because the urine of the opossum can contaminate specific areas within your home and cause disease to spread; some of which can be particularly nasty to both household pets and humans.
Do possums have diseases?
Diseases - Although possums can carry some diseases, as can their parasites, the urine is sterile, like all urine. It is not an important vector of disease. Of course, I wash my hands after I handle it! Color - Opossum urine is yellow in color, like pretty much all mammal urine.
How do opossums get infections?
Opossums acquire the infection by eating infected birds (intermediate host). Most infections would come from contaminated pasture, hay, grain, and water with opossum feces. Contamination of feed and water with opossum feces may occur indirectly through other mechanisms such as birds and insects. Relocation of opossums away from horses, water, ...
How to diagnose EPM in horses?
Diagnosis: Diagnosis of EPM is based on clinical signs and on testing of the horse’s cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A positive serum test cannot be used to make a diagnosis, but simply indicates exposure to the parasite. Cerebrospinal fluid testing by Western blot is the most useful test to assist in the diagnosis of this disease in the live horse. The presence of these antibodies in the CSF of horses with neurologic signs usually indicates active disease. However, if blood contaminates the CSF sample, a false positive test may result. If the test is negative, and the horse is exhibiting clinical signs, the horse may still have the disease. In some cases, a second test (PCR) may be able to detect very small amounts of parasite DNA (parts of the parasite’s genetic makeup) and may assist in the diagnosis. The PCR is considered most useful as a research tool.
What is EPM in horses?
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a debilitating neurologic disease of horses. It can affect the brain, brainstem, spinal cord or any combination of these three areas of the central nervous system (CNS). The disease may present itself with a variety of different clinical signs, dependent on the location of the damage caused by ...
What is the most useful test for a horse?
Cerebrospinal fluid testing by Western blot is the most useful test to assist in the diagnosis of this disease in the live horse. The presence of these antibodies in the CSF of horses with neurologic signs usually indicates active disease. However, if blood contaminates the CSF sample, a false positive test may result.
How do you know if a horse is choked?
In most cases, affected horses are bright and alert with a normal appetite, although some horses are dysphagic (unable to eat) and may act as if they are choked, with feed material coming from their nose. Hematological and biochemical blood values are usually in the normal range.
How to tell if a horse has EPM?
Clinical signs of the disease include weakness, malposition of a limb, muscle atrophy, spinal ataxia or “wobbling,” head tilt with asymmetry of the face (eyelid, ear, lip). A severely EPM-affected horse may be down and unable to rise. Lameness not traceable to orthopedic disease or any combination of the above signs may occur in early ...
What happens if a horse's DNA test is negative?
If the test is negative, and the horse is exhibiting clinical signs, the horse may still have the disease. In some cases, a second test (PCR) may be able to detect very small amounts of parasite DNA (parts of the parasite’s genetic makeup) and may assist in the diagnosis. The PCR is considered most useful as a research tool.
How does EPM affect horses?
How EPM Impacts a Horse. If a horse is mildly affected you may only notice stumbling or slight lameness. If left untreated, the horse may eventually be unable to stand or swallow (which can be confused with Wobblers Syndrome) and death can occur. Horses of any age, sex, or breed can develop EPM.
What do opossums eat?
It is important to make your stable area unattractive to these animals. Opossums will eat almost anything including dead animals (roadkill), dog and cat food, or horse feed. It's essential that all food stores be secure and any animal carcasses buried promptly.
What is the disease of the spinal cord of a horse?
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a disease that affects the brain and/or spinal cord of horses. It is caused by protozoan organisms. Horses are commonly exposed to protozoan organisms without a problem, but in rare instances they can develop a clinical disease from them.
How long does it take for a horse to recover from EPM?
The FDA-approved treatments for EPM are ponazuril for 28 days, diclazuril for 28 days, and a combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine for at least 90 days. 3 The treatment course may be lengthy and expensive ...
How to tell if a horse has EPM?
To determine if a horse is suffering from EPM, it must be examined by an equine veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform blood or spinal fluid tests to rule out diseases like West Nile virus, rabies, or viral encephalitis, especially since EPM can look like many other neurological disorders. 1 The veterinarian can confirm an EPM diagnosis based on antibody levels in the horse's blood or fluid tests. Additionally, the equine veterinarian will examine the horse's gait and movement to help confirm the diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of EPM in horses?
Symptoms vary between horses so not all horses will have all of these symptoms: 1 . Loss of coordination. Muscle atrophy. Difficulty swallowing.
What tests are done to determine if a horse has EPM?
1 The veterinarian can confirm an EPM diagnosis based on antibody levels in the horse's blood or fluid tests.
