Your puppy is certainly interested in what’s going on outside. Maybe they’re a rabbit chaser, like to track birds or sometimes try to get into altercations with the local raccoons. While your young dog needs time outside for mental and physical health, wildlife can present some risk to your dog. Learn what those risks are and how to keep your puppy safe.
Diseases carried by wildlife
Many diseases that can affect dogs are carried by wildlife, as well. Examples of diseases your dog can contract from wild animals or from parasites that have bitten a wild animal are listed below.
Leptospirosis
This bacterial disease is usually found in water that’s been contaminated by the urine of an infected animal. Examples of wildlife that can spread leptospirosis include rats, squirrels, raccoons and foxes.
Rabies
Rabies is transmitted from the bite of an infected mammal, such as a raccoon, skunk or bat.
Distemper
Your dog can catch distemper from raccoons, skunks and wild canids, like foxes.
Heartworms
Wild canids can act as reservoirs for heartworms. A mosquito can transmit heartworms from a wild dog, such as a coyote, to your dog.
Tick-borne diseases
Diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be transmitted by ticks.
Intestinal worms
It’s no secret that young dogs are sometimes interested in the fecal matter of other animals. It’s also no secret that some dogs will eat small mammals or other wildlife. Both behaviors present a risk for contracting intestinal worms.
Giardia
Giardia is found in water that’s been contaminated by the fecal matter of an infected animal, including wild animals.
Toxoplasmosis
Though much more common in cats, this protozoan parasite can infect dogs who eat animals that were infected or who nose around in soil that’s contaminated with the parasite.
Plague
This bacterial disease is transmitted by the fleas of rats and other rodents. Yes, this is the same bacteria implicated in the bubonic plague. Though possible, plague is not very common in dogs.
Other risks posed by wildlife
Wildlife can also cause physical harm to your young dog through bites, kicks, scratches or stings. Dogs who chase wildlife may be at an increased risk of being hit by a car. Poisonous snakebites are also a risk.
How to prevent disease and injury due to wildlife
Keep your young dog up to date on their vaccinations and parasite preventives. For dogs, this means making sure that they’ve had their rabies, leptospirosis and DAPPv vaccines. In some areas, the Lyme vaccine may be recommended. If you live in an area with rattlesnakes, ask your VCA care team about rattlesnake bite vaccines. Parasite preventives should cover heartworms, fleas, ticks and intestinal worms. Keep your dog on a leash or within a fenced yard when they’re outside.
If you have wildlife that regularly visits your yard, try to keep your young dog indoors during times when you know the wildlife is active. Do not under any circumstance walk your dog up to a wild animal or encourage interaction between wild animals and your dog. If you’ll be traveling with your dog to an area with wildlife, make sure to familiarize yourself with the infectious disease risks in the area and the recommended preventive care. Your VCA care team is happy to provide recommendations.
