Autumn got attacked by a muskrat (warning graphic pics)

**pomtzu** · 03-15-2012, 11:31 AM

Yeah - they are mean little cusses. I live in a rural area, and years ago I used to bike ride 15-20 miles a few times a week. One day I was riding thru the forest preserve area and one came at me from the ditch along side the road. I never saw it coming till it was right at my heels, and I figure it must have had babies nearby. I never peddled so fast in all my life, and after that episode, I carried pepper spray with me.

**Alysser** · 03-15-2012, 01:00 PM

Oh god, that looks awful!! It must hurt like he11, poor Autumn. I am so glad you're both okay..

I don't think I have ever seen pics of Autumn, she sure is a cutie!

I hope she recovers quickly. Honestly, I never expected a muskrat to bite a dog. They sure are daring. We have them here but I have never heard of them attacking.

Maybe I should worry more about them then the bears then!! That's just scary to think about..

This is why I am training Mikey to respect wildlife. Not saying Autumn doesn't because she probably didn't even know it was there, the poor girl. I am sure she is very good around wildlife, especially now!

**IRescue452** · 03-15-2012, 02:19 PM

Sorry Pomtzu but that made me laugh. Maybe us folks living out in rural areas should have rabies vaccinations. Autumn is back from vet and he said the punctures look great. I'd cleaned them with more peroxide this morning. He recommends not giving antibiotics unless something comes up. He also thinks Autumn's unrelated bilateral hair thinning that I wanted to ask him about is allergies. But I made him do a thyroid panel anyway. If it comes back good tomorrow we'll call it alopecia and at least I'll have peace of mind. Allergies = itching and licking in my mind, and Autumn does none of that. Allergies are over-rated.

**pomtzu** · 03-15-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by IRescue452

Sorry Pomtzu but that made me laugh. Maybe us folks living out in rural areas should have rabies vaccinations.

That's okay - I laugh about it now too - just thinking what the whole scene would have looked like to someone that might have seen what was going on. Here's this crazy lady peddling her bike like the devil himself was after her, and cussing up a storm at the same time! Thank goodness no one was around - just me and that crazy critter hot on my heels and chattering up a storm of her own! What a sight..........

Glad Autumn is on the mend!

**beeniesmom** · 03-20-2012, 09:06 AM

Oh No, poor baby! I hope she is ok now. What's a muskrat?

**pomtzu** · 03-20-2012, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by beeniesmom

What's a muskrat?

A BIG marsh rat that can weigh up to about 4 lbs. They are quite the delicacy here in DE, and The Wagon Wheel restaurant in town draws people from all over to partake in this "delicacy". They are served up fried, and it's said they have a taste all their own - tho some people compare it to duck, others to a chewy beef. As for me, I really couldn't tell you, since I just can't bring myself to eat a rat.

**beeniesmom** · 03-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Wow, thanks for the explanation. Never seen one before.

**Desert Arabian** · 03-20-2012, 10:31 AM

Muskrats are in the same family as voles and lemmings- they are not true rats. They are a lot like beavers when it comes to their lifestyle and apperance, although muskrats do not have a big flat tail. Muskrats are ominvores- they primarily feed on aquatic plant roots, crayfish, small fish, etc. They are heavily trapped in my state for their fur, which is very soft and plush.