opossums

[KristyHall]

I was formerly a rehabber, had the permit and all that mess, and my specialty was raising baby possums. (I wasn't kidding when I confessed on this board that I have had possums in my bra)

Possums are some of the easiest babies I have raised.

I need to know though, how old are they? do they have fur on them? how much? what is their measurement? In length without their tail? how active are they and I can tell you what food I have had success with at what age.

also, as a rehaber I have to say, it is best to find a professional rehaber because many states have laws about non licensed/permeted people raising wild animals and you can get in a lot of trouble. I am not as worried about you raising possums as I would be say raccoons or harder to raise babies like young hummingbirds or squirrels.

possums very rarely carry rabies but they can. they can also carry other diseases including a disease that can be transmitted to your horses, if you have horses. SO wear gloves when you handle them and observe serious hygiene routines.

I do stress you should try to find out your local laws and find a local rehabber if you can. The rehabber may just teach you how to raise the babies as many rehab groups are often over ran with babies in the spring. The rehab group here often let trust worthy non rehabbers raise easy to care for babies and let them borrow equipment and taught them what they needed to know. It is also how we recruited people! hehe But then our laws stated if the people were under our watchful eye and had our permission they could legally raise the animals. The law may not be the same where you are from.

Also I have found you get more help from people who are permited and trained as volunteers than people who's jobs are working as profesisonal rehabbers for organizations, government groups, schools, and so on. Our volunteer organization has had so much trouble with "professional" rehabbers, so watch out.

if you can not feed these babies every hour (if they are very young) and keep them warm, and keep an eye on them, and give them the constant attention they need, then it may be best you find a local rehabber, other wise you may be setting yourself up for heart break.

make sure they are warm, keep them in a place with something soft and fuzzy they can burrow under or cuddle up to. i use to make little caves out of soft wash cloths. They also love to be in pouches and love contact with other living creatures, so try hanging a cloth bag around your back or a baby snuggie on your front and block the leg holes and carry them against your chest. Or carry them in your bra like i did, if they are small enough and you can deal with it.

 

[KristyHall]

also here is a good page on raising orphaned possums.


http://www.communitywebs.org/mintonfarmanimalrescuecentre/rescue.htm


http://www.2ndchance.info/raisepossum.htm

real young ones need a milk substitute but older ones need to be graduated onto solid foods and I have all sorts of mixes I used, but what I had the best luck with for the older babies being started on solid foods was starting them on baby food, stringed beef or chicken.



OH YEAH!
also remember to stimulate bowl movements by gently rubbing their bottoms with a warm damp clothe, a soft one, several times a day, but not too much or you'll chafe them.

if you do not do this the younger ones can not expel waste on their own and could die from having it back up in their system. you're simulating their mama licking their bottom to stimulate it. cats and dogs do this with their young too.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Aw, bra possums. Now that would be a good Victoria's Secret ad.

I've had some very unpleasant experiences with pro rehabbers and zoos, as well as domesticated animal rescues. Almost makes me not want to look into such fields, just as "upcoming" artists made me not enjoy art classes or wish to pursue art school. Yeesh. I've met much more helpful people in the areas of volunteer animal care work as well (generalizing here, not meant to offend anyone). Less violently possessive and much more willing to learn and share.

 

[equine623]

Quote:
And as I said in my post, if you are asking for advice while waiting to get them to a rehabber, that is one thing. You came on, posted a one line post with zero background info and asked for advice. I stand by my post, I'm sorry if I offended you. And if I lived closer, yes I would take them. Not because I think you're an idiot, or because I'm better than you...but there have been a series of posts later with people asking for how to advice on raising wildlife and people don't always want to do what is best for the animal. Maybe you will do a fabulous job, and maybe you should think about becoming a legally licensed rehabber so you can help others. And yes, absolutely its great to share and learn from others. I agree 100%. But my concern will always be the best thing for the animal. Sometimes that means finding professional help. Sometimes it means letting nature take its course. Sometimes it means euthanasia. Every situation is different. And I've been in this industry long enough to see the public do some amazingly stupid things and its the animals that suffer.
Edited to add: No, its not just the public that does stupid things, there are some people who are supposed to be in the industry of caring for animals who do awful things as well. And each time, it breaks my heart.

 

[Haviris2]

I wasn't offended, I have thicker skin then that. Just thought it was funny that you jumped to that, could have asked a few questions and gotten a better idea of where I'm at. I've only been popping in every once in awhile, and the only other orphan post I've seen, was one about rabbits and the baby deer, I didn't realize there'd been alot lately. To a degree I do know what you are saying, not in that when people get 'true' orphans, at that point it's left to help or let them/it die, and chances are they may need advice, even if that advice is to call a pro. But what I do see is people that find rabbits leaving their nest or a baby deer left hid by it's mom and 'assume' they are abandoned.

The babies eyes are open, and they are fully furred, and very active and clingy when awake. And they have teeth, they were hissy at first, but are settling down now. They are around 4 1/2 inches from nose to butt.

And thanks again for all the help and advice, so far so good!

 

[Skyesrocket]

If I remember right, the survivor rate goes up considerably over 4 1/2". So that is a plus.
I fed mine goats milk and baby food and yogurt. What I did was give him a pretty good assortment to choose from. He had his favorites.
What aggravated me while I was researching opossum diets online was that the name of this same rescue place came up everywhere. In order to get the diet that they recommended you had to pay to join the organization? I didn't join.
Good Luck with your little ones!

 

[Haviris2]

Well so far so good, they are eating and active. It's been one of those weeks. I normally have plenty of frozen and fresh goat's milk, until now! And today I have a calf in my living room. No goat milk, and my jersey hasn't calved yet. I should never have to buy formula, but yet that is just what I'm going to have to do.

Some of the babies have shown interest in drinking from a bowl, so we're going to start working on that now, and hopefully within a few days they'll all be bowl broke.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I'm glad they are doing good! Calf in your livingroom? Ummm...like this?

 

[Haviris2]

Something like that! Sadly though, I lost the calf this morning, she was just to far gone. Really bummed me out, I've been depressed all day. The possums are good though!