Baby opossum with fleas

[pixiepoo]

Hey guys. I got a young (can eat on own but not very large) opossum a few days ago. He was infested with fleas so I washed him in Dawn dish soap, flea combed him and then dusted him with DE. When I say infested I mean this lil guy had over 200 stupid disgusting fleas on him. They went in his ears, nose, mouth and wounds when I washed him. He is anemic but doing better each day. He has 3 puncture wounds too (one was infected) but since I have been treating them they are healing nicely. He is on oral antibiotics (Clavamox) and seems to be alright. My issue is that the damn fleas are still on him. I shaved him some to better treat the wounds and flea combed him for 2 hr but I keep seeing more on him. I want them off. I sprayed my whole house, washed all linen, change his bedding multiple times per day and pick off fleas I see on him. I'm going crazy. I have Advantix 2, Revolution and large dose Capstar that I can use on him. Suggestions? I love Capstar because it is so safe but I would really have to dilute it for a 126g baby. I am hesitant to use topical meds because of his puncture wounds. Ideas? I don't want fleas all over my house.

[Rhapsody]

What I use to help with fleas on my baby possums is to wash them down with Dawn
with dish soap then once they dry and if they still have some fleas on them I spray
some Zodiac fleas spray on a dry paper towel and wipe their dry fur down with it.

BTW - while Revolution works on our squirrels it is NOT recommend for possums.

[pixiepoo]

What is Zodiac flea spray? I have never heard of that brand.

[Rhapsody]

What is Zodiac flea spray? I have never heard of that brand.Its a name brand of good pet products found at most local pet stores.

Link:
http://www.petco.com/product/5425/Zodiac-Power-Spray-Flea-Control-for-Dogs-and-Cats.aspx

[pixiepoo]

Oh ok! I'll look for it next time I head to the pet store! I ended up washing him again with dawn and picked the remaining few fleas off by hand. I ordered a smaller dose of Capstar which I will dilute when it arrives sometime tomorrow. Slowly but surely seems to be improving. He has quite the attitude but oh boy does that face make me melt! :)

[Rhapsody]

What an adorable FACE!! --kiss kiss *snuggle* kiss kiss

[Anne]

Oh yeah, gotta right where it wants you!:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Did you leave him soak in the dawn for a few minutes? Sometimes the fleas hide out in ears, etc. and if you give it a couple minutes they'll come back out. i stick them in the sudsy water up to their neck then take a washcloth and get their face. Then I blow dry them off.

[pixiepoo]

Thanks everyone! I was able to use the dawn again (3 baths, a DE dusting and 1 very mad opossum later...) and I haven't seen any fleas in him since. He is perking up and I have named him Wilson. His little tail injury had been healing but this morning it was infected, split (ouchy!) and oozing pus *gross!* so drained/flushed with chlorohex, put some antibacterial cream on it, and bandaged him up. I had been making sure to keep it clean but you know how things are when you're dealing with a critter who poops everywhere during the night lol. He was NOT a big fan of his fancy star bandage.



What an adorable FACE!! --kiss kiss *snuggle* kiss kiss
I wish kiss kiss snuggles! Little brat is so adorable I just want to love on him but then I remember he wants to rip my face off! :P