baby opossums!!! Help

[AprilEverett]

I have NEVER raised orphaned opossums but was brought 7 of them today. I'd say they are about 6-8 weeks old. I have NO idea what to do. I have an orphaned squirrel and two orphaned cottontails that I'm feeding and keeping alive also. So I have KMR and puppy esbilac. I think I've got or they are getting back to the correct body temp!!!. Please help!!!

[AprilEverett]

I know this is a squirrel thread, but I seen where someone got some info on opossums so I thought I would try.

[cava]

I've only done raccoons and squirrels, but I found this. It will get you started.

http://opossumsocietyus.org/how-to-help/orphaned-injured/

[Shewhosweptforest]

It would be great if you could post some pics....and weight is a good indicator of age and what to do next....I've raised two litters....the first were in the 30-40 gram weight and they did not thrive or grow....I ended up losing them all....the second litter was a little larger...they did great and are free:w00t one thing you will need to do is start them on antibiotics....they do not have much of an immune system, they get all their antibodies from Momma...they recommend a week, I've always gone 10 days....I fed mine goats milk formula...also they definitely need to be on heat....they are even less able to regulate than a baby squirrel. We have a member you could private message squirrelsrule&bunnies2 she's now a vet :w00t she knows a lot about possies:grin3

[Shewhosweptforest]

Oh and :Welcome and :thankyou for helping all those little babies :klunk :blowkiss

[AprilEverett]

I think I put in my first post....there are SEVEN!!! :) One is fixing to die I believe. He's barely moving and when he does, it's that stretching out and freezing thing. Also, he's barely breathing. The rest seem ok...they are all about 35 or so grams. There ears are sticking up, they have a thin coat of hair but their eyes are not open yet. I got about 1/2 or so ML down each of them. Only one is still making noise. The others are asleep.

[AprilEverett]

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[Shewhosweptforest]

Awww they are itty bitty :Love_Icon not to discourage you...but just to prepare you...the opossum book I have says that they aren't as easy to raise at the 30 gram weight :dono my little ones broke my heart...but my babies were on their dead mother for 7 to 8 hours...before the finders saw babies moving around:( you will definitely need to get some antibiotics in them...not sure what I used...probably baytril because it's the vet's go to....my guys had their eyes open too...so your's are definitely younger....they don't nurse like a squirrel either..they just latch on..I had luck putting the nipple in the side of their mouths. Once they open their eyes...they are very easy to litter train...or latrine train....shallow container of water...I used litter. I would definitely reach out to squirrelsrule&bunnies2 she helped me a lot with that sickly litter :great before she was an amazing vet :great

[AprilEverett]

Thank you, I will do that! I appreciate the info!

[Nancy in New York]

See if this helps you at all. I posted this in another thread a while back
I have never done opossums so
I'm of no help.
Thank you for helping these little ones.


OK I am going to post this here instead of sending in a pm.



http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/001.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/001.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/002.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/002.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/003.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/003.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/004.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/004.jpg.html)

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/005.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/005.jpg.html)


http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/006.jpg (http://s673.photobucket.com/user/nancym518/media/Baby%20Jeffrey%202009-20011/opossums/006.jpg.html)

[island rehabber]

I just cross-posted for you on Facebook; hopefully one of my southern rehabber friends will see this and can help!

[pappy1264]

Have you ever tube fed? Babies this age generally do better if tube fed (I raised 5 to release from 24-27 grams, but tube fed them.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va64p5bCiGk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7g8WooVAX8

Before you feed, you have to measure and mark the tube so you know how far it should be going in. In order to do that, hold in one hand and stretch head backwards. With head pointed up, take tip of tube at tip of jaw/mouth, and then lay down chest. Find where their sternum is and mark it just above there. That way when you put it in you will know how far it should be going it. Dip tip in formula, (I would start from the side as I found it easier to get into their mouths but then move it to the middle to go straight down throat). Go slowly, watching to that line you marked. If if stops sooner, pull back out a little then go in again. When you push plunger go very slowly. If it is in lung you will immediately know, they will fight. If not, keep steady pressure and feed amount *based on weight. Potty and move on to the next one. I had never tubed but found it very easy with them. Good luck!!

[DarkLies212]

Ahh soo cute!

Possies are so hard :( Hope you find someone who can raise these little babies to perfection! :hug