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An opossum was hit in front of my house. It was breathing, but not moving. I went back to the house and got a cardboard box. By the time I got back, the opossum was walking around in circles. I herded it into the box, picked it up, and brought it into the atrium. Its breathing is labored as if its lungs had fluid, and it is expelling a little blood through its nose and mouth. It now has a place to recover, food, and water.

It can walk OK, but is wheezing. If it survives, I suppose I'll have another pet; although, if it wants to leave, I won't stop it.

EdEarl 8 Oct 26
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15 comments

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My cats were freaked out by the opossum, and Samantha seems to have run away. She has been gone for three days, and I've called her a couple of times a day. 😟

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I called Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation this morning to check up on the opossum, which I've named Snaggle Tooth because the car cracked a tooth and cut his mouth. He has been treated and is recovering. There are no serious injuries; although, the mouth injury prevented it from eating and caused some breathing difficulty.

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Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation came to pick up the possum, and said they would bring it back when it was well, for release.

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We finally found the opossum this morning, 27 Oct. I used a syringe to put orange juice in its mouth, and it didn't respond. I called wildlife rescue, and they said they would try to get a volunteer to come over to get it. I'm afraid for it.

On another note, our two cats are freaked out by the almost immobile possum, especially our pure black male. I'm renting him for Halloween, lol. He thinks he is the Boss Cat, it's funny to see him cowering.

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I used to rescue opossums as part of a wildlife rehab group. Good on you for taking him in! If I may suggest, keep him hydrated but not too warm. Their body temperatures run cooler since they're marsupials. Wet cat food mixed with plain Greek yogurt is a good source of food but they can eat most things. Fruits and veggies are best. If you can find a vet that will examine him, you might want to get him checked out. The wheezing could be fluid in the lungs or some other lung related injury. Good luck to both of you. Hope you keep everyone updated on this little guy ?

Thanks for the tip. I don't have yogurt atm, but can wet the cat food with almond milk. IDK if I can get it into a carrier, would need to convince my wife, who doesn't touch animals, not even our cats, to take it to the vet. It appears the critter's nose was run over. It is moving around well, no other apparent injuries, and it walks OK, except it has been turning in small circles like it's confused. It's just before 6am, and dark, so I cannot see it ATM. Will check it ASAP this morning, and report.

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Omg! You may need to give that little guy, back to nature, especially when it gets well enough to show you it’s sharp teeth!

Of course it will go back to nature, except I suspect it will always come back for a handout, and will be a wild pet, kind of like the deer here.

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How very kind of you.As an animal lover I can feel your concern and Empathy .

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Contact your local/state fish and wildlife agency. They have people on tap who rehab animals legally. What you are doing, in some states is illegal. Don’t know about where you live.

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I only have a wheelchair, so don't have transportation to a vet. Besides, it seems to be getting better. ATM it is sleeping, and I don't want to wake it.

AFAIK it has not eaten or drunk since the accident. I put some water in its open mouth, but I'm afraid to handle the opossum, because I might hurt it. It was i shock, right after the accident, but not now. I sat with it at first, for a couple of hours, to let it know I would not harm it.

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Poor thing. I hope it recovers

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Take it to the vet if possible.

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Can you take it to a vet? It’s probably hurt .

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You might try giving it some sugar water - it might be shocky and the sugar and water would do some good for it's glucose levels. About the only thing I can think of that might help other than what you've done already.
I'm sure being in a secure warm environment is helpful.

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Thats awesome Ed..

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Poor little thing. I suspect it won't survive for long, unfortunately.

Jnei Level 8 Oct 26, 2018

It seems to be getting stronger. It may survive.

@EdEarl Do you think he's an atheist? If not, thoughts and prayers little guy! 🙂

@Jnei I'm sure its mom was not a fundamentalist Christian, despite the fact it is Texan.

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