DR. BOSHOVEN AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - Opossum ...
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Winter 2020
DR. BOSHOVEN AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
Dr. Boshoven is pictured at right after receiving the certificate from the
Opossum Society of the United States with a watermark of OSUS’ latest
education opossum.
Dr. David Boshoven, DVM, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and
grew up there. After graduating from Michigan State University’s College
of Veterinary Medicine in 1992, he moved to Southern California to start
his career as a veterinarian. Dr. Boshoven has worked as a veterinarian in
Southern California for the last 25 years. For many years he worked in the
Lake Arrowhead, CA area and for a time owned and operated Arrowhead
Animal Hospital. He has also worked as an emergency veterinarian, and
prior to purchasing The Pets Place, worked at the Animal Emergency
Clinic of Grand Terrace, CA. Dr. Boshoven has a love for medicine and
surgery. Not only does he enjoy working with cats and dogs, but he has
developed skills and a love for working with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats,
mice, and other pocket pets and wildlife from local rehabilitators.
Nothing gives Dr. Boshoven more joy than to help pets and their
owners live happy, healthy, productive lives by practicing the highest
quality medicine at The Pets Place Animal Hospital. On his days off,
Dr. Boshoven enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and
their two pets Rooney and Lucy. He also enjoys following futbol and
being involved with his church.
“When I look into the
In This Issue
eyes of an animal, I do Dr. Boshoven Awarded Certificate of Appreciation............................................................. Page 1
not see an animal. I see Opossum Depth Perception (Mail Pouch)............................................................................... Page 2
a living being. I see a Use of Bioplasma in Geriatric Opossums (Mail Pouch)....................................................... Page 4
Bladder Infection in an Opossum (Mail Pouch)..................................................................... Page 5
friend. I feel a soul.” Parasite Protocol (Mail Pouch)..................................................................................................... Page 6
—Anthony Douglas Williams Letter from Pet Ag Reference Baby Opossum Deaths from Esbilac Formula...........Page 10
Opossum Surrogacy (From the Pouch)..................................................................................Page 12
Opossums No Longer Being Blamed for Killing California Sea Otters........................Page 13
V i s i t O S U S a t w w w . o p o s s u m s o c i e t y u s . o r g
himself? Any insight would be it needs to be safe, sturdy, and
appreciated. comfortable. Any suggestions will
Thanks! be helpful. We appreciate it!
Julia
A : Hello Alayna and Ella,
A : Hello Julia, Watch this video I was trying to think of
from our website and turn a situation where a wearable
up the sound for my narrative. carrier would ever be used in
Note: We print these select Internet I suspect this is what “Perry” wildlife rehabilitation. Most states
questions we receive without grammatical
was doing, once it realized it was mandate wildlife rehabilitators
corrections. Grammatic scrutiny is applied have as little contact as possible
to our responses. cornered. He was trying to assess
with wildlife to keep the animal
Q
the threat level and determine if
: Hi! We have a possum wild and not get habituated to
you were coming closer or staying
(“Perry”) that visits our porch humans while in their care. The
the same distance.
nightly to hang out and poop. plastic and cardboard carriers
Today we opened our door around https://opossumsocietyus.org/opossum- available for purchase at every
11pm and he was crouched in head-motion-helps-depth-perception/ pet supply store suffice to pick up
a corner weaving left to right, Leslie wildlife and then again transport
almost as if he was off balance. them to their release site after
Our porch is about 6’w x 4’d and
has a full flight of wooden stairs R eturn Response: care has ended.
The only situation I could think
on one short side, a railing (3-4’h) Leslie, of where a wearable carrier could
on one long and on the opposite be essential would be in a disaster
short side from the stairs, and 1. SO COOL about the lack of where evacuation had to be quick.
a house with our front door on depth perception and their If you designed a carrier that could
the last long side. There is a rope adaption to compensate be kept on a hook in a rehab room
pomello tree next to the stairs 2. That is EXACTLY what he was and could be grabbed and stuffed
that touches the stairs railing doing, except he was a lot more full of animals for transport
and the railing on the long side of mellow--mouth totally closed, immediately out of the danger
the porch across from our door. slower and less exaggerated zone (fire, flood, earthquake) it
Perry was crouched in the corner weaving motion would be quite useful. You could
opposite the stairs (long side with design it with several pockets
3. We like the little guy; he
railing and branches this right inside where animals could be
keeps the rats away. Is there
and short side with railing to his stuffed and maintain minimal
anything we can do to make
left.) separation. I would also have
him more comfortable or is
We were about 3’ from him and this one of those “don’t mess a zipper pocket on the outside
he didn’t run down the stairs, on with nature” things? where the care sheet from the
the tree, or on the railing. He just cage you empty into the carrier
Thanks for your insight, quick could be secured. Most centers
stood there and weaved back and
reply, and esp for the video. keep the care sheet of the animals
forth, left to right.
Absolutely perfect and spot on! affixed to the cage they are in
My husband fed him cat food which describes the injury/illness/
Julia
once but I scolded him and it treatment history. That should be
Q
hasn’t happened since (about 2 : Hi. We are seventh grade kept with the evacuated animal
weeks ago). We have Astro tied students named Alayna or litter for sorting out whenever
on the deck (his favorite pooping and Ella. We are designing everyone gets to safety.
area) but don’t keep trash or food a wearable carrier for baby
outside. I clear away any fallen I am attaching an article on
squirrels and possums to be used
pomello fruits. evacuating opossums which might
by rehabilitators. We are hoping
give you some idea of what happens
Can you help me figure out what someone there will give us their
when an emergency evacuation
is wrong with Perry and if he expert opinion about what
is dangerous to us, our cat, or features would be useful. We feel Continued on page 3
2 OSUS
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MAIL POUCH continued from page 2
occurs and how you could design into your house, I would purchase dog fleas, especially in urban
“the life raft wearable carrier” materials to plug all the breaches, environments. This information is
to expedite the safe evacuation. even if temporarily, before widely available on the internet but
Leslie Bale releasing the Opossum back is not mentioned on your website.
outside. You may be surprised to Since there is no way of knowing
Q : There is an opossum that visits
my small yard every night
and digs little holes everywhere
find other wildlife took advantage
of the breaches also.
which animal is infected, it’s safer
to assume that they all are and
The opossum will go out and forage keep your distance, including pets.
looking for bugs. Is there anything I don’t see this detailed important
each night. You could sprinkle
that I can spray on the yard that information anywhere on your
flour at the exterior of the breach
will deter the digging and won’t website. It appears that you are
and keep checking for a couple
harm the grass or plants? downplaying the issue. Why?
of hours after dusk for footprints
Thanks! Jason leading away from your house. George
A A
: An opossum can’t actually Again, have material ready to : Hello George,
dig, but raccoons and skunks block the breach. Once Opossums
have found a breach, they will be You ask why we don’t mention
can. Opossums can pull up little
very determined to get back in the parasites an opossum could
tufts with their teeth. They are
after their foraging. carry. It is just for the reasons
smelling grubs and other insects
you stated, opossum diseases and
just below the grass level which Because they are transient, they concerns are plastered all over
they want to eat. I suggest you will already know of several other the Internet and other media
visit your local nursery supply places to sleep during the day. sources without mentioning the
store and purchase product that Don’t think you are displacing benefits opossums provide to the
will kill the subterranean grubs them. The only bad thing you environment. It’s very one-sided
and insects and won’t harm your could do would be to try and move and not fair. The finger is always
lawn. them to a different area where pointed at opossums as the carrier
Q
they don’t know the sleeping of a parasite or bacteria that
: We have been seeing possum
places, food and water sources, or dozens of other wildlife, domestic
poop every night inside the
whose yard has a dog. cattle and pets are also known to
house for the last 4-5 days. I don’t
want to injure him but am afraid ** READERS NOTE – BECAUSE carry.
he is living and nesting inside the WE RECEIVE SO MANY We chose to temper the negative
house. I’ve looked around and QUESTIONS ABOUT OPOSSUMS with reasons why it’s good to help
there are several access points INSIDE A HOUSE, WE HAVE and appreciate opossums. Every
which I’d like to seal up but I’m REVAMPED THE FAQ SECTION story has two sides.
afraid to as I don’t want to trap TO INCLUDE MORE DETAIL.
It’s ALWAYS better to keep pets
him inside. Any suggestions would READ THE NEW INFORMATION separated from wildlife and
be greatly appreciated. I’m fine AT: https://opossumsocietyus.org/ strange domestic animals. I believe
if they live in our yard but don’t faq-opossum/#How%20do%20I%20 our website sets the tone for doing
want him living inside. keep%20opossums%20out%20of%20 just that. As you stated, opossums
I have small children and they are my%20home%20and%20garage? can be infested from the cat flea
Q
now scared to go to sleep at night and/or dog flea, it is not called
: Sir / Madam,
knowing we may have something the opossum flea. As a species,
wondering around inside at night. According to multiple sources, opossums predate dogs and cats
opossums are a wild animal that can by millions of years but were not
Scott
carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, carriers of fleas until dogs and
A : Return to our website and relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted cats came into their habitat
look under the FAQ section, fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis,
Trichomonosis, and Chagas Leslie
“There’s an opossum in my house
or garage, what do I do? disease. They may also be infested
with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.
Since you have identified breaches
Opossums are hosts for cat and Continued on page 4
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MAIL POUCH continued from page 3
Q : I have a young possum
living in my basement. I am
torn between letting him stay or
Q : I was told by my Vet, I
needed to have her spayed,
she had been in heat for about 2
Q : Subject: Old opossum
I am very concerned about
what looks to be a very old
trapping him for release at the 1/2 weeks and she was clicking opossum coming to my back door
nature preserve up the hill. I keep and slubbing on everything, my every night about 8:30 to eat the
my pet turtles on a substrate husband’s shoes and clothing was feral cat’s food. He is very skinny,
of cypress mulch. The possum hit hard with it. And if I didn’t with little hair, and his back legs
seems to like that for nesting and get her fixed she would end up look weak. What should we do?
pooping. He is eating the cat’s food, paralyzed or, worse dead, so she There are no rehabs in our area
uneaten turtle food, and all the spayed her for me. Is this true or within a 3 hour drive. Texas Parks
Oriental cockroaches and crickets a wives tale??? and Wildlife says to let nature
that used to be in the basement. Carolyn take its course. Animal Control
I’m just looking for some insight will euthanize or relocate. Help.
A
that will help me decide what to : Untrue. The Opossum would Thanks--
do about him. What would be best not be paralyzed or adversely
A
for the possum? His poop smells affected in any way by not being : Julie, I’m afraid there’s
awful but he’s so interesting and spayed. nothing anywhere resembling
cool. a geriatric opossum refuge. They
Leslie
Allison only live 1-2 years and to confine
Q : Just curious. Any idea why them in their old age is like
A : Opossums need vitamin D
from direct sunlight to thrive,
so he’s either found a way in
an opossum would come into
my backyard in the middle of the
putting them in jail for a crime
they didn’t commit. If you would
like to give his biological system a
day to die? I found him under my
and out of your basement, or he backyard table just lying there. boost, purchase some Bioplasma
needs to be trapped and released Did I mention it was the middle and tap out two tablets per night
after dusk for him to get 20-30 of the day? He wasn’t playing into the communal water bowl (it
minutes of sunlight a week for possum. Within an hour he was will fortify the cats also). Dump
the remainder of his life. They dead and soon attracting flies not and rinse out the water bowl each
instinctually know to be out long afterwards. I think he must night. It’s a combination of tissue
foraging after sunrise or bed down have known he was dying, but salts that ramps up all systems
in dappled sunlight occasionally why did he pick my place? It’s a starting to fade.
to expose themselves to sunlight. bit creepy. (Nice website, by the I had a geriatric, missing 3 out of
Sometimes opossum outgrow the way.) 4 canines, bony, major hair loss
access hole they were using to get opossum that I picked up from
Jerry
in and out of somewhere. the Animal Hospital. I figured he’d
Leslie
A : He knew he was dying, either
by unseen trauma or old age. I
be dead in a couple of days and I’d
just make him comfortable and
R eturn Response:
Thanks so much! As they’re
imagine he didn’t manage to make
it to the final “safe” destination
started putting Bioplasma in his
water. Within two weeks he was a
nocturnal, I didn’t even think he had in mind; behind a log pile, muscular, growling, meaty raring
about direct sunlight or vitamin a concealing bush, trash cans or to go old male opossum. I let him
D. I think he can get in and out other object. Basically he was go, knowing he had the boost he
now but he’s only the size of a trying to get to a spot where he needed to continue his life.
squirrel now. Wild animals belong would be less likely found and not
Leslie
in the wild. He’ll be better off if I harassed in his final hours. Their
Q
trap and release him. instinct is to get to deep cover. : Subject: Repeat offender
That’s another cool opossum fact. Leslie opossums
R
This has been a learning experience. Message Body: I know that
eturn Comment:
I am now obsessed with opossums. opossums are supposed to not
Makes perfect sense. Thanks so
much for your reply! Continued on page 5
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spend much time in single area,
but I’ve had many experiences of
opossums (I could identify them
A : A cat bite can kill an opossum,
if it scabs over, trapping the
abundant bacteria found in cat’s
not an ideal clean catch method
because you aren’t swabbing the
urethra to remove any bacteria
by their patterns in their fur, etc.) mouth in the wound. The wound in the hair. It should be a good
that would return nightly. I know will then abscess and again, unless enough sample for a vet to test for
exactly why: my father refuses opened up and flushed out and sensitivity and prescribe the best
not to put cat food outside. We left open to heal, it could cause antibiotic regimen to treat it. Be
have multiple cats, all of which are a systemic infection. We treat all sure and continue the antibiotics
indoor/outdoor cats. Regardless, opossums that come in with a cat for the whole prescribed time
is having a regular source of food bite, or even found in an area period, otherwise the infection
like in my scenario enough to have where a cat has been SEEN with will come back with a vengeance.
opossums stay around for many antibiotics. A cat scratch, not so If you tell me her age, I’ll send you
days beyond the 2-3 if seen on much because it doesn’t create a the age-appropriate diet.
this site? It’s happened at least 5 small crater for bacteria to fester
times, but my father eventually in. Leslie
Q
trapped and relocated them. It Leslie : We have a few possums
continues still. Just want some
Q
showing up during the day.
insight, frankly. : Subject: need to know what They look malnutrition. 2 have died
A
to feed my opossum that is one seemed injured from unknown
: Food is the main motivator having issues all of a sudden with
of opossums. I have noticed sources. I did take one in gave it
her food. She is starting to not be access to food water such as seeds
that even though opossums only able to walk’ she is grumpy and is
spend 2-3 days in the same sleep grapes cat food it did not make it
peeing in her bed. through the night. It was getting
spot (then rotate those around
every two weeks or so) they also Lisa stiff so it was definitely dead. It did
defecate before death. Could this be
A
keep the same foraging route
: Hello Lisa, due to poison? It would walk fall
and are pretty punctual on that
route. They move about, making You didn’t mention the age of over try to get up loose balance fall
their routine stops to forage, and your opossum. over. We are in New Port Richey FL
then move on. Then, after several and temp have dropped to the low
When my opossum did the things
hours, they seem to reverse their 50s w few days of rain but doesn’t
you describe, she had a bladder
route early in the morning as seem that should affect them.
infection, which is extremely
they are headed to their chosen There is also a large one looks fat
painful, and pain causes
sleep spot for the day. Food left and healthy (it runs away so that’s
grumpiness. Another clue was a
out overnight is certainly worthy good) and I almost think these were
very strong ammonia smell to the
of making it a regular stop on the her babies. They are the size of a 4
urine.
route. As you have discovered, month cat not baby baby but still
trapping and relocating only You’ll have to get a urine specimen young. Idk if something is making
causes another to fill the void left cup from your vet. Place the them sick or they don’t have
by those removed. That has been opossum in a tub with towels enough to eat. Seems they try to
found to be a universal truth in (otherwise she’ll slide all around, eat too before passing. Frustrating.
wildlife. and hurt herself) turn the bath Any advice is welcomed.
tub faucet on low, tepid water.
Leslie Thank you. Laura
The towels will get wet, but she
Q A
won’t be sliding around on a slick : You should report this
: Can a cat bite or scratch kill
tile surface. It should cause her to to your state’s wildlife
an opossum? My neighbor told
start peeing, hold her tail up and organization: https://myfwc.com/
me that a scratch or bite from a
capture the pee in the cup. Have contact/ the symptoms you describe
cat will always kill an opossum is
a trashcan and tissues nearby in can certainly point to poisoning,
that true?
case she poops also. You’ll need a along with the extreme stiffening
Heidrun plastic trash liner to transfer the of the legs after death. I you
soiled towels to the washer. This is Continued on page 6
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haven’t already, save the corpse not change. Opossums prefer to spot if the weather is bad, but
for them to necropsy. Any future move with some object or edifice they chose all sorts of objects as a
corpses, report immediately protecting one side (curb, fence, temporary bed-down spot; flower
to them for instructions wall, steps, shed or heavy shrub). pots, BBQs, underneath spa decks,
on sending in the corpse. That doesn’t mean they have a patio decks, wood piles, junk piles,
Leslie straight route, they will take the tarps, just about anything stacked
oddest path, rather than a beeline against the house, garage, shed or
Q : Subj: An opossum came to
my back door
to their destination. If they are out
in the open, they will run as fast
fence. Putting out a little sanctuary
that might be a cut above the
We live in St. Paul, Minnesota. as they can across an open area to other items mentioned can’t
Last night, around 6 pm, an reach partial or full concealment. really cause a problem. They are
opossum climbed three steps Opossums have a lower body going to be temporarily hunkering
and approached our bright and temperature that the rabies virus down somewhere during the day.
well-lit back door. It was already does not thrive in. An opossum Leslie
dark outside, and the light was would have to be running quite
on inside the house. Why did the
opossum come to our back door?
I thought they were nocturnal
a fever to even catch the rabies
virus, and then it would kill them Q : I am a wildlife rehabilitator
in Northern CA working with
Tri County Wildlife Care. Do you
in a few days. They can’t harbor
and shy. Should we be concerned the virus for months like some have a parasite protocol that you
that this opossum has rabies? mammal species. Opossums are are willing to share? I get different
We’ve seen some opossums around not a rabies vector in any state in advice for fellow rehabbers and
our back yard over the last few the U.S. Dogs, cats, foxes, cattle the small animal veterinarians are
months. Should this be a general top the list for contracting rabies. not knowledgeable. Thank you for
concern? Or are they just likely to You can see the species most any advice you can share.
be living in our back yard and for affected in your state here: https:// Susan
some reason one got curious? I’d
A
www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/rabies/
appreciate your opinion. statistics.html : We don’t have a specific
Thank you protocol. We are all backyard
Leslie
rehabilitators, so I ask my
Q
Andrea satellites to work with their vets
: I have seen a possum in
A
my yard. I saw a web site to determine what is best for the
: An opossum’s main
that showed how to build a safe individual opossum.
motivation is food. It will
develop a routine route it takes place for a possum during winter What I PREACH is, an opossum’s
every night which either yields months. I made one today but diet of crickets, cockroaches,
the most food or is the quickest now ha e second thoughts after snails, carrion, etc., predisposes
way between two points that does reading about them. Is it helpful them to become a virtual museum
yield food. 70% of their diet is or am I encouraging problems by of internal parasites carried by
insects, the rest is scavenging. putting it on my patio, directly insects by the time they reach
up against my home? I will leave adulthood. Necropsies on dead
If I had to guess, your porch and
it in my basement until I hear adult opossums have revealed they
interior lights are routinely kept on
back from you. It is cold here in are heavily parasitized, but NOT
at the hour you saw the opossum.
Michigan; please answer ASAP. brought to their demise by the
The opossum had no concern
Thank you. parasites. It’s always some outside
with this because it was what it
force, trauma that reduces their
expected during its nightly route Carrie natural ability to have a symbiotic
by your house. It probably has
A . Hi Carrie, relationship with a parasite load.
been taking this route for several
I strongly suggest that opossums
weeks, but you didn’t notice it Opossums are transient NOT be dewormed unless they
because YOUR routine changed and non-hibernating. They may are brought into rehab with some
after daylight savings time change, hunker down for a bit longer than debilitation that can allow the
the opossum’s time schedule did their normal 2-3 days in one
Continued on page 7
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parasites to take over, otherwise never even tried to take flight 36 hours. She sniffs and shows
they will just get reinfested with while we were chasing him, we interest in food, but doesn’t eat it,
parasites after a deworming were no challenge. also picked up a grape and some
regimen and release. Debilitations Leslie small pieces of cheese and carried
that warrant addressing the then but didn’t eat them. Her
Q
internal parasites during : Subject: Non-releasable gait is not as fast or steady as it’s
rehabilitation are: poisonings, possum not eating been, slight dragging of her back
lactating mothers, injury, and leg which was what she was doing
Hi. I volunteer with a licensed
captivity stress. when the MBD diagnosed. Her eyes
wildlife rehabber in South Carolina,
External parasites should always and nose are clear, have observed
and have an MBD possum I have
be treated; they lead to anemia a slight sniffle (wisp-like sound)
had since the “lapper” stage. She
and intolerable housing areas. that is exhaled through her nose,
is the only survivor of her litter, in
not inhaled. Also noticed a sort
I hope this answers your question. pouch when Mama hit by car. Early
of mouth movement like nibbling,
in August I noticed her mincing
Leslie Bale but mouth empty. I wondered if
gait (this is my first experience
her mouth might be sore--trying
R eturn Question: raising babies) and brought her to
to look when she yawns, don’t see
my mentor who said this is classic
Thank you Leslie, this is what anything obvious. She has always
MBD. We gave her 1/2 tsp. calcium
we have been doing. We are caring slept a lot, but is sleeping more.
supplement with Vit. D (reptile
for an opossum from Micke Grove She has really become a pet,
formula) and been bringing her
zoo and they are asking for fecal and we have snuggle time in the
outdoors for half an hour almost
tests which we have never done evenings. She sometimes sleeps on
every day, weather permitting.
before. We now have two opossums her back and I pet her while she is
“Onion” is a fussy eater, but has
with less than half a tail. One has washing her feet and tail, so she
been eating cauliflower, broccoli,
not ever climbed and we are not also licks my fingers--her mouth
yams, tomatoes, mushrooms--
sure about the other. Would you seems to be moving normally with
always trying more veggies, but
release an opossum without a tail? the washing process. Much less
no luck. She loves cheese, eats
stool produced because not eating,
Thank you, cottage cheese, blue cheese mixed
but what there is looks pretty
with the cottage cheese, cheddar,
Susan normal--a bit darker than usual,
mozzarella, cream cheese. Yogurt
no diarrhea. Water intake and
R eturn Answer: is a hit, I normally mix her calcium
urine amounts normal. My group
powder with yogurt or cottage
We have released opossums leader thinks perhaps she’s had too
cheese. She has been eating eggs
without a tail. With one, I did a much calcium, and told me to stop
with less enthusiasm, was eating
soft release in my yard. the supplement for now, which I
about 1/4 chicken egg scrambled
have. But--she is now not eating
I’d see him periodically, running or hard boiled, or a quail egg daily.
anything, and I know this can’t go
along my back fence top. His She eats a little beef liver about 1-2
on very long. Should I try to force
gait was a little odd, much servings every 2 weeks, chicken,
feed her something to keep her
more grasping than flat-footed, sardines, and superworms, of
strength up? If the MBD is causing
to compensate for the lack of a course she likes fruit, grapes, apple,
pain, would a bit of aspirin be
balancing tail, I’m sure banana. I keep her diet about 50
helpful? I have offered her a heating
Wildlife are such adapters. Several % veggies, 15% fruit, 35% meats
pad on low, and she is using it, we
years ago a vet and I spent an and dairy. After about 3 weeks
keep our house about 65 degrees.
hour trying to corner a one-legged using the calcium supplement she
Onion is about 8-9 months old. I
road runner in Palm Desert. No had greatly improved her walking
don’t have a proper scale, she is
luck. We got a pair of binoculars and energy, also big increase in
about 2 lbs. The nearest vet who
and studied the knee joint of appetite, and she’s been doing
sees wildlife in our area is quite a
the missing leg. The joint was very well until I noticed slight
distance for us. Thank you for any
completely healed, obviously an decrease in appetite about 2 weeks
help you might offer.
old wound. And the roadrunner ago. That has gotten worse to the
was doing fine with one leg. He point that she is refusing food last
Continued on page 8
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A : Hello Debi,
You need to research online
diet blended, liquid dog chow and
10% fruits/vegetables and other
supplements.
them. If that is the case, you will
see them again. If female, they
will appear to be getting bigger
the calcium/phosphorous ratio of
EVERYTHING you’re feeding her. I assume you’ve read the article and bigger with their young. If
It does sound like you are giving on our website about caring for an male, they will have a smile on
too much calcium and too much MBD opossums. I’m also attaching their face.
D3, the over supplementing of the diet sheet for our normal Leslie
either can cause problems. The adult opossum diet.
food selections should be 2 parts
calcium to one part phosphorous.
Leslie R eturn Response 3 weeks later:
They’re back!!! Watching
With MBD the teeth will became
loose and the opossum can no Q : After noticing my cat food
getting gone I realized that
I had opossums coming on the
one on the deck now. I love my
“possums”.
longer eat. You will need to choose Debbie
the correct portions and types deck to eat at night. For months I
of food to blend into a paste and have been putting extra food out
syringe feed her by mouth until for them. I have trail cams to get
the MBD resolves. pictures of them. Suddenly they
have stopped coming. Any idea
Attached is a website for fruits why? I miss seeing my nightly
and vegetables Ca:PH ratio. visitors.
Remember, you want to feed the
foods that are at the 2:1 ratio: Debbie
A : Hello Debbie,
h t t p s : / / w w w. f u n c t i o n a l p s. c o m /
blog/2016/07/18/calcium-to-
I can’t think of any reason
phosphorus-ratio-of-vegetables-and-
except January and February are
fruit/
mating season, so perhaps they
Until the MBD is resolved, I’d had to go further afield to find
recommend making 90% of her a mate, if no one local accepted
by Julianna Sand
8 OSUS
www.opossumsocietyus.orgThe Opossum Society of the United States Wishes to Thank Our Contributors
Barbara Trevino Karen Hall Kasimir Bogielski
Amanda Horowitz James Cavanagh Danielle Rinkes
Shannon Adams Jacob Secor Lindsay Coyne
Deborah Ketcham Taylor Pittman Mark Hubenka
Warren Chambon Rachel LeCroy Bao Lei
Rose Herrmann Kevin Peto Vicki Dodson
Rachel Krause Marciann M. Madey Barbara Trevino
W. Scott Garland Anne Drew
Kala Thomas
Jason Wu Mary Quimby “NolaNiteOut”- I grew up a city
Daniel O’Reilly Barbara Trevino kid, I am 32 and live in Texas
Lucille Manning Susan Lakics with a fenced yard adjacent to
Margie Valdez Tyler Karce the woods. Tonight my dogs
Susan Lakics Paolo & Deborah Pedrazzoli were outside and a possum got
Barbara Trevino Michael Hallman in the yard, we called the dogs
in and the possum was playing
Anne Drew Louisa Fordyce
dead but I wasnt sure if it was
Ana Salgado Silvia Castillo-Marr injured. I shot the possum
Allison Leber Matthew Feldman In memory of thinking I was putting it out of
Cory Muensterman Tim Sherry its misery or keeping it from
Korey Peterson Riley Harrison attacking me. I found your site
Dolores Proubasta Alexis Fithen and now I feel terrible after
learning they can’t carry rabies
Gloria Jiskra Joshua Eversman
and are very passive animals.
Barbara Trevino Christopher Korthaus I am making the donation as a
Laura Meyer – Donated in honor Tyler Schafer small token to make up for it.
of my friend, Kathy Cole Sara Owens
Without our contributors and those members whose work generates donations to OSUS, we would not be able to care for as
many orphans, save as many injured or reach so many people with our information on opossums. Good job, and thank you all!
Your generosity really makes a difference.
OSUS MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL FORM
_____ Please find enclosed my tax-deductible donation.
_____ I want to become a member of O.S.U.S. Membership is $30.00 annually.
($30/year U.S., $40/year int’l)
_____ Please renew my membership of OSUS ($30/year) Please mail check to:
(Check one of the above) OSUS
P.O. Box 850695
Name: _________________________________________ Yukon, OK 73085
Address: _______________________________________ Or register via PayPal online at our website:
www.OpossumSocietyUS.org
Telephone: _____________________________________ Note: The OSUS membership/email list is never given out to any
other organization. It is used for official OSUS business only. Your
Email: _________________________________________ membership renewal month due is the month you joined.
OSUS 9
www.opossumsocietyus.orgLETTER FROM PET AG REFERENCE BABY OPOSSUM DEATHS FROM ESBILAC FORMULA Editor’s Note – After receiving numerous reports of opossum baby die-offs from several wildlife rehabilitation centers when using Esbilac formula, Pet-Ag issued the below letter. Another wildlife organization is doing research on formulas and we hope to print it when their research is complete. 10 OSUS www.opossumsocietyus.org
OPOSSUM DROP CANCELED, BUT LAW ALLOWING IT REMAINS ON
THE BOOKS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Some people, and probably all opossums, on Change.org in February to get the on." Although opossums no longer will be
want a North Carolina law changed. General Assembly to repeal the law. The dropped from the sky in Brasstown, there's
petition has almost 160,000 signatures. nothing to stop them from being dropped
The law, which passed in the North The petition says that the law was passed elsewhere and they're still not protected
Carolina General Assembly in 2015, for "Possum Drops" in North Carolina. for five days out of the year. "The statute
made it so people can do whatever they The group is referring to events such as a goes beyond allowing 'possum drops'
want to opossums for five days out of the New Year's tradition in a western North in the state; it allows anyone in North
year. "No state or local statutes, rules, Carolina town in which an opossum was Carolina to legally abuse opossums," the
regulations or ordinances related to the suspended in a transparent box and then petition says. The petition has closed, but
capture, captivity, treatment or release slowly lowered to the ground to ring in Animal Help Now says it is continuing
of wildlife shall apply to the Virginia the New Year. However, after 24 years "legislative efforts."
opossum (Didelphis virginiana) between and many marsupials, the Brasstown
the dates of December 29 of each year "Possum Drop" dropped its last opossum "We are exploring all options to ensure
and January 2 of each subsequent year," in 2018, event organizers told The News no live opossums are used in 'Opossum
the law says. & Observer last year. Drop' events in North Carolina over the
New Year holiday," the petition says. "Stay
But a group wants the marsupials to be Event organizers said they do "absolutely tuned!"
protected year-round. nothing to harm" the opossum, according
to The News & Observer, but the event
Animal Help Now started a petition was a "hard job to do, and it's time to move
MARY ELIZABETH NAYLOR May 14, 1937—November 9, 2019
By Katrelya Angus
While I miss Mary very deeply, I am very libraries, schools, senior centers, nature notch loving care were raccoons, a horse,
proud to say that she was my possum centers, and other venues on the benefits and even, when Mary was little, a skunk,
rescue mentor and got me involved in of opossums and inspired many to respect although opossums have always been
OSUS in the first place. The first thing she and appreciate these beautiful animals. Mary’s favorite.
did when she met me was to buy me an
OSUS membership after my Dad found Every work day, Mary even took several of Everybody who has been around Mary,
a little baby girl possum in the yard in her babies to her job as Botanical Manager has been fortunate to have enjoyed the
1995. I have a very deep respect for this at the Huntington Library, where both warm smile, the vast wisdom, and, above
lovely lady. Mary and the possums had the joy of all, the compassionate loving care that this
spending five days a week in an orchid- great and lovely lady so lavishly bestowed
I am completely devastated to announce filled greenhouse that I believe was built upon us.
the passing of our friend to human and in the 1930’s, and where I had the honor
‘possum alike Mary Elizabeth Naylor who of assisting her as a volunteer. Mary was Mary is predeceased by her husband Chuck
left us on Saturday November 9 at age 82. very quick to point out that the possum is (Dr. Charles Naylor (PhD, Mathematics).
the gardener’s and the farmer’s best friend, She is survived by her sister Judy, brother
Mary’s favorite activities were teaching as possums protect plants by eating both Bob, sons Steve and Andy, daughter Leslie,
others about, and more importantly, spoiled fruit and by eating pests that attack 3 grandkids, and 7 nieces and nephews.
looking after, our furry friends, many plants!
of whom were lucky enough to live OSUS member Katrelya Angus
in the lovely Highland Park home of Mary has been a warrior-princess Sierra Madre, California
Mary and her husband Chuck, a math champion of animals ever since she was a
professor. With fur-babies in tow, Mary little girl. Among the other animals who
gave countless presentations at various had the privilege of receiving Mary’s top-
OSUS 11
www.opossumsocietyus.orgFROM THE POUCH
Q : Message Body:
Virginia Opossum Wet Nurse:
her next batch of babies. It would
just be the time of year…Usually
the 1st batch of babies come Feb/
of different sizes/birthdates in
the wild.
2. Opossum mothers have
I am an opossum Rehabilitator March and the 2nd batch of babies accepted additional orphaned
with Project Wildlife in San Diego. June…ish.. babies into their pouches to
Question: is it safe for a nursing
So if we put an orphan batch of raise with their own.
mom to wet nurse additional
babies on this mom at the end of 3. Nursing opossum mothers
babies BEFORE HER 2ND BATCH
May or so after her 1st batch are have been used as surrogates
OF BABIES ARE BORN? This
able to be out on their own it is in captivity, removing their
will extend her nursing period
reasonable to assume that she is babies just prior to weaning
for her 1st batch of babies and I
still holding that 2nd batch babies and adding orphaned babies
am concerned it might harm the
of her own inside her womb. into her pouch.
development of the 2nd batch of
unborn babies or delay their birth? Is having those orphan babies We still don’t know anything
I cannot find any research on this. nurse on her going to delay the about introducing a strange
birth or the health of her own litter in between the litter she’s
Dana
2nd batch of babies? Will it affect been nursing and the assumed
A : Hello Dana, the health of the 2nd batch of her second litter she’s holding back.
own babies because she is using In order to see if it really affects
The way you described the
her energy and physical resources the mother with any of the litters
situation, it would be 3 litters a
to feed this batch of orphans involved, you’d have to keep her
mother would be nursing back to
instead of building up her physical captive throughout the 3 litters
back to back?
resources in preparation for her and observe her behavior. And
Her original litter, a wet nurse own 2nd batch of babies??? I that would most likely skew
litter, then having her second don’t know. Was hoping you have the results because captivity is
natural born litter? experienced this and could pass on a stressor on its own and could
Frankly, I don’t know. some information. artificially affect the mother’s
I have personally witnessed on If neither of us have experienced ability to nurse properly through
two different occasions mother this maybe it would be something three litters.
opossum naturally having two sets we could both pay attention and Myself, I would go ahead and
of litters on board approx. two note if this happens this season introduce that second, strange
months in age/size apart. I know and pass our information on to litter to the mother, separate her
of dozens of cases where a mother the other… natural babies for hand-feeding
opossum is nursing and her Dana and finish rearing to release.
near weaned babies were taken After Mom is finished nursing the
away and a strange, younger
litter placed in the pouch and R eturn A: strange litter, release the Mom
back into the environment and let
successfully raised by the mother. her assess for herself whether to
Hi Dana,
Three back to back to back litters have that third litter and when, if
I see what you’re saying now. it’s onboard.
might be a bit much. Although,
in the wild, they can have 2-3 One can assume the double- Leslie
litters a year. How do you know wombed opossum has another
she has another litter ready to litter, ready to give birth, or not.
birth? X-rays? Marsupials are known to absorb
the second litter and not give birth
Leslie Bale
to them in times of environmental
R eturn Response: or physical adversities.
HI Leslie, So, we’re back to what we know:
No. we would not xray to find 1. Opossum mothers can/have
out if mom was ready to deliver supported two nursing litters
12 OSUS
www.opossumsocietyus.orgOPOSSUMS NO LONGER BEING BLAMED FOR
KILLING CALIFORNIA SEA OTTERS
Starting in 2006, the Opossum Society who pass on the disease to sea otters. A
launched a major public education cat can shed millions of Toxoplasma in its
outreach to contradict claims by some feces, which is commonly flushed down
wildlife rehabilitation organizations that the toilet and carried out to sea. Or cats
opossums were to blame for Toxoplasmosis can contaminate the soil if they relieve
in California sea otters. At every public themselves outdoors. Studying otters that
event, we had signs posted that opossums died between 1998 and 2015 showed that What can be done? Don’t flush cat feces
are not involved in the parasitical infection the parasite infecting the otters was a down the toilet. Wastewater plants don’t
found in sea otters. We met personally perfect genetic match to parasites gathered reliably kill Toxoplasma. Dispose of feces
with personnel in animal hospitals, trying from cats. in a bag in the trash (I find problems with
to reason with them to continue treating this solution, since we are supposed to
opossums and not refuse them based on Even though Toxoplasma is best known as be using bags that break down quickly
sea otters being found with toxoplasmosis. a feline parasite, researchers hesitated to and Toxoplasma can contaminate the soil,
An article in our winter 2007 newsletter blame domestic cats for the death of sea which then can be washed away and into
described our efforts. Everyone is always otters. It was much easier to blame wildlife sea).
quick to blame the opossum for any such as opossums, bobcats, mountain
disease outbreak. lions. It was much easier for everyone Wetlands, forests and grasslands naturally
to think they were helping sea otters by serve to shield watersheds and oceans from
In our Spring 2009 newsletter, we posited refusing to treating wildlife than refusing pollutants, including oocysts. Preserving
that it was most likely cats; feral and pets to treat cats. and restoring wetlands and natural areas,
managing storm water runoff, and
replacing pavement with permeable
surfaces can reduce contamination
and minimize pathogens entering
the water.
If the cat receives its vaccinations on
time, eats prepared food and doesn't
have contact with other animals
outside, you can rest assured that your
pet is very unlikely to suffer from the
disease.
So, even though we were unsuccessful
in changing minds 12 years ago, we
were putting the word out. Maybe
someone was listening, maybe they
just had to find it out on their own.
The opossum is finally vindicated.
Now we’re just waiting for the next
accusation against the opossum. We’re
here to advocate for them.
Leslie Bale
RELATED ARTICLES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/28/science/california-sea-otters-cats.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2019/08/28/whats-killing-californias-sea-otters/#71bb2755741e
https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/whats-killing-sea-otters-scientists-pinpoint-parasite-strain
OSUS 13
www.opossumsocietyus.orgOpossum Society of the United States
P.O. Box 850695
Yukon, OK 73085
Join OSUS and receive ...
Phone Calls and Mail:
• Quarterly Issues of ‘Possum Prints.
Due to the tremendous
volume of messages left • Updated diet/development/medical sheets.
on our Board of Directors, • Orphan/Injured care information.
Counselor, and City • Veterinarian/emergency care list.
Coordinators’ answering • A warm, fuzzy feeling!
machines, toll and long
distance calls which
require an answer will be
returned collect.
When requesting
information from the
Society, please enclose a
self-addressed stamped
envelope (SASE). Due to
the high volume of mail
requests and the cost of
postage, the Society can
no longer absorb this
expense.
Donations to defray the
costs of printed materials
will be accepted at any
time.
Address correction
requested.
Postage Guaranteed
Please take the time to send us a change of address card when you move so
that you do not miss out on any issues of ‘Possum Prints.
Printed on recycled paper.
Meetings and Events
2020 Event Location
Feb 25 - 28 NWRA Annual Symposium (https://nwrasymposium.org/)..................................South Padre Island, TX
Mar 28 - 29 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation*.......................................................................................... Murray State, KY
Apr 04 - 05 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation* .............................................................................................. Saskatoon, SK
Apr 18 - 19 IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation* ............................................................................................. Edmonton, AB
* All IWRC courses are described and available to purchase on their website (www.theIWRC.org)
http://www.opossumsocietyus.org
OSUS Board of Directors
August 2019-2021
Leslie Bale • (562) 804-3038 • President/Liaison, Official Agencies • VOpossum@aol.com
Tammy Williams • (909) 790-5182 • Vice President • hrs2grdn@gmail.com
Leslie Brogan • (818) 255-0925 • Secretary
Crystal Norris • Email: crystaln@sonic.net • Treasurer
Melinda Smith • Email: Opawsum@aol.com • At LargeYou can also read
