Opossums

missa · 05-09-2009, 10:21 PM

I am now in charge of 9 baby opossums. Their mom got hit last nite during the storm and the babies were found this morning. There are 6 girls and 3 boys and are estimated to be about 8 weeks old. I will get pics tomarrow.

step n starstruck · 05-09-2009, 10:33 PM

I love possums! I was the possum tech at the clinic I was at. I would take all the baby possums that came in.

I had one that ended up being a pet. She would climb up my leg and back and sit on the shoulders with her feet and head on my head. She would climb down to do her business and then climb back up. She was litter trained too. She wasn't to thrilled with bathes though. She would bare those 50 some odd teeth at the occasional bath. Her name was Popeye, as she only had one eye.

Horselady44 · 05-09-2009, 10:57 PM

OH how cute! I cant wait to see pictures.Your such a good mommy

HeatherSarah3 · 05-09-2009, 11:42 PM

Your so sweeet! Alot of people around here kill em. We dont though

They eat our kitty food. Is it true if they urinate on the alfalfa it will cause nerve issues in ur horses?

horsebabyhehe · 05-09-2009, 11:54 PM

YES!! not only nerve damage, but DEATH!! and it's the feces i believe, if it gets on anything the horse eats! i'm glad you have a kind heart i'd o' drowned them! i know that sounds mean but THEY KILL HORSES!!

redboy · 05-10-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsebabyhehe

YES!! not only nerve damage, but DEATH!! and it's the feces i believe, if it gets on anything the horse eats!
i know that sounds mean but THEY KILL HORSES!!

Also, I believe, if their saliva touches horse's drinking water,
it can contaminate the water, and aid in/ be the source that transmits the 'protozoa' that causes EPM in horses.
EPM causes permanent debilitating neurological problems, as well, death, to horses.

BE CAREFUL and CONSULT with a vet/ or the Park Service/ Animal Control in your area before you become too attached to them, and expose your horses to any danger.

PaintsQH · 05-10-2009, 06:01 AM

Missa, I would make sure those cute little critters dont go wandering around near your horses. EPM is a horrible death for a horse to die from. My friends Welsh/Arab died from it 10 years ago. Its not fun to see a horse go literally out of its mind over night. 50% of horses carry it but never develop any symptoms and live a normal life. Others get sick, need treatment (like my friends horse) and either have permanent damage or die. Many cases they live but still have some weakness, but are still able to live a normal life. Its roughly 5K or so for treatment if not more. There is a vaccine for it but from my understanding the horse needs to be tested first before it is administered (spinal tap I think) I would get rid of them out in the wild somewhere very far from horses. Sorry the thought of those things makes me shudder. They arent cute to me. JMO.. Watch a horse die from EPM and you would understand. I found a dead possum in my yard a few months back and freaked

First one in 18 years. My dogs chase out the skunks (polecat is the Florida term cause they sure dont look like Pepe' Le P-U

either way they stink) black snakes, and I guess Opossum's.

missa · 05-10-2009, 08:28 AM

Yes I know that opossums are dangerous to horses. They are kept in a cage, no where near where the horses are (16 miles apart). My hands get washed and sanitized after every contact. This isn't my first round with baby opossums. I am taking care of them until they can be placed with another facility, but on weekends there isn't anyone to get ahold of. Tomarrow I will be calling around to try to find them a professional placement. I will get pics up today.

jules1962 · 05-10-2009, 09:56 AM

I love opossums. I have raised many, too many to remember. i work with a rehabber.
I absolutely adore them. Please post pictures.

kanoo32 · 05-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Kind of a double edged sword there isn't it? You love them but they are responsible for the deaths of so many horses that we love........Unfortunately, they should all be put to death no matter how cute they are so that we can eradicate this deadly disease.....

missa · 05-10-2009, 11:42 AM

No animal deserves to be wiped off the face of the planet. They were created for a reason. This thread is not about killing opossums it is about the 9 babies that were orphaned and trying to help them live, because no baby (no matter the breed or species) deserves to die.

missa · 05-10-2009, 11:51 AM

step n starstruck · 05-10-2009, 02:38 PM

I believe the opossum has to eat an infected animal to become infected. I had heard years ago that the white cow birds are the true carriers, but when possums eat the carcass, they can shed the protozoa in their stool. Sp not every possum has it.
I googled it! Possums get it from cow birds and cow birds get it from incests.

Now my question......why couldn't horses get it from the insects that get ingested in the pasture? Hmmm. Have to do more digging.

Kinda like the deal with pregnant women and the cat litter box. The cat has to eat an infected animal to become carriers, so indoor cats can't have it. But, to be on the safe side......make hubby clean the litter box.

step n starstruck · 05-10-2009, 02:45 PM

I got similar bad reactions from my horse acquaintances about Popeye.

Horsie Michelle · 05-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missa

No animal deserves to be wiped off the face of the planet. They were created for a reason. This thread is not about killing opossums it is about the 9 babies that were orphaned and trying to help them live, because no baby (no matter the breed or species) deserves to die.

I agree with you. Good for you for taking them in, I'd do the same. They sure are cute!

jules1962 · 05-10-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanoo32

Unfortunately, they should all be put to death no matter how cute they are so that we can eradicate this deadly disease.....

Just a bit harsh don't ya think?

jules1962 · 05-10-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missa

No animal deserves to be wiped off the face of the planet. They were created for a reason. This thread is not about killing opossums it is about the 9 babies that were orphaned and trying to help them live, because no baby (no matter the breed or species) deserves to die.

You go Missa.

They look good and healthy. They should do fine without nursing at this age as long as they will eat. Banana baby food is a favorite. Kitten Chow. Baby rice cereal and kitten milk replacer to mix with cereal or if needed. Always have water available.

Good luck with the rehab.

missa · 05-10-2009, 04:00 PM

I am syrenge (sp?) feeding kitten milk every couple of hours. They are potting with stimulation but not on their own. They haven't attempted to eat out of the little bowl yet and aren't interested in the water bottle (using all the old hamster bowls and water bottles

). They love the heating pad. Some appear to be more advanced than others. They have amazing clinging skills.

kanoo32 · 05-10-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jules1962

Just a bit harsh don't ya think?

No

Let me know how you feel when you have a horse that is falling down with EPM........

Lady_MCSE · 05-10-2009, 09:54 PM

Awe ... they are adoryble!

My only experience with possums is really the one(s) that lives in my back yard. I know she's a momma, because I've seen her babies. And every now and then I'll put out a live trap trying catch some racoons who damage my house in multiple ways and harrass my cats. I'm quick to want to put a 'coon to death.

But when I have caught the 'possum in my live trap, I've always let her go. She's a really mean and nasty sort, not something I want to tangle with for sure. But the thing is, she doesn't bother my stuff, and I have no horses on the property. So she gets let go. She does her thing and I do mine.

Thanks for hte pics, and good luck with them!

05-09-2009, 10:21 PM
missa Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	Opossums I am now in charge of 9 baby opossums. Their mom got hit last nite during the storm and the babies were found this morning. There are 6 girls and 3 boys and are estimated to be about 8 weeks old. I will get pics tomarrow.

05-09-2009, 10:33 PM
step n starstruck Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida and South Carolina Posts: 556	I love possums! I was the possum tech at the clinic I was at. I would take all the baby possums that came in. I had one that ended up being a pet. She would climb up my leg and back and sit on the shoulders with her feet and head on my head. She would climb down to do her business and then climb back up. She was litter trained too. She wasn't to thrilled with bathes though. She would bare those 50 some odd teeth at the occasional bath. Her name was Popeye, as she only had one eye. __________________ omegahorsesolutions.com/ Helping horse owners provide the foundation for their horses to obtain optimum health and performance.

05-09-2009, 10:57 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,799	OH how cute! I cant wait to see pictures.Your such a good mommy __________________ Tilly

05-09-2009, 11:42 PM
HeatherSarah3 Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fresno, Ca Posts: 431	Your so sweeet! Alot of people around here kill em. We dont though They eat our kitty food. Is it true if they urinate on the alfalfa it will cause nerve issues in ur horses? __________________ If there are no horses in heaven, I dont want to go!

05-09-2009, 11:54 PM
horsebabyhehe Coming two Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,713	YES!! not only nerve damage, but DEATH!! and it's the feces i believe, if it gets on anything the horse eats! i'm glad you have a kind heart i'd o' drowned them! i know that sounds mean but THEY KILL HORSES!! __________________ Valarie

05-10-2009, 06:01 AM
PaintsQH Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 4,324	Missa, I would make sure those cute little critters dont go wandering around near your horses. EPM is a horrible death for a horse to die from. My friends Welsh/Arab died from it 10 years ago. Its not fun to see a horse go literally out of its mind over night. 50% of horses carry it but never develop any symptoms and live a normal life. Others get sick, need treatment (like my friends horse) and either have permanent damage or die. Many cases they live but still have some weakness, but are still able to live a normal life. Its roughly 5K or so for treatment if not more. There is a vaccine for it but from my understanding the horse needs to be tested first before it is administered (spinal tap I think) I would get rid of them out in the wild somewhere very far from horses. Sorry the thought of those things makes me shudder. They arent cute to me. JMO.. Watch a horse die from EPM and you would understand. I found a dead possum in my yard a few months back and freaked First one in 18 years. My dogs chase out the skunks (polecat is the Florida term cause they sure dont look like Pepe' Le P-Ueither way they stink) black snakes, and I guess Opossum's. __________________ ~Everyone ought to bear patiently the results of his own conduct.~ Wm.Shakspeare ~Ride free Fara, I miss you my friend~ Last edited by PaintsQH : 05-10-2009 at 06:12 AM.

05-10-2009, 08:28 AM
missa Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	Yes I know that opossums are dangerous to horses. They are kept in a cage, no where near where the horses are (16 miles apart). My hands get washed and sanitized after every contact. This isn't my first round with baby opossums. I am taking care of them until they can be placed with another facility, but on weekends there isn't anyone to get ahold of. Tomarrow I will be calling around to try to find them a professional placement. I will get pics up today.

05-10-2009, 09:56 AM
jules1962 Coming two Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,574	I love opossums. I have raised many, too many to remember. i work with a rehabber. I absolutely adore them. Please post pictures. __________________ One Spoiled Horse At The Barn

05-10-2009, 10:00 AM
kanoo32 Kid Safe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 5,037	Kind of a double edged sword there isn't it? You love them but they are responsible for the deaths of so many horses that we love........Unfortunately, they should all be put to death no matter how cute they are so that we can eradicate this deadly disease..... __________________ "Animals are such agreeable friends--they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms..." --George Eliot In Loving Memory of Spikey...My Best Friend...I Miss You RIP 1988-2009

05-10-2009, 11:42 AM
missa Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	No animal deserves to be wiped off the face of the planet. They were created for a reason. This thread is not about killing opossums it is about the 9 babies that were orphaned and trying to help them live, because no baby (no matter the breed or species) deserves to die.

05-10-2009, 11:51 AM
missa Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,659

05-10-2009, 02:38 PM
step n starstruck Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida and South Carolina Posts: 556	I believe the opossum has to eat an infected animal to become infected. I had heard years ago that the white cow birds are the true carriers, but when possums eat the carcass, they can shed the protozoa in their stool. Sp not every possum has it. I googled it! Possums get it from cow birds and cow birds get it from incests. Now my question......why couldn't horses get it from the insects that get ingested in the pasture? Hmmm. Have to do more digging. Kinda like the deal with pregnant women and the cat litter box. The cat has to eat an infected animal to become carriers, so indoor cats can't have it. But, to be on the safe side......make hubby clean the litter box. __________________ omegahorsesolutions.com/ Helping horse owners provide the foundation for their horses to obtain optimum health and performance. Last edited by step n starstruck : 05-10-2009 at 02:56 PM.

05-10-2009, 02:45 PM
step n starstruck Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida and South Carolina Posts: 556	I got similar bad reactions from my horse acquaintances about Popeye. __________________ omegahorsesolutions.com/ Helping horse owners provide the foundation for their horses to obtain optimum health and performance.

05-10-2009, 04:00 PM
missa Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,659	I am syrenge (sp?) feeding kitten milk every couple of hours. They are potting with stimulation but not on their own. They haven't attempted to eat out of the little bowl yet and aren't interested in the water bottle (using all the old hamster bowls and water bottles ). They love the heating pad. Some appear to be more advanced than others. They have amazing clinging skills.

05-10-2009, 09:54 PM
Lady_MCSE Bombproof Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Shytown, IL Posts: 7,862	Awe ... they are adoryble! My only experience with possums is really the one(s) that lives in my back yard. I know she's a momma, because I've seen her babies. And every now and then I'll put out a live trap trying catch some racoons who damage my house in multiple ways and harrass my cats. I'm quick to want to put a 'coon to death. But when I have caught the 'possum in my live trap, I've always let her go. She's a really mean and nasty sort, not something I want to tangle with for sure. But the thing is, she doesn't bother my stuff, and I have no horses on the property. So she gets let go. She does her thing and I do mine. Thanks for hte pics, and good luck with them! __________________ "Human, we'll get along just fine once you realize that I'm the one training you." --Equinonymous