Sorry for the poor quality of the video. After being hit by a car and having head injuries, I try to keep lights low. But.... Look who is awake enough to drink some formula! A young girl messaged me and asked if I would name him Billy after the person who found him. She also said her favorite kitty was named Billy... so Billy it is!
Now with head injuries they do spend the first few days sleeping. Billy drank his little dish dry and went right back to sleep. The sneezing is common due to their nasal passage being swollen and some dried drainage is irritating. I was able to wake him again tonight for another dish of formula. Thanks for all the well wishes... He's going to do really well. <3
These are two of 3 little girls that came to us from an area badly damaged and still without power. They are too young to release before winter so they'll be wintered over with us. They have one of our larger enclosures with a running wheel and enjoyed a few blue berries. I checked a bit later and they were sound asleep.
These two girls will be safe but I can't help but think about all the animals in the path of this hurricane. People have the understanding of what is happening and have the choice to leave. The animals do not have that choice. There will be strays, ferals and wildlife trying to find safety and many will not make it. I obsess about these things when I'm helpless to "fix it". The next 36 hours will be a nightmare. My invitation to shelter in here went out but many are stuck trying to leave with gas being hard to find.
PLEASE EVERYONE.... Remember all the little lives in the path of this storm in your prayers. I believe prayers will be the only hope of keeping them all safe.
If you should see a baby or adult wandering this way, please get it safe in a pet carrier. This baby is a target for a hawk or other predators. She was contained in a pet carrier until we could pick up.
There is a bite mark by her mouth on the jawline. The other puncture is around the ear. This little girl will recover from the bite in time but she's blind. You can raise your hand over her head and she doesn't acknowledge your hand. However, she ate really well and is sleeping. We'll examine her better tomorrow once she's had some time to sleep and let the meds help. <3
Day 4 and Noah is finally awake from the head injury after being hit by a car. Its very normal for them to sleep like this. I've ran lactated ringers daily to keep him hydrated and tonight he drank a big bowl of formula. Here he's attempting to groom and he's trying hard to clean up. He had bleeding from the right ear and most will sleep much longer when you see this. If you watch, you will see he falls asleep in the middle of grooming for a few seconds. Noah finished grooming and is back asleep but with a full tummy this time. He has much more healing to do but we're so happy to see him making progress! <3
I feel bad posted so many of the sad intakes. I hope this makes everyone smile.... these little guys(6) are waiting to go out in pre-release enclosures as soon as the heat breaks a bit. While cleaning the last nights shenanigans this am, these 2 were eating an apple treat. (they all got one!) One of the odd things opossums do is spit out peeling, the skin on grapes and if given a pecan they will chew forever and then spit out what looks equal to saw dust... lol. Notice the little one to the right as she spits out the peel on the apple.
June 3rd I posted about Wren who has nerve damage due to being grabbed across her shoulders and back by a larger animal. Both her front arms were locked over her head and she's was learning to bring them down and use them a bit. I finally got a video of her now washing her face after she drinks her formula. Its really a big deal, I could have cried I was so happy. She has a long way to go however she's making progress, eats well and a delight to work with. She's spoiled and I hope to have even more progress over the next few weeks/months! <3
I definitely feel like "Mother Hubbard", lol
Please stop and check pouches of any hit by car mom's. If mom is alive... DO NOT LEAVE HER BESIDE THE ROAD TO COME BACK WITH A BOX, SHE MAY NOT BE THERE! If you have nothing just place her on the floor of the car. This is the correct way to remove babies no matter the size. Keep warm, not hot and find a near by rehabber.
Please check pouches when you see a mom that has been hit by a car! This is the correct way to remove them. Keep warm and find a wildlife rehabber.
Babies are in the pouch this size and much much smaller but removing them is done the same regardless of the size. This shows how to remove babies safely from mom's pouch. Once they are removed, keep warm but not too hot. Contact a rehabber or you can PM me here and I'll help find one for you.
So many view opossums as dirty or nasty and I'll never understand why. No matter the situation, opossums like to be clean. They like their bedding and space clean. They spend more time grooming than most cats. In the wild, if allowed they will choose to be clean. Life is very cruel to them as they don't see very well so they don't hunt, they are opportunist. They are one of the most abused of all wildlife by humans which is so sad because they are the shy and will play dead as their only defense. Edney was beaten by a human and left with brain damage. He was the most gentle boy ever. I will never stop helping all of them I can and let them experience compassion. (sorry for the Tv in the background) <3
I'm still struggling to get Herbie's infection under control. Bites are so infectious and we're on new meds now after the culture. One thing is for sure.... Herbie's appetite has not faltered in any way! This was his second bowl of food tonight and didn't miss a morsel! LOL. (and yes he had 3rd helpings...lol ). Look at that adorable little face!! <3
