Opossum

Metabolic bone disease

SignsWobbly hind legs, fractures easily, curved back, poor growth

PreventionFeed a complete diet with calcium and vitamin D3 as the staple. Avoid meat-only diets

Obesity / fatty liver

SignsThick tail base or neck, sluggish movement, reduced appetite, yellow gums

PreventionNever overfeed fatty foods or fruit. Weigh weekly to manage weight

Cataracts / retinal degeneration

SignsCloudy white eyes, bumping into objects, inactive even at night

PreventionHigh-fat diets are a cause. Balanced diet and regular eye checks

Periodontal disease / broken teeth

SignsBad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, red gums, facial swelling

PreventionThey have 50 teeth. Avoid overly hard bones; yearly oral exam by a vet

Intestinal parasites / diarrhea

SignsSoft stool, bloody stool, weight loss, dirty rear end, bloated belly

PreventionFecal exam right after acquisition. No raw meat or wild insects; keep bedding clean

Dermatitis / hair loss

SignsDryness or scabs on ears, tail, and feet; itching; patchy hair loss

PreventionMaintain humidity to prevent dry ears and tail. Change bedding more often

Tail injury / necrosis

PreventionThe tail is a grasping organ. Check that wheels and doors have no gaps that can trap it

First aidApply pressure to stop bleeding. A black, dry tip is the start of necrosis; see a vet the same day

Fracture from a fall

PreventionPut a thick mat under climbing branches. Never let go from a height

First aidIf limping or swollen, rest in a small box and keep warm. See a vet the same day

Scraped nose / face

PreventionThey rub their face on wire mesh. Switch to acrylic or fine mesh and provide more space

First aidRinse with saline and apply pressure to bleeding. See a vet if there is pus or swelling

Burns / low-temperature burns

PreventionCover heaters so they cannot be touched directly. Never place directly on a heated carpet

First aidCool the area with running water or a wet towel. If the skin is dark red or blistered, see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with feces, food bowls, or the cage

PreventionWash hands after care. Handle feces with gloves; never wash items in the kitchen

Leptospirosis

RouteContact with urine-contaminated water or bedding

PreventionChange bedding with gloves. Avoid care duties when you have skin wounds

Fleas and mites

RouteFleas and mites on the body bite humans

PreventionParasite check by a vet at acquisition. Do not keep outdoors

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteBite wounds and scratches

PreventionWash wounds under running water; see a doctor if there is swelling or fever

Food

• High-quality cat food or ferret food as the staple
• Vegetables and fruit under 20% of the diet, once per night
• Boiled egg, insects, or boiled chicken in small amounts a few times a week

Water

• Provide both a shallow heavy bowl and a water bottle
• Change daily. Check how much is drunk at night

Toys & play

• Climbing branches, ropes, hammocks (arboreal exercise)
• Foraging puzzles or a pile of leaves to hide food in
• Fabric tunnels or paper bags (hiding and exploring)

Nest, bed & hideout

• One dark nest box up high and one on the floor
• Line with fleece or cloth and check daily

Bedding & litter

• Paper bedding or wood chips (avoid softwood)
• Hard to litter-train. Change bedding every 2–3 days
• Large urine output; use an absorbent pad on the bottom

Cage / housing material

Fine wire mesh or a large acrylic cage. Wood is damaged by urine

Size & space

Small species: at least 60 cm wide; Virginia opossum: a large, tall cage at least 120 cm wide

Layout

• Use the height: climbing branches, hammocks, shelves
• Nest box on a dark, quiet upper level
• Secure food and water bowls so they cannot tip

Placement notes

• Dark, quiet room by day. Away from TVs, dogs, and cats
• Out of direct air-conditioner airflow

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 1–2 hours of supervised indoor exploration at night
• Clear gaps, cords, and houseplants beforehand
• No outdoor walks on a leash (escape, wild animals)

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–27°C. Activity drops below 18°C

Humidity50–60%. Dry air chaps the tail and ears

Summer & winter

• Summer: air conditioning to keep under 28°C. Add a frozen water bottle
• Winter: panel heater and an insulated nest box; block drafts

Nail trimming

Once or twice a month, tips only. Front claws wear down on climbing branches

Brushing, skin & coat care

Generally not needed. For dry tail or ears, use a vet-recommended moisturizer

Other care

50 teeth. Check breath and gums weekly; yearly dental exam

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as dogs, cats, or ferrets
• Do not take onto balconies (crows, cats)
• Window screens and bedding cleaning against mosquitoes and fleas

Foreign-body ingestion

Puts anything in its mouth. Put away threads, rubber bands, and plastic. If vomiting or no stool, see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Stays underfoot in dark rooms. Keep lights on during free-roam time and shuffle your feet. If stepped on, check movement and breathing and see a vet

Getting pinched

The tail is easily caught in doors and cage doors. Check the tail before closing. If caught, apply pressure and see a vet

Falls

Arboreal but still falls. Put mats under high shelves; support the chest and tail base when holding

Escape

Slips out through gaps at night. Padlock the door and block holes in the room. If it escapes, search dark narrow spaces and set out food and the nest box

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and quiet until the bite loosens
2. Cover the head with a thick towel to darken
3. Slip a pen or similar into the corner of the mouth and open slightly
4. Once released, return to the nest box and leave until calm

After the release

Sharp teeth cause deep wounds. Wash under running water, apply pressure; see a doctor if there is swelling or fever

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, diet, heating setup, photo of stool. Find an exotic-animal hospital in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Body temperature is low for a mammal (about 35°C)
• Check breathing by chest movement (20–40 per minute)
• Check heartbeat with a hand on the chest (70–120 per minute)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 3–5 minutes
• For tail bleeding, press lightly on the base side
• If it does not stop, keep pressing and transport

Transport

• Line a dark small carrier with a towel
• Add a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle and carry quietly