Step 1:  Keep warm.  Place babies in a covered container (with air holes) on a soft cloth that does not snag or have strings.  Put the container on a heating pad set on low or provide some other source of heat.  Example would be to put rice in a sock and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Place sock under bedding.

Step 2:  Check for fly eggs and injuries.  Fly eggs look like sawdust or clumps of white/yellow dirt.  Remove these as quickly as possible.  If they hatch it can cause more injury and possibly death.  An injured opossum must receive antibiotics within eight hours in order to prevent infection, especially if attacked by a cat or dog.

Step 3:  Do not feed any milk or baby formula.  Animals are lactose intolerant.  There is special animal milk replacers used for their needs.  You can offer Pedialyte or diluted Gatorade by dropper or syringe for a hydration fluid once the baby is thoroughly warm.   Never feed a cold baby. Call our hotline 804-598-8380 for assistance and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Thank you for your support !