How to Identify a Healthy Pet Opossum

As more and more people decide to keep opossums as pets, it becomes important to know the difference between a healthy animal and one that may have a health issue. Opossums can suffer from a variety of medical problems, usually stemming from an inadequate diet. With the help of a qualified veterinarian you should be able to identify a healthy pet opossum.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets such as opossums

Identify a Healthy Pet Opossum

1. Pay attention to the actual smell of the opossum, which can be the best indicator of its health. Opossums are generally clean animals, and any lingering odor, especially one that does not seem to go away after bathing, will usually indicate some sort of underlying health issue with the animal.
2. Note the eating habits of the animal. Opossums are natural scavengers, and most of their physical activities focus around either caring for their young, or obtaining food. An opossum that isn't eating regularly may have some sort of health issue, while one that constantly eating is a healthy, thriving animal.
3. Monitor the weight of the opossum. A healthy opossum tends to gain weight and size steadily throughout its life. A opossum that has lost weight is dealing with some sort of health issue. Be aware, however, that excessive eating or gorging can easily make an opossum sickly or weak.
4. Check on the level of activity of the opossum, especially at night. Pet opossums get bored easily and need to be take out of their cages frequently so they can run around, explore and scavenge for food. An opossum that seems withdrawn, or sticks to one corner of its cage is probably not healthy and needs veterinary care.
5. Observe the drinking and urinary habits of the opossum. If a possum is eating correctly it will not require a lot of water (although you should always make fresh water available to them). Opossums that are drinking water excessively and have a strong odor to their urine are not healthy.
6. See if you can identify any lumps or dark spots on the opossum's skin. A healthy opossum's skin should be smooth and free of discolorations.
7. Watch the opossum to see how it carries itself. A healthy opossum should have good posture and not allow its belly to drag on the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Concerns about opossums being frequent carriers of rabies are unfounded, since opossums are actually more resistant to that disease than most other manuals, and actual cases are extremely rare.