Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Virginia Opossum

Live traps (sometimes referred to as “humane” traps) can be extremely dangerous. Just like glue traps, live traps often catch non-target wildlife.

This male Virginia Opossum, an unintended victim, ended up in the trap overnight. His upper and lower jaws were completely stuck on the cage bars, as he attempted to bite himself out. Thankfully, the homeowner brought the entrapped opossum to us for emergency care.

Virginia Opossum (patient 24-92) upon admission to BRWC. @BRWC 2024

After sedating the extremely tired and stressed opossum, it took several staff and volunteers to cut away the bars of the trap (with the owner’s permission).

Volunteer Veterinarian, Sydney Lewis, DVM, assists in free the patient from the trap. @BRWC 2024

Once freed, the patient was intubated, and staff worked to assess the damage to the mouth. Although free of fractures, the caging caused lacerations to the lips, tongue, and gums, down to the jaw bones in multiple places.

After flushing the wounds, areas that were safe to close were surgically repaired and other areas were left open to heal. Luckily, oral wounds tend to heal quickly thanks to saliva’s antibacterial properties and rapid cell turnover in that area!

Dr. Lewis assisting with this patient’s surgery. @BRWC 2024

This opossum will be in care for several weeks while the wounds heal, and he will be provided pain management and supportive care.

We anticipate a full recovery for this large boy (all 11 lbs of him!) and are thankful to the homeowner who brought him in for care.

We are also grateful to the homeowner for being extremely receptive to the education provided by our staff on trapping and the illegality of relocating any wildlife in VA!

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