Orphaned Virginia Opossum Saved From Starvation

The following story about a Virginia opossum was shared with us by Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Pennsylvania.

This young, 12-week-old Virginia opossum was admitted to Aark Wildlife from Bucks County after her mother was found deceased. Knowing the joey could not survive on her own, rescuers brought her to the clinic for care. On arrival, she was dehydrated, underweight, and unable to eat independently. Caregivers also noted visible ringlets on her tail, a sign of poor hydration and nutritional stress.

Initial stabilization included tube-feeding with Electro-Stat to restore fluids before gradually transitioning her to a milk formula. As she grew, staff began introducing solid foods, but the opossum developed diarrhea and showed little interest in eating. Despite the team’s efforts, her weight continued to drop.

At that point, Aark’s rehabilitators incorporated EmerAid IC Omnivore into her feeding plan, mixing it with her formula to provide easily digestible, high-quality nutrition. The change made an immediate difference, within just one week, she gained 20 grams (about 0.7 ounces), and by the end of the month, she had more than doubled her initial weight.

With renewed strength and curiosity, she soon graduated to Aark’s outdoor rehabilitation enclosure, where she acclimated to natural conditions and practiced essential survival behaviors. After two weeks outdoors, she was healthy, independent, and ready for release. This determined young opossum was returned to Bucks County, where she could thrive once again in the wild.

EmerAid IC Omnivore played a crucial role in turning her recovery around, helping restore energy, support digestion, and provide the nutrition needed for a successful return to the wild.