This morning I hosted Novel Tea 'n Pages Writers' Club for one of our lovely ladies who couldn't make Saturday's session. I never miss an opportunity to practice my writing skills and Linda and I enjoyed a very productive morning discussing and participating in writing exercises that will help to hone our skills.
Linda got to see the baby possums for the first time as well. They were feeding when she arrived.
After Writers' Club it was again time to feed Tamigotchi and Saori. Tamigotchi, once again was very wet. I'd managed to use a tissue before to help him go to the toilet, but this seemed different yet again. He also had quite a strong smell about him, so I decided it was time to call Gillian, my mentor and invite myself around to her place so she could take a look. I just didn't want to run any risks.
I took both the possums around to her house for her to look at each of them. I wanted Gillian to check Tamigotchi's skin.
Gillian gave Tamigotchi a good going over and she gave her verdict. She thought he may have a urinary tract infection. Ouch. She said the smell is quite a sour smell and this indicates to her that it is also possible that he has thrush. Ouch, again. Poor little guy.
Gillian decided to give Tamigotchi a quick bath to freshen him up. Wow! I didn't know you could bath them. He took it all in his stride, and now was a much fresher smelling little guy.
Gillian gave me some Nilstat and asked me to give him one drop three times per day. She also thought it might pay to get him checked by the vet. Gillian suspected that he may need some antibiotics.
This news made me feel very nervous. Gillian explained that possum 'gut flora' is very sensitive and sometimes these things can take their toll on little possums. It's not all doom and gloom; this just means that they can be highly sensitive and that we need to exercise extreme caution.
I spoke to Gillian about my concern that BARN still had not been in touch with me to organise a permit. Gillian made a couple of phone calls and when she got off the phone she explained to me that all my contact details had been passed along, but now we had to wait for the secretary to make contact with me. Because I needed to take Tamigotchi to the vets, Gillian made another phone call to someone else and once she got off the phone, she said to me that she was going to sign me up with the Wildlife Action Group she belonged with. She didn't offer it to me at first, because they are just a small group of about 10 and BARN had said they would join me up. It was neither here nor there for me. My objective was to do anything necessary to raise these little guys and give them a fighting chance.
So, I paid my fees and Gillian filled in all the paper work and now I am a probationary Wildlife Carer (with a card) that I can now take to the vets with me. I thanked Gillian. I bought some new teats off her and she gave me some more supplies that I would be needing, plus the rest of the milk product that I'd bought a week ago.
She took a quick look at Saori as well and decided that it might be best to keep them separate while Tamigotchi is not feeling the best.
I headed off to my vets once I left Gillian's place. Luckily for me it was very quiet at the vets and the vet who was rostered on had just finished his last appointment and was happy enough to check Tamigotchi out for me.
He gave him a small dose of antibiotics and explained to me about the sensitive nature of possums' guts. Tamigotchi did not even flinch when the vet gave him his injection. Nervous energy once again flooded into every pore of my skin. I know what it is like to lose baby animals with gut infections and scours, so I pretty much knew what he was trying to tell me. Again, not for the doom and gloom aspect, but merely for me to understand the potential of the problem.
I can only do my best, and so it was with a positive attitude I took my little babies home so I could begin to care for him in a different manner. On the way home I called in to the supermarket and grabbed some groceries for the Easter break.
I've had Tamigotchi for three weeks and Saori for one week now. It feels like longer, but in a positive way. They both continue to get used to me and their new situation. Tamigotchi did not have any more incidences or toileting issues and they both continue to eat well.
Linda got to see the baby possums for the first time as well. They were feeding when she arrived.
Saori is still such a little darling. She has decided that she likes to stand up and hold my hands to eat. She doesn't want to be wrapped up in a blankie anymore! She reckons she's a big girl now. She is still the tiniest little poppet. She has also discovered a great hidey-hole at the top of my shirts and tops. She gallops up my front once she has eaten and next thing I know she's buried herself down my front. She finds a comfy position and settles down quickly and begins to preen herself. She is so funny to watch. She also loves me showering her with kisses.
I made it through the first night feeding, toileting and settling the two possums without too much trouble. Saori is really no trouble at all. She already is such a character and she is so tiny. By this morning though, I must admit to feeling a little sleep deprived, but I'm doing fine.
I put both babies (who were now in one pouch) inside my bra and they came out to dinner with the family. We went to La Quinta, which is a Mexican Restaurant at Bulimba. No-one knew. The possums were sleeping soundly and very settled. It was our little secret.
