All Pets Veterinary Center

02/16/2026

THE "WOBBLE" IS A METABOLIC CRASH.
If you see an opossum staggering across your patio in broad daylight this February, do not reach for the shovel.
He is not "groggy." He is not "acting crazy." He is in the final stages of a physiological shutdown.

The Myth: The "Daylight Rabies" Panic
In the United States, we are culturally conditioned to view any nocturnal animal active during the day—especially one moving unsteadily—as rabid.
The Reality: For the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), this diagnosis is statistically improbable. Opossums have a naturally low body temperature (roughly 94°F-97°F) which makes it difficult for the rabies virus to survive and replicate in their systems.
If an opossum is wobbling in February, the culprit is almost certainly Metabolic Collapse, not a virus.

The Scientific Reality: Hypoglycemic Shock & Ataxia
The staggering gait you are witnessing is clinically known as Ataxia (loss of motor control). In late winter, this is a critical alarm bell indicating that the animal's blood glucose and core temperature have dropped below the threshold required to coordinate its own muscles.

The Tropical Hangover: Opossums are evolutionary migrants from the tropics (South America). They lack a thick underfur and do not hibernate. They are biologically ill-equipped for American winters.

The Brain Starvation: The brain is a glucose-dependent organ. When an opossum spends days sheltering from a February freeze without eating, it burns through its fat reserves. When blood sugar plummets (Hypoglycemia), the cerebellum—the part of the brain controlling balance—fails to function.

The "Wobble": The stumble isn't aggression; it is the visible symptom of a brain starved of fuel.

What is Happening Right Now (February)
We are in the "Starvation Moon."
Right now, food sources (insects, fruit, carrion) are at their absolute seasonal low.

Forced Foraging: Extreme hunger forces opossums to forage during the day when temperatures are slightly higher, breaking their nocturnal habit.

Frostbite: You may see damage to their naked ears and tails (necrosis). This physical pain, combined with starvation, puts them in a catabolic state—they are breaking down their own muscle tissue just to keep their heart beating.

Why This Matters Ecologically
The opossum is the "sanitation engineer" of the forest. They consume thousands of ticks per season (reducing Lyme disease risk), eat cockroaches, and clean up carrion.
Losing a breeding-age individual to preventable starvation right before spring creates a gap in this crucial cleanup crew. A "wobbly" opossum is not dead yet; it is salvageable.

Practical Action: The Triage Protocol
This is a medical emergency. Time is the enemy.

Stop Filming: Do not watch to see if he "walks it off." He won't.

The Capture: Opossums are generally non-aggressive when weak. Use thick gardening gloves or a heavy towel to gently scoop him into a high-sided box or cat carrier.

The Heat Protocol (CRITICAL): You must provide external heat. Fill a hot water bottle (wrap it in a towel so it doesn't burn the skin) or use a heating pad on "Low" under half the box. This arrests the hypothermia.

No Food Yet: Do not force-feed. A cold animal cannot digest; food will rot in the stomach or cause aspiration. You must warm them up before they can metabolize calories.

The Call: Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. They can administer subcutaneous fluids and dextrose (sugar) injections to reverse the crash.

The Verdict
A stagger is not a walk. It is a biological SOS.
The battery is empty.
Pick him up. Warm him up. Make the call.

Scientific References & Evidence
Rabies Resistance: Krause, W. J., & Krause, W. A. (2006). The Opossum: Its Amazing Story. (Details the low body temperature mechanism that inhibits rabies replication).

Winter Physiology: Kanda, L. L. (2005). Winter energetics of Virginia opossums. Journal of Mammalogy. (Documents the metabolic limits and high mortality rates of opossums in northern winters).

Hypoglycemia/Ataxia: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). "Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation." (Protocols distinguishing metabolic collapse from neurological disease).

02/06/2026

This Turkey Vulture was found standing in the road and not flying away from approaching people. During the intake exam, we found abrasions over the face and a fractured beak tip that we suspect may have been caused by a vehicle collision. We also took a blood sample and found that this bird was suffering from lead toxicity.

Over 80% of our opossum, vulture, and eagle patients come in with elevated lead levels. Species that scavenge (like those listed above) are primarily exposed to lead by eating remains of animals field-dressed by hunters. Shot "nuisance" wildlife that was left out to die and fish that have ingested lead sinkers can also be eaten by these scavengers, resulting in lead poisoning.

Lead bullets usually fragment upon impact and these fragments remain in the meat and organs - up to 18 inches from the wound channel. The best way to avoid unintentionally harming wildlife is to choose to use non-lead alternatives when hunting. If you must use lead, gut piles should be buried > 3 feet deep to decrease access for scavenging wildlife.

When we see high lead levels like this, we always take x-rays to determine if more lead is still in the gastrointestinal tract (many birds will regurgitate these fragments or bring them up with casts before they even come in for care). There was no lead in the stomach in this case, so our treatment focuses on fluid therapy and chelation agents to bind the lead that had already been absorbed into the blood stream. This chelation process can take weeks or even months in patients with very high lead levels, and unfortunately, some patients with these severe exposures never regain normal neurologic function.

The most common signs we see associated with lead poisoning are lethargy and depression, inappropriate mental state, generalized muscular weakness, incoordination, and even an inability to eat or swallow. Avian patients with neurologic symptoms from lead most frequently come to us as victims of vehicle collisions as the lead impairs their ability to evade cars when scavenging along the roads. Chronic exposure to lead can cause low red blood cell levels, organ damage, and impacts on an animal’s ability to reproduce.

A lead fragment smaller than a grain of rice can kill an adult bald eagle or any of our smaller avian patients. This same lead also causes significant health problems for the humans and domestic animals who eat game meat. Help protect human, animal and environmental health today by opting for non-lead!

02/06/2026

Terrified of coyotes??? Let’s talk FACTS:

In the history of the United States and Canada combined, there have only EVER been two human deaths, confirmed by biologists, resulting from coyote attacks.

In the US, there are approximately 10 nonfatal coyote attacks on humans each year.

For a comparison, the CDC reported approximately 22,000 homicides (people killing people) in 2023 in the US alone..

Domestic dogs are responsible for approximately 4.7 million attacks on people in the US every year, resulting in approximately 16 fatalities per year.

So here is the reality of the situation:

You are far more likely to be killed by that guy walking down the street than your neighborhood coyote.

You are far more likely to be bitten by someone’s pet canine than that wild dog outside.

Statistically you are far more likely to be STRUCK BY LIGHTNING than bitten by a coyote….

So, what does this all mean? Should we not worry about coyotes at all?

No, that’s not what I am saying. What I am stating is we need to logistically collect all the facts before we let fear guide us.

If you see a coyote, stay clear of it. Do not attempt to interact with this animal. It is capable of harming you – it just isn’t likely.

Don’t leave small pets outside, unmonitored. Don’t let your cats roam the neighborhood. Your pets are far more likely to be harmed by a coyote than you are. This doesn’t make the coyote’s evil. It makes them carnivores. We can’t talk about how evil it is for them to hunt our pets while munching on a double quarter pounder with bacon and cheese without acknowledging the hypocrisy. Most of us are very emotionally removed from what actually has to happen before we purchase packaged meat in a store.

If you have a very small child, you are going to want to keep a close eye on them at all times, to protect them from everything – like people, animals and themselves.

DO NOT FEED THESE ANIMALS. People feeding coyotes and befriending them causes their natural fear of humans to subside. That causes danger to both the coyote and the people around it. Humans feeding these animals has been found to be the ROOT CAUSE in the majority of coyote attacks. Read that again…

Why not just get rid of all coyotes? Then we wouldn’t have to worry about them at all.

First of all, deep sigh….

Second, like all animals on this planet, these guys are part of an intricate balance in nature. As apex predators in the US, coyotes help regulate populations of smaller predator species – like raccoons, skunks and foxes. Removing them would cause a negative ripple effect.

And remember, if 10 attacks a year is justification to rid the United States of coyotes…. what are we going to do about all those domestic dogs and all those people running around?

02/06/2026

01/31/2026

01/31/2026

Love those smiles

01/26/2026

Hello All! Due to the slightly inclement weather, we will be closed on Monday Jan 26. Everyone stay warm and stay safe. We will re- open Tuesday morning.

01/14/2026

01/11/2026

12/11/2025

A quick winter reminder: opossums, raccoons, and skunks remain active all season long. They don’t hibernate, so it’s normal to see them wandering through neighborhoods or settling near sheltered spots when the temperature drops. If one chooses a corner of your yard or porch to rest, it’s usually harmless — they’re simply trying to stay warm in the cold.

When the weather becomes harsh, you can offer a little support. A small amount of suitable food — like fruit pieces or plain dog or cat kibble — can help them get through tough nights. Skip anything salty, seasoned, or processed. And because streams and puddles often freeze, placing fresh water close to the ground can be incredibly helpful.

It’s important to remember that caring for wildlife doesn’t mean bringing them close or making them dependent on people. They don’t need much from us — just a bit of space, understanding, and occasional help when conditions are extreme.

Each of these animals plays a valuable role in keeping the environment balanced. Opossums, especially, help control pests such as ticks and insects.

Winter is challenging for every living creature. A little patience and kindness can make a big difference for the wild neighbors who quietly share our world.

12/09/2025

As we wrap up another year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and trust. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of caring for your beloved pets—each one is truly special to us.

Your kindness, loyalty, and partnership mean more than words can express. It is an honor to be part of your pets’ lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to provide them with the care and compassion they deserve.

We look forward to serving you in the coming year and wish you and your furry family members a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Warmest regards,

Your All Pets Vet Center team

Ps- Our holiday hours through New Years are as follows:

December 24th - 28th- Closed
(We open back up December 29th @ 8 am)

December 31st- Closing @ 2 pm

January 1st- Closed