Wombaroo Possum Milk Replacer <0.8 is a milk substitute for possum and glider joeys with less than 80% of pouch life completed. Across that band a joey changes from furless pink skin to fine fur, its eyes go from closed to just open and its ears lift from drooped to erect; throughout, it is fully pouch-bound and totally dependent on milk. The powder is matched to early and mid lactation possum milk — moderate energy, balancing carbohydrate and protein against a relatively low fat content of 15%, with 34% protein and 19 MJ/kg — and its protein is high in the sulphur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine to promote good hair growth. Sixteen grams makes 100 millilitres of milk. PeekAPaw stocks the 160g and 800g packs. Wombaroo warns that furless possums and gliders are very prone to disease, so a licensed wildlife carer is the right first call.
Reading this stage
Joeys at this stage have furless pink skin to fine fur, eyes closed to just opened and ears drooped, or starting to become erect. Joeys are fully pouch-bound and totally dependent on milk. Faeces are yellow custard to toothpaste consistency.
Key Features
- Formulated to match the composition of early to mid lactation possum milk.
- Moderate energy milk, balancing carbohydrate & protein with a relatively low fat content.
- Protein high in sulphur-containing amino acids (cysteine & methionine) to promote good hair growth.
Ingredients
Whole milk solids (low lactose), whey protein, casein, glucose, vegetable oils, omega-3 & 6 fatty acids, maltodextrin, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D3, E, K, biotin, choline, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Protein | 34% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Ash | 4% |
| Moisture | 3% |
| Energy (ME) | 19 MJ/kg |
Feeding Guidelines
Use Possum Milk Replacer <0.8 for pinkie and just-furring joeys, prior to pouch emergence. Furless possums and gliders are very prone to disease and mortality and should only be attempted by experienced carers with sufficient resources.
Making Up Milk
To make 100 mL of milk: Mix 16 g of powder (2½ scoops) with 90 mL of warm water.
To make 1 litre of milk: Mix 160 g of powder with 900 mL of warm water.
Add about half of the water to the powder first and mix to a paste. Then make up with remaining water and mix thoroughly. Water is preboiled to ensure that it is sterilised. If the water is too hot it can cause the milk to curdle. If it is too cold then it will be difficult to disperse the powder. An electric whisk can be used for mixing larger quantities. Milk can be stored in the fridge for a day or can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. It may be useful to store frozen milk in small portions (e.g. ice cube trays), so that the required daily feed volumes can be easily thawed out. Once thawed out, discard any unused milk, and wash feeding utensils thoroughly.
