Normal TPR (at rest):
Temperature: 94 – 97 ° F
Pulse: 90 – 160 beats/minute
Respiration: 12 – 36 breaths/minute
Blood collection:
Lateral and ventral tail veins (preferred), cephalic, jugular, or pouch veins are acceptable sites. Avoid obtaining blood from a clipped toenail, as this is a painful method of collection. Blood volume = 5.7% BW
Note: Published blood normals vary greatly for the opossum. Exercise caution when interpreting blood work.