Injured squirrel crawls over curb and under my bush-no use of back legs.

[Tammy]

Hello everyone: This morning my hubby Kevin was putting out sunflower seed when he saw a squirrel laying on the ground. He watched it crawl over the curb and under our bush. He yelled for my to get dressed and too help him. We got the little fella in a fairly large indoor enclosure. Its quiet and dark. The little fuzzer has no use of his back legs at all. He just drags them. He is fairly calm at the moment my husband tells me as I am at work. The little guy has water, food and soft bedding. Seems fairly relaxed. What do we do from here. My husband gave him .1cc of metacam. What else can we do from here?

[TinyPaws]

Oh...poor baby....maybe it was hit by a car or fell from a tree....I will be praying that it is only a nerve injury that will heal with time and pleanty of love, which he has....Be patient, someone will be on who is experienced in these matters...:grouphug

[Loopy Squirrel]

the two most important things is first to check for pain response by pinching the squirrel's toes and see if he reacts. Then you need to check for a bladder. We don't know how long he's been out there like this and when they have spinal trauma it can affect their ability to urinate. With out urinating they can die from built up toxins in the urine or the bladder could rupture. It is hard to feel for, but when it is full it should feel like a water balloon. It is below the belly and between the hips. Take your thumb and pointer finger and place on both sides of the squirrels side and slowly and gently push them towards each other feeling the whole area. You can try to stimulate the squirrel as you would w/ a baby by gently rubbing the genital area. Sometimes if they still have feeling they will urinate by stimulation. Is there a vet or rehabber w/ vet contacts near you? The usual therapy for spinal trauma is a steroid injec. w/ in the first 24-48 hrs. after the injury to reduce swelling on the spine.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hello Tammy...sorry to hear about your little friend. Thank you and your hubby for the rescue.
Someone will be on shortly to help!
I guess they are going to want to see photos if possible. Also, sq should be kept warm. If you have a heating pad, place on low, half under his box, so he can move away from heat if uncomfortable. If you do not have a heating pad, a rice buddy will work. Fill sock half full of rice and tie off, place in microwave for 30 seconds. This can be reheated as nessecary.
Do you see any wounds, does sq seem groomed and clean? Is this a grey sq or maybe red? A dark quiet place will keep him calm. Help is on the way!

[Tammy]

Hi- no wounds, no blood, he's warm and in quiet dark place. Going to call hubby to tell him above info. :grouphug He's a juvenile grey probably born this past spring. He/She is an Eastern Grey Squirrel. My 2 females had a total of 9 babies this year, it could be on of their babies. He's very calm! We might know the little one.

[Buddy'sMom]

NOTE to Rehabbers: Tammy is in Canada, where it may be extremely difficult to locate a helpful vet or even rehabber. She may need as much help as you can give her on how to best care for this little squirrel on her own. I'm not sure it's true of all provinces but for some we have found that professional help is not really available. :shakehead

Tammy, in addition to the very good advice you've already gotten, keeping him quiet is probably the best you can do for him at the moment. You and your husband are doing great taking care of him. :thumbsup Fingers crossed here that he just needs some quiet time to regain use of his legs. Poor sweetie. :Love_Icon

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Sammy in Canada]

so sorry to hear, I hope the Squirrel makes a full recovery, you are great to of helped :Love_Icon

[Apple Corps]

Tammy - dexamethasone treatment MIGHT be in order if he suffered trauma from an impact.

[squirrelfriend]

http://www.animalhospitalhighpark.com/

Here is a vet that will see squirrels. Please don't let them talk you into putting it down. They tried that with me with Weebles and she pulled through that ery evening and is still with me a year and a half later. If he is paralised I would be willing to take him in as a permanent resident. I would love to have a squirrel like Scooter. You can read about him in the Fox squirrel section. He seems to be living happily even though he is paralised.

[squirrelfriend]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4828

Here is a link on that paralised fox squirrel. He's spoiled and lovin' it.

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://www.animalhospitalhighpark.com/

Here is a vet that will see squirrels. If he is paralised I would be willing to take him in as a permanent resident. I would love to have a squirrel like Scooter.

This sounds like a great back-up plan...:bowdown Awesomely WoW!

Tammy how is the fuzzy butt this morning? Thank you again....and your sweet hubby!:flash3
We are thinking of you 3 this morning!:grouphug