Sick Squirrel, help!

[hoboken618]

I have a sick adult grey squirrel, very lethargic. Not moving much, laying upright on his stomach. Found him yesterday, I think he might have eaten some rat poison. Any ideas, let me know.

[Buddy'sMom]

:Welcome and thank you for wanting to help.

Does your screen name describe your general location in NJ? We have a couple of NJ rehabbers and I will send them messages to see if they are close enough to help you.

Has the squirrel been captured or are you just observing it outside? Do you by chance have a Hav-A-Heart trap that you could use if s/he isn't already contained?

If trapped, provide water and cover the trap with a sheet or light blanket and keep in a dark quiet area. This will be less stressful.

If not trapped, provide water if that won't scare it away. Keep animals and children away from the area.

Do you know specifically of poison that is in your area? Treatment would depend on the type of poison so it would be helpful if we knew. Also, if you can identify it, then you can also remove it to save others from being poisoned. It should be applied in small bait traps or stations, but sometimes the pellets spill out or are applied loose.

I'll be right back!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Abacat]

Is there any bleeding? if rat poison fluids and vitamin k best bet...

If antifreeze, and ingested within 12 hrs try:
Try hydrating with fluids...
Do you have any activated charcoal? Mineral oil?
Acitvated charcoal won't detox but does block absorption. Use the charcoal along with an emetic such as hydrogen peroxide. Best used within 2 hrs. Mineral oil will speed the substance tru the GI tract as a cathartic.

Do you have a vet you trust?

[Buddy'sMom]

PM has been sent to I Love Lucy and to ShesASquirrelyGirl. Hopefully one or both of them will check in.

If it's poison, time is very important, so also check here and see if you can find a rehabber close to where you are: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23 There are links in Posts #1, 4 and 5 -- search by state and general area.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Abacat]

Don't know if it would help but soybean oil, canola oil, and olive oil are suppose to be good sources of vitamin k...if nothing else maybe you could try that? Anyone with thoughts on that? I'm really sorry, but I've got to go in to work...I'm hoping for the best. Sending prayers for the squirrel.

[hoboken618]

I live in PA now. The suirrel was found In Hoboken, but I took him home to Dingmans Ferry, PA, so that if he did not make it, at least I could bury him.
There was no evidence of poison near by, just speculation. He is not moving much at all.

[island rehabber]

hoboken618, I would put him on supplemental heat just to help him thermoregulate.....whatever is ailing him, the heat couldn't hurt and may perk him up a bit. Can you see any blood anywhere -- from any orifice? That would signify advanced symptoms of warfarin poisoning. If you're able to touch him can you tell whether he has paralysis, or anything broken? Sorry for all the questions but you are our eyes......:)

[hoboken618]

I saw him on Friday overlooking into the yard we found him in. It was unusual because he just was looking over a beam not moving for an hour, I actually took a pic of it because I thought it was funny that he was staring at us for so long.
Of course, the next day we found him in the our yard, and it was no longer funny. I have him on a heat pad on low, access to water, but he is not drinking.

[island rehabber]

hmmm, if he is approachable -- sounds like he is -- I would try dropping some warm Pedialyte or even sugar water into his mouth just to see if he needs the glucose. If he's been injured and down for a while, he could be hypoglycemic and the glucose will help that. Since you're in PA, I know there is pretty much no point even asking if you know a squirrel-friendly vet.....:shakehead .

[Buddy'sMom]

This location is in the NE corner near where PA, NY and NJ meet --- do we know anyone near there?? As far as I know, Tomo might be the closest?

Perhaps Abacat's idea is worth a try? A little of one of those oils on some small pieces of bread????? Seems like it perhaps would do no harm and might help?

I can look up more on vitamin K but the problem is you don't really want to give that if anticoagnulant poisoning is not the problem.

hoboken, very sadly, if it is the problem, the best (and perhaps only) thing you might be able to do is keep him safe and comfortable. And that is a wonderful gift to give. Thank you for not just leaving him where you found him.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[island rehabber]

Nope, Tomo's is way far north of that area. I do know a couple of south NJ rehabbers from the NJWRA list who may be able to help, if hoboken618 wants their names.

[hoboken618]

Ok, I got him eating. I mixed up some Kaytee Exact with some sugar and he is eating it. He seems very stiff, but that could just be from fear. He looks alot better than I though he would. I will keep you all udated.

[Buddy'sMom]

Here are some other natural sources of vitamin K, some of which squirrels find yummy --actually, most of them (except I don't know about the kiwi). The grren leafy stuff and the avocado definitely:

Sources of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is found chiefly in leafy green vegetables, particularly the dark green ones such as spinach and kale; Brassica (e.g. cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts) are also high in Vitamin K as are some fruits such as avocado and kiwifruit. By way of reference, two tablespoons of parsley contain 153% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin K.[7]. Some vegetable oils, notably soybean, contain vitamin K, but at levels that would require relatively large caloric consumption to meet the USDA recommended levels.[8]

If you have a GNC or vitamin/health store near you, it's possible they may carry vit K supplements as I saw pictures of bottle. But it may be the type of thing that is mailorder/online and there isn't time for that. If you find it locally, we could figure out some guidance on dosage.

:grouphug :grouphug

[hoboken618]

I dont think it was posion, he is responding to touch by chattering. He is young and low body weight. I am waiting to see his stool to check for blood. What about internal parasites? Could he infested? The only dewormer I have is a horse wormer. I am just going to wait and see if the food perks him up a bit before I try anything else.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

He sounds like a squirrel I got earlier in the year that had been hit by a car or had some other kind of head trauma. When I got him he just laid there and was totally unresponsive. I tubed him for 2 days and then he perked back up. He was never quite right (always friendly and didn't climb), but he could run around and was eating on his own. You may want to check his teeth (if you can, you will want to be VERY careful and wear some thick gloves!) and see if they are OK. Mine developed a sinus infection because his top teeth had rammed up into his sinuses.

I am glad to hear he is doing a little better. Can you post a picture of him so we can tell if he is an adult or a juvenile?

[Buddy'sMom]

Nope, Tomo's is way far north of that area. I do know a couple of south NJ rehabbers from the NJWRA list who may be able to help, if hoboken618 wants their names.
No ... Dingmans Ferry is just over the line of the very NORTHwest corner of NJ, also near the NY state line. :) South NJ rehabbers will be very far away.

[island rehabber]

:hidechair did i tell you I had the measles during the week we did State Geography in school?

sorry, hoboken618. :tilt

[Buddy'sMom]

:hidechair did i tell you I had the measles during the week we did State Geography in school?

sorry, hoboken618. :tilt

:jump ..... s'OK ..... might I suggest bookmarking www.mapquest.com? :poke :poke Seriously, I have been using it extensively to see what part of a state someone is in, so it's easier to figure out who might be nearby.

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

Any updates? Can you get a picture..without causing more stress?
I am about 2 hrs. and could meet you half way?

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

I will drive out and get him or meet somewhere if agreed.
I've given both contact #s and email.

[Buddy'sMom]

:thumbsup :thumbsup Thank you both! :thankyou :thankyou

[hoboken618]

Unfortunatly, he passed. He was looking so much better, but I guess it was his time.

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

That is so sad, thank you for giving him a place to pass in your care. There was obviously something going on there.
RIP little one.

[Buddy'sMom]

I'm so very sorry to hear that. RIP sweet squirrel. :Love_Icon

You did a wonderful thing bringing him in and taking care of him. Though a sad ending, providing him with a safe and warm and comfy place to stay, a full tummy and loving care -- this was perhaps the best gift you could give. And he seemed to know he was in good hands and a safe place. At times, this is the very most that can be offered. You did good. :bowdown :bowdown

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Peaches]

I'm so sorry to hear this. You did a wonderful thing taking him in and trying to help. Most people are afraid to help the adults. Bless you :Love_Icon

[Abacat]

:sad Just got home from work, and wanted to check to see how the squirrel was doing. I'm sorry.

RIP Little one :Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

Yes I am sorry too, hoboken.....thank you for caring enough to bring him in out of the cold, anyway.....:sad