8-10 week old with head injury

[fraoch]

I'm new to the board, and I volunteer at a rehab center, and occasionally take in foster squirrels.

Recently we had one come in with a head injury - evidenced by loss of balance, inability to sit upright, falling over, etc. He also had a tail injury (part of it was gone).

The vet at the center gave him a steroid shot, and if he had not improved, he was to be euthanized after a week. I bought him home with the understanding I'd give him some extra time past the week in case he just needed more time to recover.

It's now a little over 3 weeks since he was brought in, and he remains very uncoordinated. He can't climb the branch in his cage well, he does get up the case sides a little but generally falls off. He continues to lie on his side to eat, which he does very well, with gusto. I do worry about his hydration a little because I'm not sure he's balanced enough to drink easily, and I don't see him try often. But the level in the dish goes down, and I do give him a lot of grapes and pears hopefully to help with hydration a little. He does not appear dehydrated (skin pinching etc).

He does not like being handled. He runs/stumbles around thee cage frantically when I need to catch him, and he is pretty bitey (I wear leather gloves.)

I am hoping for help in a few areas. First, although I don't think he is dehydrated, I am concerned he isn't drinking enough, and that it's difficult because he can't hold his balance well. He has no interest in a nipple at all.

Then I'm hoping for some suggestions on how long is long enough to give him. The center thinks it's been long enough and that it's time to euth him. I"m not as sure, but I'm hoping for some suggestions as to what kinds of improvement might come first, etc. He is definitely stressed by even very gentle handling, so I have not really tried any physical therapy type movements with his limbs.

It's also wicked hot here, and I have put ice in his dishes and have a fan in the room (the porch) to circulate air for him. If there are other suggestions to keep him cooler, I'm all ears. I was thinking of spritzing him to get some evaporative cooling, but wasn't sure that would be helpful, or if it would freak him out.

He is a great little eater, loves his rodent chow, and most of the fruit and veggies I put in for him. Opens up an occasional peanut but doesn't seem to eat the nut itself. But he really does enjoy laying there and holding his food, and I'm willing to give him more time, if it's reasonable to do so. He is a little more of a wild/nervous/flighty boy than most of the other squirrels I have fostered - although they have all been younger, and used to handling from nursing...

At his current level of coordination, there is no way he could ever survive anywhere except an enclosure of some kind, because he could not climb to safety or for food. I'm open to any suggestions you may have on any of this.

Thanks!!!

[PBluejay2]

I don't know of the background of the squirrel before you got him, but if the vet gave him dexamethesone, I hope it was very soon after receiving the squirrel. Also, if this squirrel was kept by someone else before coming to the vet, you might want to rule out a calcium deficiency. Read the thread on Metabolic Bone Disease and treatment for it. I've also seen several squirrels exhibit similar neurological problems who were fed only cow's milk (not exactly MBD but related to the calcium/protein/fat content). Others will post soon, but I hope this might help a little. If nothing else, I bet there are several on here who would be willing to take care of your baby rather than have him put down, those who could give it the best life possible considering its condition. Thank you for caring and looking this place up!

[PBluejay2]

I'm new to the board, and I volunteer at a rehab center, and occasionally take in foster squirrels.

Recently we had one come in with a head injury - evidenced by loss of balance, inability to sit upright, falling over, etc.

This does not necessarily mean head injury. MBD or severe ear infection can cause this. He also had a tail injury (part of it was gone).

The vet at the center gave him a steroid shot, and if he had not improved, he was to be euthanized after a week. I bought him home with the understanding I'd give him some extra time past the week in case he just needed more time to recover.

It's now a little over 3 weeks since he was brought in, and he remains very uncoordinated. He can't climb the branch in his cage well, he does get up the case sides a little but generally falls off. He continues to lie on his side to eat, which he does very well, with gusto. I do worry about his hydration a little because I'm not sure he's balanced enough to drink easily, and I don't see him try often. But the level in the dish goes down, and I do give him a lot of grapes and pears hopefully to help with hydration a little. He does not appear dehydrated (skin pinching etc).

He does not like being handled. He runs/stumbles around thee cage frantically when I need to catch him, and he is pretty bitey (I wear leather gloves.)

MBD can cause achiness, soreness, even pain when handled.

I am hoping for help in a few areas. First, although I don't think he is dehydrated, I am concerned he isn't drinking enough, and that it's difficult because he can't hold his balance well. He has no interest in a nipple at all.

If he's eight to ten weeks, and you've had him three weeks, he should have still been nursing when you got him. Does he pee regularly, and is the pee rather clear? Darkish uring can indicat dehydration. Have you tried giving him formula? Pedialyte? LRS?

Then I'm hoping for some suggestions on how long is long enough to give him. The center thinks it's been long enough and that it's time to euth him. I"m not as sure, but I'm hoping for some suggestions as to what kinds of improvement might come first, etc. He is definitely stressed by even very gentle handling, so I have not really tried any physical therapy type movements with his limbs.

Again MBD can make them hard to handle because being handled HURTS! Also again, there are many licensed rehabbers on here (and even more who simply care) who might be able to give this guy a home and a chance.

It's also wicked hot here, and I have put ice in his dishes and have a fan in the room (the porch) to circulate air for him. If there are other suggestions to keep him cooler, I'm all ears. I was thinking of spritzing him to get some evaporative cooling, but wasn't sure that would be helpful, or if it would freak him out.

He is a great little eater, loves his rodent chow, and most of the fruit and veggies I put in for him. Opens up an occasional peanut but doesn't seem to eat the nut itself. But he really does enjoy laying there and holding his food, and I'm willing to give him more time, if it's reasonable to do so. He is a little more of a wild/nervous/flighty boy than most of the other squirrels I have fostered - although they have all been younger, and used to handling from nursing...

At his current level of coordination, there is no way he could ever survive anywhere except an enclosure of some kind, because he could not climb to safety or for food. I'm open to any suggestions you may have on any of this.

Thanks!!!


See previous post (from me) and thank YOU!

[fraoch]

I don't know of the background of the squirrel before you got him, but if the vet gave him dexamethesone, I hope it was very soon after receiving the squirrel.

That was what they gave him, and I believe it was about 2 days after he came in. We don't use paper charts anymore there, so I'm not positive, but I am positive that the administration was not immediate. (we only have a vet visit once a week)

The people who found him had him under 24 hours, and he was eating solid foods by that time. He has been eating chow now for 3 weeks, and he loves his broccoli, so I'm hoping his calcium is OK, or at least improving.

I am also willing to do what I can to give the guy a good set up here as long as necessary, but I am trying to be cautious about that, since that's a huge no-no with the rehab center, and I don't want to be in a situation where I can't continue working there...

[PBluejay2]

That was what they gave him, and I believe it was about 2 days after he came in. We don't use paper charts anymore there, so I'm not positive, but I am positive that the administration was not immediate. (we only have a vet visit once a week)

The people who found him had him under 24 hours, and he was eating solid foods by that time. He has been eating chow now for 3 weeks, and he loves his broccoli, so I'm hoping his calcium is OK, or at least improving.

I am also willing to do what I can to give the guy a good set up here as long as necessary, but I am trying to be cautious about that, since that's a huge no-no with the rehab center, and I don't want to be in a situation where I can't continue working there...

What do you mean "Rodent chow"? A block by Mazuri, Harlan Telkad, Kaytee? Just want to make sure it's truly for rodents. You might try a calcium supplement just in case. Calium carbonate is the best (in my opinion), the stuff TUMS are made of--most absorbable. If he's eating rodent blocks, he should be getting all the D3 he needs, but some unfiltered sunlight (be sure he has shade!) would be good too. Dex works best if given immediately (or ASAP) I understand. But since you didn't mention any external injuries to the head, I'm wondering if this is the problem at all (could be, of course). I understand your situation with the center, but I also understand that life is precious. Don't answer this question, but what would happen if you said it died and you buried it in your yard?

[Tomo]

This does not appear to be related to MBD. How old is this squirrel? Do you know the nature of his head trauma? Was it Dextamethazone that was administered. If so, how soon after his injury, if known? At this point, you may be seeing the best he will ever be, but that is no excuse to execute him, which is what your people at your center are saying to do.

In my sanctuary, I have several neurological squirrels and all caused by various different issues. One of them cannot sit up. He pulls himself all around his cage. He holds his food laying on his side and drinks from a water bottle. He is one of the happiest squirrels I have. He is a living miracle and where another rehabber would have executed him, I gave him a chance for a very happy and healthy life. Also, this squirrel came to me when he was 1.5 years old; not a baby.

Your little squirrel is biting because he's is afraid. You need to provide a secure and comforting environment. Can I ask why he is out on the poarch? If you have an air conditioned house, he should be inside where he will be comfortable. Imagine yourself in his position and you cannot cool yourself down. Make his as comfortable as possible and let his body have time to heal.

Other than that, you have to ask yourself if you think you can provide a home for this little one. You obviously care about him enough to give him more time. There is no time frame for improvement. No stages they go through. Saving a life and making him happy, healthy, and comfortable is what counts. Every living thing has something to give, especially love. If only more people would give them a chance. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

[PBluejay2]

Maybe not MBD, as Tomo said, and we tend to go that direction too soon, too often, but like I said, I don't know the full history of the squirrel, and I've seen more than a couple develop it at that age depending on what they had been fed. Calcium supplements wouldn't hurt, anyway (unless terribly overdone). The rest of what Tomo said, all I can say is "ditto." I only have one neuro squirrel at present, and he's the sweetest one of them all!

[Nancy in New York]

This does not appear to be related to MBD. How old is this squirrel? Do you know the nature of his head trauma? Was it Dextamethazone that was administered. If so, how soon after his injury, if known? At this point, you may be seeing the best he will ever be, but that is no excuse to execute him, which is what your people at your center are saying to do.

In my sanctuary, I have several neurological squirrels and all caused by various different issues. One of them cannot sit up. He pulls himself all around his cage. He holds his food laying on his side and drinks from a water bottle. He is one of the happiest squirrels I have. He is a living miracle and where another rehabber would have executed him, I gave him a chance for a very happy and healthy life. Also, this squirrel came to me when he was 1.5 years old; not a baby.

Your little squirrel is biting because he's is afraid. You need to provide a secure and comforting environment. Can I ask why he is out on the poarch? If you have an air conditioned house, he should be inside where he will be comfortable. Imagine yourself in his position and you cannot cool yourself down. Make his as comfortable as possible and let his body have time to heal.

Other than that, you have to ask yourself if you think you can provide a home for this little one. You obviously care about him enough to give him more time. There is no time frame for improvement. No stages they go through. Saving a life and making him happy, healthy, and comfortable is what counts. Every living thing has something to give, especially love. If only more people would give them a chance. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.


I think that maybe this is what the concern is for this person when keeping this little squirrel...this is from his/her post above...


"I am also willing to do what I can to give the guy a good set up here as long as necessary, but I am trying to be cautious about that, since that's a huge no-no with the rehab center, and I don't want to be in a situation where I can't continue working there"..

Perhaps if we can figure out what to tell his place of employment so as not to jeopardize his job, and continue to help him/her we could make it easier for them to continue with this little one as they appear "willing to do what I can to give the guy a good set up here as long as necessary...":dono :dono :thinking :thinking

[island rehabber]

fraoch, you've gotten some great advice here. Tomo is the go-to person for non-releasables and neurologicals in particular; having been to her sanctuary many times, I would say it defines the standard for "quality of life" with these guys. :thumbsup :bowdown

You should also check out legomom's thread about Christine:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15489

She found some excellent creative ways to adapt Christine's environment to her disabilities....especially the "kabob" idea so that Christine could feed herself. :)

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I know where you are coming from volunteering at a center that is against nonreleaseables :grouphug . You are lucky to have been able to take him and give him a little longer and if you push it with them, they may not let you do it again in the future. I have tried to take in squirrels like this from the center I volunteer at and am turned down 99% of the time. So, when you do get a chance, you don't want to screw it up.

Do they actually see the squirrel? When I take something home, they never see it again, so I usually say it looks like it is improving a little each time they ask. Then even if he is nonreleaseable, they think he is improving and you can say you released him.

I have done that once with a head trauma squirrel that was nonreleaseable. He was just a baby, about 7 weeks old when he came in and very sweet and he was the happiest little guy. I ended up giving him to a rehabber that isn't legal (just never got a permit and has been rehabbing 20 years) and told the center he was released.

The question you have to ask yourself is: is the squirrel happy? If he is afraid of you and not very mobile, I am not sure he is really enjoying life. Also, the biting could be fear, or it could be pain. Animals often chew their blankets and get nippy when they are in pain. Does he chew his bedding up, chew the bars on the cage, anything like that?

You gave this little guy a chance and now it is up to you to decide what to do, noone else can. You know the squirrel and how he is acting and feeling, you just need to watch him, he will let you know what he needs. They get a look in their eyes when they have had enough and you will know it when you see it, just be open to how he is feeling.

:grouphug good luck with the little guy and we support you in any decision you make. I have been where you are and it isn't fun. :grouphug

[4skwerlz]

I will just back up what others have said. We can find this little guy a "forever home," no problem. We have dozens of neuro squirrels that live long happy lives in captivity. Of course, no one believes in keeping one if he can't be happy. But only time will tell.

I also agree, please bring him inside or at least get a fan on him. This record-breaking heat we are having is a killer.

You have a good heart to give this little guy a chance. Bless you for that.

[Nancy in New York]

fraoch, you've gotten some great advice here. Tomo is the go-to person for non-releasables and neurologicals in particular; having been to her sanctuary many times, I would say it defines the standard for "quality of life" with these guys. :thumbsup :bowdown

You should also check out legomom's thread about Christine:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15489

She found some excellent creative ways to adapt Christine's environment to her disabilities....especially the "kabob" idea so that Christine could feed herself. :)


I couldn't agree more...Tomo is the go-to-person for this problem, she will always help...

[TinyPaws]

Sometimes head tramma squirrels don't want to be touched, especially on the head...I think too this little one is very scared and feeling isolated...If you want to gain this squirrels trust you will need to spend time with him everyday, good quality time...talk to him, rest your hand in his cage or whatever you have him in..let his build up trust...It doesn't always happen over night so you will need to be consistant and dedicated..If you don't feel you will be able to handle him or you don't have time to give him quality one on one time...then I think he needs to go to someone who is willing and able to care for this baby..

It's great that you saved him by bringing him home and I'm thankfull to you for that...

Oh and Please.. Please..Please don't leave that little guy out in the heat..It doesn't take long for an animal to suffer heat stroke...Please bring him into the comfort of your home where he will be and feel comfortable.....

[fraoch]

I will post more when I get to work, but I am needing to leave the house soon.

I do want to be clear about a couple things. He's on the porch because I have 4 dogs and I don't want to stress him. I don't mean to isolate him, although he is alone, but I was hoping the quiet would be helpful as opposed to the chaos in the house. He has a fan on him, as do the rest of us here, because I don't have air conditioning in my old home. The center doesn't have a/c either, so he would not be cooler out there.

I do spend time out there talking (I need to do reading for my regular job so I read to him) and am very gentle with him. I believe he is scared, he is not eating his bedding or chewing anything except food. Not even the cardboard box he has in the cage to hide in.

The chow is Mazuri, which I should have thought to be specific on, we just call it chow, and I didn't think to specify. I can get and give him some calcium though, and will, for safety's sake.

The age range is what the people who do intake and the vet must have estimated. If he's much older than 10 weeks, he's a very small guy.

I am basing the head injury on what the vet said (I wasn't there) but I can say there was no external indication of that, as in bleeding, swelling, bruising, etc. His eyes were, I'm not sure I'll describe this well, but it seemed like perhaps he was not seeing out of one, but that was sort of something I felt more than could demonstrate, since he falls over enough that it's hard to move things toward him to observe a blink reflex. (I was trying with long blades of grass for a while). I was thiking perhaps his vision was/is not clear and that contributes to his wobblyness and his incoordination a little.

Need to run now, but I hope pieces of information help.

[Buddy'sMom]

:thumbsup and thank you for caring so much to help this squirrel. :bowdown :bowdown

I only have a moment right now and not even time to read all the details, but did want to say that from our experience 3 weeks is not nearly enough time to determine how much recovery there might be. Sqs astound us. For example, see the Christine thread in the Success forum. Quite amazing.

I am NOT suggesting that your sq will do the same --- not at all. It may never recover beyond what it is now. It may or may not be happy and content living in captivity. It may very well end up needing to be euthanized as the kindest option (IMO that IS sometimes the very kindest thing to do, a sadly sweet gift of release if there is no good quality of life :Love_Icon )

But 3 weeks in no way can show how much a squirrel will/can recover.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[fraoch]

How old is this squirrel? Do you know the nature of his head trauma? Was it Dextamethazone that was administered. If so, how soon after his injury, if known?

He is around 10 weeks I would guess. The vet put him as 8-10, he is small, but I don't think he's as young as 8. He was eating solid foods well 23 days ago.

It was Dex they gave him. Approximate timeline was 2-3 days after the injury, possibly longer than that, not less than that. We have vet care once a week, he was brought in (the people who brought him in had had him less than a day) and then seen a couple days later when he had the shot.



Your little squirrel is biting because he's is afraid. You need to provide a secure and comforting environment. Can I ask why he is out on the poarch? If you have an air conditioned house, he should be inside where he will be comfortable. Imagine yourself in his position and you cannot cool yourself down. Make his as comfortable as possible and let his body have time to heal. .

I touched on this in my message a little earlier today, but, he is on the porch (fully enclosed indoor porch) just to keep him away from the dogs, and because it's quieter. I thought it would be less stressful for him, and typically we're encouraged (by the center) not to have them in the living areas of the home, as they're concerned about them being habituated. I was concerned that the noises of the dogs, tv, etc would be more stressful for hom, and the porch is quieter. I could bring him into an extra bedroom, but it won't be any cooler, or quieter, and there are far fewer windows and less chance of catching a breezeso I doubt it will be as comfortable. He does have a fan out there as well.

I brought him home not thinking the goal was to keep him, at the time, just to give him more time to revocer, and hopefully we'd be able to release him. I have been assuming he was afraid, and have really tried to be very gentle, and only handle him when necessary, and then as short a time as possible.

The house doesn't have a/c and he does have a fan on him, so he's about as cool as the rest of us - the porch is shaded, he has ice cubes in his water bowl, a water bottle, and today I put a ice pack on the outside of the cage near his box so that that area will be cool for at least a while today. He's probably a fair bit cooler than the rest of us...

Hope that helps!

[Buddy'sMom]

fraoch, it sounds like you are taking very good care of him and thinking how to make him comfortable and secure. :bowdown :bowdown Sometimes it just takes them a while til they trust you enough to be calm with you.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Pointy Tale]

Fraoch—I am sorry I am not a rehabber, but I think you have found the right place for help. TSB has the best rehabbers that are all about saving and helping squirrels. Please listen to the TSB rehabbers, their experience is amazing and don’t leave out little details that might not seem important, because you just never know. Wishing you and your little friend all the best in the world. IMO, I would give him more time and allow the TSB rehabbers to help you, Please. Wishing you the best of luck.