Really sick baby squirrel [Archive]

TPF

08-25-2009, 08:26 AM

Hi,

This is my first ever post on here and I need urgent help.

About 4 or 5 days ago my kitten brought a baby squirrel out of the bushes and dumped it in my garden. It wasn't moving, it's eyes were closed but it was still breathing. After doing some research we put it in a cardboard box we put kitchen towels on the floor and a towel for bedding. And left the squirrel there. Later in the day we found it had awoken and was moving (although not very well). We fed it some Dioralyte (UK version of Pedialyte) and left it for the morning. By morning time it was much healthier and we bought some Lactol (UK version of Esbilac) from our local pet store. Once again it was getting healthier. We continued this for the next three days and fed it at about 11.30 pm last night and it was fine. We came to feed it this morning and it could barely move, we tried to feed it some Lactol but it wouldn't take it so we had to force feed it.

I am now 99& sure that we have aspirated it as some Lactol was emerging from its nose after feeding it. It is currently lying in its box very, very weak.

Help is urgently needed.

Thanks in advance.

PBluejay2

08-25-2009, 09:04 AM

Hi,

This is my first ever post on here and I need urgent help.

About 4 or 5 days ago my kitten brought a baby squirrel out of the bushes and dumped it in my garden. It wasn't moving, it's eyes were closed but it was still breathing. After doing some research we put it in a cardboard box we put kitchen towels on the floor and a towel for bedding. And left the squirrel there. Later in the day we found it had awoken and was moving (although not very well). We fed it some Dioralyte (UK version of Pedialyte) and left it for the morning. By morning time it was much healthier and we bought some Lactol (UK version of Esbilac) from our local pet store. Once again it was getting healthier. We continued this for the next three days and fed it at about 11.30 pm last night and it was fine. We came to feed it this morning and it could barely move, we tried to feed it some Lactol but it wouldn't take it so we had to force feed it.

I am now 99& sure that we have aspirated it as some Lactol was emerging from its nose after feeding it. It is currently lying in its box very, very weak.

Help is urgently needed.

Thanks in advance.

Any squirrel brought in by a cat need antibiotics ASAP. Cat's have a deadly bacteria in their silava. Baytril or Sulfatrim will work on the gram negative bacteria. They will also treat the pneumonia if it has it. But you need to move quickly.

island rehabber

08-25-2009, 09:06 AM

TPF, I'm going to PM a couple of our UK rehabber/members and see if they can give you some advice where to get local help. PBlueJay2 is right -- any rodent caught by a cat for even a second needs to be on antibiotics ASAP...

TPF

08-25-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the help. He's now currently recovering at a local Wildlife Sanctuary.

island rehabber

08-25-2009, 02:03 PM

Thank goodness! And thank you for saving him. :) :peace

TPF

08-28-2009, 07:39 AM

Just got an update from the sanctuary he's okay now although he's developed cataracts and is now blind although the sanctuary are phoning round to see if anyone can perform surgery on him.

TPF

08-28-2009, 12:51 PM

Been told that they can't find anyone who's capable of operating so he'll remain living in their sanctuary for the rest of his life so long as he accepts being hand fed, if not they'll put him down. I've offered to look after him if that is the case.

island rehabber

08-28-2009, 07:24 PM

oh that poor baby....I hope they will either give him a happy home or turn him back to you. He's been through so much.. :(

TPF

09-14-2009, 06:05 AM

Just looked on their website and found him mentioned under 25th August:

http://www.thewildlifelodge.co.uk/latestnews09.html

squirrelfriend

09-14-2009, 06:24 AM

I just wanted to add that I have 3 squirrels in my care that have limited eyesight due to cateracts. I have had others as well and all have done fine in captivity. Since this one is going to be hand raised since it was a baby it should end up pretty tame. The more handling and attention it gets the more tame it will be in the end. I hope all ends well with the guy. Thanks for caring for him.

Jackie in Tampa

09-14-2009, 06:27 AM

I have seen sqs eyes turn white and believe it or not, go back to normal. Loopy has also seen this happen in sqs.:dono
Glad he is doing better!:thumbsup
Thanks for helping him and for the update!:thankyou

TPF

09-29-2009, 10:49 AM

I have seen sqs eyes turn white and believe it or not, go back to normal. Loopy has also seen this happen in sqs.:dono
Glad he is doing better!:thumbsup
Thanks for helping him and for the update!:thankyou

Just got another update from the wildlife lodge. Apparently his cataracts have also gone and he can see again. They say that they call for him and he comes to them to collect his food. He's in perfect condition and is going to be released into the wild in 2/3 weeks.