Chicago: Injured Adult Squirrel Can't Walk- Help "Big Ears!"

[icecream909]

This poor squirrel is suffering, but does not show any blood or wounds from a predator. I don't know the symptoms of it being poisoned. I don't have any money to take it to a vet. Here in Chicago, I don't think there is a squirrel rehab or anything like that. Squirrels are considered disposable, I guess. I hate to see it suffer. I don't know if it's dying or just needs help to get better. I haven't touched it for fear of disease or parasites, but it lets me or my mom get very close and just watches and blinks at us calmly. It actually keeps trying to be close to her.

I don't know anything about squirrels, but I think it's a younger adult squirrel. It can't walk, but it crawls and can pick up its head every now and then. I can't tell if its hind legs are working or not. It dragged itself past two houses to my house. I guess because it comes here every day as my mom usually tosses the squirrel a couple grapes or nuts.

So when my mom sat down near it just now, the squirrel laid its head down and stopped breathing so hard. But then some kids came by and the squirrel frantically dragged itself three feet over to under the shrub (shown in the pictures.) It's been like this for much of today- it must be exhausted. It's not making any squirrel noises. I can't tell if it has moved its mouth. It's not shooing the flies that are bothering its face. We first thought it was dying and expected to have to dispose of it shortly, but it's been so much time and it keeps lifting its head. I don't know what to do. Offer it water or food/nuts/grapes? And what if it is in the same condition by nightfall? The stray cats will get it on the ground like that.

Any advice? Anyone in Chicago want to care for this little squirrel my mom calls "Big Ears?" I have two house cats, probly can't bring it in.

I don't know what's going on. Two days ago, my mom found an already dead squirrel w/ no visible wounds in the same spot.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Please pick him up gently {with gloves or a t shirt} and place in a box with tshirts, not towels.
Take inside, but away from other pets and loud noises. Cover container and tr to kep him calm...he maybe dying, but we want the best for him to pass if that's the case.
I am going to try and get help for ou...hang on until others can help more! Be right back!:grouphug
thank you so much, and your mother also.

[icecream909]

Jackie in Tampa, Thank you for simply responding.

[Jackie in Tampa]

BsMOm is looking for numbers now! hold on!

[Jackie in Tampa]

please bring him inside, maybe in the bathroom with door closed, in the basement, someplace where the kitty's can't get to him!
:thumbsup

[Buddy'sMom]

:thankyou so much for helping this squirrel!

We don't have anyone that area but here are some numbers you can try -- even if they are not close to you, maybe they can give you the number of someone who is (rehabber or vet):


Kathy Stelford, Oaken Acres WL Centre
Sycamore, Ill 815-895-9666

Marion Gordon 309-781-5260

Sue Allison, Rock Island
309-762-7719

Try these links to find Illinois rehabbers:
The wildlife medical clinic at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/wmc/wmc.htm (217/333-5000) and Wildlife CPR in Decatur (217/963-6909, wildcpr@midwest.net)answer calls 24 hours a day. Be prepared to transport the animal yourself, as most rehabbers are unable to leave their charges to pick up animals from the finders.

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/...ilitators.html


It's possible of course, that your little friend is dying and all that can be done is to make him comfy and safe for the time he has left. So if you can bring him in and put him in a quiet room where the cats CANNOT go, that would be a wonderful thing to do for him -- perhaps the garage or basement if you have either, or spare room or the bathroom. Someplace quiet and safe. With snuggly tshirts or something soft like that. A small dish of water.

Food is a lower priority at the moment if he is hurt and scared.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I resized the pictures...

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[icecream909]

I put it in a cardboard box in my enclosed yard. Big Ears had actually scrambled across the lawn toward the street- Yikes!

It's hind legs work to push it as it slides on its chest. The left front leg might work, looks ok. But the right front paw looks weird, maybe smashed? Will try for a better pic. It's really nervous and tried to crawl away, but didn't try to bite when we put it in the box. It's lying somewhat-still and quiet now. Should we put water or food in the box? Don't want to drown it.

[Buddy'sMom]

I re-sized your pics so they are easier to see..............

[Buddy'sMom]

Well, Big Ears is at least an older youngster, if not adult. (I can't tell how old he is, but perhaps others can)

I think a small, shallow dish of water would be OK. If they are used to grapes, you could try a PEELED, quartered grape -- that would be both energy and hydration. Or a little yogurt (fruit or vanilla is well liked) on a plate or jar lid.

It's possible the first squirrel was Mom and after she died, her youngsters wandered out looking for her .... and he fell and has been hurt. (If so, there might be others that need help and you should keep an eye out for them. It is not unusual for pretty full grown-looking squirrels to still be with Mom, and perhaps even still nursing occasionally)

It is very unlikely that you would get a disease from the squirrel. They are normally pretty clean animals. We have rehabbers that handle dozens of squirrels each season and no one has contracted anything from them. (However, cat saliva is deadly to squirrels and that is one reason to make sure they are strictly kept apart.)

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

If you get more pictures, email them to me and I can resize them and post...if you want...or Buddy's Mom is good at resizing....:wave123
nmognoni@nycap.rr.com

[icecream909]

Big Ears is resting in the box. I'm going to look for a bigger box and some comfy bedding. He propped his chin up on the side of the box and is just looking at my mom talking to him. See the difference in his right and left front legs? His right leg/paw looks swollen, limp and spread out.

Nancy in NewYork and Buddy's Mom: Thanks for resizing. I'll try to do better this time : )


It's possible the first squirrel was Mom and after she died, her youngsters wandered out looking for her .... and he fell and has been hurt. (If so, there might be others that need help and you should keep an eye out for them. It is not unusual for pretty full grown-looking squirrels to still be with Mom, and perhaps even still nursing occasionally) I hadn't thought of that, quite a possibility. We will definitely watch out for others.

I didn't know that about cat saliva-Important to know! Yogurt? How surprising! Don't have any now. I'll try a peeled grape and some water.

[Nancy in New York]

You did great this time...Poor baby. Can you put something in the bottom of the box...Preferably some old blankets or something that his nails won't get caught in...Also can you put a little low heat under one half of the box...if they are shocky this will help...if it gets too warm he can crawl off. Can you also put a blanket or something over the box to make it darker, maybe you just took it off for pictures. Keep him quiet and warm not hot and covered...They will feel safer that way, that's why you found him where you did...he wants to hide.Thanks for helping this little one.....:grouphug Oh one more thing can you put in a small shallow dish of water for him...thank you so very much.....

IF YOU PUT HIM IN THE BATHROOM PLEASE CLOSE THE LID ON THE TOILET....

[BHO]

Oh the poor baby. Maybe it had a fall or WNV (dont worry you wont get WNV if that is what the baby has) If it is WNV, it will recover with the appropriate homeopathy meds but may become a non releasable. WNV render their limbs weak and they cant get up/stand up. I can some you some homeopathy meds to try if you want. PM me if you like to try.

Pity I am so far away from you. I hope you can find a rehabber nearby to help. Thanks for helping this baby. GB

[icecream909]

[Moderator: Perhaps you should delete the three pictures from my original post. Too big. I don't think I can edit it.]


Thank you ALL! I appreciate the knowledge and kindness that is apparent in your detailed responses.

The squirrel is awake but snuggled in the box with a soft flannel pj shirt on its back and tucked in on the sides. It's hasn't moved out of the cloth, and it's been a while so I guess it's acceptable. It didn't let us tuck the cloth all the way underneath it. It can always rearrange. I added a small lid w/ water and peeled the grapes, but no interest. I had to put a window screen on top to keep out the yellow jackets.

We have yet to figure out where it will spend the night. I said Garage. My mom said YOUR ROOM- so it won't be alone! LOL Hey, I'm the girl without health insurance, so I don't know... : P She's totally serious, though.

More seriously, I didn't know she had called the city animal control. They might show up in tomorrow, the next few days, or never. They'll only kill it. So if the actually show up, should we give the squirrel to them knowing they will definitely kill it? We can tell them not to come. We can't pay for any treatment- would pay for myself first if I could. (I'm still trying to contact a rehab person nearby. Sadly Urbana/ Champaign is 200 miles away)

Here is a close up of that picture. Anyone have an idea about the problem? The squirrel is not twitching, vomiting, peeing, pooping, or acting weird. Although it doesn't blink very frequently. Is it possible that it is poisoned? Or just a regular injury?

Its normal playmate (sibling) was just snooping around our front porch... alone.

Thanks, friends.

[Nancy in New York]

Gee, I'm really not too sure what the problem could be. Perhaps poison, but if it has swelling, it may also have some sort of internal injuries or head trauma...are the eyes a little foggy? I wouldn't give it to animal control...but that is easy for me to say. They will destroy it for sure. If they do come you could say that it must have regained strength and wanted out so you let it go. I honestly don't know what to tell you since it doesn't seem that there is a person around that knows of anyone. I'm sure that behind the scenes, people are still trying to find someone to help you out. There is a lot going on with PM's and all and some of the people just can't get back on while they are trying to make calls and waiting for messages. Keep up the good work, and if you do keep it inside, put something over the top of it, I think you said that you have a screen on it, put something heavy so that it will have a problem lifting the screen. Don't leave it ouside or even in the garage if you can help it, it needs some sort of heat for his little body. He doesn't need to be using energy to stay warm.
Thank you and your mom so very much for all that you are doing for this little one. Hang on there, we are still trying to find some sort of help for you and this baby....:grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

looking for an update, how did sqly do overnight?
hoping she slept in your room...:grouphug
i too would tell officers she is gone...up the tree!:thumbsup
we are currently looking again for help...
i hope you were able to get her on heating pad:grouphug
sending good vibes and prayers!
:poke btw, i get bit all the time! nothing severe...a bandaide and neosporin! many years, many bites!!!!!:D
:thankyou :thankyou

[Nancy in New York]

Just checking to see how the little one is doing...
Hope that he made it through the night. Still have the word out to a few people that may be able to help...hold on.:grouphug :grouphug

[LynninIN]

There is a wonderful rehabber in Chicago named Dwight. He has 60 years of rehab experience. He is located in Chicago Heights. Please call him. 708 758-2761.

[icecream909]

We found the squirrel on Tuesday. Tuesday night, the squirrel let me gently pick it up and snuggle it very loosely in soft flannel. I didn't have a heater, but it spent the night in the box on my enclosed back porch. My mom slept on the big couch out there "so it wouldn't be lonely." She said that the squirrel scooted itself around the box a few times over night but climbed back on the flannel, except for the time it was found laying in the shallow lid of water. By morning the peeled grape pieces and walnut pieces had disappeared. "Big Ears" had also done #2 in the box.

Animal control picked it up bright and early on Wednesday morning, took it in the box & flannel. (It's amazing that they showed up so quick, because last time we had to hold onto the corpse of a stray cat that bit someone right before it died and the body had to be tested for rabies.) I didn't see the squirrel on Wed, so I don't know if its eyes were foggy.

FYI
I understand that this is distressing for you, you should call animal control, they are better equipped at handling these types of things.

There is a wonderful rehabber in Chicago named Dwight. He has 60 years of rehab experience. He is located in Chicago Heights. Please call him. 708 758-2761. Thanks LynninIN, I would have. Perhaps that information will be useful to someone else.

Well, I came on the forum yesterday and read the recent posts, :grouphug but I just didn't have it in me to tell you all that the squirrel was handed over to the animal control. Disappointing, I know. But I couldn't leave you hanging after how helpful you have all been.

:thankyou Thank you all! :grouphug Hopefully no more dead squirrels. We are watching for neighbors w/ poison.

[Nancy in New York]

I know that it is difficult knowing what to do when you find an injured wild animal. I am so happy that you took the time to find help for this baby and perhaps if we could have gotten an answer for you a little faster things would have been different. Also know that our members are absolutely fantastic and also lead busy lives, but as soon as they see a problem on here they respond as quickly as they can. We will always, always try to find the help for people in need, but sometimes it just doesn't happen immediately, but we are still trying....
Thank you LynninIn so very much for answering the SOS...now we have a number of a person in that area for the future...Thank you so very much.
Now that you found us, please know that we are here for you in the future. And also thank you for updating us on this baby so that we can stop the wondering... you didn't keep us hanging, this is very much appreciated....:grouphug
Thank you enough for caring for this little one enough to look for help for him...and to your mom who slept on the porch with him so that he wouldn't be lonely...:Love_Icon

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug