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jemlovestravel
09-04-2010, 10:33 PM
Hi there,

I found a hurt squirrel bleeding from his nose. He doesn't appear to have any other injuries. When I found him, he was on the sidewalk and didnt run away. He was breathing very fast and looked shocked. I touched him and he sort of woke up and ran to the tree nearest him. But he was having trouble holding on so I picked him up in my shirt and took him inside. Wiped off his nose and put him in a towel and covered the box. He squealed a few times during the cleaning the nose process. I left him in the dark for an hour. Checked him a few times to see if the bleedding had stopped. When it stopped, I took him back to the tree and put him on it. He climbed about 30 or 40 feet and fell. I took him back inside and he has been in the box and and old shirt for about an hour and a half. Not sure what else to do for him. He is still bleeding from the nose but not severly. He breathing makes a clicking sound sometimes. He started snuffling a while a go, but that has stopped. I am going to put a heating pad under the canvas box so he stays warm. He looks to be about 10-12 weeks based on some pictures I have seen on this and other sites. I am worried that he was attacked by a cat. I can see the little cut on his lip. But now I am more worried about internal injuries that I can do nothing about. Any ideas?

SkweeksMom
09-04-2010, 10:43 PM
Oh, I am so not a pro... but an injured squirrel is needs similar care to a baby. Here is a copy of the thread on injured and baby squirrels. It will get you what you need until someone with more experience can assist you. Hang in there... just the fact you were willing to help this little one is a great start. Oh, any updates and pics will help the folks here know how to better help you.

This thread will assist you in dealing with the first few hours of finding an injured or orphaned baby squirrel. In most cases we would urge you to find a qualified wildlife rehabilitator ASAP, but please follow these guidelines to stabilize and keep the squirrel safe:

Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)
Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. [b] Find a Box or Container[b]
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

Note: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

How to Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

[b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby should be held upright in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.

jemlovestravel
09-04-2010, 10:45 PM
Update, I went to check on him and hes making weird noises, not sure how to describe them. I think he may have blood in his throat or lunges, but it sounded kinda growly/purry/grunty but I dont think squirrels do either. He's awake but sluggish. I am afraid to give him any fluid at this point because it may make things worse as far as my gut instinct is telling me.

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 10:53 PM
Is there anyway you can get this baby to a rehabber??
Right now I am more worried about head trauma! He needs special meds and antibiodics incase he was attacked by a cat!

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 10:57 PM
Aerowood Animal Hospital
2975 - 156th Avenue S.E.
425-746-6557

you can try them? they r listed for birds...


but they r vets...

still looking...

jemlovestravel
09-04-2010, 10:58 PM
I just made the pedialite mixture from scratch and when I gave him a little the sryinge tip came away bloody. I am upgrading his status to its almost like he is sneezing or wheezing when he breathes sometimes. It doesnt sound good for this little one. :( Where can I find info on rehabbers in the Seattle area?

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:02 PM
If you find an injured wild animal in need of assistance, please bring them to the wildlife center between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm. Use caution when handling wild animals. Even animals that appear docile can react strongly when approached or handled. The wildlife center is currently open 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. If find an animal and you are not sure if it needs help, please call us first at 608-838-0413 ext. 151 and leave a message. This phone line is monitored 7 days a week and we will return you call as soon as we are able. Due to the large volume of animals we are currently caring for, it may take a bit longer for us to return your call.

If you find a sick or injured wild animal outside of our open hours, please call Exceptional Care for Animals (ECA) at (608) 274-7772, located at 229 West Beltline Highway, Madison. FLWC works in cooperation with ECA. ECA will assesses the animal and treat any immediate medical needs.

....

ok looking up seattle

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:04 PM
http://c3seattle.com/wild.html

:thumbsup

jemlovestravel
09-04-2010, 11:08 PM
Called a couple different ones with no answer. :(

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:11 PM
http://www.westsoundwildlife.org/

??? still trying

M

Nancy in New York
09-04-2010, 11:12 PM
Stay here...NG is trying to get in touch with someone out there. This is a holiday weekend, I wonder if some places are closed....:shakehead

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:15 PM
360-966-8845

everrett 425-334-8171

425-335-0788

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:17 PM
west sound..

206 855 9057

HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:18 PM
above posts come via Mrs Jack:thumbsup from that area. She is wishing your baby the best of luck!

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:26 PM
For right now please keep the baby in a warm dark quiet place on a heating pad. Dont push fluids. If his breathing is already compromised you dont want to make it worse!

If you cannot reach a Rehabber tonight I will pm you my number and you can call me with ANY questions at any time of the night.

For right now warmth may be what saves him. Try and wipe any dripping blood away from his nose to keep him from inhaling it.

TY for hanging in there and helping this precious one.

M

jemlovestravel
09-04-2010, 11:37 PM
The last lady actually answered. Her name is Shirley at the Second Chance Wildlife. Everyone else was closed. She said do not give him any fluids because it sounds like he is trying to clear the blood from his injuries by sneezing it out. So I am to leave him alone (no feeding or touching). She said to keep doing what I am doing. Heating pad under the canvas box and him wrapped in a tshirt. One of her volunteers is going to pick the little one up tomorrow. I will keep you updated. Say prayers that he makes it through the night. Thank you for all your help NG. It is very appreciated.

NaturesGift
09-04-2010, 11:38 PM
yaaaay and your very welcome! *hugs* gonna go feed my lil ones.

Jackie in Tampa
09-05-2010, 07:42 AM
a cool air humidifier will help the stuffy nose, making breathing easier...
make a tent over container.
Sqs do not like the sound of running water , but you can run the shower water hot and steam the bathroom...taking him in after the water is OFF!
THis may also help.
Please ask that the center not euthanize because he is not in perfect condition, they do that you know. It cuts down costs at the centers and relieves the volunteers from having to have alot of experience.
We all know there are not enough rehab personel at most centers...
sending good vibes...
thank you for helping :Love_Icon

NaturesGift
09-05-2010, 03:29 PM
yeah Mrs Jack highly recommended the one that is rescueing the squirrel. They sound as nutty as us..will form a squirrel train to rescue babies:thumbsup