ear infection or head tilt?

[Kate]

One of my female grey squirrels has developed a very slight head tilt over the last two weeks. She is also beginning to show balance problems. Having dealt with pet rats and mice with similar symptoms, this worries me. Could be an ear infection or PT.

My vet (who is a 45-minute drive away) will treat wildlife for free. I take one of my mice to him every Tues, so I was thining that I could try to capture the squigg this weekend and take her in... I can't buy a large enough Hav-a-Hart trap (I'm broke) but can use a spare rodent cage and peanut butter bait.

Any thoughts? Should I even try, just leave her alone... or what?

[Alaskan Squirrel Cam]

:dono

I'm not the one who should be giving advice on the little fuzzbutts, but maybe one of the rehabbers here on the board will have advice to give. goodluck no matter what.

bob

http://www.thesquirrelcam.com

[Kate]

Thanks, Bob. :) My inclination is to capture her and take her to my vet, but I don't want to traumatize her, though I know it will, somewhat.

[Timber]

Kate, there is not a wild life sanctuary closer? I have traped many wild squirrels and taken them in to the WLS here, only about a 15 or 20 minuet drive depending on the traffic. Now I was ususally successful ( meaning some I had to leave there for one reason or the other ) but the trip and the treatments when they didn't realize what I was doing this for, really stressed them out. And stress on a squirrel can be very deadly. There were a couple of times that I was really concerned about whether or not I was going to get the squirrely back home before it died. Fortunately when I did and left it in a dark quiet place for some minutes they recuped and I was able to release them back to their domains. Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that Helping the squirrel would be great if you can gingerly capture it and if you could get it to some place to help without such a long ride. Many times tamed squirrels do not do well being transported but wild ones it can be even more stressful for.

[Kate]

Hi Timber,

Far as I know, the closest rehab center is about 20 - 25 minutes away.

Oh, I just thought of something. I'm going to call my old vet, who is less than 15 minutes away, and see if they work on wildlife. It's just that my primary vet who is farther away is really knowledgeable about rodents.

I'll keep you guys posted. I watched her sitting on a branch today to eat from the feeder, and she looked like the world was spinning around her.

[Suro]

it does sound like a ear infection. So sad, it makes them feel so nauseous and off balance - for sure I would try to catch her to get her some help.
Good luck with her. :)

[Momma Squirrel]

Kate, any luck on finding help for your little one?? How is he/she doing today?

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

I can't buy a large enough Hav-a-Hart trap (I'm broke) but can use a spare rodent cage and peanut butter bait.

I rented one for 5$ a week one time when I needed one, at a rental place... maybe thats an option for you?
Keep us updated!

[Kate]

A rental! I didn't know I could. I'll keep that in mind. I was going to use a spare mouse cage with the ol' stick-&-string method.

I haven't seen her in two days. That's not unusual, there is a large tribe and I don't always see everyone every day. But I'm concerned about not seeing her because I'm worried about her health. All I can really do right now is bait and wait. *sigh*