Paralyzed Baby Squirrel

[midas360]

We found a paralyzed baby squirrel. We think a feral cat got him but no sure. He is doing great despite his handicap. We were wondering if there is a product similar to a wheelchair? We want to put his legs in the chair with wheels so he can walk.

Right now, he is dragging them. He's a little young right now and is struggling somewhat. We are hoping he adapts relatively quickly.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks!

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Just posted this for somebody else:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11106&highlight=lazmobile

[mpetys]

Hi midas360,

Here is a link to my thread on Davey, a baby squirrel that was rescued from the mouth of a cat.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25090&highlight=davey

Toward the end is a video of Davey and how he moved. He was dragging his right arm and right leg. I got him on 9/30 and his eyes were fully opened so we're guessed his age to be about 5 weeks. His movement is much better now. He can run fast enough to get away from me; however, for a 13 week old squirrel he still seems developmentally delayed a bit. For instance, while he likes to run all over me, he thinks jumping from my left shoulder to my right chest area is a big deal. Other squirrels his age are REALLY jumping. I have a tree branch on the front porch that I like to put one end on me and the other end on a table or cage so they can run and walk across it. Most squirrels his age run across the first part and then jump to the table or cage. Not Davey. He does make it across but he crawls with his belly touching the branch. If he tries to stand up to walk, he loses his balance and falls off.

When did you get your squirrel? Did he have puncture wounds? Antibiotics? How old do you think he is? Eyes open? What are you feeding him? Good nutrition is key to a healthy squirrel and essential to a squirrel that is dealing with sickness or injuries. Can you post pictures?

Please give us more information so we can give you the best information and advice. I have never seen anything so amazing as the will to get better and live that I saw in Davey. At. First Davey could not sit up to groom himself. He would try but would always roll over. After I would feed him, I would put him in one of those cardboard boxes that a case of soda comes in. He could go potty while I watched his movements. Imagine my surprise as I watched him figure out how to use the walls of the box and the corners to help him sit up. He would drag himself just past the corner and then back up until he was sitting. He seemed so proud of himself as he gave himself a long grooming session!

Michele