Found Injured Squirrel 12/26/10, suggestions please!!

[Antonia]

Hi, I found an injured squirrel tonight when I drove up. I have a very loud truck and it didn't even move as I pulled into the driveway. I got out of the truck and proceeded to walk towards it and it let me get about a foot away from it before it walked away and went under another car in the street. At one point it even ran right over my foot. Long story short I ended up throwing a blanket over it and currently have it in a fairly large dog carrier with the blanket covering it in an extra room. It seems disoriented and has a little bit of blood coming from its mouth and seems to not be able to close its mouth. I put some nuts and carrots in the carrier with some water but it knocked the water over. It's very lively but I can definitely tell something's not right with the poor thing. I'm going to take it to the Lindsay Wildlife Rescue where I'm located (northern CA) but I wanted to know if you guys have any ideas as to what might be going on with it. My guess is something neurological? It just seems sort of off. I've never come across a squirrel that let me get so close to it without running off. It just sort of walked off and at one point was just sitting in my neighbors driveway for 10 minutes before I caught it. Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[Kristal]

I would guess injury of some kind. Can you please take a photo and post it here? Can you handle the squirrel at all like to assess for dehydration?

Also, I think rehabbers may be required to kill eastern greys by law in California, but I am not sure. Please wait to find out if that is the case and if your squirrel is one before handing the squirrel over tomorrow. I am sure someone here will know... If so, someone may be close by and willing to help you.

I would put him/her in a warm (but not hot), quiet room for the night and cover the dog carrier with a towel. They like to feel enclosed. Also put in some fleece fabric, an old blanket or old tshirts for bedding, but not towels as their claws get caught in their sleep.

[Antonia]

I put some blankies in the carrier with him/her? I'm not sure if it's a boy or a girl! But it seem's very alert and lively, I'm afraid to try to handle it! I have him in a room that's warm and dark with an additional blanket over the carrier to try and keep his stress level as minimal as possible. Maybe he was in shock earlier and that's why he let me get so close to him? I don't really have any experience with squirrels so I haven't the slightest idea as to what's wrong with the poor little guy. I'll try and take a few pictures of him and get them up before I take him anywhere. I'm quite close with our local vet and I am taking my cat there tomorrow for a check up; I'll ask him what his opinion is while I'm there.

[Antonia]

I also think he may be blind. He responds to noise but not movement. He bumps into his little water dish like it's not even there and maybe that's why he ran over my foot while I was attempting to catch him earlier. I also took a flashlight and checked to see if his pupils would dilate or close and they remained the same size the entire time...hmm

[Antonia]

photo of him, you can sort of see a little bit of blood on his mouth

http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n609/antoniastephanos/

http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n609/antoniastephanos/

[Antonia]

Here's a few more,

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n609/antoniastephanos/photo-6.jpg

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n609/antoniastephanos/photo-7.jpg

Again, I have him as comfortable as he can be for now, any advice or thoughts on what's going on with him would be greatly appreciated!

[Kristal]

That looks like a little eastern grey to me. It looks like there is some kind of hook stuck in his/her mouth, owie!

Can you tell us how far apart those bars are so as to make a guess on the size and, perhaps, the age? Squirrels vary a lot in size, even within the same species, but I hear that the eastern greys are pretty big in California.

For handling him, it's a bit of a crapshoot. They can scratch and bite, but they don't get rabies or anything like that. The only way to know is to try it... Maybe put on some heavy work gloves? If the is a hook in his/her lower jaw, it has got to be removed and cleaned...

Also, it looks like the tail fur may be sticky in one of the pictures. Was this guy cat caught, perhaps? It would be good if you could at least get a look at those wounds... Cat saliva causes nasty infections that require antibiotics.

[lilidukes]

Ouch, poor baby that does look like some thing stuck in it's mouth. If so it is going to have to be removed and ab's administered. Do you have this baby on a heating pad half under the carrier? Or you can make a rice buddy fill a sock with rice tie off the end and microwave for 30 sec to a min.

Being in pain will make this little one turn circles and bump into things. Probably hungry but can't eat.

Great save:thumbsup But this baby needs a rehabber or vet.

[lilidukes]

I put some blankies in the carrier with him/her? I'm not sure if it's a boy or a girl! But it seem's very alert and lively, I'm afraid to try to handle it! I have him in a room that's warm and dark with an additional blanket over the carrier to try and keep his stress level as minimal as possible. Maybe he was in shock earlier and that's why he let me get so close to him? I don't really have any experience with squirrels so I haven't the slightest idea as to what's wrong with the poor little guy. I'll try and take a few pictures of him and get them up before I take him anywhere. I'm quite close with our local vet and I am taking my cat there tomorrow for a check up; I'll ask him what his opinion is while I'm there.


Take the squirrel too. Just don't tell anyone or advertise it. And ask your vet if he/she will help.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thank you Antonia for rescuing..
hang on..I have PRIVATE MESSAGED some members in your general area, bringing attention to your thread.
Hoping someone comes on soon with help.
Thank you and good luck:Love_Icon

[SquirrelNut]

Hello. I haven't been on my Computer so had not noticed your thread nor a PM from Jackie.

I live in San Bruno. I figure you must live near Walnut Creek since you mentioned Lindsay Wildlife.

I have two even a couple more of Vets willing to see a Squirrel on the Peninsula. I trust two of them extremely well! They would treat the Squirrel and give him back to you. Would only put him down if they felt it was in his best interest! I am very close to BOTH of them so would trust them w/my life!

More than willing to go with you to either one of them we could get an appointment with possibly.

I will PM you my phone number and Email.

If you take him or her to the Wildlife Center, they will probably not return him or her to you.

Not sure what you would want to do?

I will have my phone by me, if you wish to call!

You need to get this baby some help either at the Rescue giving him up or taking him personally to a Vet.

I do NOT know any Rehab people in the area. I have a squirrel my friend found when he was approx. 5 weeks. He was dehydrated, had hypothermia, too young to survive on his own, etc. Almost lost him. I was able to manage his care only becos of being raised on a Farm and being an RN. I finally had to take him for fluids to my Vet a couple of weeks later becos his diet was poor.

Use to be a Bunny Volunteer at the Oakland Animal Services. I am quite familiar w/animals having my Squirrel, Bunny, and three Kitties.

Please feel totally comfortable calling me. Will help you the best I can and help you get him to the right place!

I will be awaiting your call!

[crazysquirrels]

I also got the PM. I am not sure how much help I can be. I don't see any bottom teeth and a weird thing in its bottom lip. I would love to come get him/her and help you but I am now broke. If you find you need a home for him I might be able to help there. Talula may like to have a room mate. I hope it goes well.

[crazysquirrels]

That squirrel looks like he ate a fishing lure.

[SquirrelNut]

Yes, definitely looks like a fishing hook! Needs to be removed by a Professional. Otherwise, will NOT survive due to being unable to eat. Poor baby!

[Kristal]

Well, s/he could easily be very dehydrated if that is a hook and not just a trick of the flash... poor thing... If that is the case and that is causing the disoriented symptoms, it has to come out, like today. Also, I would't put him/her on heat or with a rice buddy in case it is dehydration since you were saying the squirrel either can't or won't drink.

If, by any chance you find you cannot get vet care and that is a fishing hook... and you decide to hazard removing it yourself... it is going to be a two person job as you must very carefully cut off the barb first. I don't know what would work for that, ordinary tinsnips are just going to twist it or cause it to slip as hooks are made of good steel. That would wind up causing more damage. :eek:

Please keep us posted as to what you plan to do with the little guy :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[SquirrelNut]

as i said, it should be removed professionally! possibly your vet will be willing to do it? if your vet doesn't feel comfortable w/wildlife, i will be more than happy to refer you.

would hate more damage to be caused by someone inexperienced.

if you can't afford a vet, the wildlife center might be your best bet! they have a great reputation.

likely antibiotics may be needed, if it has been in there any time at all?

also, as stated, it should be done ASAP becos of his or her's lack of ability to take in fluids or food!

must be so painful!

[SquirrelNut]

fyi, lindsay wildlife is open today from 9A to 5P. again, they have a fantastic reputation for caring for wildlife!

[Antonia]

Thank you all so much for your quick responses! The thing that looks like a hook is actually a piece of grass thankfully! He has a bit of mud on him which is what some of those little spots on his coat are. I checked on him this morning and he's alive and well, very fiesty. Although it's hard to tell if he's eaten any food that I left. I have a one o'clock appt at the vet with whom our family is very close to and I'm hoping he can give me some advice. Yes, I've heard that the Lindsay Wildlife Rescue is very good, I'm just worried that they would euthanize the poor thing before giving him a real chance. Thank you all again so much I'll let everyone know how it goes today!

[SquirrelNut]

by all appearances, if it is just glass, i think they would give him treatment and let him recover to be released at a later date.

hopefully, your vet can help you.

and, many thanks for helping this little one!

good luck!

[crazysquirrels]

I hope the vet goes well. As I said. I would be happy to help any way if needed.

[mugzeezma]

Thank you all so much for your quick responses! The thing that looks like a hook is actually a piece of grass thankfully! He has a bit of mud on him which is what some of those little spots on his coat are. I checked on him this morning and he's alive and well, very fiesty. Although it's hard to tell if he's eaten any food that I left. I have a one o'clock appt at the vet with whom our family is very close to and I'm hoping he can give me some advice. Yes, I've heard that the Lindsay Wildlife Rescue is very good, I'm just worried that they would euthanize the poor thing before giving him a real chance. Thank you all again so much I'll let everyone know how it goes today!
I don't know about Lindsay but our vet at Willowbrook gives head traumas a couple of weeks and some before making that decision.
You can usually tell the first week or so if they are going to recover.
Neuro squirrels are not easy keepers but there are people on this board that do it.
Do you have a rehabber any where near you? Maybe Lindsay could refer you to someone?

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

Thank you for saving this poor baby. May help be with you soon. It must be so painful in the mouth seeing favourite peanuts not being able to bite or consume. Take away the hard food it might worsen the mouth. Perhaps fruit juice could help

Hang on lit fellor! Help is on its way!:multi :multi :multi

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Hoping to hear good news. Thanks so much for caring to get this baby some help.

[mpetys]

Hoping to hear a good update after vet visit. Praying for this baby.

Michele

[crazysquirrels]

Anything??????????

[SquirrelNut]

Hope to hear something soon???

[mpetys]

Hope to hear something soon???

I know SquirrelNut, I just logged on to see if there was any update. Crazy how we get so involved even if it all you can do is hope and pray the little one is okay. Hopefully, Antonia will post an update tomorrow. With the holidays and all, I am sure things must be hectic. Plus she is new and probably doesn't realize how many of us do check back for updates!

This little squirrel just tore at my heart. I hope Antonia got good news today!

Michele

[SquirrelNut]

Antonia, if you have time, can you please give us an update??? Those of us on The Squirrel Board become extremely concerned about our little squirrel friends!

I hope things turned out well for your little baby! We have been very concerned for both of you!

Again, if you need any assistance, please feel free to Email and/or call me. More than happy to help you in any way! As you know, I am not far from you!

[crazysquirrels]

You are killing me. How is the little one doing????????

[SquirrelNut]

Ditto.................

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

ditto ditto....... I'm following this sweet critters story.....

[Scooterzmom]

Still no news???? I'm worried for that little one I just hope that the ability to urninate means the stones have passed. *sigh

[SquirrelNut]

Scooterzmom, I think you have this Squirrel confused w/the other one on the Board?

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

I sent Antonia a message asking for an update. Hoping the vet visit went well.

[SquirrelNut]

I have also sent a PM and Emailed her. Still waiting.

[mpetys]

I must admit I sent her an email as well yesterday or the day before asking her to post an update. I also told her that if the outcome was not good and she couldn't bring herself to post, to let me know and I would post it for her. Whatever the outcome, perhaps she is away for the holidays and will post when she returns.

I think it is surprising to new people how engaged we here at TSB become with knowing the outcomes of these requests for help. I think a lot of prayers have been said for this squirrel and it is just hard to walk away without knowing if this squirrel is okay or if more help is needed.

Michele

[SquirrelNut]

Could be frightened to admit keeping squirrel, also. California is an illegal State. I hope this is the reason she is not posting a comment.

[Antonia]

Hi everyone thanks for all your concern and suggestions. So sorry its taken me awhile to get back. I ended up taking the little guy (i named him walter) to the lindsay wildlife museum. I called the next day to check on him and unfortunately he passed away the same day i dropped him off. They think he was hit by a car :( poor thing. At least he wasnt out in the cold or by himself when he went. Thank you all again for your advice and willingness to help!

[SquirrelNut]

thank-you for getting back to us.

i am so sorry to hear about his death but am also happy he did not suffer out in the cold alone!

and, thank-you for making that happen!

[crazysquirrels]

Thanks for the update.

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

:grouphug Sending prayers....

Hope it survives this ordeal...
Meanwhile, is it time it has a name?
It looks cute, chubby, really...
Pains me to see its mouth pierced, and WITH A FISHING HOOK! Damn it...

[crazysquirrels]

:grouphug Sending prayers....

Hope it survives this ordeal...
Meanwhile, is it time it has a name?
It looks cute, chubby, really...
Pains me to see its mouth pierced, and WITH A FISHING HOOK! Damn it...
He passed away. RIP