squirrel_anonymous
05-14-2011, 12:53 PM
Hi, please forgive this long post, but I want to make sure I include all info that may be of use. :)
I've only ever raised babies, not dealt so much with injured squirrels.
At any rate, my 'patient' looks to be around 3 or 4 months old. She and her two siblings frequent the area around my bird feeders. Unfortunately they don't have too great a fear of cats (or people) and it seems one of the kitties decided to have some fun with this poor thing. I've had her for 3 days now. She has complete control over her bowls/bladder, can move her tail and use her hind limbs. Her front legs are another story. One is swollen and has a couple small punctures, I don't think it's broken, just damaged from the bites. She has a little tiny bit of reflex action in it/seems to feel some pain. Her other leg is not swollen, but is limp and there is no reflex reaction in it. At first she could not move her head or pick it up, but that has greatly improved in the last two days. She is being treated with antibiotics (cat bites) and steroids for possible spinal swelling that may be causing the limb paralysis.
I used to be a vet tech and have seen a case in a small kitten similar to this in which a kid stepped on the kitten and damaged his shoulders to the point he couldn't use them/walk. After a few weeks of treatment and confined space, he was good as new. I'm wondering if this could be shoulder damage of some kind and not anything to do with a spinal injury, especially since she is breathing/eating/drinking/fussing just fine.
There is not a vet around here that will x-ray a squirrel, so I can't know for sure.
At any rate, I just wondered what ya'll think her chances of regaining use of her front legs are? Since she does seem to be showing improvement....she is soooo frustrated that she's unable to use her hands and sit upright very well. I feel awful for her. She's being a real trooper though, especially for a baby that wasn't human raised. I'm just trying to keep my fingers out of her mouth! :)
Also, she absolutely HATES Mazuri rodent block. She chews it up and screeches at me the whole time, swallowing none of it. I've been feeding her pecans and syringing water(w/electrolytes @ first), but this is really not a complete diet I know. What should I feed? I used to have a list of squirrel approved foods, but I can't seem to find it now. And can you think of another way of keeping her hydrated? She is going to destroy my syringe before long.
She also seems to be exhibiting a nursing behavior on the little blanket she has in her pet taxi. It seems to make her feel better? She calms down a little when she does this. I have video of her doing this if it would help.
Well, thanks for taking the time to read my super long post! I appreciate your advice!
I've only ever raised babies, not dealt so much with injured squirrels.
At any rate, my 'patient' looks to be around 3 or 4 months old. She and her two siblings frequent the area around my bird feeders. Unfortunately they don't have too great a fear of cats (or people) and it seems one of the kitties decided to have some fun with this poor thing. I've had her for 3 days now. She has complete control over her bowls/bladder, can move her tail and use her hind limbs. Her front legs are another story. One is swollen and has a couple small punctures, I don't think it's broken, just damaged from the bites. She has a little tiny bit of reflex action in it/seems to feel some pain. Her other leg is not swollen, but is limp and there is no reflex reaction in it. At first she could not move her head or pick it up, but that has greatly improved in the last two days. She is being treated with antibiotics (cat bites) and steroids for possible spinal swelling that may be causing the limb paralysis.
I used to be a vet tech and have seen a case in a small kitten similar to this in which a kid stepped on the kitten and damaged his shoulders to the point he couldn't use them/walk. After a few weeks of treatment and confined space, he was good as new. I'm wondering if this could be shoulder damage of some kind and not anything to do with a spinal injury, especially since she is breathing/eating/drinking/fussing just fine.
There is not a vet around here that will x-ray a squirrel, so I can't know for sure.
At any rate, I just wondered what ya'll think her chances of regaining use of her front legs are? Since she does seem to be showing improvement....she is soooo frustrated that she's unable to use her hands and sit upright very well. I feel awful for her. She's being a real trooper though, especially for a baby that wasn't human raised. I'm just trying to keep my fingers out of her mouth! :)
Also, she absolutely HATES Mazuri rodent block. She chews it up and screeches at me the whole time, swallowing none of it. I've been feeding her pecans and syringing water(w/electrolytes @ first), but this is really not a complete diet I know. What should I feed? I used to have a list of squirrel approved foods, but I can't seem to find it now. And can you think of another way of keeping her hydrated? She is going to destroy my syringe before long.
She also seems to be exhibiting a nursing behavior on the little blanket she has in her pet taxi. It seems to make her feel better? She calms down a little when she does this. I have video of her doing this if it would help.
Well, thanks for taking the time to read my super long post! I appreciate your advice!