Anything I can do for this guy?

[sdreamcatcher]

Younger male I am guessing, but not a baby, I don't think. Seems to be a lot of boys as of lately; guessing it's that time of year again.


I have a video downloading, painfully slow. I first noticed this guy last week, then didn't see him again till this morning. Video shows better then what I can describe. Doesn't look good, although honestly he seems to be doing fine. I do have a hav-a-heart trap if needed, but we have at least a half dozen other squirrels who would go for the bait he is shyer, and a few of the others are pretty bold). I watched him this morning; no one bugs him, even though there were mild skirmishes over food amongst the others. He pretty well keeps out of it, as evidenced by the second video, where I tracked the wrong squirrel in the tree for most of that one. The first video is longer, but shows how he is coping. I watched him walk along the wire, slowly but surely. Seems to handle trees fine. I worry about cats and the occasional large hawk.


IF I did manage to catch this guy (he is not tame like Star), what then? I doubt he would be ok sharing space with Butchie and Joey? Being an adult I doubt he would consent to any handling by me. I know of no rehabbers near me. :dono. I'd love to have someone lined up to take him to reduce stress for him, longshot that would be.....

I was hoping maybe he got nipped in a fight, but it seems broken? I have never seen a dangling leg on a squirrel. Saw such a leg on a dog who had been hit and not taken to a vet (neighbors chihuahua/jack russell mix; I called the humane society the day after he was hit because I knew he wouldn't have a chance otherwise).

Ok, first video:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2649.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2649.mp4)



Second is shorter just shows a few seconds after he jumped up into an elm:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2650.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2650.mp4)

[gs1]

oh so sad.....

well ... i don't know... we had one on the board who had her back leg like this and the treatment suggested from vet was amputation but it wasn't recommended cause she might not survive the operation.

it all depends if you have a rehabber near you who has access to a good squirrel vet.... and if you live in a safe squirrel state so much the better.

otherwise it's just doing what you are doing...feeding him ... and hoping for the best... :grouphug

maybe others have better suggestions like trapping and keeping him quiet for a few weeks in the hope that he'll heal etc... i don't know....

[astra]

poor little one!
it's hard to tell what to do...
I know there are few members here who trapped disabled squirrels and keep them as NRs, but that's a huge committment in every single way...
some released as the squirrel recovered...
could you say what state you are in?... maybe, there are TSB ppl in your state who could be of some help?

[Kristal]

What a brave, little man :Love_Icon I am amazed at how he eats with the one hand since they have no thumbs on their front paws.

[sdreamcatcher]

Colorado, not squirrel friendly I know :shakehead . Posting though in case of rehab members in state who might be able to help. IF there is then I would ask that this information later be deleted for the safety of the boys.

[gs1]

you could post a new thread with wording ... colorado rehabber needed for broken legged squirrel (for example).....

i can't think of anyone on this board....who is in that area....

but if someone has links.....

and it's always up to the rehabber ... but most ...compassionate ones don't put to sleep unless it's in the best interest of the squirrel (regardless of 'state/province').... but that doesn't mean that they're all compassionate....

(although i'd guess that most tsb rehabbers would crawl through broken glass on their bellies... before being uncompassionate.)

[gs1]

then I would ask that this information later be deleted for the safety of the boys.

yes.. good point....:thumbsup :grouphug

[sdreamcatcher]

you could post a new thread with wording ... colorado rehabber needed for broken legged squirrel (for example).....

i can't think of anyone on this board....who is in that area....

but if someone has links.....

and it's always up to the rehabber ... but most ...compassionate ones don't put to sleep unless it's in the best interest of the squirrel (regardless of 'state/province').... but that doesn't mean that they're all compassionate....

(although i'd guess that most tsb rehabbers would crawl through broken glass on their bellies... before being uncompassionate.)


That's what I figured too. I have read posts where people here have done that to help a squirrel :). That's what I love most about this site. I saw the little guy today walking along the wire. Other then not being quite as fast on the wires and fences, he gest around pretty well. I clicked my teeth (squirrels here know that means food lol), and he stopped and looked at me, then kept going. So maybe he will be ok. I will be on the lookout for him though.....

[UDoWhat]

sdreamcatcher, this little one (big one) makes me neverous. Squirrels are usually deemed not releasable if the do not have use of both FRONT legs. They can be released if they only have use of one back leg. It all depends on the rehabilitator. As I watched your videos, so helpful by the way, it seems to have some shoulder involvement. Can you tell? This not having help, no rehabbers, vets, etc .in your state is so frustrating. I think I would see if you could line up a "like minded" rehabber (not all are, sorry to say) and try to trap this squirrel and get him some help. He might be ok but life will be so hard for him. Option #2 is to watch and wait to see if he gets weaker or stronger. Squirrels are amazing and can rebound without help. Since he is most likely a young adult he can he a screaming and biting little terror.:shakehead So be careful if you try to help him. Keep us posted.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[UDoWhat]

Any word on this one today? I'm hopeful this one will heal without intervention. Good idea to keep feeding just to make life easier. Let us know when you can. :wave123

[sdreamcatcher]

Haven't seen him today. I haven't been out much and slept late this morning. It has been windy which concerns me a bit, but maybe he was out and about this morning before then and I just missed him. I did see him a couple of times yesterday.

[sdreamcatcher]

Brief sighting late afternoon/late evening. He looked good; didn't stop for food.

[UDoWhat]

Just keep watching and let us know how he is getting along. I'll keep checking in .
Marty

[sdreamcatcher]

Sighted this guy yesterday evening; took moe video. Before I took it it looked like his leg was a bit better; after videoing I don't know .... :dono

He seems fine otherwise, gets around slow but sure. Another young male chased him away from the shed minutes later, but not before he got all the peanuts :).

Videos:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2680.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2680.mp4)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2683.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2683.mp4)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2684.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2684.mp4)


Wondering too if I could coax him to drink formula? Peanuts i carry in my pocket "just in case". I triedmaking Boo Balls for the boys but somehow messed them up; my boys weren't impressed. Maybe I will try again.

[UDoWhat]

sdreamcatcher, I think he looks waaaaaay better. His shoulder is less swollen. In the first posts of him he was not using that arm like in these latest videos. I noticed he was using his shoulder, arms and fingers. Just keep giving him easy access to food and water. I think he will do ok. I was a little worried on the first videos a few days ago. I feel much better after seeing him today.
Mine don't much care for the BooBalls . Not all that interested. The two I have came from people who loved them but fed them a terrible diet. The male was fed cookies and apples. The female was only fed birdseed. She was in terrible shape. They both love avocado. Try putting some smashed up avocado in the mix. Also, in the beginning ,just to get them use to the taste of the rodent mix(BooBall) I mixed as it says but I baked them like little cookie balls. I baked in oven at 225 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Then I turn off the oven and let them cool inside the oven. It hardens them up. Not as hard as block but like a cookie. I even mix and bake the avocado in too. Try that and see if you can spark some interest. (Hi to Butchie and Joey too :Love_Icon )

Marty

[mudmaiden]

If it is a break should be all better in about 3 weeks...one of mine broke his tibia and dragged it just like this little boy...with each passing day he looked better and better...they have amazing healing powers!!!!! And within 3 weeks ,just as the vet told me, he was fine!:jump

[sdreamcatcher]

Videos and pictures taken June 2, 2011:



http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2695.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2695.mp4)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/th_MVI_2697.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/?action=view&current=MVI_2697.mp4)



http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/IMG_2693.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/IMG_2694.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/IMG_2698.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i30/sdreamcatcher/squirrels/Injured%20Squirrel%20Boy/IMG_2700.jpg

[sdreamcatcher]

If it is a break should be all better in about 3 weeks...one of mine broke his tibia and dragged it just like this little boy...with each passing day he looked better and better...they have amazing healing powers!!!!! And within 3 weeks ,just as the vet told me, he was fine!:jump

Another thread I wanted to update; mudmaiden I believe you are right, he did seem to heal up just fine. I have no idea how he is now, because we have so many boys and he limped less and less as the days and weeks went by. There is a very good probability I see him every day and just don't know it, lol. He did get a bit tamer but may have wilded up again. Perhaps he was the one I saw playing and dancing in the neighbor's yard yesterday :).