Grown hurt squirrel

[lillythesquirrel]

Hello,

I know you guys are the only ones who can help me. One of my friends found a full grown squirrel dragging itself across her yard. She was able to pick it up and place it in a box for me. It's back legs seem to be hurt in some way and I think he may be running fever. I've got him in a dark and quiet place right now but need advice on how to help it.

Any advice is definitely appreciated. Thanks, in advance.

Erin love

[lilidukes]

are there any wounds on this squirrel? is it full grown?

[lillythesquirrel]

I don't see any open wounds. Yes it is full grown.

[lilidukes]

can or does it move it's tail?

[Twi_prime]

Hi Erin. I'm very new to this, but warmth and hydration are the first things the veterans recommend tending to, warmth first, then hydration. Do you have a heating pad you could set on low and place under just half the box? That way, the squirrel can move off of the heated part if it feels too hot to him.

For hydration, I hear that diluted fruit-flavored Pedialyte is recommended and if you feed the squirrel this, it should be done with care, since they can get fluid in their lungs, which can cause serious problems. You would mix 1 part Pedialyte to 2 parts water **--Anyone at all please correct me if I am getting anything wrong--**. Feeding with a syrynge 3cc or smaller is recommended. If you use a dropper, use care. I used a dropper the other day in an emergency and my thought was to just let a drop at a time come out. I even just put it sort of next to the squirrels mouth and let him sort of nom-nom it off his lips, if you know I mean? If no one more experienced has replied by now, I'll send a pm or two to folks who seem to be online.

Thanks for taking this critter in. He needs you.

[lillythesquirrel]

Yes. It can move it's tail a little.

[Twi_prime]

...

Oh, I knew someone would show up quickly. Glad you're here Lilidukes. :)

[lilidukes]

was it crawling in a straight line or in circles?

sorry holding baby grandson and typing

[lillythesquirrel]

I'm not 100% sure but from what I gathered from my friend is that he was dragging himself in a straight line. He seems to have fever I think. He is sweating and very hot.

[lilidukes]

ok most likely a spinal injury. how is it laying curled, pancaked??? any ovious signs of pain teeth

[lilidukes]

we need to offer water and cool damp wipe down, possible heat stroke too

[lillythesquirrel]

He definitely seems to be in pain, I think. He isn't making any noise, however, but his breathing is fast and he seems tired. Which is why I think he's in pain. Not to mention the fever.

I agree that it's a spinal injury of some sort. He was laying belly down with his back feet sprawled out but I laid him very gently on his side after I noticed he was sweating.

[lilidukes]

We have to get him cooled down ASAP. Can you get him on a cool wet towel elevate his head slightly and keep wiping him down with cool damp clothes. Offer small amounts of water. I'm thinking heat stroke and we must address this first

Wipe the head and tail really good

[lilidukes]

A fan on low blowing over him would help too

[lillythesquirrel]

Ok. I'm wiping him down but now he's shaking. Not sure if he's cold or just scared and in pain. He just lays there and isn't really moving anything except his head and eyes.

[lilidukes]

Fever is from infection and with no open wounds Imo he is over heated. Most injured adults will allow you to help them move slowly and speak gently. You can mix a tsp of sugar and a half tsp salt to a couple cups of water and offer in small amounts.

[Twi_prime]

Ok. I'm wiping him down but now he's shaking. Not sure if he's cold or just scared and in pain. He just lays there and isn't really moving anything except his head and eyes.

Not to be overly frightening, but Lilidukes, is there any chance that the shaking could be a seizure coming on from heat stroke?

[lillythesquirrel]

He won't drink the water. I have a little pipette that I've used on baby squirrels but he's just letting it run out the other side of his mouth

[lillythesquirrel]

He's not shaking like seizure. He's just barely shivering like he's cold or just in pain.

[lilidukes]

He won't drink the water. I have a little pipette that I've used on baby squirrels but he's just letting it run out the other side of his mouth

Keep trying just a drop at a time. do you have any molasses or pancake syrup. If he starts seizing we will need to rub some onto his gums. use a qtip

[lilidukes]

Sweating is a sign of heat stroke

[lillythesquirrel]

No seizing yet thank goodness. Just lightly shivering. Will the spinal injury rectify itself with a little down time and tlc?

[lillythesquirrel]

He does seem to have cooled off some. I wiped him down for a good ten minutes. Is that sufficient to counteract heatstroke?

[lilidukes]

No seizing yet thank goodness. Just lightly shivering. Will the spinal injury rectify itself with a little down time and tlc?

Not usually. He needs to be on some meds Dexamethalsone a steroid or (Never ever together) metacam. Both are anti inflammatories.

Without the use of his legs he will need baths and a lot of constant care. Do you have a vet that will help you. A word of caution most vets and a lot of rehab facilities will euthanize him.

[lilidukes]

He does seem to have cooled off some. I wiped him down for a good ten minutes. Is that sufficient to counteract heatstroke?

no.. can you move him onto a cool damp towel? We need him to take a little water

[lillythesquirrel]

I put the cool towel on top of him and wrapped him in a towel. I do have a vet I can trust. I will most likely call him tomorrow to see if he'll make a special trip to the office to help this little fella. What should I do overnight tonight?

[lillythesquirrel]

What about the slight shivering he is doing?

[lilidukes]

Just keep him calm and quiet offer only water right now. Try to make him as comfortable as possible. When he starts taking water then you could off some apple peeled grapes or water melon. dice it very small he will only be able to use one hand to eat.

He does need a vet or an experienced rehabber to assist you. I fight for the lives of kids like this. I have NR squirrels with paralysis and they are very happy well adjusted kids. Don't let anyone give you the quality of life talk.

[lilidukes]

What about the slight shivering he is doing?

Over heating, scared possibly some pain. What a good boy he is being. By the way thank you so much for bringing him into your home.:grouphug

[lillythesquirrel]

Thank you so so much lili! I will most definitely fight for this baby too. I have a NR squirrel who lost one back leg and he has adjusted just fine too. I've just never had one in this shape before. :(

[Twi_prime]

I hope neither Lillythesquirrel or Lilidukes minds, but I went and played 'town cryer' as per earlier suggestions and pm'ed a couple of people, in case they have other helpful ideas. I really hope no one minds. Let me know if you'd like me to send an email or make a call, or be emailed a pic to upload. Willing to help if I can.

[lilidukes]

Thank you so so much lili! I will most definitely fight for this baby too. I have a NR squirrel who lost one back leg and he has adjusted just fine too. I've just never had one in this shape before. :(

Spinal injuries take 6-8 weeks to heal. I keep my kids very confined during this time to try to prevent any further damage to themselves. I will gladly share some of my experiences with you later.

This guy is so luck to have found you:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[lilidukes]

I hope neither Lillythesquirrel or Lilidukes minds, but I went and played 'town cryer' as per earlier suggestions and pm'ed a couple of people, in case they have other helpful ideas. I really hope no one minds. Let me know if you'd like me to send an email or make a call, or be emailed a pic to upload. Willing to help if I can.

ya done good:thumbsup

[lillythesquirrel]

Thank you lili! And I always know where to go with my squirrely emergencies!

[lilidukes]

Got to go feed a baby squirrel. Call me if you need anything.:grouphug :grouphug

[lilidukes]

You might want to look over this sticky about heat stroke. Talk later

http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17785

[lilidukes]

Wondering how your boy is this am?:grouphug

[squirrelfriend]

stress can cause the squirrel to go hot as well. Continue to keep him in a dark quiet area. Keep offering water. Water is very important at this time. Soft foods that are easy to eat such as nuts out of the shell, fruit and dark leafy greens.

Have you done a pinch test to the tail and back feet to see if he has feeling in them?

Thank you for caring for him and helping him.

[crazysquirrels]

If still running a temp or seems hot go to local builders supply store and buy a stone floor tile. Cost less than $10 and stays very cool. Had to do this Talula in the summer when I lost my a/c. To get it colder wet it down and refridgerate it for 30 min. Or I had to do this as a last resort I let Talula sit in the fridge to cool down. Now this one is wild so maybe not a good idea. But she would cool down and breathing slowed down when doing this.

[lillythesquirrel]

Well, the little boy isn't doing much better except I was able to get him to drink a little water. I've been offering him grapes but he won't eat them. When I woke up with him at 6 he was still very hot so I started the wipe down again. I've been checking on him every hour or so and offer him water and grapes each time. He seems very week and I'm not sure what to do.

[CritterMom]

I would get some pain meds on board this little guy pronto. Go to a drug store and buy some INFANT ibuprophen (they make childrens, adult and infant - get the infant). It is a liquid. He is full grown, so assume 1 pound in body weight. He can have 0.15cc infant ibuprophen every 4 hours as needed. It is sweet and fruity flavored and most squirrels love the taste. It will calm down the pain and if he has a fever should help that too.

[lillythesquirrel]

Well I just noticed something I didn't notice yesterday. His left arm is swollen. It has a tiny red mark on it when I move the hair around but it's not a puncture wound. I'm not sure what's going on. He still won't eat but he is drinking a few drops of water through a pipette every hour or so.

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

:bump :starwars ..Some attention here..

[Pierre]

Was she able to get some infant ibuprofen?... How's he doing now?

[lillythesquirrel]

Yes! I gave him some infant ibuprofen and he actually licked it as I was squeezing it into his mouth. That's the first time he's acted interested in anything I had! I don't see any change yet but I'm hopeful!

[crazysquirrels]

Perhaps a spider bite. Neurotoxin type????

[lilidukes]

Red spot could be a bruise. Might of been hit by a car. Or a bad fall. Push fluids if he will not eat get some pecan flavored ensure. I use this and add full fat yogurt. The yogurt is not necessary. Just like babies it is hard to get them to take much of anything for the first 24 hours.

Are you going to try your vet tomorrow?

[lillythesquirrel]

I have some baby food. Will that work?

Yes! I am definitely going to try my vet tomorrow.

[lilidukes]

Baby food is good. My girl Brighteyes loved anything with sweet potato and Ella my queen likes fruits with carrot. Any kind of nutrition will work for now. He is burning a lot of energy to try to heal himself.

In the infirmary is a thread called Hit By a Car by virgo it is the story of our Brighteyes. Just wanted you to know that miracles do happen. I am hoping to release Brighteyes next spring. She walks with only a small limp now.

[lillythesquirrel]

Thank you for the help and the inspiring words and stories!

[Pierre]

Thank you for helping this little angel. :grouphug

[lillythesquirrel]

Well, the prognosis was extremely grim. I don't know what to do. The doctor said he has a broken back, and a broken front left paw. The broken back compressed his spine which is affecting his bladder and other intestines. The doctor said his back is shattered with the pieces of it scattered around his lower body. He said no amount of steroids or even surgery would fix him to a point where he could even part way function. The main issue is the bladder. If, by some miracle, his arm heals and he can use it his back legs will never work which means his bladder will never work and I'll have to compress his bladder for him which the doctor says is extremely hard in males and could potentially lead to death. Not to mention, it's painful for the squirrely. What do I do?

[lilidukes]

Sent you a pm :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug