Hurt Squirrel - Chicago

[magdaryan]

Hello, a medium size (looking full grown) squirrel is dragging her lower body. I don’t think she can move her tail or back legs at all. I have been feeding birds (and at some point squirrels started feeding themselves on the bread leftovers) for the past 5 years, but I don’t recognize her as one of the 5-7 usuals. Not that it makes a difference, but maybe that’s why she crawled to our house looking for help.
Few days ago my mother-in-law was coming back from a walk with our son and noticed this squirrel in front of our house, looking… in shock. We don’t know if the squirrel was hit by a car (no visible injuries), or what else could possibly cause her condition. We gave her peanuts, dry cereal & low bowl/plate of water. She keeps coming back every day now, and we give her food. She doesn’t seem to be in pain. And she moves around much better, pretty quickly actually, still only moving her upper body, dragging the rest. And there is this horrible smell (skunk? rotting-like) that accompanies her. Poor thing. I don’t know much (at all) about squirrels, is there something we should do, someone we can contact? We live on the northwest side of Chicago. I can’t take her inside, we have a baby and two cats. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[mugzeezma]

Hello, a medium size (looking full grown) squirrel is dragging her lower body. I don’t think she can move her tail or back legs at all. I have been feeding birds (and at some point squirrels started feeding themselves on the bread leftovers) for the past 5 years, but I don’t recognize her as one of the 5-7 usuals. Not that it makes a difference, but maybe that’s why she crawled to our house looking for help.
Few days ago my mother-in-law was coming back from a walk with our son and noticed this squirrel in front of our house, looking… in shock. We don’t know if the squirrel was hit by a car (no visible injuries), or what else could possibly cause her condition. We gave her peanuts, dry cereal & low bowl/plate of water. She keeps coming back every day now, and we give her food. She doesn’t seem to be in pain. And she moves around much better, pretty quickly actually, still only moving her upper body, dragging the rest. And there is this horrible smell (skunk? rotting-like) that accompanies her. Poor thing. I don’t know much (at all) about squirrels, is there something we should do, someone we can contact? We live on the northwest side of Chicago. I can’t take her inside, we have a baby and two cats. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Is she still loose or do you have her?
Call me
(630)464-2663

[magdaryan]

She's loose, but keeps coming back for food

[mugzeezma]

She's loose, but keeps coming back for food
Is she using her hind legs at all?...Can she climb a tree?

[mugzeezma]

I'm wondering how bad off she is...how hard she would be to capture and evaluate...If she cannot move her back legs she will be easy prey to just about any animal that comes along.
As far as the odor is concerned, she may have been soiling herself for some time or has dragged herself into something nasty and cannot clean up. There may even be necrotic tissues or gangrene...hard to say without pix.

[magdaryan]

No, I don't think so. We saw her try to climb with front arms, but then she fell on her back. Somehow she went about 3 feet up on the tree. It seems that her injury must be recent because her first instinct is to run on the tree.

[mugzeezma]

No, I don't think so. We saw her try to climb with front arms, but then she fell on her back. Somehow she went about 3 feet up on the tree. It seems that her injury must be recent because her first instinct is to run on the tree.
What town are you in? Chicago proper?
I am going to Private message you and you can reply back ok?

[magdaryan]

I'm wondering how bad off she is...how hard she would be to capture and evaluate...If she cannot move her back legs she will be easy prey to just about any animal that comes along.
As far as the odor is concerned, she may have been soiling herself for some time or has dragged herself into something nasty and cannot clean up. There may even be necrotic tissues or gangrene...hard to say without pix.

Her fur looks ok, clean, I got pretty close to her today to give her bread and see. Unfortunately, I do think she is easy prey. And even if she survives next few months, I can't imagine her surviving Chicago winter.

[mugzeezma]

PMs don't work for new members...okay here we go.
Is there any way you can trap her?
You will have to be careful since she is already injured.
Can you get a Hav A Heart trap? Ace Hardware sells them

[mugzeezma]

Her fur looks ok, clean, I got pretty close to her today to give her bread and see. Unfortunately, I do think she is easy prey. And even if she survives next few months, I can't imagine her surviving Chicago winter.
Most likely she will be cat or dog attacked before then. She needs fresh water and healthy food. Bird seed and bread is not nutritious enough for a sick squirrel.

[magdaryan]

PMs don't work for new members...okay here we go.
Is there any way you can trap her?
You will have to be careful since she is already injured.
Can you get a Hav A Heart trap? Ace Hardware sells them

If I do, I think it would be a pretty dramatic experience for both her and me. :) I'm not at home all the time (what if someone else walks into the trap?), and what to do with her once she is caught? I think she would be terrified.
My son is asleep, and I can type, but not really talk (phone).
We are by Elmwood Park.

[mugzeezma]

If I do, I think it would be a pretty dramatic experience for both her and me. :) I'm not at home all the time (what if someone else walks into the trap?), and what to do with her once she is caught? I think she would be terrified.
My son is asleep, and I can type, but not really talk (phone).
We are by Elmwood Park.
If you could trap her I would take her from there.
I may be able to help you out tomorrow afternoon.
Can you text me?

[mugzeezma]

Can you text me?

I am 20 miles or so west of you...let me know what you want to do.
In' the meantime you can gain her trust by offering her unsalted roast nuts or peanuts, avocado chunks, a bit of peanut butter on the bread, dabs of yogurt on bread, apple chunks, blueberries, strawberries, etc.

I have a trap, nets etc

[magdaryan]

If you could trap her I would take her from there.
I may be able to help you out tomorrow afternoon.
Can you text me?

It's easier for me to type rest here: I want to help her. I'll call you in the morning. Thank you.

[mpetys]

Good luck you guys! Hopoing for a good outcome. Keep us updated tomorrow.


Michele

[Twi_prime]

It's easier for me to type rest here: I want to help her. I'll call you in the morning. Thank you.

You came to the right place, Magdaryan. If anyone can (and will!) help your little friend, it's the folks here. Good luck, everybody.

[mugzeezma]

It's easier for me to type rest here: I want to help her. I'll call you in the morning. Thank you.

I'm up and about...
I had a badly injured baby squirrel come in last night and had to care for her. and teenagers to wrangle.
I apologize for not replying.
Give me a call today and we will figure out what to do....:thumbsup

[magdaryan]

Thank you for your great support! I have two boxes ready, I'm watching and waiting but she hasn't come yet. Every other squirrel is here for the mountains of peanuts in the "capture area", hoping she'll show up too. I'll keep you posted.

[mugzeezma]

Thank you for your great support! I have two boxes ready, I'm watching and waiting but she hasn't come yet. Every other squirrel is here for the mountains of peanuts in the "capture area", hoping she'll show up too. I'll keep you posted.

LOL...The watched pot never boils. She'll arrive in her time ...I hope!

[magdaryan]

No luck today, hope to see her tomorrow.

[mugzeezma]

No luck today, hope to see her tomorrow.

Tomorrow is another day......:tilt Let me know what I can do Magda!