~14 week old paralized squirrel

[tate8186]

I had rehabilitated Squirt about 6 weeks ago and everything was going fine until a dog came over to visit and she grabbed him. For the last 4 weeks we have been taking care of him. He is very attached to us and we to him. His back legs don't work but his tail seems to when he's aggravated. Still don't know if it's involuntary or not. He cannot control his bodily functions so we help him with that and bathe him several times a day. We've tried diapers but it's difficult if alone to get them on.
I just purchased a Ferret Nation cage for him and I'll put plenty of stuff in it to keep him busy. I have some birch bucks and plan to get some pine. We change his bedding daily which is cloth. I have a large cage in my van so he travels w/me as well as sweatshirts and vests w/large pockets so he can come to work or visiting.
I have read the literature on raising a baby squirrel and it sounded daunting but I don't have the heart to put him down. I know he'll live another 12 to 15 years and I'm ok with the commitment. I have 3 parrots which are going to outlive me and they have their own room. Squirt doesn't like them as they're noisy.
I am looking for any feedback on raising a paralyzed squirrel. I just found out a vet that treats rodents and is supposed to be good. My own vet said that if squirt didn't have any indication of movement in his rear legs after 4 weeks that the paralysis was probably permanent.
I am 61 years old and have plenty of time to give him. I manage three rehab facilities for humans and he's welcomed there.

Thanks
Bruce

The RehabGym Inc.
Vermont
802-846-7696

[lilidukes]

Bruce it sounds like Squirt has had a spinal fracture. If there is tail movement then he might regain some or all of the use of his back legs. I have a boy Wizard who came to me at 7-8 weeks old paralyzed and he will remain this way.

The good news is is that Wizard doesn't know he is disabled. But his crazy antics add more gray hairs to me daily. He is a great joy to have.

Sounds like you know what you are doing. Beware of UTI's if you are expressing his bladder. Keep ab's on hand.

The bar spacing on a ferret nation cage is to wide it will allow his back legs to possibly get hung up and cause a worse injury. I have seen Wizard get hung up on a 3/8" cage spacing. 1/2 in wire mesh makes for the safest cages for disabled squirrels. IMO

Best of luck Squirt is luck to have you. :grouphug :grouphug

[CritterMom]

Ha! I, too, have three parrots with their own room!

We have several members with animals that have similar issues, and several that HAVE made some pretty dramatic recoveries. While we wait for them, could you give us some info on him now? Specifically, some info about his diet - what does he eat day to day?