Squirrel with bad jaw... will die if nothing done -Southeast WI

[Chemist]

Everyone,

I have a daily visitor to my deck that is not looking so good. He almost appears to be a dwarf to me, but I'm not positive that a dwarf could survive.

Anyhow, after I moved in my home, I noticed that one little one had something wrong with his mouth, but it didn't impede him too much. It looks at the very least like he had a broken jaw at some point. At this point it appears that his lower teeth are starting to grow too long and cause problems eating and is, perhaps, causing an abcess to start in his mouth. He survived the superstorm that we had last winter and I would be sad to see him wither away.

What I'm willing to do:
1) Buy a live trap.
2) Trap his ass.
3) Bring him a reasonable distance to someone.
4) Bring him back after the gifted individual has worked their magic.

What I need you to do:
1) Handle him.
2) Trim his teeth down.
3) Anything else.

I can help with expenses as long as they aren't too much.

So if anyone can please help, I'd very much appreciate it. Let me know.

Thanks!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123 welcome back!
it's been a week of bad teeth in wilds...holy geez!
Welcome to TSB...
pics will help of course...
also what county are you in?

[Chemist]

:Welcome :wave123 welcome back!
it's been a week of bad teeth in wilds...holy geez!
Welcome to TSB...
pics will help of course...
also what county are you in?


Hi. I've been lurking here for a while.. never really went away.

I won't get pics. Just have to trust me. He looks as if he only has one lower tooth. Also it seems that this is causing him to mess up his front legs when he tries to groom himself.

I'm in Racine county.

I'll buy the live trap tomorrow if I can get someone to commit to helping.

He's one of the guys who still won't eat from my hand, but will run up to me when he sees me out and stay within a few feet of me.

[island rehabber]

I don't know this rehabber personally but have heard positive things about her: http://www.wisquirrelrehab.com/
Susan Saliga -- not in Racine but maybe close enough? At least she could advise you. A quick check of our TSB rehabbers tells me we've got nobody in your area... :(

[Chemist]

I don't know this rehabber personally but have heard positive things about her: http://www.wisquirrelrehab.com/
Susan Saliga -- not in Racine but maybe close enough? At least she could advise you. A quick check of our TSB rehabbers tells me we've got nobody in your area... :(



I can't find the contact info for her. I've read enough to be wary of rehabbers, so any firsthand advice of who exactly to contact would be great.

I found someone in Kenosha county, but again, I'm worried because i've heard the horror stories. Perhaps it would be best to talk to them?

[Jackie in Tampa]

I know an older man in south cook county Ill...
I will Pm you his number...
I am also looking for other options...
sometimes a local rehabber is best bet...especailly one that will come to you...
just a wishful thought, have you tried the state list?
edit...ugh, slow typer...TY IR!

[Chemist]

I know an older man in south cook county Ill...
I will Pm you his number...
I am also looking for other options...
sometimes a local rehabber is best bet...especailly one that will come to you...
just a wishful thought, have you tried the state list?
edit...ugh, slow typer...TY IR!


Thanks Jackie,

I think I'll make this my second option. I'm going to contact Susan Saliga tomorrow. She's listed as the kenosha county rehabber on the state list. Are there any specific questions I should ask her to know if she's legit? What are warning signs? What are good signs?

Thanks.

[Jackie in Tampa]

you can start with asking if she will come to you, she may...or may suggest someone that will...
usually rehabbers have their own traps
ask if she clips teeth?
ask if she works with a vet or a rehab center.
Tell her under no circumstances do you want the sq removed or euthanized.
He is your yard buddy...no law against helping a sq in need..
It maybe in the sqs best intrest if you get Rescue Remedy...most health stores will carry it...$8..
it's an all natural herbal suppliment targeted at a calming soothing transition...
This way...when the sq is in the trap/container...you can spritz it on him...or rub on ear, it can actually be used in drinking water as well.
It can be repeated as needed...
always cover the trap immediately...and with the heat wave...keep him in a cool calm place.
Teeth trimming is fast...trapping not so much...:shakehead
be prepared...think ahead...
good luck...
keep us in the loop!

[island rehabber]

Should you need to buy a trap, these are what I have. Cheap and perfectly serviceable -- not the top-top quality that Ace sells, but hey, the price is right and you may only use it once. My suggestion: cut a piece of cardboard the width of the trap and about 6 inches long to tape onto the "trip platform" of the trap. Makes it a larger surface so that a small squirrel definitely sets it off. I use these traps to TNR feral cats and kittens, too. :thumbsup
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=trap

[Chemist]

Update on Operation Little Red One.

(I call him little red one because he appears to be a dwarf, and he's little and red! The Big Red One was general Patton's first infantry)

I found someone in waukesha county that will help. She said I have to bring him in on thursday.

Here's the catch: I need a trap that has a door that comes completely off. And I need to trap him on thursday. I have 3 ferrets that I can use to test the trap sensitivity, so that should be helpful.

Do those harbor freight ones have doors that come completely off? Any specific reccommendations would be helpful. Where I can get them, how much, etc...

I hope this is successful. Seeing the little guy like this makes me sad.

[Jackie in Tampa]

my traps are small sq sized cheapy hav a harts...the doors are stationary as far as being removed...
ther are some traps that are suitcase looking...I have only seen them...yet I am thinking they also do not come apart...
can I ask why the door must be able to come off?
glad to hear you found help!:alright.gif
keeping him well fed is to his advantage...
watermelon, avacodo, peanut butter grapes, romaine...all sq favorites and soft. Cut everything small cubes, almost chopped.
Nothing wrong with mega nut pcs, I do not recommend seed at this time.
Keeping others away will ensure his dining pleasure...and keeping his immune system up and him not taxed will keep the ever present parasites away, hopefully.
Be ready for mange...this can happen with weak and freaked sqs...it is natures way..internal parasites are most always present and show their ugly heads during hard times...
Revolution for puppies and kitties works well for most parasites, so having that and the Rescue Remedy is a good plan.
Keeping him hydrated also...fresh chilled water is a must!
thank you for doing all....:bowdown

[Chemist]

Thanks Jackie.

I am going to get him some apples and avocados tomorrow. I've been giving him shelled walnuts and pecans and brazil nuts lately. More lately, I've resorted to giving him nutri-grain bars. I know that's not ideal, but I'm thinking whatever is easy for him to eat and can provide some nourishment to him is better than nothing. He also seems to love them.

I feel so bad because I can feel his desperation for food lately. He's been one of the shyer ones the past year or so (I have a handful that will eat from my hand), but now he comes right up to me for food.

The good news is that it's finally cooling off here a bit, so the heat shouldn't be so taxing and I'm going to keep plenty of water out for him.

One thing the lady I talked to did say was that they would have to tranquilize him and then do the tooth thing. Is that a normal procedure? I think she was saying a real veterinarian was going to be doing it, so that makes me hopeful.

Cheers.

[Jackie in Tampa]

It is really stressful to the sq, sometimes seriously.
believe it or not...a 1 pound sq can really create some havoc...
they fight for their life...they are prey animals , it's fight or die to them.
but
there are many good natured wild sqs too..some are relaxed and gentle..
It does sound as if the rehabber may not clip....I am at least crazy enough to be hopeful to do on site...and willing to transport if not...
but hey, she gonna help and thats a major plus...
make sure she will bring him back immediately and that the vet will allow this...you need to know before going into it. Be sure....ask ask ask...

If you are uncomfortable in the least..do not hesitate to talk her into trying another day...and find someone else...
I know you'll protect him!:thumbsup
yes soft foods, poor little monkey:Love_Icon

[stepnstone]

[QUOTE=Chemist]Update on Operation Little Red One.
Do those harbor freight ones have doors that come completely off? Any specific reccommendations would be helpful. Where I can get them, how much, etc...

I have a med trap from harbor frieght that I use, it's very simular to havaheart except the "trigger' system is a little different. Still easy to use. The smaller so called rodent traps are really too small for squirrels even though it says rats, chipmunks, squirrels. Med includes groundhogs. These traps also have a rear door called quick release that could easily be taken off if nessasary but they fold all the way over when opened so I would not think you would even have to remove it. Can't remember what I paid but whatever it was it had to be reasonable, you can check their prices by going to their web site and type in live animal trap in search.

[Chemist]

Operation Little Red One, Day 3:

He came back this morning and looked about the same as yesterday. I got him some avocado, grapes, and apples. He initially took a grape, but then dropped it on the ground and came back for easier fare. I gave him a nutri-grain bar that he's been sitting on a branch for an hour eating. He has to kind of grind it to a paste and then eat it.

I'm going to go to harbor freight this week on my way home from work to find the right sized trap. The rehabber/vet will have to deal with the door thing. So I'm taking the day off on thursday or "working from home" to get this done. I think it should be successful, but he only shows up starting at about 10:30 AM and then hangs around most of the rest of the day. The worst thing is that they told me that I can only bring him on thursdays. I get that squirrels can be dangerous and difficult, but I am not sure if trapping him will be so easy that I can pick and choose when I catch him that well. If this Thursday passes by without success, then I'll have to talk to her about that.

Thanks for all the advice.

p.s. My favorite squirrel let me pet her today. Was amazing. She's been eating out of my hand for almost a year. Oh yeah.. after she got done letting me pet her, she smacked me with her claws and shuffled off.

[Scooterzmom]

Just my grain of salt... How about, maybe, trapping him before Thursday - setting the trap - and then feeding him within the trap until then? That is if it's not too stressful to the poor little one, :dono I'll defer to the experienced people for that.

[Chemist]

Just my grain of salt... How about, maybe, trapping him before Thursday - setting the trap - and then feeding him within the trap until then? That is if it's not too stressful to the poor little one, :dono I'll defer to the experienced people for that.


I'm fine with that. I've got a nice quiet basement that's cool that I can keep him in if that will work.

I only worry about him having water and enough food. I'm not sure what the best approach is here. The lady said in no uncertain terms that thursday is the only good day to do this, but I, personally, don't see having such a small window of opportunity as a good thing.

I'd like to hear opinions on whether it's best to keep him overnight perhaps or if that would be too stressful?

As an update, he was out on my deck eating avocado like crazy. He then hopped off and ran up to me and I gave him a brazil nut. Hopefully he'll stay strong through the whole ordeal that's coming to him.

[SammysMom]

I make the suggestion that catching him in a cage may be an option. Let him eat inside the cage (or trap tied open) for a day or so with the door open so he is able to come and go freely, then on Tuesday-ish close the door (untie the trap door) and latch (or set) it.
Whether it is a cage or a trap he will be fine. Just raise it up on blocks over newspaper or something and the poop/pee will just drop thru.

[Chemist]

Caught him today. Took him to the rehabber. He gets to vist the vet tomorrow and they are going to try to take care of it. He's probably going to stay a week or 2 to get some antibiotics.

It was so sad. When I took the cover off the cage in the back of the truck he purred at me (at least I think that was what it was) and seemed very happy to see me.

All in all, I think it's been successful so far.

[stepnstone]

Caught him today. Took him to the rehabber. He gets to vist the vet tomorrow and they are going to try to take care of it. He's probably going to stay a week or 2 to get some antibiotics.
It was so sad. When I took the cover off the cage in the back of the truck he purred at me (at least I think that was what it was) and seemed very happy to see me.
All in all, I think it's been successful so far.

Did the rehabber give you any opinions on what she/he saw??
Keep in touch with them please and keep us updated on his progress. I sure pray everything goes well for the little guy and your able to bring him back for release.

[Chemist]

Did the rehabber give you any opinions on what she/he saw??
Keep in touch with them please and keep us updated on his progress. I sure pray everything goes well for the little guy and your able to bring him back for release.


Oh man. Things went awry almost immediately with her. I did as everyone suggested and was confused about how they were going to take care of him.

They wanted him there on Thursday then said "we'll get to him when we have time" kind of thing. This confused me because I thought she had a plan. I questioned her and she immediately flipped her **** with "If you think somewhere would be better I suggest you... We work 80 hours a week and..." blah blah. My immediate reaction was to be like "why is she being so obtuse.. this isn't right". But who knows, she took offense and I ended up calming her down saying "I don't know what happened, but I'm trying to do the right thing here and whatever this is, doesn't matter, we should help this little guy."

I got there and she was very pleasant and we both apologized for the miscommunication and she explained the plan.

They are bringing him to a vet tomorrow where they will try to fix his teeth under anesthesia. Then they will run him through a course of antibiotics and I will be able to pick him up. She warned me that if things were "that bad" then they would possibly euthanize him. I made as clear as I could that I didn't want that and to just do what they could and give him a chance. She did seem to understand that there are some "rehabbers" that don't make an effort, but I got the feeling from her that she would be doing what she could to get this done.

I'll hear from her tomorrow about how he's doing.

(by the way, can anyone tell me what that sound means when it sounds like they are purring at you? it definitely doesn't seem like an angry sound to me)

[CritterMom]

I am sorry this went this way. I hope they will do a good job on this little one.

The purring is just what it sound like - happy, content. He likes you. I so hope they will do right by this little guy and let you have him back so he can stay around.

[stepnstone]

[QUOTE=Chemist]
They are bringing him to a vet tomorrow where they will try to fix his teeth under anesthesia. Then they will run him through a course of antibiotics and I will be able to pick him up. She warned me that if things were "that bad" then they would possibly euthanize him.

This scares me! :shakehead I know it is supposed to be the responsibility of rehabilitation to either be able to release or euthanize. I don't agree with the latter...

[Chemist]

[QUOTE=Chemist]
They are bringing him to a vet tomorrow where they will try to fix his teeth under anesthesia. Then they will run him through a course of antibiotics and I will be able to pick him up. She warned me that if things were "that bad" then they would possibly euthanize him.

This scares me! :shakehead I know it is supposed to be the responsibility of rehabilitation to either be able to release or euthanize. I don't agree with the latter...


That is what I was trying to get at when talking to her. I didn't get the vibe that she was just going to euthanize. In fact, we discussed that they may be able to trim his teeth down and then keep recatching him every year for his whole life and repeating the process.

I think if she just thought he would be put down then she wouldn't have mentioned that as an option. He's strong and in good shape, so I don't see why we couldnt just trim his teeth and catch him again next summer.

It made me very sad after Crittermom said the purring meant he recognized me and was happy to see me and that he trusted me, even in that situation. I am pretty optimistic that she is seeking proffessional care for him and, at least, I know I'm trying to do what's best for him. Had I done nothing he would have been dead in a few months.

Hopefully I can have him back in a few weeks and he can happily come and steal food from my deck like usual!

[stepnstone]

I hope he comes back to you too and when he's stealing food from the deck :poke we need pictures!

[Chemist]

Update! Operation Little Red One.


So they took him to the vet. He was put under anesthesia and they trimmed his teeth back. She told me the vet recommended putting him down. I said that may be best in some circumstances, but this guy has been around about a full year and I expect that this trimming would last him quite a while.

So we discussed options and she recommended that with the heat right now, that he stay for a week and get a course of antibiotics for the abcess that he had in his mouth from the bad tooth. She gave me the option of getting him right away, but I said if she thought that was best, then we would just go ahead and do that. So I will be picking him up in about a week and bringing him back.

We discussed whether he is a dwarf or not. I kind of am on the border if he is truly a dwarf or if he is just small because he can't get the nourishment because of his teeth problems. The thing to me is that he is pretty shaggy and I reckon that even if he just had nourishment problems then his fur wouldn't be that way. Any opinions?

I was so sad thinking about him being put down especially after he purred at me when I opened up the back of my truck and saw him. I swear he looked dead at me, flicked his tail and purred. Would a captured squirrel really do that in those circumstances? Can he really recognize me as a friend? I don't know.

Anyways, I promise pictures when I go to pick him up. Thanks everyone for all the advice. It seems as if operation: Little Red One is going to be successful!

Cheers!

[stepnstone]

Update! Operation Little Red One.
So they took him to the vet. He was put under anesthesia and they trimmed his teeth back. She told me the vet recommended putting him down. I said that may be best in some circumstances, but this guy has been around about a full year and I expect that this trimming would last him quite a while.
So we discussed options and she recommended that with the heat right now, that he stay for a week and get a course of antibiotics for the abcess that he had in his mouth from the bad tooth. She gave me the option of getting him right away, but I said if she thought that was best, then we would just go ahead and do that. So I will be picking him up in about a week and bringing him back.
We discussed whether he is a dwarf or not. I kind of am on the border if he is truly a dwarf or if he is just small because he can't get the nourishment because of his teeth problems. The thing to me is that he is pretty shaggy and I reckon that even if he just had nourishment problems then his fur wouldn't be that way. Any opinions?
I was so sad thinking about him being put down especially after he purred at me when I opened up the back of my truck and saw him. I swear he looked dead at me, flicked his tail and purred. Would a captured squirrel really do that in those circumstances? Can he really recognize me as a friend? I don't know.
Anyways, I promise pictures when I go to pick him up. Thanks everyone for all the advice. It seems as if operation: Little Red One is going to be successful!
Cheers!

Cheers indeed! :wott That is soooo good news! I'm with you, he don't need to be put down anymore then one of us with a handicap would need to be. I'm sure if he would need his teeth trimmed again there is a way just like this time. I do think animals have that 6th sense when humans are trying to help them. There's no question that he will recognize you as a friend when you take him back to his home, I can't wait to hear that news!
Thank you for taking care of him, you rock!!

[stepnstone]

Just wondering if there was any word on the progress of this little one? :thinking