Adult-spinal injury/broken legs? Please help!

[all10ofus]

Yesterday evening on my way home from work, an adult squirrel was dragging himself across the road in front of my vehicle. I pulled into the next turn off, walked back to where he was with an empty box, towel and rope, and brought the poor thing home. (I am sure it was quite a sight considering I was terrified he was going to bite me) In my mind I knew that he was going to get eaten by somthing and die if I left him. My husband and I rehabilitated a baby squirrel about 2 years ago that had fallen out of his tree during a thunderstorm and was injured, and were shortly able to release him back to the outdoors. But an adult?? This is a whole different kind of experience!!
This is the situation-
-back legs will not work at all. From what I can tell, his tail isn't working either.
-no open wounds/blood
-when I first got home with him yesterday his heart rate was so high I was unable to count it. Today, it is about 130 bpm.
-also used stethoscope to listen to lungs, seems to be breathing fine (unfortunatley, I don't know what to listen for :confused: )
-Have been giving him infant motrin every four hours all night and today.
-Won't eat (assumed he wouldn't for at least 24 hrs?) but is still having normal bowel and bladder movements.
-Now he seems to be calm. Breathing seems even and normal and he is sleeping. Very lethargic though (shock?).
-also, I have injectable penicillin/procaine that I had to give to my tom cat a few months ago. I found what the proper dosing for the squirrels body weight would be (I am assuming since he is an adult he's probably 1lb or a little less?) Should I give him this in case he has any infection or to prevent infection?

I have called a few vets within an hour drive distance, but am unable to find anyone to treat a squirrel...however I have had a couple offer to "put him down".. No way, not if I can help it. Does anyone know someone that can help me with this little guy in my area? Or does anyone have any advice on somthing I can do for him myself? Any help is greatly appreciated.

[4skwerlz]

Someone will be here to help shortly.

Bless you for helping this little guy. You've done just right. You might want to provide a heat source (a heating pad set on low, placed under half of his container).

Probably either a spinal injury or a broken pelvis, due to being hit by a car. They can recover from these types of injuries given supportive care.

Poor little thing; at least he's warm and safe.
:grouphug

[all10ofus]

Someone will be here to help shortly.

Bless you for helping this little guy. You've done just right. You might want to provide a heat source (a heating pad set on low, placed under half of his container).

Probably either a spinal injury or a broken pelvis, due to being hit by a car. They can recover from these types of injuries given supportive care.

Poor little thing; at least he's warm and safe.
:grouphug


Thank you. I do have a heating pad under half of his box. I just hope that he is comfortable..

[4skwerlz]

Have you tried offering fluids with a syringe? A teaspoon of molasses in water makes a good rehydration solution, as does fruit juice and water, half and half.

You can also try offering a slice of apple, watermelon, or a grape.

He needs to stay hydrated because of the motrin especially.

[Jackie in Tampa]

can someone try Chickenlegs..WEARETHEIRVOICE....
krawls....pinkymamma..all in virginia

[all10ofus]

Have you tried offering fluids with a syringe? A teaspoon of molasses in water makes a good rehydration solution, as does fruit juice and water, half and half.

You can also try offering a slice of apple, watermelon, or a grape.

He needs to stay hydrated because of the motrin especially.


I have been trying to give him water in a syringe, but he just attacks it. It is a struggle to get him to take the motrin, but he likes the taste and after a few barks and attacks, he will take it. I don't have any molasses, but will corn syrup or pure honey work? If not I will run out and get some molasses and fruit juice.

[4skwerlz]

I have been trying to give him water in a syringe, but he just attacks it. It is a struggle to get him to take the motrin, but he likes the taste and after a few barks and attacks, he will take it. I don't have any molasses, but will corn syrup or pure honey work? If not I will run out and get some molasses and fruit juice.
Yeah, something to sweeten up the water might make the difference. While you're at the store, you might also pick up some watermelon, apple, and grapes. Once he's taking in some fluids, you can try him with a pecan.

[Kelly Brady]

Hi there,

I am not a licensed rehabber but I found a full grown adult male dragging his legs two weeks ago. Had no movement of the back area what so ever. I captured him as well. No external injuries and pottied just fine.

I was able to give him metacam which is an anti-inflam and I gave him fox valley formula via syringe and water via syringe. it took him two days to start nibbling on any food and he was quite ready to bite when I grabbed him to medicate or feed.

After two days he moved the right rear leg a little and within three days was moving all of his rear very well.

They do fall and bruise and need time for swelling to go down. Thank you so much for helping him.
I believe a rehabber can help you dose motrin to use to help reduce swelling and give other advice. Wanted you to know that they do come around and hope so very much your boy does to. My boy is back in his tree. :thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

how are you two this AM?:grouphug

[all10ofus]

how are you two this AM?:grouphug

Okay. I am still a little worried about this fella though. He is VERY lethargic and his breathing is a lot slower than yesterday.

He just ate 2 syringes of honey water and 2 of apple juice and water!! Really glad to get some hydration in him finally. I think he is starting to realize I don't plan to eat him..haha!

Also, I don't think he has any feeling in his back legs or tail at all. I tried to check them out a little bit. Was suprised that he didn't mind at all? Anyways, I don't feel any breaks in his legs (unless it's just fractured?) and his hips and joints all seem to be in place (thought maybe they could get dislocated?)

Correction to first post, he does have some open wounds, but they are caused from him dragging the lower half of his body through grass, pavement, and lord knows what else. And because he is not very mobile in his box now, he has peed on himself and those open wounds. Should I give him penicillin? I am so scared he is going to get an infection on top everything else. Poor fella...

Hoping I can find a vet tomorrow. Can anyone offer any advice? I am in VA, about 15 minutes from princeton WV and an 1 1/2 hours from Winston Salem NC.

[Jackie in Tampa]

if you have betadine...dilute it with water to the color of tea, syringe the wounds with it...
dry and apply neo or polysporin, Triple anti biotic or better yet, silversulphadine Rx if you have any of these.

To really hydrate, you need to use a rehydration solution..
I have not read entire thread, only skimmed...
1 quart warm water\3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt...keep in fridge for upto 3 days...

he will also need nutrition in order to feel good...and HEAL.
I recommend Fv but I know you don't have it...
try goats milk from the refrigerated section, near milk...pick up some heavy cream and yogurt.
No penicillan...find something else, plaese!The cillans reek havoc on the GI in sqs...bad bellly ache and all the side effects...
yuck to the cillans..
call around ask for ABs, make sure they are fairly fresh.
I can help with dosing if needed...I am not a Licensed rehabber or a vet,
just a sq friend.:Love_Icon
I will google your location and look for nearby help thru members...
maybe someone else knows a center or rehab facility up there..:dono

Hang on, others will be here soon to help...
make sure EVERYTHING is warm... him/her, container, formula, pedialyte, yada yada...

oh yeah, one more thing...try finding Ensure at the store too, some sqs like it and it is laoded with good calories...
some stores may carry the ever loved pecan flavor..otherwise get vanilla...I also reco vanilla yogurt...simple.

[Jackie in Tampa]

ooops, also while you are asking around for an AB {antibiotic} ask if anyone has metacam/meloxicam, it is human med and also widely used vet med...
it's a pain aide and anti inflammatory...
getting the swelling down in a timely manner may help a zillion...
getting the circulation back can make a big difference.
:thumbsup
good luck...
I will try to see if TSB has any near by members...:thankyou :bowdown

[lilidukes]

If we can get him to Charlotte, nc I might be able to get him.

Going to Spartanburg to pick up cages today

[Jackie in Tampa]

hi lili...love you

Ok did my member search...all peeps mentioned earlier are all, all...4-5 hours away...
however sissy is in spencer NC and she is 3 hours away..
lili has meds and is a damn good rehabber...so is sissy..
that's all I got for right now..
I will try again later if nothing falls in place..
I gotta feed babies
will keep thinking of an alternative that's closer...

[all10ofus]

Okay. Did the betadine and triple antibiotic. Also, have some metacam on it's way. Took some searching, but I have some wonderful critter loving friends that are really going to extra mile to help me! :peace

Also, got some vanilla ensure. He loves it. Have the fox valley formula on order with next day delivery.

We had some movement of the tail!! That's gotta be a good thing right?

Do you guys think he is lethargic and sleeping so much because he is healing, or somthing else? That is what I'm really worried about at this point.

[all10ofus]

If we can get him to Charlotte, nc I might be able to get him.

Going to Spartanburg to pick up cages today


Charlotte is about 3- 3 1/2 hrs from me. Normally it wouldn't be a big deal to drive that far, but I also have a 7week old baby. Don't want to leave him here and be that far away from him, but don't want to make him ride that far either...

[CritterMom]

The ibuprophen makes them a little sleepy, plus it relieves enough pain that they can actually relax. Eating and movement is a good sign. The ensure is wonderful stuff for these guys, too. If I could have a wish for every injured squirrel (besides a truly dedicated finder like you, of course) would be quiet, warmth, sleep, and food. Sometimes they just need support until their own recuperative powers can kick in, and you are providing all that and much more. :thumbsup

[4skwerlz]

We had some movement of the tail!! That's gotta be a good thing right?


Such good news! Sometimes a blow to the spine causes swelling around the spinal cord, and as the swelling goes down, they can recover use of the hind legs. Let's hope that's the case here.

Really the best thing for him is rest and as little movement as possible. That's great he's drinking and eating.

Excellent job! :thumbsup

[lilidukes]

Hi, just wanted to offer!

Feed him anything he will eat. I've had great success with the ensure. I add a little vanilla Dannon yogurt to it to help with tummy upset from meds.

If he is wet you are going to have to bath him. DO NOT use running water (they tend to freak out!) instead fill sinks and large bowls and dip. Baby bath wash is best. Keeping him dry is going to be your toughest battle. Receiving blankets and cotton diapers/burp clothes are very useful.

I use water therapy on the legs during bath time. Gently push up on the legs with an open hand a few times then do each leg individually with a single finger. Feel for any resistance from him. Always hoping he will wrap toes around your finger. You can also at this time run a finger down the backs of each leg to watch for any muscle response. Even a slight quiver is good.

You need to determine if he is peeing on his own or is his bladder leaking and if this is the case you will have to express his bladder for him or a UTI will come quickly. Smell for extremely very strong smelling urine it has a very distinct smell when infection is at hand.

Tail movement is great! I have Bright Eyes who had 2 breaks in her spine and could move her tail. Today she walks on 4 legs and is trying to learn to jump again. She can jump down but not up yet. You can read her story started by virgo062 called "Hit by a car". Many times I question myself about if this is the right thing to do ....Am I making the right decision for this animal....The animal will answer these question for you. As long as they are willing to fight for their lives I am willing to assist them.

If he makes it you have a long difficult road ahead for both of you but when you have success it makes it all worth while. I have also had kids who didn't recover the use of the legs and were a total joy to have for life. Then there are the kids who were just to damaged to fix.

I've been down this road a few times and will gladly help you in any way I can. My very best to you both:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

I will keep lurking...if you need help dosing the metacam just holler...
if lili or someone is helping in /via PM , please say so, TY!

you will need either need a pic or a weight in grams if possible to dose the meds
so glad you found the metacam!:thumbsup

[lilidukes]

I will keep lurking...if you need help dosing the metacam just holler...
if lili or someone is helping in /via PM , please say so, TY!

you will need either need a pic or a weight in grams if possible to dose the meds
so glad you found the metacam!:thumbsup

jit, I'm getting ready to head north for the day. Picking up most of my cages:thumbsup So I will be gone for most the afternoon. Would rather you do any dosing I'm a little unsure of my numbers still and will at this time only do it for others in an emergency situation without someone to double check me. Hopefully soon I will have more confidence about dosing. I know you could use a break:D :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug