Sick Gray (emergency)

[Anita Rae]

This lady has a 10 month old gray in an illegal state...Mass. She won't take it to the vet. Is there a rehabber anywhere close?

http://www.voy.com/16478/15819.html

[Apple Corps]

Anita: here is the link from TSB:

http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23

Let us know what is up.

[island rehabber]

Exactly where in Mass. is she? This squirrel should have been treated sooner; it may be too late. What part of Mass -- near what city????

[Somebody's Mother]

i put out a couple pm's on another board questioning if we can find a vet or rehabber for her. this squirrel should have been taken to a vet immediately.

[Somebody's Mother]

can she not take the poor creature to an emergency vet clinic and say she found it outside and that it was by an old coke container or something? if the squirrel is cut up inside it must be in terrible agony. i mean euthanization would be more humane than to allow it suffer.

[squirrelygirl]

Oh my gosh! How sad. The squirrel needs to go to a vet. Even if she does get in trouble, it is better than letting the squirrel suffer until it dies. She should be willing to do anything to make sure her baby lives!

[Apple Corps]

I just spoke with the woman in Boston - her fuzzer chewed and swallowed some sharp plastic. The poor little fuzzer was throwing up blood and was choking on a large blood clot. The plastic was thrown up - good news there. No more blood for the last 12 hours, normal bowl movement, but the fuzzer is very weak. My guess is a lacerated something between the mouth and stomach. Pedialyte is on the way, the heating pad is on, the little fuzzer is in dark "calm" area. My suggestion was to keep the fuzzer very calm, warm, hydrated, "pedialyted" and pray that natural healing will work. The only other alternative I know of would be to a vet for surgery.

She appears to have a solid understanding of things.

[island rehabber]

that's great, AppleCorps. It seems as if a lot more time has passed since the original post, and I'm sure glad the squirrel coughed up the plastic so it would not tear up his intestines, etc. Good work, AC!:thumbsup

[Apple Corps]

island rehabber - thanks - not sure I really added much after listening to her. I did suggest that she get a call into her vet - the little fuzzer could bleed out at any time - but encouraging that the fuzzer is still alive. I explained that they are not going to haul her off to jail. She is near Tufts Vet campus but she is convinced that the vet school would simply want to put her fuzzer down. She really does love her little fuzzer - tough place to be in.

Fingers crossed............

[Anita Rae]

When I talked to her, I suggested a vet too. She was sure that they would take the little fellow and she wasn't going to let that happen. That is why I was hoping there was a rehabber near by that could intervene. Thanks for all your advice and info. I hope the little fellow is OK.

[LynninIN]

I suggest no solids for a least 3 days. Ensure if the squirrel will take it with pedialyte (slightly warm only) then progressing to soft food like baby, banana or yogurt. The squirrel will be volume depleted and will be unstable in balance for a few days. He/she will also have difficultly staying warm. Use a heating pad on low or a soda bottle filled with warm water. Wrap either in a towel before placing next to the fuzzer. If using a water bottle it must be reheated hourly. Put the squirrel in a box then place a towel or piece of fleece over him/her and cover the box with another of the same. Keep him calm with very limited activity or 24 hours, monitored activity for a few more days. Watch stool closely for red or black bowel movements, you can expect color changes due to prior blood in the GI tract but it should clear very quick and not become darker or redder.

[ravenlaws32]

prayers to the skwirl , but a big thumbs down to this woman:shakehead . for fear of someoen taking the skqirl and saving its life instead of suffering she does not want totake to a vet !!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr im sorry im really pissed at that scenario.


right now thoughts are only with the skwirl.:grouphug

[thundersquirrel]

wow, what a terrible thing to happen. we need to get her on the squirrel board. did anyone mention that?

[henrismom]

I'm just asking, but does anyone know how the squirrel is doing? I keep coming back here hoping to see that everything is o.k.
Loving henri the way I do, and having him teach me so much about squirrels and the way they are, if I was in that situation I would go and get the help even knowing that I would lose the squirrel to whoever.
Just know what I would do, help the squirrel.....:)

[sparkysmom]

Haven't been around much lately, but I also am in a state where it isn't legal. I worried myself sick about something happening to Sparky. I decided to get back plans in place just in case of an emergency. I would suggest that to anyone who is in a state where its not legal. I couldn't bear anything happening to my Sparky.

[henrismom]

sparkysmom, Like you I have to have a back up plan, for medical care if needed, something that I worry about all the time.
I was just worried about this little squirrel, I know a vet that would put it to sleep as would rehabbers out here.....if you could even find one, but that is
how it works here.:shakehead

[Bell & Noah]

I did e-mail the owner of the gray last night. I found her e-mail address on the web site she posted. But I have not received a e-mail back yet. I was also wondering how the squirrel was doing. I did ask her to come back on TSB and let everyone know.

[Somebody's Mother]

i knew this was posted on the nfsa messageboard also so i went and checked there. still no info. sorry.

[Apple Corps]

Friday Evening - 9:55 EST - I just tried calling Rose for an update but got the machine. I'll try again in the morning.

[ravenlaws32]

well atleast folks are trying , keep it up hopefully we get a good report. atleast i am praying for one.

[island rehabber]

I have not gotten a response to my direct email or PM either.... I hope we hear something today. I originally went for the rehabber's license for this very reason: so no one could take my Squirli away if he got sick, since squirrels are illegal in NY too.

[henrismom]

I was back here again just looking for an update. Wish when I come back again that I see that the squirrel is doing fine.

IR, I wish that I could get some kind of license, so I won't have to worry so much. I talked to an x-rehabber out here and asked how hard is it to do. Well
out here you have to jump through hoops than rings of fire....that is why she
gave it up. You can't ever work under a rehabber here, they don't want the
help. So I stay very quite around where I live, once a baby is touch by human
hands it's the kiss of death for the squirrel....:dono

[ravenlaws32]

I was back here again just looking for an update. Wish when I come back again that I see that the squirrel is doing fine.

IR, I wish that I could get some kind of license, so I won't have to worry so much. I talked to an x-rehabber out here and asked how hard is it to do. Well
out here you have to jump through hoops than rings of fire....that is why she
gave it up. You can't ever work under a rehabber here, they don't want the
help. So I stay very quite around where I live, once a baby is touch by human
hands it's the kiss of death for the squirrel....:dono

that sucks , here in nc you can find rehabbers to be friendly and help and let you work with them to get advice and experience. i mean when i got my license it is definately no picnic and is involved with alot of stuff but some states definately have it worse then others. i mean like secret squirrel who is a friend of mine if she lived in nc she would already have a license easily. as with most stuff when local and state government are involved in anything you can bet its a mess



raven

[Apple Corps]

I just spoke to Rose and her little fuzzer is still alive :jump

She is now thinking that it may have ingested some poison in her house. Current symptoms:

VERY little use of rear legs
Just starting to eat solid foods again - some kiwi fruit
Alert - moving around her little living area
The fuzzers urine really smells - never an issue before
No bowel movements yet - but has not eaten much either

Any ideas - I'll consolidate them and call her back tonight.

[island rehabber]

strong-smelling urine is usually indicative of a urinary tract infection, which can occur from an animal not urinating normally over a period of time -- maybe since he became ill? It is most important to encourage the passing of any poisons thru the squirrel's body -- lots of fluids and even mineral oil can help here. My books suggest Vitamin K, as well, to replace any blood loss as previously described. I will PM you with the dosage I found.

[Mars]

What you describe are all symptoms of dehydration. I agree with IR, lots of fliuds. I would also recommend keeping the baby of a liquid or very soft food diet for a few days yet and let the poor thing heal. The rear legs - is it a weakness, a lack of coordination or paralysis? I can not picture what you have put into words.

[Apple Corps]

Mars - what was described was very limited use of the rear legs - some minor movement. She described her fuzzer moving up a pole by pulling herself up with her front legs and the rear legs not much involved.

If you click on the link in the original post it gives you Rose's phone number. Perhaps one of you senior re-habbers could call her. I've pushed the get to a vet several times but Rose tells me that they all refuse to see the fuzzer and that it will be put down. Thus, we are where we are.

Any other ideas on diagnosis / treatment??

[LynninIN]

Suggestions on feeding: mashed banana, avocado or yogurt. Ensure is a good idea with lots of fluids. If all of the symptoms are a result of trauma to the esophagus from the plastic and resulting gi bleeding then keeping the pH level low and a liquid diet for a few days will help. I'm a little concerned with the seeds in a kiwi because of the ruff edge and potential to lodge in any area that was damaged. The difficulty with the back legs I'll leave to the squirrel pro's.

Anita is in a difficult position and obviously loves her fuzzer. It's sad that a vet won't help her.

[Apple Corps]

Lynn - I am wondering a bit if the plastic caused bleeding or might the plastic have contained the poison and was incidental to the real injury?

Hx - Dx - Rx we really don't know the cause - frustrating. I'm going to hit the sack and say another prayer for the little fuzzer.

[LynninIN]

Lynn - I am wondering a bit if the plastic caused bleeding or might the plastic have contained the poison and was incidental to the real injury?

Hx - Dx - Rx we really don't know the cause - frustrating. I'm going to hit the sack and say another prayer for the little fuzzer.

How's Boogie this morning? How is Rose holding up? I posted the wrong owners name in my last post.

Do you know what size the plastic piece was and where he got it?

[Apple Corps]

BOOGIE HAS SURVIVED :jump :jump

Pictures to follow :D :D :D :D

[island rehabber]

Hallelujah! Can't wait to hear/see more about him! :wahoo

[Apple Corps]

:multi :multi :multi

Current thinking is that Boogie found an old rat poison bait station behind the washing machine - no one knew it was there.

Rose was there for her fuzzer for several days straight - she really put in the effort. Boogie is still weak but has regained use of the rear legs and is recovering. We'll probably never know what damage has been done but there are times that you just have to say GREAT - sad it happened but he is still with us :wahoo

[island rehabber]

Yikes, rat poison. For those who don't know this, most rat poison in bait form is actually an anti-coagulant or blood thinner. (The human cardio drug Coumadin is the same thing.) The animal becomes, in effect, like a hemophiliac, with internal bleeding that is usually fatal. Boogie is SO lucky that he survived! Thank God he had a smart human in Rose to take care of him, and the great advice of Apple Corps and others here. I hope she's making that boy a nice big spinach and kale salad to replace his Vitamin K, and some yummy special treats, too. :thumbsup :)

[Apple Corps]

Here is the link Rosie provided:

http://invite.filmloop.com/x?F8zqIw3L4HrJV82uKUR1xX0UcuJDe-6K

Rosie siad Boogie is kinda dirty from the experience - clean up later :-)

I did mention the vitamin K to Rosie this morning - she really gets the credit for pulling Boogie through - a lot of TLC - he is a cutie :flash3

[Rache4173]

What a sweet baby!! Well, not-so-baby, but still! :) So handsome, I'm so glad to hear that he's recovering!!

[Somebody's Mother]

Thank God!! so glad to hear he is doing better. :thumbsup

[Gabe]

Vitamin K is the antidote for many rat poisons. It helps to thicken and clot the blood. Be careful as you can overdose him on the pure form.

[Bell & Noah]

Glad to hear Boogie is doing better. Great job Rosie. :thumbsup He is so cute.

[LynninIN]

:multi Way to go Rosie! Boogie is very cute.

[rosiemonkeyballz]

BOOGIE LIVES.....THANK EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT AND ALL YOU PEOPLE WHO SAID PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE POWER OF LOVE.... I DIDNT LEAVE BOOGIES SIDE FOR 3 DAYS AND I NURSED HIM BACK TO HEALTH....HERE ARE TWO PICS OF HIM FROM TODAY... HE IS ALMOST BACK TO HIS OLD SELF BESIDES HIM BECOMING A BIT MORE AFFECTIONATE TOWARDS ME. HE KNOWS HOW MUICH I LOVE HIM AND HOW I WAS THERE FOR HIM WHILE HE WAS SICK AND I NEVER GAVE UP HOPE....... HES ALIVE..... THANK YOU RICK FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL CARING PEOPLE LEFT IN THIS WORLD....HIS TEETH ARE OVER GROWN BUT I BEEN CRACKING HIS NUTS AND STUFF FOR HIM.... I WILL TRIM THEM TOMMORROW WHEN I HAVE SOME ASSISTANCE...THEY OVER GROWN BECAUSE HE DIDNT EAT OR CHEW FOR 5 DAYS... NOW ITS 10DAYS SINCE THE INCCEDENT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS BECAUSE USUALLY HE NAWS AND CHEWS N FILES THEM AROUND THE HOUSE.... TO ALL THE HATERS... BOOGIE LIVES A LIFE SECOND TO NONE... HAD I KEPT WALKING HE WOULD OF SURELY DIED IN THE CITY STREETS....HE HAS THE BEST OF CARE..... I STRONGLY BELIVE BOOGIE SURVIVED THE POISONING BECAUSE OF THE GREAT CARE I HAVE GIVEN HIM THROUGH OUT HIS 10 MONTHS WITH ME.... HE WAS STRONG AND HEALTHY..... AND HE IS ON HIS WAY BACK FROM THE DEAD..... NEVER GIVE UP HOPE...... SOMETIMES THATS ALL YOU HAVE!!!!

[rosiemonkeyballz]

can she not take the poor creature to an emergency vet clinic and say she found it outside and that it was by an old coke container or something? if the squirrel is cut up inside it must be in terrible agony. i mean euthanization would be more humane than to allow it suffer.
HAD I TAKEN BOOGIE TO A VET.... WHO WOULDNT TREAT HIM...I CALLED A TON OF THEM FOR ADVICE... THEY WOULD OF TAKEN HIM AWAY FROM ME..... AND HE WOULDNT BE HERE FROLICKING WITH ME TODAY.... IF BOOGIE WAS TO DIE HE WILL DO IT UNDER MY TERMS...HE WILL DIE AT HOME ... IN HIS NEST...AND I WILL HOLD HIS LITTLE HAND THE WHOLE TIME... IF IT HAD BEEN UP TO YOU HE WOULD OF BEEN DEAN, AND NOT GIVEN A CHANCE TO RECOVER LIKE I DID..... HES LIKE MY BABY... AND WOULD YOU PUT YOUR BABY DOWN????? OR HOW BOUT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE SICK??? SHOULD WE PUT YOU OUT OF YOUR MISERY?????

[Somebody's Mother]

rosie it was originally told to us that he had swallowed some sharp object and was bleeding internally. if that were the case then he most probably would of bled out.
i am so glad that you didn't take my bad advice. i do apologise. but from the information i had read it sounded like you were putting your need to keep ownership of him over his needs. that information proved to be false. and boogie is one very lucky little squirrel.
again i apologise.

[rosiemonkeyballz]

I REALIZE THAT NO ONE... NOT EVEN ME KNEW WHAT HE HAD INGESTED....SO WHY PLAY GOD AND TAKE A LIFE??? HAD HE BEEN IN THE WILD HE COULDNT DRIVE HIMSELF TO THE VET AND GET PUT DOWN.... SO Y WOULD I GIVE UP ON HIM???? I COULDNT DO THAT...... I WOULD DO THE SAME THING AGAIN IF IT EVER HAPPENS.... I THINK IT WAS ULTIMATELY POISONING BECAUSE OF THE PARALISIS IN HIS LEGS...IM NO DOCTOR BUT LOSS OF BLOOD DONT ATTACK YOU CENTRAL NEURVOUS SYSTEM BUT POISON DOES AND HE HAD NO CONTROLLED FUNCTION OF HIS BOTTEM HALF.... HE DIDNT EVEN KNOEW THAT HE WAS PEEING.... IT WAS ALL OVER HIM AND IT NEVER EVER LIKE THAT..... EUTHINIZATION SHOULD BE A VERY VERY LAST RESORT... IF HE MADE IT THROUGH THE 1ST 24 HOURS ....CHANCES ARE HE WILL MAKE IT..... AND HE KNOWS THAT I WAS THERE FOR HIM IN HIS TIME OF NEED....TRUST ME I CAN SEE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS AFFECTION TOWARDS ME......I COULD NEVER LET HIM DOWN... IF GOD WANTS HIM HE WILL TAKE HIM AND THATS THAT... HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY NEEDS..... I TENDED TO BOOGIES NEEDS FOR A WEEK... BY HIS SIDE..... NEVER LETTING HIM FEEL ALONE AND AFRAID.....THAT MY PEER IS LOVE

[Apple Corps]

Rosie - have you had a chance to "shampoo" him up yet? Please post a current pic of him - I'd love to see the progress - we are al so glad he made it (Boogie is glad to we bet) :jump :jump

A lot of work and dedication on your part - we all know that.

[LynninIN]

Rosie, everyone knows what a wonderful job you did with Boogie. I'm so glad you returned to the board to tell us how he is doing. We had little information to go on and were doing our best to help you help Boogie. To answer your question....yes, internal bleeding can cause neurological problems. So, at least we were trying to do something and cared enough to post.

We all love our baby squirrels so much that emotions sometimes take over the keyboard. The person you referred to has a baby squirrel she adores. She didn't know you and couldn't stand to think of a squirrel in pain. Remember we had little information to go on. If you look in the posts, she returned to the board and said she was very happy that Boogie was better. Consider that nobody knew who you or Boogie were and someone was posting your information from another site. Many of us kept returning to this thread hoping to hear how he was. Everyone was so happy to hear Boogie was doing so well and that your such a great, loving squirrel momma.

Something that I recently learned was typing in capitals is the same as yelling at someone. I really don't care as long as your here updating us but if that wasn't your intention, I thought you would like to know.

Please focus on all the positive responses instead of the negative and join us on the board to share your pictures and stories of Boogie.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

He's beautiful, Rosie. Please post more pics of him when you get time.

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

Rozie,

Boogie is a really nice name for a squirrel, I believe we are more happy that she is healed and well, pls let us share your joy and happiness to bringing Boogie back. Its the ideal ending and we can understand your dedication. Its also good to listen to yourself because ultimately it is yourself who bears most responsibility. I admire your love and commitment to little Boogie. Do tell us more =)

Josh

[island rehabber]

SinSingapore, if you look at the upper left corner of each post you'll see the date when it was posted......that thread was from four years ago. :sanp3 :)

[asweetdiversion]

SinSingapore, if you look at the upper left corner of each post you'll see the date when it was posted......that thread was from four years ago. :sanp3 :)

Thank God IR I thought I had missed like 4 years worth of pics and info on Boogie due to my computer goofing up until I looked up in the left hand corner.
LoL, thought I was loosing it. 129617

[island rehabber]

Thank God IR I thought I had missed like 4 years worth of pics and info on Boogie due to my computer goofing up until I looked up in the left hand corner.
LoL, thought I was loosing it. 129617

:jump

it happens....it happens.....:poke:rotfl