Adult with possible broken back legs/back?

[mkhall1385]

Driving up the road today, I saw a cat following behind a poor squirrel dragging itself along by only it's front legs. I couldn't just leave it (I'm a super animal lover, but have never dealt with anything like a squirrel) I picked it up with a towel, brought it home and set it up in an extra rabbit/small animal cage I had. I've given it bird seed (for lack of anything better) and water. It is set up in my room with a towel over the cage. It has both eaten and drank. I have no idea what to do next. It seems very tired (obviously it's been through a lot) but will lift it's head when spoken to and to drink. It's tail is very frazzeled but the rest of it (aside from not moving it's entire rear end) looks in decent shape. I am really just hoping the poor thing will make it and that I'm pointed in the right direction. Also, I've seen by searching online that I can give it dry cat food? PLEASE HELP
Thank you
Miranda

[Nancy in New York]

For starters thank you for helping this little one.
Let me get back to you in 5 minutes, stay put, don't go anywhere...:thumbsup

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hi:wave123
Do you have a heating pad you can put 1/2 way under the cage, on low!
also if you have any fleece, small blanket, sweat shirt something he can cuddle up and hide in, not a towel ,their claws are very sharp and can get caught in it.
Try fresh salad greens, apples, cut up,( not seeds though ) blue berries, watermelon(no seeds) things like that. small pieces because it will be hard for him to hold it one handed while balancing with the other hand

[Nancy in New York]

Driving up the road today, I saw a cat following behind a poor squirrel dragging itself along by only it's front legs. I couldn't just leave it (I'm a super animal lover, but have never dealt with anything like a squirrel) I picked it up with a towel, brought it home and set it up in an extra rabbit/small animal cage I had. I've given it bird seed (for lack of anything better) and water. It is set up in my room with a towel over the cage. It has both eaten and drank. I have no idea what to do next. It seems very tired (obviously it's been through a lot) but will lift it's head when spoken to and to drink. It's tail is very frazzeled but the rest of it (aside from not moving it's entire rear end) looks in decent shape. I am really just hoping the poor thing will make it and that I'm pointed in the right direction. Also, I've seen by searching online that I can give it dry cat food? PLEASE HELP
Thank you
Miranda


OK first off keep the squirrel in a place where it is warm, dark, and quiet.
No towels, they can get their nails stuck in the loops. Put in a lot of old nightgowns (flannel) t shirts anything soft but nothing that will pull...like sweaters and such.
Put a heating pad half under the container that you have him in on LOW....OR take a sock, and put in one cup of uncooked rice, tie the top and microwave on high for 1 minute. Squish it around to make sure there are no hot spots....and place right next to the squirrel. He can move away if he doesn't like it.
You can give infant ibuprophen if you have it, he must be in pain. You can give this every 4 hours. Is this a grey squirrel?


SSM you are so much faster than me...:thumbsup

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

can you tell if there are any wounds from the cat??
Maybe the cat just noticed him and he was already hurt??
Dark, warm, quiet ...

[mkhall1385]

Thank you all for your quick responses! I cannot tell if there are any wounds from the cat. I have no idea how he got injured. I don't see any blood though. Ok....old sock with rice...got it. I think it's a grey squirrel....grey/brown colored? T-shirts...no towels...check! I have fresh lettuce straight from the garden....I can get more things tomorrow along with infant ibuprophen. Great! I had no real hope for this poor guy until I found this site. Thank you all so much! Dark, warm, quiet! Got it. Are there basics I should know when it comes to squirrels? I am so clueless....I'm usually dealing with stray dogs.
Thanks again so much!

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Oh yes there is a lot more, lets get him through the night as comfortable as possible for now. The love of a squirrel is nothing less than magic.

What does his fur look like?? is it laying flat or is it spikey, he may need some hydration formula, do you have pedialyte?
you can make your own if not
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water
never hurts to give a little extra hydration.
Since he is eating and looking around, that is good, no blood may be good also.

[mkhall1385]

Oh yes there is a lot more, lets get him through the night as comfortable as possible for now. The love of a squirrel is nothing less than magic.

What does his fur look like?? is it laying flat or is it spikey, he may need some hydration formula, do you have pedialyte?
you can make your own if not
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water
never hurts to give a little extra hydration.
Since he is eating and looking around, that is good, no blood may be good also.

Ok. His fur looks flat, not spikey. I do not have pedialyte, but could easily throw together my own with that recipe.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

flat is good, water should be fine
Is he showing any sign of pain?
Ears back .....head down?

Do you have INFANT Ibuprofen? It not only helps with pain but can help calm him and help with any swelling he may have.
Can you take a picture of him ?? you can email it to me , elgara53@cfl.rr.com
since you probably dont have full access yet.
a picture or two would help alot

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

also do you have any anti-biotics in the house, If he did get bit by the cat, they have bacteria in their saliva that is lethal.

[mkhall1385]

flat is good, water should be fine
Is he showing any sign of pain?
Ears back .....head down?

Do you have INFANT Ibuprofen? It not only helps with pain but can help calm him and help with any swelling he may have.
Can you take a picture of him ?? you can email it to me , elgara53@cfl.rr.com
since you probably dont have full access yet.
a picture or two would help alot


I just sent two pictures. They aren't the best. If you look though, you can see his hind legs are out like a frog's. I don't have infant ibuprophen, but I'll pick some up in the morning definitely. So far, I've been able to get him to drink out of a rabbit/small animal water feeder. He does grab it with his front paws to hold it if I put it down far enough. I have bedding in the cage like in my rabbit cage, recycled paper and cardboard. I'll have to find something else in the morning as it's really hard for him to scoot across the cage with his front paws....his feet slide. Any suggestions? I put in some ripped up cotton shirts.

[mkhall1385]

also do you have any anti-biotics in the house, If he did get bit by the cat, they have bacteria in their saliva that is lethal.


:shakehead No antibiotics. And his ears don't go back...but his head is down. He will lift it when I talk to him or put the water feeder by his head.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

no email yet

[mkhall1385]

I sent them again....I apologize for any duplicates.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Stay with us, we will want to know if he makes any sudden movements or changes , it is past his bed time so he may go to sleep.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

do you have something to cover him with

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Have you been able to see his belly at all

[mkhall1385]

I put those shirt pieces back over him after I took the picture. The white item next to him is a sock with microwaved rice in it and the cage is covered by two towels....should I do more?

[mkhall1385]

Have you been able to see his belly at all

I haven't....I'm afraid to move him much or touch him

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

ok , yes he looks scared, tired and hurt, hard to tell with out seeing his under belly, or feeling his bones , what exactly is wrong.
I would just keep him very quite, no radio or tv to scare him.
Very quite gentle talk , check on him often, but do close the door to the cage, you never know , he may just be stunned and get up and you'll have a squirrel running around your house.:D
Thank you so much for caring for this little guy, with a cat at his heels , he is much better off where he is now, that's for sure.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I am going to see if we have someone near you that can help ok??

[mkhall1385]

Ok. Thank you so much for helping me through this tonight!! I will continue checking on him throughout the night and will post first thing in the morning or earlier if anything is drastically different. And I would love to know where the closest person who could help would be. :thankyou

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I sent out some private messages and another thread to try to get you some help...
If we have someone in your area, would you be willing to let someone with more experience have him??
Can you drive anywhere if need be??

[mkhall1385]

I sent out some private messages and another thread to try to get you some help...
If we have someone in your area, would you be willing to let someone with more experience have him??
Can you drive anywhere if need be??

I would definitely hand him off to someone who would be more able to help him. Distance would play a big part, though.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

let's see if someone comes on first.
At least he is save and as comfortable as possible right now, you are doing a fantastic job:thumbsup

[Scooterzmom]

I would definitely hand him off to someone who would be more able to help him. Distance would play a big part, though.

Where in Vermont are you? You can email me the answer - just click on my name. Trying to find out if we have anybody near you.

One suggestion: since he's injured he may not be able to use the water bottle - may not know how anyway, being a wild. Maybe you can use a heavy but shallow bowl and put some small stones in it to weigh it down and to make sure it doesn't tip over. Put just enoughwater to cover the stones... the idea is for him to drink easily without dropping face 1st into it. He will need to keep hydrated for sure. Maybe you can offer some watermelon, leave it in the cage with him, or peeled grapes (skin can choke them), or apple... any fruit that has lots of water in it.

EDIT: Oops, I had not read the whole thread. Hmmmm... I don't know anybody in or near Southern Vermont .... darnit :( Praying we can find help for this little one. Thank you for taking the poor little thing in.

[SammysMom]

Oh I am so sorry I went to bed early because of 5am petsitting job! I don't know anyone in So. VT, but would e willing to help with a squirrel train if someone else can take him. Where in VT are you? Like what town are you near?

[mkhall1385]

The little guy is still with us. All through the night he didn't change much, but this morning, when I checked on him again about 20 minutes ago, he is kind of twitching...like little muscle spasms. He doesn't respond to me as well as yesterday either. I'm not really taking this as a good sign.

I'm in Brattleboro, Vermont. Right on the New Hampshire and Massachusetts borders.

[SammysMom]

How is he doing with drinking fluids? Thank you so much for all you are doing! Were you able to get the infant ibuprofen?

[CritterMom]

Can you find an eyedropper or syringe (without the needle)? Even something like an eyedrop bottle, well washed out, can work in a pinch.

Hydration may help him. If you have pedialyte, that is excellent. If not, make up:

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Quart water

Warm it to approx 105 - warmer than your skin temp - and dribble it into the mouth, a small amount at a time (not if the squirrel is lying on it's back - you don't want to give liquids if they are tipped back).

[mkhall1385]

His breathing is also MUCH shallower than yesterday. I am heating up the sock again and covering him to make him as comfortable as possible.

[mkhall1385]

Oh ok....I'll put some of the homemade pedialyte into a baby dropper. My husband is out getting the infant ibuprophen right now. I'll keep you posted.

[SammysMom]

How far would you be able to travel if we can find someone to take him? No promises, just good info to have in case something comes up.

[mkhall1385]

How far would you be able to travel if we can find someone to take him? No promises, just good info to have in case something comes up.

Maybe an hour???

[Jackie in Tampa]

wonkawillie is the closest member I know...everyone else seems to be two hours away...WW is less than an hour..:thumbsup
sending a PM now, hoping:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Okay, let me see if I can find anyone who can help. I'm in CT and not able to take him, but I may be able to help get him to someone who can. You are doing great no matter what the outcome. He is warm and safe and that counts for a whole lot!:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[SammysMom]

You beat me to it JIT!:thumbsup

[pappy1264]

Wish I were closer to help, I'm almost 3 hours from you. Has he taken in any fluids? Poor baby, but no matter what, he is safer with you. thank you for doing all you can to help him.

[mkhall1385]

Oh I hope WW can help. I cannot get him to take any fluids this morning. He is really not up for anything.

[SammysMom]

Even if you have to put it a drop at a time into the side of his mouth, please do. Fluids are the most import thing for their bodies.

[Jackie in Tampa]

WW, thank you for fast response..
Thank you WW if you can help...:grouphug

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Good morning glad to see other here today..I had to go and was out this morning.
Do you have any molasses or maple syrup ?
He could be having a seizure, sugar may help, just a dab on a q-tip and rub into his mouth, it will taste good too.

[mkhall1385]

I got some fluid into him....the homemade pedialyte. He has stopped twitching and has lifted his head, tried grabbing the baby dropper, and tried scooting across the cage...which is not working too well for him. But things seem to be looking up!

[mkhall1385]

Good morning glad to see other here today..I had to go and was out this morning.
Do you have any molasses or maple syrup ?
He could be having a seizure, sugar may help, just a dab on a q-tip and rub into his mouth, it will taste good too.

Ok....I'll do the sugar on a Qtip now.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

You have done a wonderful job with him.. If he is meant to go , he was lucky it was with you and not the cat that was chasing him.
Keep it dark and warm , speak softly, little drops of water for hydration.
He is still swallowing right?

[pappy1264]

Ok, here is where he may need help. If he has no feeling in his back end, he may not be able to potty. Do you have any white fleece you could put under him to see if he is peeing? If he cannot potty on his own, he will need help.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

sounds like he is thirsty... make sure the water is warm, like as warm as your wrist, not cold.

[mkhall1385]

Ok....I'll find a white T and be sure to keep the water warm.

[SammysMom]

Baptism by Fire! You just had no idea what you were getting yourself into when you stopped that car did you? :D
I am so happy that you did though and more importantly that you found your way here. TSB is a wonderful place and we are always happy to welcome a new caring kind human being to the fold! You are doing a great job! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

you are doing great......
yes if he hasn't peed he could begetting more problems.

[mkhall1385]

Thank you all for the support! And no, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But I've been on many forums...fish, dog, cat....and this is by far the most friendly, quick to respond, and helpful with each person having matching information instead of conflicting. I am grateful for all of you and hope we can help him. I read that squirrels can recover from spinal injuries....is that true?

[SammysMom]

It certainly can happen, but not knowing what the injury is, it is hard to say. There are also some who live a happy life with humans who don't regain the use of their back end. It will remain to be seen what happens here, but whatever it is, you are a wonderful human for caring enough to be doing all that you are doing!:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

It certainly can happen, but not knowing what the injury is, it is hard to say. There are also some who live a happy life with humans who don't regain the use of their back end. It will remain to be seen what happens here, but whatever it is, you are a wonderful human for caring enough to be doing all that you are doing!:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug
If you click on the Simon Movie thread under my signature you will see my little guy, he cant move his hind legs and cant pee ot poo on his own. He just doesnt know it:D

[mkhall1385]

WW, thank you for fast response..
Thank you WW if you can help...:grouphug

Does this mean I should be gearing up for a drive? Is WW able to help?

[mkhall1385]

If you click on the Simon Movie thread under my signature you will see my little guy, he cant move his hind legs and cant pee ot poo on his own. He just doesnt know it:D

what an amazing little guy!!! That is awesome!

[Jackie in Tampa]

hoping WW PM you soon...
I have had some contact with her briefly this AM...
waiting...please let us know...
ADMIN, can finder get PMs yet?????/

[Wonkawillie]

I have sent a private message to you.

[Wonkawillie]

make sure he is warm.

[mkhall1385]

I have sent a private message to you.

I apologize....where do I find PMs?

[mkhall1385]

I have attempted to create a buddy list and PM you, but the site won't allow me. My email is mkhall85@hotmail.com if that works better.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thank Heavens, the calvary has arrived..{WW:D }
yay to all!:bowdown :alright.gif


please keep us in the loop..
WW please PM me if I can assist;)
I have help waiting in the wings watching!:thumbsup

[mkhall1385]

WW and I are in contact with each other. I still cannot PM or do much else than post to threads. I want to thank you all again for all of your help. He seems to have a bit more energy right now. He moved all the way across the cage when my husband was trying to give him some more water/pedialyte. That's a first!!! You all are wonderful!

[Nancy in New York]

Glad that you are in touch with WW. Please keep us posted.
Thank you for picking up this baby regardless of the outcome,
you saved this little one....:bowdown :grouphug

[mkhall1385]

So ww is busy today and I'd rather not bother her with this.....I had him out and inspected him. He seems kind of flat....is there any chance for him if he was run over? And I did see his belly....someone had asked earlier.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

more movement ..yeah..careful tho.. not to much:thumbsup

[mkhall1385]

more movement ..yeah..careful tho.. not to much:thumbsup
More movement? Like I should have him out?

[CritterMom]

More movement? Like I should have him out?
No, no - she meant the fact that he was moving a little was a good sign. Keep him confined.:thumbsup

[island rehabber]

mkhall you should have full access to the Board now -- apologies for the delay!

[mkhall1385]

mkhall you should have full access to the Board now -- apologies for the delay!
Thank you very much!

[Wonkawillie]

I am home now

[mkhall1385]

Ok....sorry about the minute by minute updates....I'm scared I'm not doing enough. I have been able to get him to eat vanilla yogurt...I have to put it in a baby dropper, lift his front up and he grabs it and eats, but he's not all too fond of me holding him and with the injury to his back, I don't know if it's painful. Also, I don't think he's going to the bathroom at all. I'm so not an expert, but I don't think he was run over...he's not mangled....but I do think it's more of a spinal injury than hind legs or pelvic...he only moves from about his shoulders up. I've had him on my bed twice...once to eat (right now) and once before to have a good look at him. He really just lays about...he's bitten the fabric he's on, but possibly because it had drops of water on it???? He's not too mobile.

[Nancy in New York]

Are you still giving him the infant ibuprophen?

[CritterMom]

The biting the fabric can be a sign of pain. I am sorry if I am repeating something - we have had a lot of these injuries all of a sudden on the board and they are sort of blening in my poor brain - are you giving him anything for pain? Like infant ibuprophen? It is a liquid given by dropper and is pretty tasty so they take it readily.

If this is inflammation from an injury pressing on a nerve, reducing the inflammation can restore some function - sometimes all if you and he are lucky. If someone has dosed this for you already I would double it - I am familiar with the dosage chart used and it is very modest - those amounts can actually be safely tripled.

Yogurt is good - helps with gut flora, too. Ensure - the meal replacement drink - is good for these guys, too.

Can you bed him on something absorbent like toilet paper or paper towels that will show if he is eliminating? He may be very dehydrated so it could take a bit for him to do so...

[mkhall1385]

You're not repeating anything....your information is very new. How incredible it would be if all of this was just inflammation! I'll up the dosage a bit to see if it helps anything. The only time he bites is when he's out on my bed. I don't see him doing this in the cage...and he really has no energy. Thank you so much for your input!

[Nancy in New York]

I do hope that I am not repeating, no time to read everything. Keep him hydrated....if he has a water bowl, make sure it is never empty. If he takes a syringe, keep offering him fluids.
You are doing wonderful!:grouphug

[mkhall1385]

I am sorry to report that this little miss passed over night. I really want to thank all of you. Without you I wouldn't have had a clue as to go about making this animal comfortable. You all are wonderful!

[pappy1264]

Awww, sweet angel, RIP. I am so sorry, but thank you so much for giving her love and a safe place to be in her final time here. She passed feeling that love and took it with her.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

I am sorry to report that this little miss passed over night. I really want to thank all of you. Without you I wouldn't have had a clue as to go about making this animal comfortable. You all are wonderful!

I am so very sorry to hear about this.
I am also so sorry that I didn't follow up and ask about him yesterday. I came to check, and saw that you hadn't posted....so I thought that there were things being worked out behind the scenes.:dono

Thank you for picking him up, and trying to find help for him, and even willing to drive some....this is just heartbreaking for so many reasons.
I'm glad she passed with you....loving her enough.:shakehead

You came on this board looking for help, and we failed you....and for that I am deeply sorry.

Rest in Peace
Precious Baby 176757

[mkhall1385]

Please don't think you failed me. Without all of you, it definitely would have happened much sooner and he would've been much less comfortable. He started out feisty yesterday and then just calmed down a lot throughout the day. I was hoping it was the medicine, but I'm pretty sure I knew better. You are amazing !

[Nancy in New York]

Please don't think you failed me. Without all of you, it definitely would have happened much sooner and he would've been much less comfortable. He started out feisty yesterday and then just calmed down a lot throughout the day. I was hoping it was the medicine, but I'm pretty sure I knew better. You are amazing !

No my dear....YOU are
the amazing one.
It's not everyday that people
will pick up an injured squirrel,
look for help, do whatever it
is that's necessary to help her.
You did everything that you were
told to do, you took the advice and
never questioned it, you left it up
to us to guide you, and help you.

I read in your bio that you are a
mother of two, a wife and a student.
Today in that bio, I would like to add
angel.

Because of you, this little squirrel passed
with dignity, love, warmth, meds, food
and water.
You helped her to cross
to the other side and not be afraid.
Her life mattered to YOU,
and this little one was lucky to have you in her life
at the very end.:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Your words said what I felt Nancy...
:grouphug Little One:grouphug



No my dear....YOU are
the amazing one.
It's not everyday that people
will pick up an injured squirrel,
look for help, do whatever it
is that's necessary to help her.
You did everything that you were
told to do, you took the advice and
never questioned it, you left it up
to us to guide you, and help you.

I read in your bio that you are a
mother of two, a wife and a student.
Today in that bio, I would like to add
angel.

Because of you, this little squirrel passed
with dignity, love, warmth, meds, food
and water.
You helped her to cross
to the other side and not be afraid.
Her life mattered to YOU,
and this little one was lucky to have you in her life
at the very end.:Love_Icon

[mkhall1385]

Thank you so much.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:sad
thank you mkhall, you made a difference to her:Love_Icon

You were loved sweet squirrel...rest in peace.