Found an injured squirrel today...

[squirrelgrrl]

...he is an adult squirrel and was dragging his hind legs behind him. Was very docile but breathing heavy. I caught him pretty easily and is sleeping in a small dog kennel. He ate some walnut I gave him and went poo in his crate. I don't mind letting him heal under my care but my main concern is pain management. I put a few drops of infant Motrin in some peanut butter but I think he's asleep for the night. I am trying to monitor to see if he urinates as an indicator of nerve damage...I will continue to look for a rehabber, but I'm not ready to euthanize him just yet... I guess my main questions are 1. Any home remedies to help him with pain (he also has a sock full of warm rice he is sleeping with) 2. Is there any signs to look for to determine if his back is broken or if he may have some chance of using his back legs again?

[SammysMom]

Do you have a heating pad on low under half of his container? The heat can be very soothing.:grouphug

[squirrelgrrl]

...he is an adult squirrel and was dragging his hind legs behind him. Was very docile but breathing heavy. I caught him pretty easily and is sleeping in a small dog kennel. He ate some walnut I gave him and went poo in his crate. I don't mind letting him heal under my care but my main concern is pain management. I put a few drops of infant Motrin in some peanut butter but I think he's asleep for the night. I am trying to monitor to see if he urinates as an indicator of nerve damage...I will continue to look for a rehabber, but I'm not ready to euthanize him just yet... I guess my main questions are 1. Any home remedies to help him with pain (he also has a sock full of warm rice he is sleeping with) 2. Is there any signs to look for to determine if his back is broken or if he may have some chance of using his back legs again?

[SammysMom]

Does he have feeling in his back feet? Gently pinch his foot to see if you get a reaction.

[skippy]

Pinch his toes hard and see if he moves his legs in response. Also his tail.
You can gently take your index finger and slowly trace his spinal cord from the back of his neck to his tail. The spacing between vertebrae should be consistent except for one are around their shoulders. It should be straight and no large gaps or zig-zag.
Sometimes just nerve damage alone can cause the temporary paralyasis and can heal with anti-inflammatory medications. Is he peeing and pooping in his nest? Peeing would be a good sign.

[squirrelgrrl]

Well I squeezed his little foot and could feel it flex a few times. He didn't try and retract it though so I'm not sure he can feel it. He has burrowed himself in his blankets for the night and we shall see how he's doing tomorrow. Also he hasn't eaten the peanutbutter/walnut mix I put his medicine in but he ate quite a lot of walnuts yesterday so hopefully he is just full and will be hungry by morning.

[pappy1264]

Any updates?