Hurt back leg

[kzrvsr]

Hi everyone, this is my first post....:)

I nursed a lost 6 week old squirrel back to health and freedom back in the fall of 2010. I learned a LOT! My little "Buddy" thrives in the park next door, and comes by every day to say high and to grab a treat. We love him to death. Of course, now all the other squirrels in the park think that their name is Buddy too...and all come running when I call for him! No matter, there's plenty of goodies to go around!

Now to my dilemma. There's been a young squirrel (his first winter for sure) coming around. His back right leg looked damaged, but there were no open wounds that we could see. He would just drag it around, but was still able to scrap for his food and sit up and eat. I never could tell whether he was just lame, or maybe fell out of a tree and damaged it...or what?

Last week, he was REALLY dragging it (or maybe even both), and had a very hard time getting around. The other squirrels were chasing him off if I wasn't around to protect him, and he couldn't squat properly and hold the food in both paws. That's when I started to worry. He had to keep his front paw down, hold the food with the other, and then eat. This took much longer and he wasn't eating as much. He'd just hobble back to his squirrel hole and maybe come out one more time in the evening, but often times not.

This went on for a couple of days, so, I trapped him, and he's now in our release cage. I thought if I gave him some time to heal without having to fend for himself, he'd do better. The problem is, both my hubby and I work all day. So, he's in our garage, all safe and sound, and he is eating, but we NEVER see him come out. Obviously he is, because the food disappears, and there's poop and such. But, I can't see how he's doing.

We thought we'd take him outside last weekend to enjoy the sun. He HATED it. Boy, did he come out...and claw and scratch at the cage and try to get out. I couldn't really tell how much better or worse he was because he was so distraught. We took him back inside almost immediately.

Now, we're back to the same problem...how's he doing? It's not likely he'll become a "pet" like Buddy. I'm not sure that he'll ever even warm up to us at all and come out to see us when we're home.

So, the question is, what should I do? Be patient and see what happens? Or am I doing him more harm than good by keeping him locked up?

Appreciate the feedback!!!

Love reading everyone's posts...you're all crazier than me and I love it!!!!
:multi

[farrelli]

Have you tried connecting to him? I've seen a number of threads here where a wild is taken in, and slowly but surely they are won over. There are exceptions, and they might never be as friendly as one you raised, but some turn out great and others OK. Have you just tried sitting there with him, for long stretches, quietly, and see what he's done? Do you give hm treats in a way that he knows that you are doing it? Are you trying to connect with him? It sounds like he's had his fill of the wild, at least for the time being, and it seems like he wouldn't do well even if he wanted to return, so you might as well start trying to bond.

Also, do you see any injuries? Have you tried giving him calcium on the off chance that it's MBD?

[kzrvsr]

Yes, I have sat with him and talked with him quietly. He stays in his nest box and does not come out. It has a lid on it, which I have also gently raised and talked quietly with him while peeking at him. He has completely enveloped himself in stuffing (so darned cute). He simply chatters at me, and that's about it. He "fake charged" at me one time too, but he didn't move more than an inch!

When he was free, he would always come up to me (nervously) and take a pecan right out of my hand. Now, not so much. He just seems so scared. It's been about 9 days now. :poke

I haven't tried giving him calcium, other than cheese, apples and avocados. I never had to administer medicine or anything else to my Buddy, so I'm not sure how I would get him the calcium. Any suggestions?

[SammysMom]

:thankyou for helping this little guy!!! Maybe on a weekend day you could sit quietly in the garage and just wait and watch. It might be a better way of seeing how he is actually doing.:grouphug

[farrelli]

This poor little guy comes from a world where everything is out to get him, and now he knows that he's disabled. I'm sure he's scared to death. I think that it's going to take awhile for him to learn that his safe zone extends beyond his box, and even includes you. You'll probably just have to be patient and bring him along slowly. Seeing that he doesn't like leaving his box and returns the second anything's threatening, is there any chance that you'd feel safe enough to bring him inside in the evenings so that he could get used to the sounds and smells of people? He might start coming out little by little and get to know you.

You can get him some calcium by feeding him part of a Tums tablet (they come in fruit flavors, so some squirrels eat them straight up), or you could crush into a power a calcium supplement and mix it in with yogurt, or sprinkle it on avocado, or mix it in with whatever else he likes. It's tasteless, so it's pretty easy to get them to eat it. Just be sure that it doesn't have vitamin D in it. They need D in their diet because they can no longer get it from the sun, but human levels of D can be dangerous. Captive squirrels usually get their D from rodent blocks which should form the basis of their diet. See the link below if you are unsure of what a proper diet should look like. Btw, what are you feeding him?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39275

Warren, MI? Proud hometown of Douggie Weight! Do you have any access to a squirrel-friendly vet there? We have other members in MI and I'm wondering if they know of any. I'd like to keep an eye on his mobility to see if it's getting any worse.

And yes, thanks for taking in this little guy in his time of need. Hopefully he'll be able to have a peaceful retirement if he can't heal up.

[kzrvsr]

Well, I opened the top earlier and talked to him for a bit. He chattered away. Then I gently lifted his bedding up and he came bounding out. Mostly he climbed all over the cage, but I was able to get a good look at his limbs and everything looks just fine. He climbs like a champ! After we talked for a while he finally came down, but just sat there and didn't try to walk around at all, he eventually just went back in his box. But, he peeked out at me for a while, so that's a good sign!!!

I'd prefer not to get him to come out like that, because I'm sure it scared him. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

As for food, I've been feeding him carrots, apples, avocados, lettuce, a couple walnuts and pecans. I forgot to mention that I also have an antler in there, and he's been chewing on that. I did add a tums (didn't even think of that!!!), so we'll see if he eats it tonight.

I don't have any rodent block, but can get some. I did have Zupreem Primate bites at one time, but Buddy never liked them, and neither did any of the wild squirrels. I think I actually got rid of it.

I think you're right though about the MBD. I never thought wild squirrels would be susceptible to it. He's pretty young, I'm hoping he can bounce back from it!!! I guess I need to read up on it!!!

I do live next door to a park, and there's a TON of retirees that stop by and feed the squirrels peanuts on a daily basis!! I actually put a sign up suggesting other types of snacks for the furry friends, but not many have heeded my advice!!! :sanp3

Thanks for the help and suggestions, it sure is nice bouncing ideas off of someone!:thankyou

[farrelli]

If he doesn't like the blocks, we have ways of making them more enticing.

It's good that you got to see him a bit, but I probably wouldn't go about getting him out like that again. It could be counter productive to making him feel safe and secure enough to come out on his own. Also, the adrenaline rush might have made him seem more mobile and well than he might actually be. It's good to know that you didn't see any obvious injury though.

Given that he used to take nuts from you, though cautiously, I think bodes well for his ability to adjust to life with humans if he is permanently unreleasable. I think you've just got to give him time where both of you come to trust each other. If you could either bring him in or go out there with him and stay for extended periods, I think it will speed things along more quickly. The good part of him scampering back to his house is that if you do bring him in, you don't have to worry about him running crazy all over the house. He'd probably just stuck his head out at first, then make short little journeys to investigate his new world before scampering back to safety.

[Saverywood]

Hi everyone, this is my first post....:)
IThis went on for a couple of days, so, I trapped him, and he's now in our release cage. I thought if I gave him some time to heal without having to fend for himself, he'd do better. The problem is, both my hubby and I work all day. So, he's in our garage, all safe and sound, and he is eating, but we NEVER see him come out. Obviously he is, because the food disappears, and there's poop and such. But, I can't see how he's doing.
Appreciate the feedback!!!

Love reading everyone's posts...you're all crazier than me and I love it!!!!
:multi
:Welcome I am smiling just reading your post, because you have such a good heart! I think you absolutely did the right thing by letting him have a safe place to heal. :thumbsup Good JOB. Wild squirrels that are fed by peeps become very territorial and mean to each other. Thanks for doing the right thing.:)

As for releasing him...that's hard to say.... I believe it is always a case-by-case situation, where usually the squirrels decide when it's time to go; esp. a wild one. You say he is healed completely & climbing, jumping well? Does your release cage have a portal that is squirrel size for him to go and come back if he needs?

[Saverywood]

Let me find a picture of a portal....I add a limb/branch angled to the entrance so sq. can get in & out quickly. Good luck. Please keep us posted.

[kzrvsr]

I wish you could see the earlier posts when you're posting....re reading them again, I see I missed a lot!!!

Yes, Warren, MI. Douggie Weight...have never hear of him, but do see that he is indeed, from Warren...huh. :D

I don't know of any squirrel friendly vets around here, and I did look back a couple years ago. In fact, I was pretty adamant about not keeping Buddy when I found him, but I couldn't find any rehabber that would take him. So, I made one of them keep in contact with me and teach me!! I didn't know about this wonderful board!

At any rate, bringing him inside is really not an option for me. Although my husband would probably love it...we have three cats and they would go absolutely crazy. They already think the back sliding door is a giant TV, set up to amuse them throughout the day with the various funny squirrel antics. Buddy climbs all over the screen when he comes to visit, and all of the other squirrels now walk right up to the door and peek in. It drives the kitties nuts!! Extremely fun to watch though!

OK, now that I got caught up here....he was out this morning when I opened the door! He immediately scampered back in, but at least I saw him. I refreshed all his food and water and talked to him a bit before heading off to work. My hubby will talk to him as well.

He didn't eat the Tums yet:nono But I did order some of Henry's blocks, and a calcium supplement. I'll just keep plugging away and see how he does!

Thanks again...Kim

[kzrvsr]

Let me find a picture of a portal....I add a limb/branch angled to the entrance so sq. can get in & out quickly. Good luck. Please keep us posted.

Well that's the coolest thing ever!!! My husband built our cage, and is mighty proud of it...this would be right up his alley...thanks for sharing!!!!

[CritterMom]

I don't think he is scared - I think he needs time to heal in a safe environment and has found one! There is no need for him to run around to find food - he is having it delivered - so he can curl up and sleep and let his body fix itself. Smart boy!

[kzrvsr]

Oh, and we just named him Skittle!:wott

[farrelli]

Is your garage heated? If not, could you put a heating pad or something set on low or medium (enough to heat the box but not make it hot) partially under the box (so that he could move off of the pad if he wanted)? If his little bones are hurting him, the heat would be soothing, and if something else is wrong with him, being out of the cold should help him heal.

Btw, if he can't have a forever home with you, do you know anyone responsible who could take him? If not, and if he seems like he can't be released, we'll have to find someone for you.

[kzrvsr]

Unfortunately, our garage isn't heated, but it's connected to the house, so it's not bad in there at all. The release cage sits about an inch off the ground, then my husband put carpeting in the bottom of it (in case he fell), and then the nest box sits on top of the carpet. I might be able to put something under the cage to push the heating pad up against the bottom side of part of the nest box...I'll look at it when I get home.

He's really not liking the carrots, lettuce or avocados that I've put out there. He likes the apple and has eaten a couple pecans. Hasn't touched the tums either. Might have to pick up some rodent block before my Henry's delivery gets here...

As for a forever home, there's no worries there. We won't let him go until we're sure he's ok. And, if he's not ok, I have great squirrel-sitters. I'll let the group know if I need to find him a forever home.
:thankyou