Cheeky attacked by something

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Does anyone have a guess as to what nabbed Cheeky today while I was gone to work? It's on his upper left shoulder and he's limping; favoring his right leg/foot. I didn't see any puncture wounds on his right leg or shoulder, but I just gave him a quick once over before I washed his wound with antibacterial soap and put neosporin on it. The picture is large so you can see the punctures. Johnny is nowhere to be found right now. Pray that he's just hiding.

[Nancy in New York]

There looks to be about 3 punctures, right?
I would defintely start him on Baytril, just in case this is a cat attack.:shakehead
Hawk perhaps?
Poor little peanut.:Love_Icon

[CrazySquirrelLady]

oh no! get well soon!

[SammysMom]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug
Looks like a talon wound to me...:thinking

[Jackie in Tampa]

agree with the baytril...
cheeky:Love_Icon

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Update: Got him started on Baytril & Children's Ibuprofen. I didn't even have to touch him to get him to take meds! I just held the syringes to his mouth and he took them with no problem. Poor baby. I swear he looked relieved to see me when I got home from work. He's eating some avocado at this very moment. :)

No sign of Johnny yet. It's about time for him to come home for the night. They've been coming home in the evening and sleeping in the wooden nest box that's still in the release cage. Starting to worry a little.

[Kristin Ward]

Get well soon Cheeky.:grouphug

[sassysquirrel]

Hope Johnny comes home soon

Hope Cheeky gets well soon:grouphug

[kastillo]

I hope your babies are ok.
The hardest part is releasing them. But you have to give them the chance, even with all the scary things out there. It was what they were meant to be, wild squirrels.
They have had a better chance than when they came to you. You gave them a warm, safe, loving childhood, and let them go when the time was right. We have to let them go, and just hope and pray for the best.
We do right by them, then the rest is out of our hands.

[sid'smommy]

Its 3:20 am, and Im sitting here praying for johnny. He's probably out there worrying about Cheeky. He will be at the door Sqwakking the whole story to you in the morning :)

[flyer girl]

Hope Johnny comes home soon, and Cheeky gets well soon..:grouphug

[Milo's Mom]

Any sign of Johnny? How is Cheeky? How are you? Did you sleep last night?

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Good morning. Cheeky is still upset, but I think he's going to be okay. I felt his right leg and it doesn't feel broken. I'm thinking it's the shoulder. I'll watch it a day or so and take him to the vet if it doesn't get better.

Still no Johnny. I didn't sleep well at all. I must have gotten up 6 times to look out the door at the release cage to see if his face popped out of the nest box when I said his name. He's the one that always calls me if he's upset. I walked around the neighborhood last night calling his name and didn't hear anything in return. Last night I dreamed he was being disemboweled and eaten by a hawk while he was screaming for his mommy.

Today is a sad day.

[CritterMom]

Good morning. Cheeky is still upset, but I think he's going to be okay. I felt his right leg and it doesn't feel broken. I'm thinking it's the shoulder. I'll watch it a day or so and take him to the vet if it doesn't get better.

Still no Johnny. I didn't sleep well at all. I must have gotten up 6 times to look out the door at the release cage to see if his face popped out of the nest box when I said his name. He's the one that always calls me if he's upset. I walked around the neighborhood last night calling his name and didn't hear anything in return. Last night I dreamed he was being disemboweled and eaten by a hawk while he was screaming for his mommy.

Today is a sad day.


He may still be in hiding.

Last night I was standing at the bedroom window with Mister P, looking out into the woods behind the house, and tracking the progress of my little bob tailed red squirrel - something got the poor baby; I saw him first with the tail mangled but still attached; he has removed it now and has about a 2" stub. Suddenly I saw a shadow and swooping down over my back yard with a laser sight on my poor little red - it was a large red-tailed hawk. He hit the area where the little red had been (my heart was in my throat but I clearly saw him lift off with nothing in his talons) and flew off through the woods.

Nobody and nothing moved out there for the longest time. The first one was the little red, who had dove into a hollow log for cover. Everyone was traumatized and super paranoid out there the rest of the night, long after the hawk was gone.

I tell you this because if a hawk hit Cheeky, it very likely would NOT have been able to come back for a second shot to get Johnny - he would be hidden along with everyone else. They are fairly maneuverable but not THAT maneuverable - a hawk can't hit one squirrel hard enough to leave holes like that and pivot on the same swoop to grab another animal unless they were right on top of one another. I think that the holes in poor Cheeky are indicative of Johnny hiding out there somewhere, spooked about what happened.

[sid'smommy]

I stayed up late thinking about him too :( But you gotta think positive. If he witnessed what happened to Cheeky, then he is probably hiding out thinking "Whoa, mommy didnt tell us about this crap!" Its not likely that they were both caught by whatever it was. Actually, I was thinking last night....It looks like he has scrapes and abrasions too. Could the have been exploring under the deck and squeezed through a tight area ? Maybe caught the tip of a nail or something ? Im sure he sqwakked pretty loud, and Johnny freaked out. He is ok, Georgia... I just feel it. . :grouphug

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I tell you this because if a hawk hit Cheeky, it very likely would NOT have been able to come back for a second shot to get Johnny - he would be hidden along with everyone else. They are fairly maneuverable but not THAT maneuverable - a hawk can't hit one squirrel hard enough to leave holes like that and pivot on the same swoop to grab another animal unless they were right on top of one another. I think that the holes in poor Cheeky are indicative of Johnny hiding out there somewhere, spooked about what happened.

I thought about that scenario also. I hope he's still hiding. Maybe he'll be there waiting when I get home today. It's supposed to get really cold and may even snow. Cross your fingers.

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I stayed up late thinking about him too :( But you gotta think positive. If he witnessed what happened to Cheeky, then he is probably hiding out thinking "Whoa, mommy didnt tell us about this crap!" Its not likely that they were both caught by whatever it was. Actually, I was thinking last night....It looks like he has scrapes and abrasions too. Could the have been exploring under the deck and squeezed through a tight area ? Maybe caught the tip of a nail or something ? Im sure he sqwakked pretty loud, and Johnny freaked out. He is ok, Georgia... I just feel it. . :grouphug

He definitely has puncture wounds, but the nails under the deck aren't that close together. I think something nabbed him, then dropped him & that's how his shoulder got hurt. I'm worried about Johnny, but I haven't given up hope.:thumbsup

[TubeDriver]

Sending positive vibes. :thumbsup

As someone said above, you raised and cared for them the best you could. Living free has plenty of risks but I don't think a wild squirrel would have it any other way.

[sassysquirrel]

Still praying for Cheeky and Johnny:grouphug

Poor Johnny is probably held up somewhere scared
He will come home - it may just take him a little while:grouphug

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Still praying for Cheeky and Johnny:grouphug

Poor Johnny is probably held up somewhere scared
He will come home - it may just take him a little while:grouphug

I hope you're right. I just got home from work and he still isn't home. Cheeky is still holding his right foot up. I didn't get home at noon to give him ibuprofen and he was in pain when I got here just now, so of course I feel guilty.

How are Ace & Maggie?

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

:wave123 :multi :thankyou :jump :wahoo :wott
JOHNNY CAME HOME!!!
And let me tell you, this boy is hungry hungry hungry!!!!
Ya'll are so wise and wonderful and smart and experienced and such good friends to me!!! Thank you for the prayers that brought my Johnny back and are helping Cheekers heal. :bowdown

Os and I took Cheeky to the vet this morning. His right forearm is cracked and he has congestion in his lung on that side, but he's going to recover. He has to stay in a small confined area for two weeks, then I can see how he's walking. She gave me Rimadyl for his pain & inflammation and changed his antibiotic. That's a whole 'nother story right there.

Today is a comforting day.

[Nancy in New York]

:wave123 :multi :thankyou :jump :wahoo :wott
JOHNNY CAME HOME!!!
And let me tell you, this boy is hungry hungry hungry!!!!
Ya'll are so wise and wonderful and smart and experienced and such good friends to me!!! Thank you for the prayers that brought my Johnny back and are helping Cheekers heal. :bowdown

Os and I took Cheeky to the vet this morning. His right forearm is cracked and he has congestion in his lung on that side, but he's going to recover. He has to stay in a small confined area for two weeks, then I can see how he's walking. She gave me Rimadyl for his pain & inflammation and changed his antibiotic. That's a whole 'nother story right there.

Today is a comforting day.


OMG I am thrilled beyond belief! This is the absolute best news on the board today.
Johnny is home.......:fireworks :fireworks :fireworks
Good thing you started Cheeky on the abs. I bet that prevented the congestion from getting worse. :shakehead
Is his forearm set in a splint?
Fluffer had the same thing and my vet put a splint on it.
Can you see his little cast?:(
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-4LZPsRK/0/S/i-4LZPsRK-S.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/28182094_d4nbWs#!i=2492995353&k=4LZPsRK&lb=1&s=A)

This is a great day, now you can breathe. WOW. I'm so darned happy!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

OMG I am thrilled beyond belief! This is the absolute best news on the board today.
Johnny is home.......:fireworks :fireworks :fireworks
Good thing you started Cheeky on the abs. I bet that prevented the congestion from getting worse. :shakehead
Is his forearm set in a splint?
Fluffer had the same thing and my vet put a splint on it.
Can you see his little cast?:(
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-4LZPsRK/0/S/i-4LZPsRK-S.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/28182094_d4nbWs#!i=2492995353&k=4LZPsRK&lb=1&s=A)

This is a great day, now you can breathe. WOW. I'm so darned happy!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Oh, look at Fluffer in his splint! He probably didn't appreciate it, but he looked really cute. Our vet said that Cheeky would probably hurt his arm worse by trying to chew & rip a cast off. Since it's not a complete break and still in place at this time she just wants him confined for a few weeks to get it healing well.

You shoulda' heard this boy screaming and being a drama queen at the vet's office this morning even when he wasn't even being touched or hurt. We just had to laugh.

[Garden71]

:wahoo :wahoo GREAT NEWS :wahoo :wahoo

[sassysquirrel]

:jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump :jump

[MJS]

:wave123 SO GLAD THAT CHEEKY'S OK AND JOHNNY'S HOME!!! :alright.gif :alright.gif :alright.gif CAN'T WAIT FOR THE VIDEO WHERE JOHNNY TELLS US WHAT HAPPENED!!! :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

[farrelli]

That's really awesome news! I'm so happy that he's OK.

[jbtartell]

give him kisses from his auntie lala...:grouphug

[SammysMom]

Oh my...thank God for this...some happy tears for Johnny and Cheeky...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[sid'smommy]

:wave123 SO GLAD THAT CHEEKY'S OK AND JOHNNY'S HOME!!! :alright.gif :alright.gif :alright.gif CAN'T WAIT FOR THE VIDEO WHERE JOHNNY TELLS US WHAT HAPPENED!!! :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead
Thats what I was thinking ! LOL ... I picture that video of him griping while eating, and Miss Georgia saying "tell me all bout it, Johnny...welllll, is that so ??" love it love it love it!:thumbsup

[astra]

:wahoo :wahoo :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

nice update:Love_Icon :Love_Icon
happy happy for all!:banana :banana

I do have an idiot question though, why rimadyl?
it's harder on the liver than metacam...
it has more side effects as well..
after seeing my dog on it, I promptly gave it away, and it was not cheap.
just curious?

[sid'smommy]

Rimadyl side effects include vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Metacam side effects include headaches, rashes, and gastrointestinal toxicity

Rimadyl should be used for short term relief- Metacam for long term therapy.

Personally, I would use neither one UNLESS there is obvious suffering. You want the squirrel to feel some pain so that he will be still and allow healing. Easing the pain will make him active- and micro movement will make the bone less likely to heal correctly, take longer, and develop excessive bone marrow buildup which will result in long term limited mobility and pain. Cheeky will let you know if he needs it. Let him call the shots :)

[Jackie in Tampa]

metacam has little pain aid...I love it for the inflammation properties.
Very similar pain coverage as Rx tylenol, not same chemistry, but same affect...this is why so many major injuries require tramadol in conjunction.

How is Cheeky doing?

[pappy1264]

So happy to read Johnny came home! Thinking with everyone else why rimadyl? I would really call back and check on that, I don't even like to use that on my dogs. Would think Tramadol would be a better choice, easier on the system but good pain relief. Sendings prayers and lots of smiles!!!:D :jump :crazy :wahoo :multi :Love_Icon

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Tramadol is not an anti-inflammatory, Rimadyl is. Cheeky's injury required both a strong pain medication and an anti-inflammatory.

I have the most incredible vet ever and I trust her judgement 100%. She has never been wrong about anything yet. I love that she explains everything she's doing and why she's doing it. AND she answers all my stupid questions with great patience. :thumbsup

Mr. Cheeky is doing well. He screams like he's being killed every single time he has to take meds. He's such a cry-baby. At first I had to hold him to give him meds, but now I just hold the syringe to his mouth and he takes it, screaming all the while. :shakehead

He holds his foot up when he's just hanging out, but uses it to eat. His wounds have healed nicely.

[MollyBear361]

What great news!!! Any idea of what it was????

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

What great news!!! Any idea of what it was????

No, not really. :dono

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

We let Cheeky out in the office last night to see how he was walking. He gets around great, but still holds his right hand up when he sits. He was very interested in Ruthie, but she was giving him the cold shoulder. He finally just laid on the top of her cage and sighed.

Hi, everybody!
203392

Booboos all healed.
203393

Ruthie, come out!
203394

Mom, I give up.
203395

[sid'smommy]

AWWWW... Cheeky looks good! Tell him not to worry about Ruthie snubbing him... we all know how picky she is! lol.. Why is Cheeky so skinny? I think him needs some reeses pieces :D

[anacid]

We are glad over here to know everything is ok. juegos de casino online (http://casino10online.com)
We passed through such a similar situation with Ken and we know itīs really stressfull.

[ques96]

I have been lurking :wave123 I tell you my heart was in my throat there for a bit reading this thread! So glad everything is looking up and Cheeky is feeling better! :jump :multi :multi :multi

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

AWWWW... Cheeky looks good! Tell him not to worry about Ruthie snubbing him... we all know how picky she is! lol.. Why is Cheeky so skinny? I think him needs some reeses pieces :D

Cheeky is not skinny!! :nono See?!?! :poke

203495

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

:thankyou anacid & ques96, thank you so much! :thumbsup

[Garden71]

Glad your doing better Cheeky. :thumbsup

[sid'smommy]

I came back to this thread to see how many days Johnny was missing. This will be the third night since my Squidsy released, and havent seen a sign. I am trying not to worry, but its kinda cold tonight... no nest, hungry, no night time scritchins and kisses. Come on Squidser, show mommy youre ok :(

[farrelli]

I thought Squidsy was a NR. I'm so sad.

[sid'smommy]

No, she was not an NR... she was a singleton that I got late last summer, overwintered, and planned to release... but she showed no signs of wanting to go until recently. She was pacing bad...and staring out into the trees from her window, trying to pee on everyone who walked by her, not eating, acting very depressed. One day last week, it just hit me hard... and I opened the door. She played all day in the trees at my neighbors house (I dunno why she went over there). She didnt come home that evening. :( But, at 2 am while I layed in my bed with my grandbaby watching TV and listening to a horrible thunderstorm... There was a frantic banging on my window. It was her :) I ran outside, patted on my shoulder, and she jumped on. She was wet, thirsty, and hungry. I dried her off and gave her some scritchys, and off to bed she went. The next morning I realized she was in heat when she tried to pee on me thru the cage. We decided to keep her in for a few more days because storms were predicted every night for the next 3. And, I didnt want her pregnant before she learned how to be wild. So, wednesday morning, I opened the door again.... this time, she ran around to the front yard, crossed the street, and played over there. Last I seen of her, she was bouncing on a trampoline and trying to climb a little tykes slide. I made sure to give her branches from the orange blossom trees that are on every corner of my back yard. She loves them right now- full bloom. These are the only orange blossoms in the neighborhood. So, I know she isnt lost. I just wanna see her and know she is ok. . :Love_Icon
Sorry for the thread jack, Georgia

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

No, she was not an NR... she was a singleton that I got late last summer, overwintered, and planned to release... but she showed no signs of wanting to go until recently. She was pacing bad...and staring out into the trees from her window, trying to pee on everyone who walked by her, not eating, acting very depressed. One day last week, it just hit me hard... and I opened the door. She played all day in the trees at my neighbors house (I dunno why she went over there). She didnt come home that evening. :( But, at 2 am while I layed in my bed with my grandbaby watching TV and listening to a horrible thunderstorm... There was a frantic banging on my window. It was her :) I ran outside, patted on my shoulder, and she jumped on. She was wet, thirsty, and hungry. I dried her off and gave her some scritchys, and off to bed she went. The next morning I realized she was in heat when she tried to pee on me thru the cage. We decided to keep her in for a few more days because storms were predicted every night for the next 3. And, I didnt want her pregnant before she learned how to be wild. So, wednesday morning, I opened the door again.... this time, she ran around to the front yard, crossed the street, and played over there. Last I seen of her, she was bouncing on a trampoline and trying to climb a little tykes slide. I made sure to give her branches from the orange blossom trees that are on every corner of my back yard. She loves them right now- full bloom. These are the only orange blossoms in the neighborhood. So, I know she isnt lost. I just wanna see her and know she is ok. . :Love_Icon
Sorry for the thread jack, Georgia

No prob on the thread jack, silly girl!!

Squidsy is out being a squirrel, exactly what she should be doing. I hate to tell you this, but when Lucy finally decided to leave, she never came back to our yard. It makes it a lot easier cuz I see her periodically a few streets over. I know it's her cuz she's the biggest gray in the neighborhood and a bit lighter in color than all the others. Squid may come home in a few weeks, or a year from now, or never. I cried and worried for weeks over Lucy, but by releasing Squid, you made the best decision for her. She's happy, Marcia.

Mamma, I see you down there, looking up at me
Yes, I know how high I am, up in this big ol' tree....
yes, I know I should be careful when I jump
from limb to limb....
Mamma, I don't think I ever want to ever go back in....!

Mamma? Watch me, see me chase that other squirrel!!
It's so beautiful up here, such a green and golden world....
The air's so sweet and there are many, many things to do!
It's so much better here! I feel it, mamma....don't you, too?

Don't be so sad, Mamma, please don't start to cry
You gave me back to the trees, the sunshine and the sky
God sent me to you, Mamma, 'cause he knows that you are strong
Strong enough to let me go,
up here,
where I belong.

[sid'smommy]

Ugh... now Im gonna cry :shakehead

Here she is... checkin out her first view from 30 ft high ...

[Garden71]

:Love_Icon

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

:grouphug

[TubeDriver]

That pic is so awesome. You gave these squirrels the chance to run high in the trees and to face the adversities and joys that go hand in hand with living free and wild. :) You should be proud of yourself for helping your squirrels do what they were born to do. There are never any guarantees, loving squirrels means accepting both the fact that they live in the moment, happy and free but also live lives full of peril.

I think Squirrels would not have it any other way.

[MollyBear361]

:Love_Icon

[sid'smommy]

That pic is so awesome. You gave these squirrels the chance to run high in the trees and to face the adversities and joys that go hand in hand with living free and wild. :) You should be proud of yourself for helping your squirrels do what they were born to do. There are never any guarantees, loving squirrels means accepting both the fact that they live in the moment, happy and free but also live lives full of peril.

I think Squirrels would not have it any other way.

Thank You...I feel like I did the right thing, I'm just not sure if I prepared her for the perils enough. She was still a big baby that loved her mommy. I dont know if she really knew what was in store for her... Im ok with it, I just wish it didnt consume my brain with wonder 24/7. :tilt

[Unikorngrrl]

SGM, I don't know how I never saw this thread. I'm sorry I didn't, but I'm very happy that Cheeky is doing well and that Johnny came home! I know the feeling!! :thumbsup

[Unikorngrrl]

Mamma, I see you down there, looking up at me
Yes, I know how high I am, up in this big ol' tree....
yes, I know I should be careful when I jump
from limb to limb....
Mamma, I don't think I ever want to ever go back in....!

Mamma? Watch me, see me chase that other squirrel!!
It's so beautiful up here, such a green and golden world....
The air's so sweet and there are many, many things to do!
It's so much better here! I feel it, mamma....don't you, too?

Don't be so sad, Mamma, please don't start to cry
You gave me back to the trees, the sunshine and the sky
God sent me to you, Mamma, 'cause he knows that you are strong
Strong enough to let me go,
up here,
where I belong.

This almost killed me. Jax...:Cry :( :Cry

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

SGM, I don't know how I never saw this thread. I'm sorry I didn't, but I'm very happy that Cheeky is doing well and that Johnny came home! I know the feeling!! :thumbsup

Oh, my goodness. You have to see Cheeky's baby pics and his antics now.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35916&page=7

[sid'smommy]

Oh, my goodness. You have to see Cheeky's baby pics and his antics now.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35916&page=7


I think its awesome that he is staying close to home :Love_Icon

[Unikorngrrl]

Oh, my goodness. You have to see Cheeky's baby pics and his antics now.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35916&page=7

I just went through and looked at ALL of the photos and watched ALL of the videos!! They are both precious. The banana chip video was my favorite where you can hear him smacking!!! Too cute :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I just went through and looked at ALL of the photos and watched ALL of the videos!! They are both precious. The banana chip video was my favorite where you can hear him smacking!!! Too cute :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Aw, thanks. I just love this boy!! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon