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Vanna
05-08-2013, 04:24 PM
Hello,
My latest ward, Achoo, a CA. gray squirrel, was injured yesterday around noon, likely scenario is attack by an adult squirrel (my best guess).

*Achoo came to me as a bottle-drinking orphan and now has both upper and lower teeth, can see fine, and has a long fluffy tail that she can make shapes with. I estimate 12 weeks old (?). She can eat solid food like nuts, but still likes her baby-mush.

* Bloody: nose, left side of face, left eye-area. Left side of face was skinned, bloody, lacerated - but not deep. Left side also began to swell up (alarmingly) as the evening progressed. Additionally, her left arm/wrist/foot/ toes (?) is/are injured and I can't quite tell what precicisely., she keeps that front left leg kinda curled under her body She (Achoo) could drink water from a dish and was very willing to eat baby-mush (goat milk+apple sauce+Gerber baby cereal: whipped and warmed). She survived the night and here are my questions:

-Pain medicine: Is anything compatible with squirrels, either over the counter or vet prescribed?
-Her hurt leg/hand: could that be related to a head/brain injury? If so, what would be the other indications of a brain injury?
-Breathing: the difficulty seems to be clogged nasal passage from the bloody nose. When she tried to sleep, she has to wake up and sneeze and sneeze.
I am aware of the strictures surrounding "pet" squirrels and already have found a local rehabber if needed but I'd rather keep her at home and quiet if possible.
Thank you all in advance for any guidance you can offer me. Achoo is the 4th baby I have fostered, the other three have been released into the wild (my yard) and are doing fine and regularly return to me to beg for treats and generally act cute.
With highest regards,
Vanna

Jackie in Tampa
05-08-2013, 04:34 PM
hello...
can you take pics and email them to
thecrazysquirrellady@gmail.com

I will check back and get them posted for you.
I don't think you have full access to the forum yet.

For the nasal issues, I can safely recommend saline nasal spray, isn't actually a spray... all drug stores and grocery stores will sell it.
If you have a vaporizer, you can put steam near cage to help open sinus's.
can you weigh him in grams?
do you have any infant or childrens ibuprofen? tablets or elixir?
this will help the swelling/inflammation and pain.

what Rx human meds do you have on hand?
a rice buddy or alternate heat source may make him feel better...
a heating pad set on ow, half under his container..
push hydration...it's good that she is drinking.

edit, I meant she...sorry!

Nancy in New York
05-08-2013, 04:36 PM
hello...
can you take pics and email them to
thecrazysquirrellady@gmail.com

I will check back and get them posted for you.
I don't think you have full access to the forum yet.

For the nasal issues, I can safely recommend saline nasal spray, isn't actually a spray... all drug stores and grocery stores will sell it.
If you have a vaporizer, you can put steam near cage to help open sinus's.
can you weigh him in grams?
do you have any infant or childrens ibuprofen? tablets or elixir?
this will help the swelling/inflammation and pain.

what Rx human meds do you have on hand?
a rice buddy or alternate heat source may make him feel better...
a heating pad set on ow, half under his container..
push hydration...it's good that she is drinking.

edit, I meant she...sorry!


Jackie she does have full access.:thumbsup
We will either need (preferably) a weight on your squirrel or a picture to guesstimate the weight so that we can dose the ibuprophen.

Vanna
05-08-2013, 06:57 PM
Brilliant! Thank you for the advice, especially steamy vaporizers and pain meds. I will attempt to weigh her in grams and consult with you regarding proper dosing with whichever pain meds I go out and get - like right now, so I will be off for two hours or so and check back in.
Also, thank you for the nasal 'spray' recommendation, but... uh, like, actually shoot it up her little nose?? No problem, but perhaps you could write a little descriptive how-to on the procedure.
A MILLION THANKS! I am grateful.
Vanna
p.s. more soon