Chipmunk needs help and I don't know what to do :(

[Ret]

Hi All,

I am new here so I hope I am doing this right. I have a chipmunk in need of help and I am not sure what to do for it! I went into my backyard about an hour ago (8 PM local time) and there was a chipmunk laying flat as a pancake on my deck (all 4's sprawled out) I though he/she was dead so I slightly turned it on its side and it moved all four little legs. I am in NJ, it is cold and it is raining out so I quickly got a towel and dried it off and put it in a box with some fresh dry soft towels and a slightly warm to the touch microwaved heating pad. It is breathing steadily but has not moved at all. Right now it is in my bathroom with the lights off and a mesh screen on top of the box. I know my dogs did not attack it because they have been inside all day and I did not note any injury from a bite or a wound. There is also no blood anywhere on its little body. I am wondering if it slipped off of my roof and fell or what could have possibly caused this. I feel so bad and I don't know what to do next for the poor little thing. Its eyes were open for a long time but I just checked on it and its eyes are closed, but it is still breathing. Any help would be so appreciated!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Awww, poor baby,
You're doing fine so far. Treating it for shock is the first thing: Dark, Warm and Quiet. Make sure you get him warm. It sounds like he might be dying but you can provide comfort. When he is warm I would try to offer hydration fluid with a syringe. You can make it: 1 teaspoon of salt , 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 quart of warm water. If you have a syringe I would see if he will take some. Try this for a start and see what happens. Good luck to you and the chipmunk. Hopefully some our more experienced rehabbers will sound in.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

awww poor baby. yes a heating pad half under his box so he has a warm side and a cool side would be great. He might be fine in the morning, i hope so.

[Ret]

Okay Thank you for the advice! I have a heating pad that I can place under the box and I have the ingredients to make the liquid so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the poor little thing makes it until morning. He is rather big for a chipmunk (I think), about 6 inches not including his tail so maybe he is dying of old age and didn't fall? I don't know, I just feel so bad. I am so glad that I found this site though. Thank you again!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

remember UNDER the box, not inside! they will chew wires.

half under, so there is a cool side. if they get too hot, sometimes they die.

He can move to the cooler side if he gets hot see? :D

thank you for helping and coming here. Maybe tomorrow he will be ok and you can let him go.

is it a baby or a full grown one?

[skippy]

Okay Thank you for the advice! I have a heating pad that I can place under the box and I have the ingredients to make the liquid so I am keeping my fingers crossed that the poor little thing makes it until morning. He is rather big for a chipmunk (I think), about 6 inches not including his tail so maybe he is dying of old age and didn't fall? I don't know, I just feel so bad. I am so glad that I found this site though. Thank you again!

:Welcome
So kind of you to care enough to bring him in and give him a warm, dry safe place to rest. I hope it recovers and we can assist you in getting it rehabilitated for whatever the problem is.
Sometimes the only task we are called on to do is just provide some TLC or what I call Hospice care. A chance for them to feel loved and cared about before they are released back to their creator, in peace. :Love_Icon

[kastillo]

You said you did note a wound??

Or you didn't and there's no blood?

If so, where is the wound and can you post a picture of it?

edit: I'm sorry, I just re read. No wound.

You are doing everything right so far, let's just hope it makes it till morning

[flyer girl]

I hope this kid dose ok keep us posted and welcome to the squirrel board..:Welcome

[Ret]

Good Morning All!

Thank you again for all of the great advice, unfortunately the little guy didn't make it. :( :( I was so sad to check on him this morning and see no movement. I don't understand what happened in the first place but I hope he went peacefully and wasn't in pain. Thanks again for trying to help!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

awww he probably fell off the roof and was damaged inside maybe.

thanks for letting him die in warmth and comfort, you made his last moments safe and warm.

Can you imagine how horrible it would be to lay there and be eaten alive?

you saved him from that.

Thank you.

RIP Lil chippie

[skippy]

Good Morning All!

Thank you again for all of the great advice, unfortunately the little guy didn't make it. :( :( I was so sad to check on him this morning and see no movement. I don't understand what happened in the first place but I hope he went peacefully and wasn't in pain. Thanks again for trying to help!

:grouphug
I'm sorry. You were his guardian in the end. Thank you for bringing him inside for the night. :Love_Icon
Scamper on little one.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks Ret for helping the chipmunk. Sorry he didn't make it. You did everything right and you helped him pass in peace. He was warm and comforted and was able to drift off quietly without fear. You're a kind person Ret. Thanks again.

R.I.P. little Chippie:sad