Life-Threatening~~Injured Squirrel- No Rehab in area-No vets will look at~

[Audz62]

Hello- I sure hope someone can help with my dilemma! I found an injured squirrel last night behind my Dad's house, he was on a road and was having trouble moving, I suspect a spinal cord injury, he was able to scoot on his side and move a little, I was able to move him over by a tree and put him in a blanket. I called our only animal ER Vet and they don't work on wildlife...I contacted a relative who is a vet and she dosn't work on wildlife, I tried finding any rehabber in the area, no luck. I was given the number of the local game warden and of course no answer since it was late. I am not sure if he is still alive but I am going over there this morning to see. After reading all the info last night I feel bad I didn't put him in a warm box, I've just never had any experience in this area. I sure feel bad for this little guy, he is a medium size gray squirrel, probably 10-11" long. It's hard living in a state that has no rehabbers, the closest one in Minnesota is four hours away. Any advice for me? Thank you so much in advance. Audrey

[HRT4SQRLS]

Good morning Audrey.
:Welcome to The Squirrel Board
I wish it was under better circumstances. Thank you for caring. I would definitely go back and check. There is a good possibility that a predator would have taken him at night or that he passed away from his injuries. I would have to know. IF he is still alive, I would bring him home. Be very careful. An injured squirrel still has the ability to bite very hard.

Again, be careful. I would treat for shock ... dark, warm and quiet. I would also offer hydration. (3tablespoons sugar, 1teaspoon of salt mixed in 1 quart of warm water). I would use a syringe.
It might not be possible to save this little guy but I would sure offer him protection and comfort if he does pass. Let us know. Good luck. Again, thanks for caring ... most people don't.

[island rehabber]

:goodpost I agree, and bless you for caring about this poor squirrel. If he did sustain a spinal break he will pass sometime in the next 48 hrs or so. Please keep us posted as to whether you do find him, and take him home. First rule of thumb: Dark, Warm and Quiet. :)

[Nancy in New York]

I just moved this thread from Frequently Asked Questions.
Has anyone reached out to her via email or pm?
If not I will do so now, and tell her I moved her thread with a redirect.

[Audz62]

hello there! Much to my surprise this little guy is still doing OK...I was able to feed him some bread and water, he ate quite a bit! I hated to leave him all alone but I covered him with a blanket in hopes that at least he may stay warm. I am so frustrated in that I don't know what to do- I have called vets, the DNR, and was referred to a potential rehabber in our area but she hasn't called me back. The squirrel is trying to get up but has to scoot on his side...not sure what happened, a spinal cord injury maybe? I feel horrible for him, not sure if he is healable or if it is better to have the animal control put him out of misery if that is the case? I feel so bad that I had to leave him, not sure if a cage would only hurt him. Not really sure what to do. Thank you for listening. Audrey

[Audz62]

I have never had this situation before, I live in a larger city but the closest rehabber is four or five hours away. I plant to go over right away in the morning to check on him and to feed and water, I will call that potential rehabber to see if she can at least look at him to determine if he can heal.

[Audz62]

Good morning Audrey.
:Welcome to The Squirrel Board
I wish it was under better circumstances. Thank you for caring. I would definitely go back and check. There is a good possibility that a predator would have taken him at night or that he passed away from his injuries. I would have to know. IF he is still alive, I would bring him home. Be very careful. An injured squirrel still has the ability to bite very hard.

Again, be careful. I would treat for shock ... dark, warm and quiet. I would also offer hydration. (3tablespoons sugar, 1teaspoon of salt mixed in 1 quart of warm water). I would use a syringe.
It might not be possible to save this little guy but I would sure offer him protection and comfort if he does pass. Let us know. Good luck. Again, thanks for caring ... most people don't.

Thank you so much for the advice- I sure appreciate it,

[Audz62]

:goodpost I agree, and bless you for caring about this poor squirrel. If he did sustain a spinal break he will pass sometime in the next 48 hrs or so. Please keep us posted as to whether you do find him, and take him home. First rule of thumb: Dark, Warm and Quiet. :)

Thank you so much. You are a blessing. It is nice to have someone to talk with who has gone through this before.

[Nancy in New York]

hello there! Much to my surprise this little guy is still doing OK...I was able to feed him some bread and water, he ate quite a bit! I hated to leave him all alone but I covered him with a blanket in hopes that at least he may stay warm. I am so frustrated in that I don't know what to do- I have called vets, the DNR, and was referred to a potential rehabber in our area but she hasn't called me back. The squirrel is trying to get up but has to scoot on his side...not sure what happened, a spinal cord injury maybe? I feel horrible for him, not sure if he is healable or if it is better to have the animal control put him out of misery if that is the case? I feel so bad that I had to leave him, not sure if a cage would only hurt him. Not really sure what to do. Thank you for listening. Audrey

Back up a little where did you leave him?
I read your first post quickly last night I did
not much board time yesterday.
I am just not sure about where he is now.

OK just read completely..........you left him under the tree.:shakehead
OMG I am so sorry that I just skimmed this last night,
I saw it in the wrong area, and moved it without reading in depth.
You HAVE to get this little one if he is still there.
Please let us know, go NOW.