canine distemper and grey squirrels

[TxVetTech]

Has anyone had any experience with a squirrel coming down with distemper? Is it even possible?

[island rehabber]

I've never heard of it, and can't find anything in my books that says it can happen. Doesn't mean it can't, of course, but I don't believe it is common.

[TexanSquirrel]

I don't know, but I hope not!

[ravenlaws32]

in my experience never seen it ,but in this world we live in nothing surprises me .i checked alot of my references and my jedi fuzzy master rehabber who helped me and no is the answer i got.

[Littlepaws]

This is from 2007. Any update on likelihood of distemper in squirrels? I was called about a squirrel that's been falling and eating while lying down for about 3 weeks. It is climbing trees but is on edge of lake that has a lot of eagles and hawks around it. I'm willing to take it in to protect and see if it will recover but don't want to risk bringing distemper to property here befire baby season.

[CritterMom]

This is most likely from a head injury - falling and striking a limb, glancing hit by car, etc.

[island rehabber]

I have never heard of distemper in squirrels. The animal you're speaking about may have sustained head trauma from a fall, or hit by a car. Raccoon roundworm (baylisascaris) can cause symptoms as you described, but if the squirrel has been alive for three weeks in that condition we can rule it out -- normally it will kill them in 10-14 days.

[Littlepaws]

This is most likely from a head injury - falling and striking a limb, glancing hit by car, etc.

I suspected not distemper given the time frame and the fact she has not seen signs of problem in any other squirrels, esp given that they all eat in same area because she puts out cracked corn and birdseed. But we do rehab and baby season is approaching so I'm just a little paranoid about bringing something home and it's hard to find much info online. Thank you so much. We will try to catch the little guy and put him ina safe place to see if it will have some improvement over time. It's a wonder one of the hawks hasn't gotten it already.

[Littlepaws]

This is most likely from a head injury - falling and striking a limb, glancing hit by car, etc.

Thank you!