jpakmedlin
04-24-2006, 12:57 AM
Hello! We need help and fast!
A juvenile squirrel has adopted our family. Let me give you a bit of background on this little cutie.
Last Wednesday, we noticed a large bundle of leaves, sticks etc on the ground in our front yard. We THEN noticed a small squirrel sitting in our natural area under the trees. The squirrel has a bushy tail (though it seems thin compared to mature adults), it's eyes are open and it was eating acorns. The squirrel continued to just sit there even when we got within a foot of it.
My kids thought it was hurt. It must be it's nest that fell out of the tree (they decided). So we were going to catch it in our small pet carrier and make sure it was taken care of (cats and dogs roam free in our neighborhood). In the process of doing this, the squirrel decided he'd had enough and took off up the tree. I told the kids he would be fine since he could climb the tree.
Sunday morning, my son was sitting out on the front porch watching all the spring babies (chipmunks, birds etc). All of a sudden, this juvenile squirrel hops up on the porch and sits RIGHT BESIDE my son. I am not kidding! This squirrel was within inches of him. He quickly called for me, I came out, put on leather gloves and picked the little guy up. I had decided in the back of my mind there must be something wrong with it if it would come right up like that.
I checked it out, there isn't anything outwardly wrong. No cuts, scratches, bleeding etc. He let me pet his stomach and his back without doing anything. He seemed relatively calm.
We got the pet carrier, put some shavings in it (the kind you use for hamster cages - unscented), put a lid with water and another lid with birdseed and some acorns in it, placed the squirrel inside and put the carrier beside the porch in a safe, shady area.
Now here's the thing. The squirrel has not come out of the carrier all day (the door is wide open). It hasn't eaten or drank anything. I did the skin pinch (tent) test to check for dehydration, he seems fine. He's been in basically the same spot in the carrier all day and appears to be currently sleeping very soundly. (I touched him, shined a light in - nothing! He doesn't move a muscle).
I'm worried there's something wrong! Can someone please advise on what to do?
It's illegal in our state to have squirrels, so I'm very hesitant to take it to the vet.
I'd appreciate any information and/or suggestions. I don't want anything to happen to our new friend!
A juvenile squirrel has adopted our family. Let me give you a bit of background on this little cutie.
Last Wednesday, we noticed a large bundle of leaves, sticks etc on the ground in our front yard. We THEN noticed a small squirrel sitting in our natural area under the trees. The squirrel has a bushy tail (though it seems thin compared to mature adults), it's eyes are open and it was eating acorns. The squirrel continued to just sit there even when we got within a foot of it.
My kids thought it was hurt. It must be it's nest that fell out of the tree (they decided). So we were going to catch it in our small pet carrier and make sure it was taken care of (cats and dogs roam free in our neighborhood). In the process of doing this, the squirrel decided he'd had enough and took off up the tree. I told the kids he would be fine since he could climb the tree.
Sunday morning, my son was sitting out on the front porch watching all the spring babies (chipmunks, birds etc). All of a sudden, this juvenile squirrel hops up on the porch and sits RIGHT BESIDE my son. I am not kidding! This squirrel was within inches of him. He quickly called for me, I came out, put on leather gloves and picked the little guy up. I had decided in the back of my mind there must be something wrong with it if it would come right up like that.
I checked it out, there isn't anything outwardly wrong. No cuts, scratches, bleeding etc. He let me pet his stomach and his back without doing anything. He seemed relatively calm.
We got the pet carrier, put some shavings in it (the kind you use for hamster cages - unscented), put a lid with water and another lid with birdseed and some acorns in it, placed the squirrel inside and put the carrier beside the porch in a safe, shady area.
Now here's the thing. The squirrel has not come out of the carrier all day (the door is wide open). It hasn't eaten or drank anything. I did the skin pinch (tent) test to check for dehydration, he seems fine. He's been in basically the same spot in the carrier all day and appears to be currently sleeping very soundly. (I touched him, shined a light in - nothing! He doesn't move a muscle).
I'm worried there's something wrong! Can someone please advise on what to do?
It's illegal in our state to have squirrels, so I'm very hesitant to take it to the vet.
I'd appreciate any information and/or suggestions. I don't want anything to happen to our new friend!