Wife found young squirrel; possible head trauma. help?

[Carefree_Dude]

Yesterday my wife brought home an eastern fox squirrel she found. She found the squirrel at the side of the road, twitching. After several hours, it could walk but was horribly disoriented, couldn't walk straight, fell over frequently, and seemed overall not all there. The squirrel doesn't seem to have any visible injuries. The squirrel is male, appears to be about 10-11 weeks old.

It's been about a day since she found him. he doesn't seem too interested in food yet, though he's taken a single bite out of a carrot. I haven't seen him drink any water. For the most part, he's been sleeping all day, waking up occasionally. He has gotten better at walking, and seems more aware, but still is in rough shape. He can't climb at all yet either, and really just wants to sleep.

What can we do for this little guy? We have another eastern fox as a pet, and we have the means to give him care until he's better. It's illegal to own one where I live at in Portland, so I don't know of any possible vets to take him to.

[SammysMom]

Thank goodness your wife found him! The first order of business is to get him hydrated. You can use Pedialyte. Mine seem to prefer fruit flavored or grape flavored. They have very little appetite when dehydrated. How is his balance doing now? Can you post a picture of him?

[Carefree_Dude]

Thank goodness your wife found him! The first order of business is to get him hydrated. You can use Pedialyte. Mine seem to prefer fruit flavored or grape flavored. They have very little appetite when dehydrated. How is his balance doing now? Can you post a picture of him?

Here is a picture of him: http://i.imgur.com/T3NwxjB.jpg

What would be the best method to try and get him to drink the Pedialyte?

His balance isn't as bad as it was yesterday, but he still falls over after a few steps.

[SammysMom]

If he is 11 - 12 weeks old, you might try giving him some in a VERY low dish. Like the lid of a jar. If possible a syringe is the best method though. Putting it into his mouth VERY slowly, like a drop at a time to start will get him interested in it. If you do not have a syringe, you can go to a local pharmacy like CVS or Rite Aid and ask the pharmacist for a few 3cc syringes without the needle to feed a stray "kitten" that you found.

[SammysMom]

I can't see the pic when I click the link.

[Carefree_Dude]

Does this work?
265098

[SammysMom]

It sure did work. He is beautiful! Definitely give hydration. If it came down to needing it, do you have access to Prednisone?

[Carefree_Dude]

It sure did work. He is beautiful! Definitely give hydration. If it came down to needing it, do you have access to Prednisone?


We do not have access to Prednisone.

We were successful in getting him to drink petealite via a syringe. He's now passed out again.

[SammysMom]

Where are you in Oregon? I am trying to find a member in your area to help.

[Carefree_Dude]

Where are you in Oregon? I am trying to find a member in your area to help.

East Portland

[Carefree_Dude]

Where are you in Oregon? I am trying to find a member in your area to help.

What will the Prednisone do for him?

[SammysMom]

If his condition is due to internal swelling causing neurologic issues the pred can help to relieve the pressure.

[SammysMom]

I have a member in your area who is a fantastic rehabber. Would you be willing to turn him over for treatment? This is a rehabber who I would turn a squirrel over to. I do NOT say that lightly!

[Spanky]

I have a member in your area who is a fantastic rehabber. Would you be willing to turn him over for treatment? This is a rehabber who I would turn a squirrel over to. I do NOT say that lightly!

I'll second SM: I cannot tell you what good fortune it is that you are so close to DM, if anyone can help save this little one it is DM!!!!

[Carefree_Dude]

I have a member in your area who is a fantastic rehabber. Would you be willing to turn him over for treatment? This is a rehabber who I would turn a squirrel over to. I do NOT say that lightly!

My wife would like to wait and see how things go. His overall conditions seem to be improving, and we've been successful getting him to drink. If he doesn't improve, we will let the rehabber help.

[SammysMom]

Please don't wait. The Prednisone can make the difference between a full recovery and a not so good quality of life.

[SammysMom]

Duckman will be on shortly. He is working and will be on as soon as he is done. Please talk to him because he will help you even if you don't want to turn over the squirrel. He is GOOD people and all abut the animals.:hug

[Spanky]

Please don't wait. The Prednisone can make the difference between a full recovery and a not so good quality of life.

Time is of the essence... the longer the swelling persists the more severe and permanent the damage. The sooner prednisone is administered after the trauma, the better the chances it will help!

[Duckman]

I am right across the river from you, in Vancouver (off I-205). This little one will need the Prednisone soon. It will help with any swelling he has and can keep him from having permanent brain damage, from the swelling of the brain.

[Carefree_Dude]

I am right across the river from you, in Vancouver (off I-205). This little one will need the Prednisone soon. It will help with any swelling he has and can keep him from having permanent brain damage, from the swelling of the brain.

Can we get some from you? My wife isn't ready to give him up yet.

[Duckman]

Can we get some from you? My wife isn't ready to give him up yet.

Yes. I will mix some up. Please send me your number in a Private Message and I will text you my address. I will be available anytime, should he start having any other problems, which he may very well do.

[Carefree_Dude]

The little guy is doing well so far. Last night my wife and I took him out to Duckman, who looked him over and supplied us with some foods, medicine, and knowledge.

Today he's eaten a bit, including two rodent blocks and part of an apple. We've also gotten him to drink a lot of water via syringe. His right side seems stronger than his left side, and he's having trouble with coordinating things with his left hand in order to grab food.

[SammysMom]

Keep in touch with Duckman...he is a wonderful resource and you are fortunate to have him so nearby. Glad to hear he is eating and drinking. That is the first order of business. Time heals a whole lot so give it time. Thank-you for taking the time to really do what he needs done.:hug

[Carefree_Dude]

I want the little dude to recover. Duckman says though there is a good chance he may never recover enough to be releasable

[SammysMom]

Oh won't that break your wife's heart?...:grin3

[Delo729]

It's so great that you have DM so close to you for help. DM, you are awesome. Please keep us updated on this little. Please ask any and all questions. We are here to help.

[Carefree_Dude]

So far he seems to be doing well. He's still sleeping a lot. Yesterday he was having a lot of bad seizures throughout the day. Today he's hardly had any. He's also been slightly hyper today, and running around a lot, and trying to climb. He's regaining use of his left front leg as well. He's still shaky, and his head tilts to the left. He seems to be eating well too.

[SammysMom]

So glad he is doing better! Is he on Prednisone?

[Carefree_Dude]

So glad he is doing better! Is he on Prednisone?

Yes. He's had 5 doses so far

[Carefree_Dude]

He's still doing well. He can walk again, but not straight, and not for very long. He is trying to climb again, but isn't having much luck. When he moves, he turns his head to the right.

He is able to hold food on his own! We haven't seen him drink water on his own yet. we still give him a lot of water via syringe.

He's also acting a lot more aware of his surroundings. Here are a couple of pictures from his breakfast this morning. He really enjoys the rodent blocks we got from duckman

http://i.imgur.com/A0lin3V.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/amV0W5N.jpg?1

[DarkLies212]

So glad to hear he's doing better!
I hope you don't mind, but I fixed the pictures so everyone can see them easily.
His earsies look so tiny! :eek How cute!!

http://i.imgur.com/A0lin3V.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/amV0W5N.jpg

[California Squirrel Lover]

Poor little bub. I truly hope he continues to get better and better. He's precious. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Duckman]

He is such a cutie! I just hope he is over his seizures! They have been doing a great job of keeping me posted on his status and I can already tell there is no lack of love for this sweet little guy. :Love_Icon

[Carefree_Dude]

An update on the little guy. He's doing great! He's very aware, very playful, and still super tame. He walks with his head tilted still, and sleeps a lot, but overall he is doing well.

We took him back up to washington to see Duckman again today, and he says the little dude is doing amazing. Duckman thinks that this squirrel may have been born mentally handicap, and likely found by someone else as a baby. The other person released him, and he didn't do so well. Then my wife found him, and we gave him a new life.

Now we are thinking of the long term. Duckman says due to his mental handicap, he will never be releasable. Right now we are trying to decide if we wish to keep him as a pet, or let Duckman keep him.

[SammysMom]

Whatever you decide, you have given him his life... :bowdown:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug:bowdown

[Shewhosweptforest]

Whatever you decide, you have given him his life... :bowdown:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug:bowdown

:goodpost Exactly, he has a chance at life, thanks to you :Love_Icon and whether you keep him or Duckman takes him....he'll always be a part of your lives :Love_Icon

He's adorable :klunk

[stepnstone]

Whatever you decide, you have given him his life... :bowdown:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug:bowdown

:yeahthat :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[pixiepoo]

I just thought I would suggest putting the water bottle tip about 1 inch from the bottom of the cage in case he drinks on his back/side. It is the only way my Ned can drink successfully. You are doing SUCH an amazing job with him. He is so very lucky to have you and I will keep my fingers crossed that he continues to improve. :grouphug

[Carefree_Dude]

Just an update. He's still doing really well. He doesn't like leaving his cage unless he's being handled. He seems to enjoy being handled so far, and falls asleep in our hands. He can be playful and curious, but never mean.

[SammysMom]

So glad to hear he is doing really well....:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[Carefree_Dude]

Oh, I should also mention he doesn't tilt his head to the side anymore and he can walk straight. He can also climb really well!

[SammysMom]

What awesome and amazing news! You guys have done such a terrific job with him...:grouphug
Oh, I should also mention he doesn't tilt his head to the side anymore and he can walk straight. He can also climb really well!

[California Squirrel Lover]

Oh, I should also mention he doesn't tilt his head to the side anymore and he can walk straight. He can also climb really well!


Whoa, that's huge! I hope he continues to improve!! :thumbsup