Poison? West Nile? No, Paralyzed in Hind Legs

[missPixy]

I just found a young female squirrel probably born in the spring lying under a shrub in my yard. Cold and dehydrated. Legs weak.

I was able to collect her in a big blanket and got her on heat. She warmed up a bit and so then I gave her some of the sugar salt water mix. She immediately guzzled down 7 ccs of this.

Suddenly she started gasping and stretching and I thought for sure I was losing her. Her eyes even started rolling up in her head. I started gently massaging her with some fleece.

She didn't die. After about 5 minutes she went back to her weakened state but she's not gaping anymore. Right now she's curled up in the blanket, heat under her, eyes aren't rolled up either. She is aware of me.

What could this be? She's not bleeding anywhere, no injuries, gums are dark pink. No salivating. Teeth look good. She was on her back for a minute or two. Under her fur very lower belly I saw 2 small dark patches on on each side. Makes me wonder if those correspond to her kidneys somehow?

What should I do now? More sugar water? I also have charcoal caps.

Right after she stopped gasping and as her eyes were rolled up, she started clicking like respiratory issue. That went away and she isn't clicking now. But she is breathing very heavily, as she was when I first found her.

[Rocky1]

Everyone can override me on this one as it is just a hunch, but I would guess that if she was warmed up quickly from being extremely cold, the gasping and stretching might be from the temperature change. When the body changes temperature QUICKLY, that may or may not cause a rise in heart rate, therefore breathing rate. Stretching out motion may be a way of regulating body temperature, as motion causes movement of body fluids (such as lymph and extracellular fluid), and may help with homogenization of temperature. (This theory is similar, yet a more extreme version, of getting into a warm shower after being out in the snow freezing cold; or getting into a cold shower after being out in hundred degree weather. I say, "more extreme," because if you are capable of placing yourself in the shower, you're probably in better shape than the poor little squirrel.)

I would almost rule out West Niles IF it is rare in your area (noted that you didn't mention that rate of occurrence in you area). My problem with the poison theory, anyone can correct me if I am wrong on this, my hunch is that, treating poison would counteract hydration efforts. To me the most evidence points to hypothermia and dehydration, and maybe shock, contributing to these factors in the OP.

One last thing, the hydration fluid... I would like to know, from an experienced person on here, if what happened in the OP is any reason (in your opinion) to make this hydration solution more dilute? Temperature of the solution might be relevant as well...

Again, these are hunches, so if someone has first hand knowledge, they override me.

[missPixy]

Another theory mentioned to me was electrocution from the telephone wires? We have a few squirrels who use them to travel around the neighborhood. I don't know if it's even possible to get electrocuted from those wires and not get killed immediately, but I did find her not more than 15 feet from where the wires are overhead.

I think it's too late in the season to see animals dying from either west Nile or EEE, isn't it? We've already had a hard frost a little over a week ago.

She is very quiet, still breathing heavily, refused more sugar water and just lies with her eyes open/half shut.

[Rocky1]

With a person, you would want them on their side, not on their back (and I am aware that you may be aware of this). This helps to ensure that the airway is clear. This may be the same with squirrels.

I have less experience with outside telephone lines, but inside telephone lines probably wouldn't kill anything, but could be painful or startling enough to lead to a fall. I enjoy electronics and have accidentally zapped myself with indoor lines several times. I think West Niles and EEE is very unlikely now that you mention the frost. (Telephone company might be able to come out and fix the insulation on the wires. Just be aware that they also might want to address any other issues with their lines at the same time such as tree limbs that are too close.)

Variables on my radar:
-rate of warming up
-concentration of hydration solution
-temperature of hydration solution (I'm thinking luke warm, or barely warm, but warmer than "cold" is ideal.)

[missPixy]

She was on her tummy/a bit on her side for most of the hydration. It was gently warm hydration formula. I gave:

1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tbsp sugar
I cup warm water

Her back was cold when I found her, the top of her head was still slightly warm but definitely cooling. When her back warmed up and the top of her head warmed up more, I gave her the formula because I was afraid of poisoning and wanted to dilute it if that was the issue. Maybe I should've waited longer to give her the hydration formula. She's not clicking anymore now though. It was a brief episode while she was gasping and stretching. She's lying quietly in fleece with the heating pad set on the lowest setting.

I wondered if she sustained injury. But she hasn't cried out in pain at all despite my picking her up and getting the blanket around her, and then getting the heating pad under her. She did try to bite me while I wrapped her up outside but was too weak.

[stepnstone]

I just found a young female squirrel probably born in the spring lying under a shrub in my yard. Cold and dehydrated. Legs weak.

I was able to collect her in a big blanket and got her on heat. She warmed up a bit and so then I gave her some of the sugar salt water mix. She immediately guzzled down 7 ccs of this.

Suddenly she started gasping and stretching and I thought for sure I was losing her. Her eyes even started rolling up in her head. I started gently massaging her with some fleece.

She didn't die. After about 5 minutes she went back to her weakened state but she's not gaping anymore. Right now she's curled up in the blanket, heat under her, eyes aren't rolled up either. She is aware of me.

What could this be? She's not bleeding anywhere, no injuries, gums are dark pink. No salivating. Teeth look good. She was on her back for a minute or two. Under her fur very lower belly I saw 2 small dark patches on on each side. Makes me wonder if those correspond to her kidneys somehow?

What should I do now? More sugar water? I also have charcoal caps.

Right after she stopped gasping and as her eyes were rolled up, she started clicking like respiratory issue. That went away and she isn't clicking now. But she is breathing very heavily, as she was when I first found her.

If suspected poisoning (depending on type) vitamin K1 can help clot to stop internal bleeding.
I would continue hydration slowly and give ibuprofen to manage any pain she may be experiencing and
to promote a better comfort level for her. Time will tell you which way it's going to go, at least pain is
something you can help control.

[Rocky1]

IMO, gradual is good when it comes to changes in temperature, hydration, etc. to allow the body's homeostasis mechanisms to operate properly (i.e. optimally provide warmth and hydration at a pace that allows the body to spread that warmth and hydration around the body with time). Those who have ever been extremely cold and come inside a warm house, probably noticed it feeling "hot" inside the home at first, even if the home was only 70 degrees (not that warm). Once the body had time to regulate, the 70 degrees probably started feeling either just right or a little on the cool side. I would warm up and hydrate little by little, if that is an option. Thanks for helping this little one. I hope she pulls through.

[missPixy]

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. After discussing the possibilities with my partner, we remembered that a couple of nights ago we got a soaking rain along with wind gusting up to 40ish-mph. She may have had her nest blow out and injured her spinal column from the fall. She *was* lying pancaked when I found her, and outside when I first found her I could touch her back paw pad. It was cool and unresponsive.

I attributed lack of response to her overall condition and came into this thinking poison or West Nile was the reason. But now I'm wondering if it could be a spinal injury instead? She became more alert in a couple of hours but has not moved from inside the fleece blanket. She had her head up and looked at me when I checked in on her. Still lying down.

She eventually pulled the fleece over her head to sleep. I shut off the heating pad so in case this is a spinal injury, I'm not creating more problems. Tomorrow morning I'll take a closer look at her back legs. I keep thinking I saw her tail move but now I can't be sure.

[stepnstone]

I don't understand turning off her source of heat for suspected spinal injury. ?
I would think it would be an asset, if it were head trauma I'd understand.

[SammysMom]

Totally agree with Step. I wouldn't remove her heat source, just make sure she can get off of it if she wants to. The fact that she was so cold when you found her would make me want to keep her warm.
Do you have any infant ibuprofen?

[missPixy]

:( I turned off the heat because I'd read advice given to Stosh in his Milagro thread not to put his little boy on heat because of the back leg paralysis. I will turn it back on.

This morning it is clear that she has paralysis in her hind legs. She has movement about 3/4 down her back. She is alert and maintaining her body temp. She was in the same basic position she was in the fleece last night, except that she looked like she tried to pull herself up because she was a bit propped up in the bedding. She seems a bit depressed in that she isn't chattering at me and allowed me to get her on her belly again by gently pulling the bottom layer of fleece. She also lets me touch her back and the top of her head. I felt no oddness in her spine or shoulders or anything that felt "broken" but I'm not an anatomy expert.

She can roll onto her side by herself. Her thighs are doughy, but there was a small bit of movement in her tail and she pooped during the night. I'm taking these last two observations with hopefulness that the paralysis might be just a temporary state for her? She refused water in a syringe. I'll try again later. I have some apple that I can cut up and see if she will eat.

What should my next step be? Is there anything specific I should be watching for? I keep thinking she looks a bit "bunchy" right after her shoulders, but she has her winter coat so it's hard to tell.

I have a vet I can bring her to tomorrow for an examination and prednisone. She hasn't vocalized any pain whatsoever despite getting moved around yesterday, but I will still give her the infant ibuprophen if this seems advisable? . She seems to understand that I'm trying to help and that she is safe here... I can't imagine what it was like for her to sleep on the ground for two nights where the temps went down to the low 40s.

[missPixy]

I want to add that we have a bottle of 10mg prednisone tablets. How do I prepare this to give her? She is probably 1.25-1.5 lbs? How do I crush up and dilute the prednisone in a safe amount to give her? I know that sooner is better than later with the prednisone.... Also is it a problem to give her since she hasn't eaten yet? Does she need to take it with food?

[Nancy in New York]

I want to add that we have a bottle of 10mg prednisone tablets. How do I prepare this to give her? She is probably 1.25-1.5 lbs? How do I crush up and dilute the prednisone in a safe amount to give her? I know that sooner is better than later with the prednisone.... Also is it a problem to give her since she hasn't eaten yet? Does she need to take it with food?

You have to make sure she is well hydrated.
I can dose the prednisone, but we need an exact weight on her.
Do you have a gram scale?

[Monipenny]

Prednisone should be given with food. Is she eating anything? Do not give ibuprofen with prednisone, someone correct me if I am wrong, wait at least 24 hours after her last dose of ibuprofen before you start on the prednisone.

[Nancy in New York]

Prednisone should be given with food. Is she eating anything? Do not give ibuprofen with prednisone, someone correct me if I am wrong, wait at least 24 hours after her last dose of ibuprofen before you start on the prednisone.

Correct, she can give Tramadol with Prednisone.
I was going to send the chart anyway for the infant ibuprophen in case
she can't get a good weight on the squirrel for Prednisone dosing.
Perhaps I will hold off so as not to confuse her.

[missPixy]

my vet appointment is at 1. I didn't talk directly to my vet but instead to the nurse, who double-checked with my vet that it would be okay to bring in a wild animal. yes, I can bring her in. my vet does this under the radar now because she no longer renews her wildlife license. she had a non-releasable eastern gray as a pet for 17 years, she loves squirrels. however, she did tell the nurse that if it's a broken back, it's usually a euthanization case.

I'm scanning the board now for similar paralyzed squirrel stories. what situations would dictate that a squirrel be euthanized? I read one story where the nervous system and internal organs were shutting down, so that was one where the squirrel was euthanized. but other than that, if there is somebody to care for the squirrel, is euthanization not necessary?

I live in an apartment and have only rehabbed/overwintered/soft-released 3 infant squirrels, all who suffered at the most severe dehydration, maggots/lice and loss of thermal regulation. I have a day job and so I'm not sure what the requirements would be for somebody who would want to take on the care of a paralyzed squirrel. I rehabbed the baby squirrels while I was unemployed and home all the time for feedings etc.

my partner is already talking about building her one of those pet "wheelchairs" you often see dogs strapped into when they've become paralyzed. :grin2 she is really a peach and lets me massage her head and body with fleece. this morning she took about 8ccs of honey water, a walnut and an almond. I have some pix I took of her that I'll upload when I get back from the vet.

[Milo's Mom]

I've successfully treated and released 2 squirrels this year using the Prednisone treatments along with A LOT of physical therapy to keep the muscles from atrophying. I'm working on number 3 right now but she won't go out till Spring.

The best success was Sideways Sadie...she did nothing but lay there, she couldn't even eat, she had to relearn everything.....I released her 2 weeks ago. SammysMom (Gayle) was a TREMENDOUS help and provided a wonderful sounding board for me to bounce ideas off of for Sadie's recovery. She also held my hand regarding the Pred treatments. She won't steer you wrong.

[Rocky1]

I can't tell what your time zone in. If this were me, I would ask the vet who's decision euthanizing would be. Given that she's moving her tail and the rest of the story, I think this may be salvageable and would hate to give up too soon. My understanding is that squirrels can live long happy lives even with paralyzed back legs, per Magnus's* story and others.

Disclaimer: I am still not an expert, but have read this board and other boards extensively.

*Post #90 shows where Magnus's back was broken: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?24956-Magnus&highlight=magnus

[missPixy]

My vet appointment went well! During the pressure response test, her tail AND her legs twitched and moved!!! :w00t my vet showed me how to express her bladder... It was quite full. I was given liquid prednisone mixed into amoxicillin for 2x/day dosing.

I've named her Shelly. I have another appt with my vet at 2 today, I'm not sure if she's going to try any imaging. But there was no more talk of euthanization.

I was told for the first 10 days to not attempt any manipulation or massage, to let her body heal itself. After 10 days she said we can begin physical therapy.

Right now I have Shelly in a medium size dog crate filled with a Mexican blanket and fleece. I also have a chicken coop available, and a larger tall cage about 8ft high and 3ft wide.

265306

265307

265308

265309

265310

[missPixy]

I've successfully treated and released 2 squirrels this year using the Prednisone treatments along with A LOT of physical therapy to keep the muscles from atrophying. I'm working on number 3 right now but she won't go out till Spring.

The best success was Sideways Sadie...she did nothing but lay there, she couldn't even eat, she had to relearn everything.....I released her 2 weeks ago. SammysMom (Gayle) was a TREMENDOUS help and provided a wonderful sounding board for me to bounce ideas off of for Sadie's recovery. She also held my hand regarding the Pred treatments. She won't steer you wrong.

This is so encouraging! :hug have you created topics for these squirrels that I can read/review the steps/housing/etc? "best practices" so to speak. :grin2

You mentioned your #3 not leaving until spring, that is a good point~~ I am probably looking at a spring release myself. I live in southeastern New England. and this little, from the looks of her, is a spring baby who hasn't ever seen a winter yet.

[Nancy in New York]

My vet appointment went well! During the pressure response test, her tail AND her legs twitched and moved!!! :w00t my vet showed me how to express her bladder... It was quite full. I was given liquid prednisone mixed into amoxicillin for 2x/day dosing.

I've named her Shelly. I have another appt with my vet at 2 today, I'm not sure if she's going to try any imaging. But there was no more talk of euthanization.

I was told for the first 10 days to not attempt any manipulation or massage, to let her body heal itself. After 10 days she said we can begin physical therapy.

Right now I have Shelly in a medium size dog crate filled with a Mexican blanket and fleece. I also have a chicken coop available, and a larger tall cage about 8ft high and 3ft wide.

265306

265307

265308

265309

265310


Thank you for taking the time with little Shelly and giving her a chance.
She is SO adorable, and one lucky little squirrel to have found her way to you! :hug

[Milo's Mom]

This is so encouraging! :hug have you created topics for these squirrels that I can read/review the steps/housing/etc? "best practices" so to speak. :grin2

You mentioned your #3 not leaving until spring, that is a good point~~ I am probably looking at a spring release myself. I live in southeastern New England. and this little, from the looks of her, is a spring baby who hasn't ever seen a winter yet.

I have not created threads for them...well, actually just yesterday did I share Sadie's story here on TSB. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?52292-Sideways-Sadie-%29 (because of this thread and you...I wanted you to be able to see the success Sadie had, but not clog up your thread with Sadie's story)

I didn't go much into steps of what I did and how I did it, her story was more like a "Cliff Notes" version. Honestly, I allowed Sadie to guide me. If I saw she wasn't moving her arm, I did things to make her move it. She would only turn her head to the left, so I did armage scritchies on the left which made her turn her head to the right. When she wasn't doing something (moving her arm) I figured out a way to make her move it or I moved it for her. When she started standing on her feet I'd curl her tail up over her back...showing her where it was supposed to be. I use big sterilite bins for my rehabs. Upon intake she was in a small bin...I wanted to keep her confined and not move that much, then when the meds (Prednisone) started working and I wanted her to move I placed her in a big bin. When she graduated from that she went to the juvie squirrel cage, then she moved to the release cage, then to the trees.

Allow Shelly to tell you what she needs. She's not going to sit up and start talking to you, but if you watch her she will tell you. I spent HOURS upon HOURS just watching Sadie. No touching, no talking, just watching. They will tell you...you just have to listen for it.

Food/treats (small bits) are great incentives for them....makes them start walking in a forward motion like a freaking charm.

Working with these special ones is tough, but the rewards are HUGE. It takes patience and many many baby steps. When Shelly masters a new skill, make it a little harder, then when she masters that, make it even harder, and keep doing it. Eventually she'll be doing the skills all squirrels do.

The biggest things, and I think Gayle (SammysMom) will agree....watch her and allow her to guide you and think outside of the box (get creative).

I wish you and Shelly the very best!!

[missPixy]

so my vet told me yesterday, "express her bladder before you come in." I'd done it in the a.m. so when I did it again at 1:30, there were only a few squirts/drops.

at the vet, she asked if I'd expressed Shelly and I told her yes, I only got a few drops.

so then my vet proceeds to express Shelly's bladder and it was like turning on a faucet. :embar she told me this is why she had me come in, she wants me to get the hang of how to express Shelly's bladder properly because in her opinion, this is the biggest threat to Shelly's recovery right now: getting kidney damage because her bladder isn't expressed thoroughly/frequently enough. my vet is not charging me for these visits to practice bladder expression!

I have another appointment today at 7:15, again to check her bladder. this morning I expressed Shelly's bladder and I seemed to be better with it. Shelly was grumpy about having this done first thing, can't say I blame her!

for those of you who've had to do this: how many times a day would you recommend? my vet said around every 5 hours, but not to worry about doing it overnight while she's asleep. I work about 20-25 minutes from home so theoretically I can go home on my lunch hour to express her again if you all think it's advisable. so I would be doing it morning before I go to work, at 1:30ish and then around 6-7 at night.

she is eating somewhat. I have ordered the Henry's picky blocks and the "over 4 weeks" FV to start giving her. right now she is having honey water (which she really seems to like,) almonds, broccoli, apple, kale, sugar snap peas, last night also some small pieces of avocado. she seems to like the apple and almonds most, has picked at everything else. to my surprise she didn't try any of the avocado.

[missPixy]

an update on Shelly.

wednesday night was another vet visit to check my bladder expressing skills. I was relieved to see I am getting the hang of it. also, while my vet was checking her bladder, Shelly kicked one of her feet. it gives me such hope!

on the list of concerns I have post-vet (and plan to raise Saturday afternoon for the next visit) is that I'm seeing Shelly do the gaping breathing after each time I express her bladder. it makes me wonder if she sustained some injury to ribs, and when I hold her I somehow am causing her breathing difficulties? even when I release her, she doesn't stop breathing like this right away. it takes a few minutes for her to breathe normally.

so this morning I created a mound of her bedding, wrapped some fleece around her shoulders and leaned her back against the bedding so I didn't actually hold her when I expressed her bladder. she didn't gape-breathe when I used this technique.

the other thing is that she is eating less. she is taking the honey water from me every day. however she is barely eating now, and that concerns me because of the prednisone and that she should have it with food. could it be upsetting her stomach? she is still nibbling on some apple, but even ignoring almonds. I have FV formula and Picky Blocks coming in hopefully by tomorrow.

[Spanky]

That is great news that Shelly kicked her foot, I will be praying and hoping for her !!!!

I would have expected the vet to have done some x-rays during the first visit that would show anything like fractured ribs. If that was not done, I would consider having that done on the Saturday visit. It certainly seems something is amiss based upon the varying reactions to the different ways you have expressed and the x-rays should provide some insight.

The lack of eating is of concern, and I have a "gang" here which are the first experience for me where they show little interest in avocado... Not being an avocado fan myself, I figure its a problem with this crop of avocado and the squees know the difference between good and bad avocados better then I (as an avowed non-fan of the slimy green things)! :grin2 I would continue to experiment with other foods so she is eating more, and while on the pred.

Hopefully others will also chime in here...

[Nancy in New York]

Good post Spanky!
One other small thing that I would recommend.
If she is having tummy issues, get a probiotic capsule .
I use CVS brand myself. Pull them apart and give a little
~ the size of 1/4-1/2 of an eraser head on the top of a pencil.
You can mix this in formula or anyting she takes by mouth.
I has a tiny bit of a sweet taste, so it should be taken easily.
They are really good for tummy issues, and hopefully this will help
your little one.

Try some baby food from a syringe if you have to, just keep trying
this little one needs nutrition and calories.
Have you tried Pecan flavored ensure?
That seems to be a big hit around here.

[missPixy]

Thankfully Shelly loves the Henry's picky formula blocks! She eats 3 now 2x/day. I supplement with Apple which she is eating again along with various greens and an almond. She doesn't eat much of the greens so far.

HATES the formula she practically flung the syringe back at me. But she still wants the water and honey mix so I'm keeping her hydrated that way.

She has an X-ray appt for Tuesday. My vet was definitely concerned about the breathing problem and wondered if there could be an injury to the diaphragm. Shelly again showed movement in both legs and her tail when prompted via pressure. Yet my vet seems to not be all that optimistic about her recovery of full mobility for some reason... I am not in agreement with this. I think she just needs more time and some physical therapy.

Her behavior is consistent. When I open her carrier she tries to get away by burrowing deeper into the bedding/blankets. I have to gently wrap a small fleece towel around her shoulders to get her into position to express her bladder. While she's drinking the honey water she does the grr/purr sound and lets me gently massage her head and sides. But once she's done she out of there!

I suppose as a wild approx 8 months old this is normal. She doesn't try to bite or act vicious, she just wants to be left alone. But I think in the coming week I should change out her housing for a bigger bin so there room to move and a separate area for the nesting blanket. I will research other threads here on TSB to see some setups.

[missPixy]

So here's the update for Shelly post-Xray: my vet says nothing is broken. So this may be a case of some injury to the spinal cord? my vet thought this was the most likely scenario. Shelly is still on the prednisone.

Has anyone here ever dealt with a squirrel in the wild who came down with MBD? She is on the Henry's Picky Formula blocks which she seems to love... If it were MBD would these help restore her movement?

There has been some improvement: she is peeing on her own now alone in the carrier, and only requires me to now gently stimulate her to get her to pee herself... No need to manually express her bladder. She also flicks her tail while she's peeing, and has become more active inside her carrier.

[SammysMom]

This is terrific news, Pixie! Improvement is always good to hear. As for MBD in the wild, it does not seem to happen. My only thought is that it is far more likely an injury from falling.
Keep up the awesome work squammy!!!:grouphug

[Curlyqsis]

Just finished reading the entire thread. Fingers crossed for Shelley. She is so lucky to have found you.

[missPixy]

Just finished reading the entire thread. Fingers crossed for Shelley. She is so lucky to have found you.

Thank you! It's a challenge for me as I've never had to care for an injured juvenile like this before, especially such a debilitating injury. But I'm trying to learn every day, TSB definitely is full of experience and stories to research!

[missPixy]

Shelly started chewing the dog carrier and was able to squeak out yesterday morning! :eek I guess she's feeling better! She dragged herself into the kitchen next to the refrigerator.

So it's time for a new house. I may have to spring for a 1-level ferret home, I only have chicken coops and then tall cages for non-disabled squirrels. In the meantime I have her in a 1-level guinea pig house but that won't last too long because she started chewing at the plastic base last night. :tap

I've given her some branches from outside so she has gnawing opportunities, and she has chewed at them too. She seems to like to either hang with her legs dangling or else lay stretched out. She never curls around herself the way you see a healthy squirrel sleep.

Seems to still be peeing on her own, but I gave her a manual bladder express just to be sure. Only a couple of squirts came out.

Also noticed when she was asleep, dangling from a fleece pajama hammock, one of her legs KEPT LIFTING!

One thing that continues to concern me is that she keeps gaping when she gets frightened. Is this something wild adult squirrels do when they're terrified? She has a quick blast of energy, then after a minute she stops and gapes for breath. This gaping can go on for a minute or more.

If this isn't normal behavior for a scared wild squirrel, I'm wondering what this could be? When I first mentioned it to my vet, she thought it could be the diaphragm so she looked at it when she did the xray this past Tuesday. She said her diaphragm looked fine and she saw nothing broken. I just don't like the gaping, doesn't seem right. And, I don't know if it's my imagination but her chest seemed a bit puffy? Full? To me today. I'll try to get a picture of it later.

[missPixy]

Sorry for the long gap in any updates. It's been a month since I found Shelly and, although her progress has been in baby steps I am still very optimistic that she'll regain mobility again.

In my last update, Shelly was finally peeing on her own. Her little tummy was all soiled from the urine, so for the next couple of days I towel-dried her wet area and spot-cleaned with very diluted Dawn dish cleaner. And then: Day 3, she was able to clean herself! Which means more mobility, more awareness of her body.

She is currently moving her tail in response to my voice, and it also looks more fluffed than it had. Her left leg shows more autonomous little movements than the right in that it will twitch just a little when her tail reacts to my voice.

Still on a prednisone regimen that's currently getting diluted down by the week.

Maybe what makes me happiest is that she seems less depressed than she originally did. Moved her into a Ferret Nation 1-level last week, and this has given me the opportunity to add more squirrel things: bakeware casserole filled with sod and grass for hiding nuts. Old piece of tree branch with bark ripe for chewing off. Pinecones that smell like outside.

She's also less fearful and doesn't automatically hide under the fleece when she sees me. I'm so glad her mood has improved because I think this will help her make more progress.

Thankfully she loves the Henry's Blocks Picky Formula. Sort of fussy otherwise~~ meh on mushrooms, sugar snap peas, butternut squash. Most reliably eats zucchini and apple along with the blocks. HATES Brussels sprouts, tomato, radish with leaves, broccoli, kale. The search continues.

[missPixy]

some shots of Shelly:

feisty in her Weeks 2 and 3 house:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5741/23199061332_f37c161e90_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bm2fG5)

nearly 3 weeks ago, see the swelling above/just behind her shoulders? it seems to be going down now, but the vet told me nothing showed up in the xray:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/758/22679007224_d8c30ca378_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ay4QHW)

new home:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/22779206623_b7410168da_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AGVovM)

she used to hide under the fleece:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5665/23110653130_9a98ee0350_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bdd91J)


not so afraid anymore!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5806/22779271793_a1b6a88920_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AGVHTp)

[SammysMom]

She looks fantastic!!! Wonderful job!:grouphug:clap:grouphug

[lukaslolamaus]

Awww she is adorable:Love_Icon and one lucky girl to be in such good care:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

What a great update.:w00t
Yeah I saw that swelling. I wonder what that's from?
Hmmmmmmmmmm and the vet wasn't concerned, right?

She's beautiful. You did such a fantastic job on your little darling! :hug

[island rehabber]

You have many of TSB's finest helping you here so I've just been lurking. But, had to come in and say that the swelling on her shoulders/upper back reminds me a great deal of my Krista who actually had a compression fracture of the upper spine. When I saw her xray I could not really tell anything was wrong until my vet -- who is very knowledgeable of squirrels, unlike most vets -- showed me where the spine had separated, then the broken pieces were parallel like train tracks. Krista was also paralyzed in her back end but did gain some mobility over the year that I had her.

You can't fix a compression fracture, but you can do gentle physical therapy with her to help her be as good as she can be. She is beautiful, and you've done a great job with her so far!

[missPixy]

Shelly's mood continues to improve. I work from home on Mondays so was able to see her in action. Apart from this branch I supplied her, she's also rolling around playing with her stuffed toys and even pulled herself up to the bars on the "ceiling" of this habitat, pulling herself from bar to bar like a monkey! and... during this, her left leg didn't hang down completely straight, there was a curve in her thigh as at least her left leg tried to do what it was supposed to do!

https://youtu.be/PXlwxrqF0aU

I also wondered if this thread should be moved to Non-Emergency, and possibly change the Title for anybody searching for info re: paralyzed squirrels? :idea

[missPixy]

It's been a while since I've updated everyone on Shelly, but she continues to make progress slowly but regularly.

I've now seen her move both legs as though "bicycling" or swimming. this is when she's hanging from a ledge or other surface. she still isn't putting her weight on her back legs, but a couple of weeks ago she stretched after a nap and her bum went up in the air! that was the only time I've seen something like that.

Her left leg clearly has more reflexes than her right. We bought her a cat tree for Valentine's Day and she adores it~~ also seems to help her with physical therapy as it triggers her brain to send "lift!" signals to her legs. here's a video of her playing with me (another recent development!) notice at about the .2sec mark, her right foot moves forward.

https://youtu.be/2GvWxxicqE0

[Fireweed]

I just read this thread from the beginning - Shelly is SO fortunate to have you! :hug She's so cute. She looks like she is really loving her life despite having little to no use of her back legs. It must feel so great to be able to play with her now, too. :w00t
Her injury reminds me of my Salix. That big lump on the back of her neck at first, no use of back legs except some small movements more in one leg than the other, and seemingly no breaks. It's amazing how they get around and go about their days...

One idea for therapy is to get a litter box filled with sand. I use it for my semi-paralyzed ground squirrels but it might work for Shelly, too. They dig in a bit and try to push off with their back legs to slide around. I think the fact that their back feet sink in the sand/dirt helps them to push a little. You'd probably need a larger box so that Shelly could slide around in there and who knows if she'd even use it but thought I'd throw that out there.

Give Shelly some nuzzles from me! :Love_Icon

[missPixy]

thanks Fireweed~~ love that idea about using a box filled with sand! it makes a lot of sense.

her mood has definitely improved over the past month, especially. there were times in the first month or two where she seemed very depressed. I think too during the first month especially, she was kept in a smaller habitat to avoid her injuring herself any further. but now that she is able to get around outside of her much larger 2-story Ferret Nation habitat, she seems a lot happier and acts more squirrel-like.

I will say that even as a wild (she was probably around 8 months old or so when we first found her) she has been consistently gentle and non-aggressive. she never tries to bite, and when she accidentally catches me with her nails when we play, she makes sure she releases immediately before doing anything more than a surface scratch.

[Fireweed]

Aww, she sounds so sweet. It's really good to hear that her mood has improved and she is gentle and non-aggressive. I think she'll have a good, long, happy life with you! :hug

You should have the thread title changed like you requested before (:poke admin :grin2). What do you want it changed to? :dono

[missPixy]

for the change to the topic title, I thought maybe just tacking on a couple of extra words:

"Poison? West Nile? No. Paralyzed in hind legs."

I was giving the "sand box" idea more thought last night. What kind of sand did you use? a finer type of beach sand? potting soil?

[Fireweed]

I was giving the "sand box" idea more thought last night. What kind of sand did you use? a finer type of beach sand? potting soil?
I use sand that you find at any kind of home hardware type place. But it must say "pet friendly" or something akin to that. You might want to try out a couple different brands because the grain varies.

[island rehabber]

for the change to the topic title, I thought maybe just tacking on a couple of extra words:

"Poison? West Nile? No. Paralyzed in hind legs."



Done. Sorry I did not see this earlier. :great

[MyBushyTail]

How is Shelly doing?

[redwuff]

I'll second
M
B
T
question!!:grin3

[missPixy]

My beautiful girl is still with me. I need to take more photos of her to share with everybody. :grin2

We've had to limit her out-of-cage time to 2 or 3 hours at night when I get home because she was getting really bad drag burns on her knees. I've been having success protecting her knees using bandage wrap that sticks to itself, along with a non-stick pad that I spread on some manuka honey.

the challenge is getting these wraps on her~~ she is still a wild after all, found her when she was probably 8 months old or so. we've worked out an understanding when I get home and a specific process so she can "tell" me whether or not she will allow me to wrap her legs that day. I bring over a whole pecan in shell and my supplies. I cut out a length of the bandage, turn to her and hold up the bandage while saying "okay?"

if it is a "yes" day, she will stay right at her door all eager. I then open the door, give her the pecan, and she turns around so she's not watching me and allows me to quickly wrap up both legs. sometimes she'll take the pecan and go into her hanging cuddle cube to eat it while letting her legs hang out so I can access them. Her being in a position so she isn't watching me wrap her legs is key. otherwise she just can't handle that much futzing with her legs without quickly losing patience and pulling/running away.

if it's a "no" day, as soon as I show her the bandage she turns around and either runs to her lower level or into her hanging cuddle cube. sometimes she will also make a face at me before she flees. on "no" days, she doesn't come out of her cage. That's our understanding.

I still occasionally seeing tiny improvements~~ the other day she had her leg resting on a large branch she has in her cage and I saw her try to use her toes to push away. she could not, as her legs still aren't working. but I'd never seen her trying to get a grip with her toes before.

Thank you for asking about her!