Injured baby

[rottilvr79]

Last night after I got home for work, I saw a couple of cats circling a baby squirrel in the road by the house. He looks to be maybe 3-4 months old? He;\'s smaller than my fall babes that I'm getting ready to release, but not an infant. I'm thinking this may be one of his first times out of the nest. He weighs 211 grams. There were no bite wounds, or blood. So, I think I got him before the cats were able to hurt him. But, he isn't using one of his back legs. It doesn't feel broken, and he doesn't act like it hurts. So, I'm assuming he fell out of a tree and injured his back. Last night I pretty much just left him alone in a dark, quiet room. Today I talked to one of my Drs and she suggested steroids. With the strengths we have, we decided on a small about of injectable Dexamethasone twice a day. I gave one dose this morning, and he does seem to moving a little better, but still not using that leg. I've offered squirrel blocks, veggies, and sunflower seeds. I don't think he ate any of them, but I was able to get him to take a little esbilac from a syringe. Any other suggestions?

[Shewhosweptforest]

I would assume he's cat bit :dono it's doesn't take a lot of blood or big wound....if I get a squirrel and a cat had it...I give ABs....cuz if you miss the window it's too late. My overwinter came from the vet...who saw no blood ...and assumed no cat bite...she was in the house with two cats...she was lethargic...just didn't seem right...so I gave ABs...she perked up a few days later :great

With the leg...maybe he has soft tissue injury....cat could have pulled it...or he may have injured it trying to get away :dono I would wait and see on what the dex does...but if you can get your hand on ABs ...I would :great I wouldn't worry about solid food right now either....give the formula since he wants it:great

Thanks for helping this little one...sounds like you got there in the nick of time :bowdown poor baby...sure have been a lot of cat attacks...with multiple cats involved :sadness

[stepnstone]

Punctures from a cat seal over fast and can be undetectable until they either scab, infect or both.
It is a natural in born instinct of a squirrel not to show weakness, therefore nearly impossible to know
if they are experiencing pain.
Suspecting injury from a fall I understand why the vet opted for a steroid, not so sure I would have
jumped to that route but the Dexamethasone should address any pain. Baby still should be on an ab
considering the cats involved. Kind of surprised with the vet on that one.

[rottilvr79]

Thank you. :)
I either have, or can get antibiotics. I think we have, tablet, liquid, and injectable Baytril at work. What's the dosage for a baby his size?
I could also switch from Dex to Metacam. But, I think I like steroids better, in case it's a back injury. I'll keep giving the formula. It was funny he couldn't decide if he liked it or not. He would try to push it away, then start lapping at the syringe. LOL
If I can get him better, would it be a good idea to try and introduce him to my winter babies (about 7 months now) and release them all together?

[stepnstone]

Thank you. :)
I either have, or can get antibiotics. I think we have, tablet, liquid, and injectable Baytril at work. What's the dosage for a baby his size?
I could also switch from Dex to Metacam. But, I think I like steroids better, in case it's a back injury. I'll keep giving the formula. It was funny he couldn't decide if he liked it or not. He would try to push it away, then start lapping at the syringe. LOL
If I can get him better, would it be a good idea to try and introduce him to my winter babies (about 7 months now) and release them all together?

Let us know what you have to use, the milligrams of what it is and we'll send you dosing in a pm.
Don't want to have that on open board.
Introducing to your winter babies is a good idea IF it works, sometimes that window of opportunity
closes and they are not accepted.

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a picture of this little one.
If you are right about the age estimate, he would be December or January baby.
He may actually be younger than you think and 211 grams is really small up here.

Remember to hydrate him well. He will not be hungry if he is dehyrdtated. Water with
a little honey in works well as they seem to like a little bit of the sweetness.

While I agree that it would be great to be able to introduce your overwinters and this
one, I fear it won't work well. They probably are already pretty established and have a
"pecking order".
Also if this little one is injured even if he heals, I wouldn't even attempt it.
We don't want another injury on something that may already be weakened.