young squirrel was stepped on by dog

[jessnd12414]

Hello everyone, I have a young squirrel not sure exactly how old but a week ago she was out under my feeder and my neighbors dog ran over and stepped on her head. she is a very friendly grey squirrel that would come out every morning and climb up our legs and eat the seeds under our bird feeder, it saddens me that this happened but. I feel so bad for her, she has improved quite a bit since this happened but I'm not sure if I'm doing everything I could be doing to help her. as a new rehabber and my first squirrel I want to make sure I do everything I can. When it first happened she wouldn't move at all, she could open her eyes and I could syringe her water and she would take it but that about it, since then she is now more active and moves all of her arms and legs. she cant eat on her own still. she tries to move around but cant get up and seems to lean more to one side when she tries. she is also grinding her teeth a lot, does that mean anything?she also wont go to the bathroom on her own, I have to stimulate her, not sure if she just doesn't want to make a mess or if she just actually cant. I have her on kitten formula right now with small doses of tums for calcium please help me nurse her back to heath, its such a shame this happened.

[SammysMom]

First, thank-you for helping her! :Love_Icon Next, stop the kitten formula and get a can of Esbilac puppy POWDER. Make it Esbilac, no matter what the people at the store say, others are NOT the same. The KMR is too high in protein for a squirrel. The teeth grinding is a sign of pain, so we need to try to figure out exactly what it is that is hurting. Have you been able to look at her teeth? Is there any place specifically that appears to be bothering her? When you say she is young, how old do you mean? Most importantly, can you take her to a vet?

[stepnstone]

First, thank-you for helping her! :Love_Icon Next, stop the kitten formula and get a can of Esbilac puppy POWDER. Make it Esbilac, no matter what the people at the store say, others are NOT the same. The KMR is too high in protein for a squirrel. The teeth grinding is a sign of pain, so we need to try to figure out exactly what it is that is hurting. Have you been able to look at her teeth? Is there any place specifically that appears to be bothering her? When you say she is young, how old do you mean? Most importantly, can you take her to a vet?

Posting pictures is also very helpful...

[jessnd12414]

vet wont take her, they said their best bet would be euthanasia so I refused because I know she can pull through. it seems her left tooth moves when she bites, maybe jaw dislocation :( I will switch her to puppy formula asap. Thank you for your response! and any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!

[SammysMom]

Their teeth actually always sort of move in their place. I suspect it is to be able to carry large things without them breaking. Where in NY are you located? Maybe we can help to find a squirrel friendly vet for you. Do you have access to prednisone? How old is the squirrel and do you have a gram scale that you could weigh her on? Pics could be very helpful...:w00t

[jessnd12414]

I would love to post pictures but for some reason reasons reasonitsnot working from my phone. I live in the Hudson Valley. I'm going to guess she is about 5 weeks now, still quite small.

[SammysMom]

Text pics to me at 203 214-7427 and I will post them

[jessnd12414]

Will do thank you so much

[SammysMom]

Oh dear...this poor little baby...

[SammysMom]

How long was she coming out to climb up your legs etc. before this happened?

[SammysMom]

Very hard to watch video of this little one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV79D21i1O8

[Nancy in New York]

Is this squirrel's sight alright?
I think I'm seeing some head swelling, and it appears that the nose is a little smooched,
unless it's just the angle of the picture.
Are the ears pinned back?
He/she looks really skinny.
Are you able to drive a distance to see a vet?

How far are you from Saratoga or Albany?


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BmwdjTb/0/XL/i-BmwdjTb-XL.jpg

[stepnstone]

Very hard to watch video of this little one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV79D21i1O8

Yes it is... :sadness
With a crush injury it's difficult to know what's happened on the inside and
obviously he's suffered some level of concussion /head injury. At the least I'd
definitely get him on some type pain/anti inflammatory asap.

[Nancy in New York]

Very hard to watch video of this little one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV79D21i1O8
Geez Gayle I must have been posting when you posted this video.
This is heartbreaking.
This one needs to get to a vet ASAP.
I can make arrangements up here, if this member
can drive.

[jessnd12414]

Sorry everyone, it got late here and we went to sleep. she was around for a little more than a week before this happened. I checked her eyes and she seems to be able to see fine, knows right where the surringe is when I go to feed her she even grabs for it now. She only holds her ears back when I set her down of I have her in my lap or if I'm feeding her she perks them up. She doesn't seem to be skinny to me she doesn't feel boney or anything. She made sure to pig out on sunflower seed before this happened. I was actually starting to worry about that before this happened, her entire day was spent under the feeder eating bird seed, that couldn't have been good for her right? I also don't think her nose is squished in, just a bad picture. I'm about a half hour from albany. Thank you everyone. I do just want to say that she has made amazing improvement since last week. I forgot to mention my boyfriend saw it happen and had to giver her mouth to mouth after it happened because she stopped breathing :(.

[Nancy in New York]

Sorry everyone, it got late here and we went to sleep. she was around for a little more than a week before this happened. I checked her eyes and she seems to be able to see fine, knows right where the surringe is when I go to feed her she even grabs for it now. She only holds her ears back when I set her down of I have her in my lap or if I'm feeding her she perks them up. She doesn't seem to be skinny to me she doesn't feel boney or anything. She made sure to pig out on sunflower seed before this happened. I was actually starting to worry about that before this happened, her entire day was spent under the feeder eating bird seed, that couldn't have been good for her right? I also don't think her nose is squished in, just a bad picture. I'm about a half hour from albany. Thank you everyone. I do just want to say that she has made amazing improvement since last week. I forgot to mention my boyfriend saw it happen and had to giver her mouth to mouth after it happened because she stopped breathing :(.

Would you be willing to drive to Saratoga to see a vet?

[jessnd12414]

I would yes, I will be able to bring her home right?

[pappy1264]

omg...that poor baby! She would only come out because mom was gone so she should have been taken in immediately. That being said please get her to vet. She would still need to be stimulated to potty most likely (some are going at this sge but not always). She needs hydration and to be checked by a vet. This is not a squirrel to learn on. Please if you do not have experience it is in her best interest to get her to someone who can give her the proper care. I am not trying to upset or allienate you, please know I know you already love her. She is just in very bad shape and being without mom that long will certainly put her in a very serious place. Thst is even before being stepped on. My prayers for this little one. Heartbreaking.

[jessnd12414]

I have a vet that is going to take a look at her and because I'm currently working on my vet tech is going to show me everything he is going to do to examine her and tell me my next stepS! Thank you everyone for your compassion I will keep you posted on how it goes.

[Nancy in New York]

I would yes, I will be able to bring her home right?

I could meet you there, and we could bring her home.
My vet tries everything possible before even mentioning the word euthanasia,
but ultimately leaves the decision up to you, UNLESS there is NO hope of
recovery and the animal is suffering. The animal HAS to come first!
I see that you have someone that is willing to help, BUT
if that falls through, please please contact me.
My vet has treated other squirrels on this board, and she is
fantastic!

[jessnd12414]

I will let you know thank you!

[Nancy in New York]

I will let you know thank you!

Do you know when your friend can see this little one?
I DO NOT want to pressure you at all.
I'm just offering help. :hug

[jessnd12414]

I'm taking her first thing tomorrow morning,

[pappy1264]

Today would be better. Honestly 24 more hours is not a good idea. Please take Nancy up on her offer. This babay needs help now.

[pappy1264]

Any updates?

[Mel1959]

:yeahthat

[Nancy in New York]

I hope that all went well.
Let me know if you need help with a vet! :grouphug

[pappy1264]

Hoping for good update.