Need help identifying stringy thing hanging off wild gray squee

[Jennefer]

This post may be squeamish for some....i need help identifying a long thing that was hanging on one of my wild female gray squirrels this morn. Wasnt on her yesterday. She is fat fat but also has 3 babies abt 8 weeks old so i am assuming she is still nursing. Wondering if she was pregnant again & gave birth overnight to new babies. Pics below....about 4-5 inches long & was attached to either her butt or her vagina....its soft, cream/light yellowish color. I cant tell what the brown stuff is b/c it had dirt on it. It fell off on its own & didnt seem to bother her. Im thinking one of 3 things: a root that she ate but didnt chew or digest & it came out whole (but its not stiff or solid like a root), or a worm (but it has no head or openings or segments), or an umbilical cord from giving birth last night & its dirty from her dragging it around. Its bulgy & rubbery like an umbilical cord. Help! If its a worm id like to figure out what kind & treat her b/c i dont want my release guys to catch it or the dog. And i dont want backyard mama to have 5" worms in her. Or pass to her babies. Im thinking umbilical cord. Thoughts?? :idea
288155288156288157288158

[Floppysquirrel04]

It looks like an ambilical cord to me, but I'm no expert. I do doubt that is a worm thou. If she didn't have babies again, maybe it got stuck and eventually fell out? Keep watch over her and keep us updated. I can't do anything more than that but some people might

[stepnstone]

Sure looks like tape worm to me, with the segments it even screams tape worm....
288159

[Floppysquirrel04]

Ouch! I guess so! I'm sorry I'm not all that fimiliar with that kind of thing. It didn't look like a worm to me but I gues your right

[TubeDriver]

Stick it in a glass of water and soak for a while. Identification will be easier if it is clean. Segments = tapeworm. If not segmented it could be some type of round worm or umbilical cord?

[Jennefer]

Oooh good idea....will do when I get back home (and dig whatever this is out of the garbage...ugh)! Part of it looked smooth & twisted & rubbery & other parts look like they have looped extensions coming off the sides that connect back to itself. I'll post pics after it soaks tonight.

Stepnstone & Tubedriver....If it is either kind of worm, what meds would I need to give her? From what Im reading there are some that treat only tapes & others that treat tapes & round, whips, etc. Should I be safe & treat with an all-inclusive med that gets rid of every kind....I read about Drontal for cats...treats all types of worms. Or Droncit (virbac tabs for dogs) only treats tapes. Im getting out of my realm here & need some advice please!

And if it's not a worm...guessing it wont harm her to treat? What about passing meds on to babies in her milk?

[stepnstone]

Oooh good idea....will do when I get back home (and dig whatever this is out of the garbage...ugh)! Part of it looked smooth & twisted & rubbery & other parts look like they have looped extensions coming off the sides that connect back to itself. I'll post pics after it soaks tonight.

Stepnstone & Tubedriver....If it is either kind of worm, what meds would I need to give her? From what Im reading there are some that treat only tapes & others that treat tapes & round, whips, etc. Should I be safe & treat with an all-inclusive med that gets rid of every kind....I read about Drontal for cats...treats all types of worms. Or Droncit (virbac tabs for dogs) only treats tapes. Im getting out of my realm here & need some advice please!

And if it's not a worm...guessing it wont harm her to treat? What about passing meds on to babies in her milk?

You are correct, many basic worm meds that take care of a variety are ineffective against tapeworms.
You need a med specified for tape worms which contains Praziquantel, Droncet is a known name used among vets.
Praziquantel will also kill roundworms, hookworms and whip worms.
What you have in that picture is not a umbilical cord, not round worm, it is a tapeworm.
Round worm- 288173 Tape worm- 288174

One can usually find Pro Labs or Trade winds Praziquantel tape worm tabs at most pet supplies.
288175
As far as passing the med through milk there is conflicting information on that and would be a good question for a qualified
veterinarian to be on the safe side.

[Jennefer]

Ewwww....no pics yet but after close inspection this morning from soaking all night....the thing was fused or folded together & is now unfolded & to be like 10+ inches long. No spaghetti for dinner tonight!

Stepnstone, how much would I dose mama squee...its a praziqunatel 23 mg pill (for cats). Mamas a wild so I cant get a weight. BUT she is fat...b/c she's got a few 8-9 week old babies. More round in the tummy & behind than a regular gray (keep in mind I am in Florida, so our grays are small). I can get a photo of her late today when I get home if that helps. And should I liquefy it & dry it on a nut or if it's a tiny sliver should I "bury" it in the nut (carve out method)?

I talked to my vet & he said it wont hurt her babies passed thru milk. All good & very safe. He said to use a minuscule amount but wasn't specific.

Thanks Stepnstone for all your help! Me & backyard mama appreciate it! :blowkiss Jenn

[stepnstone]

I will address your questions in a pm...

[Jennefer]

Got it...all good! :hug

[squizzabelle]

Icky but at the same time amazing and so interesting things happen on this squirrel board! How does a wild get a tapeworm, who knew they even could? It's fantastic you have taken care of new mama and even more,fantastic how much collective brain power is here to help, i
She will feel soooo much better soon and this is such A special and unique place. :Love_Icon

[Mel1959]

Tapeworms come from ingesting a flea. I've never seen a whole tapeworm come out, though, only the segments. I would be inclined to think the reason the tapeworm (if it is a tapeworm) was expelled is because it was dead. That doesn't mean there aren't others, though. Typically with tapeworms the animal host is usually skinny because the tapeworm is taking all the nutrients. This is what I have noticed in my experience.

[Milo's Mom]

Tapeworms come from ingesting a flea. I've never seen a whole tapeworm come out, though, only the segments. I would be inclined to think the reason the tapeworm (if it is a tapeworm) was expelled is because it was dead. That doesn't mean there aren't others, though. Typically with tapeworms the animal host is usually skinny because the tapeworm is taking all the nutrients. This is what I have noticed in my experience.

Unless they have a gut load of them and then they will look chubby/fat.

[stepnstone]

Tapeworms come from ingesting a flea. I've never seen a whole tapeworm come out, though, only the segments. I would be inclined to think the reason the tapeworm (if it is a tapeworm) was expelled is because it was dead. That doesn't mean there aren't others, though. Typically with tapeworms the animal host is usually skinny because the tapeworm is taking all the nutrients. This is what I have noticed in my experience.

"Rarely, tapeworms may cause debilitation or weight loss if they are present in large numbers.
Occasionally, a tapeworm will release its attachment in the intestines and migrate to the stomach.
When this happens, the animal may vomit an adult tapeworm several inches in length."
Ernest Ward, DVM

Personally with various animals, I have dealt with enough tapeworms of all stages in my lifetime to call one blindfolded!
Praziquantel is a broad spectrum dewormer for tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.
Sorry, it won't do a thing for a detached umbilical cord. 288192

[Jennefer]

:laugh2. I am rolling on the floor Stepnstone!!!! I seriously thought it was an umbilical cord! Was ready to squeeze some squirrel cord blood out of it! My hubby thinks im crazy for even attempting to figure out what this 5 inch thing hanging outta her squee butt is!! Cant leave a girl wth worms!! :eek

Mama squee is chunky but im guessing b/c shes nursing several babies. She looks good. Has nice round bright eyes. Has nice fur & eats well. She likes hhb. so hopefully shes not loosing too much nutrition to worms & babies! My front yard mama was fat but slimmed way down fast when her babies weaned.

Ill post a new pic of worm tomorrow...its definitely segmented. And once it "unfolded" its like over 10" long. Gross but fasinating. These are things we need to know!!

Squizzabelle....hello over there on the other side of the world! Loved your post! I love squee people! :hug

[stepnstone]

Why do I have this mental picture of you running around behind her with a little scoop
trying to catch squirrel poops to make sure the med worked and she's worm free.... http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-smiley-emoticon.gif

[Jennefer]

Because Stepnstone i prob would do it...or with a bag or gloves! Im determined when it comes to my fur babies...domesticated OR wild!!! :grin3


As promised...attached is new photos of worm after soaking. For those interested!!! 288210288211

[stepnstone]

Because Stepnstone i prob would do it...or with a bag or gloves! Im determined when it comes to my fur babies...domesticated OR wild!!! :grin3
:highfive :grouphug



As promised...attached is new photos of worm after soaking. For those interested!!!
Yeaeeh..... :yuck you can stop with the pictures now... http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/sick/about-to-vomit.gif

[Jennefer]

Spaghetti for lunch anyone?!?!? :rotfl:skwredup

[island rehabber]

Spaghetti for lunch anyone?!?!? :rotfl:skwredup

:rofl4 Remembering what we were told at a breakfast meeting for wildlife rehabbers, once:

"A true rehabber is someone who can discuss maggots over a bowl of risotto. "

:grin3

[TubeDriver]

That is definitely a tapeworm. :gun2

Poop, blood, infected tissue does not make me blink. Parasites DO gross me out. Although I have heard it is an easy way to lose weight! :thumbsup

[Jennefer]

:rofl4 Remembering what we were told at a breakfast meeting for wildlife rehabbers, once:

"A true rehabber is someone who can discuss maggots over a bowl of risotto. "

:grin3



When then it looks like Im in the club IR! Wasnt blinking an eye picking that thing apart...but I think hubby was ready to pass out! :gigg

[island rehabber]

When then it looks like Im in the club IR! Wasnt blinking an eye picking that thing apart...but I think hubby was ready to pass out! :gigg

:grin3 Mine cannot even watch blood on TV!! Especially if it's going through IV's or something -- he turns grey and faints :rofl4

[Jennefer]

That is definitely a tapeworm. :gun2

Poop, blood, infected tissue does not make me blink. Parasites DO gross me out. Although I have heard it is an easy way to lose weight! :thumbsup

When i was looking up photos of tapes....I actually found an article on people that go to a doctor & get "clean" tapes to swallow & loose weight...no thanks....I think I'll keep my big hiney & enjoy my donuts! :klunk

[island rehabber]

. Parasites DO gross me out. Although I have heard it is an easy way to lose weight! :thumbsup

Legend has it that the great opera diva, Maria Callas, swallowed one on purpose so she could be skinny like her arch-rival, Jackie Onassis. She got skinny, alright....but then she got dead. :shakehead :yuck

[Jennefer]

:grin3 Mine cannot even watch blood on TV!! Especially if it's going through IV's or something -- he turns grey and faints :rofl4



Sissies! Thats why the ladies handle the tough work! :grin3

[stepnstone]

That is definitely a tapeworm.
I knew that...

Parasites DO gross me out.
I definitely know that! http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/laughing-dog-smiley-emoticon.gif




When i was looking up photos of tapes....I actually found an article on people that go to a doctor & get "clean" tapes to swallow & loose weight...no thanks...
I think I'll keep my big hiney & enjoy my donuts! :klunk
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/hearty-laugh.gif