HELP! West Pal Beach Florida. Dog caught squirrel

[BobbiJ1979]

I’m new to the page. My dog caught a squirrel last night. Not sure if he bit her or if she fell out of the tree and he stepped on her? He’s gentle when he puts his mouth on things and often uses his paw to keep smaller things from running away. She’s not an infant but i would say less than a year old. Her back legs seem injured but no one in my area will take her. I don’t mind trying to rehab her myself. I’ve been reading multiple posts about infant ibuprofen, calcium, what to feed her. I have her in a soft sided cat carrier with a Sherpa bottom and warm fleece type blankets to keep warm. I’ve placed a heating pad half way under the carrier on low for added warmth. For food, I’ve been slicing up apples and bananas but she seems to prefer the bananas by far. I’ve also put some rodent trail mix type food with corn, nuts and sunflower seeds. Unfortunately she’s old enough (and scared enough) to not want me to touch her. She bites and clicks her teeth when I try to pick her up so medicating her fully has been hard. The only thing I could think of was to put drops of infant ibuprofen onto the sliced bananas. I don’t have a weight on her so I’m giving only .2ml twice a day. Like i said I’m totally new at this and I’m trying. She can move around the carrier but the leg dragging is making me nervous and I don’t know what to do about it. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. We have temporarily named her Mango since we think that’s what tree she fell out of.

[LR]

There are squirrel friendly vets in Florida. Someone may be able to help direct you you to one. An xray of her legs and back will tell you why she cant move it. Liquid infant Motrin is dosed by weight. A kitchen scale, even if you need to borrow it from a neighbor would be helpful.

[cava]

She's probably scared to death, so for her safety and piece of mind, put her in a room up high and away from the dog. Not saying he was, but if he was what caused her injury, being in a house with him will keep her in a state of fight or flight and she can't maintain that stress for long.

I know you are trying to help. Keep bumping your thread and hopefully someone near enough to you will either take her or help you with her. Do you have access to steroids (pred)? Sometimes injuries like she has in the photo can be treated with meds and rest. Steroids like pred cannot be given with NSAIDS like ibuprofen so be sure to get advice before attempting to give steroids.

Meanwhile, the diet of nuts/seeds/corn is ok for outside squirrels, but she will need something more substantial. Here is a guide to help you feed healthy foods. Be sure she has water available at all times. You can put rocks in a bowl to keep it tip proof and from her going to far into it. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

The heating pad will help. Having fleece or something that she can't get her nails caught on to burrow in will help her feel more secure. She may only eat when you are away if she is afraid.

[BobbiJ1979]

The carrier I have her in is high up on a counter away from the dog and I keep a towel over part of it to make it more cave like.She definitely like the fleece blanket I put in there. I was planning on taking her to my regular vet tomorrow to see about an X-ray and any other meds. I’m just afraid they won’t want to try and just put her down. I don’t want her suffering but I’d at least like to give her a shot to get better.

[JLM27]

Has she moved her back legs or tail at all?

You want to make sure she stays hydrated. Keep water nearby and perhaps offer her some with an eyedropper or a small syringe you can get at the pharmacy (not expensive) like we use to feed babies.

[LR]

Your baby can have the Motrin every four hours at the dose you are giving. She looks to be the same size as my Ruby or a bit bigger so that amount should be ok . It can be given every four hours because their bodies metabolize it much quicker than ours do.

[BobbiJ1979]

She has moved her tail around when I put my hand in the carrier to change her food and water dish. I also read somewhere that pedialyte was good to get them to drink. Which is better- water or pedialyte? After work tomorrow I’m going to take her to my vet to see what they can do.

[PlaynAngel]

Dr. Kelleher in Deerfield will treat your squirrel. Summit animal hospital will as well. Dr. Kelleher has a tv show and deals only in exotic animals. She is a great vet and I used her for years with my ferrets and now my squirrel. Her number is 954 968 7171. Both vets are versed but I personally love dr k!

[lennysmom]

Pedialyte is usually used to rehydrate when the squirrel is dehydrated and should be used no longer then 48 hours. If she is drinking regular water ok, I would just stick with that. However if she doesn't seem to be drinking at all, you can try the Pedialyte or even water with a touch of honey to see if she will take it better.

I took in a dog caught squirrel myself, although she was much younger then the squirrel that you have. She also had no movement in her hind legs or tail upon intake. I will say that with my little girl, after using prednisone for several days, Gabipentin truly worked miracles for her and after about a week on it, she had movement in both her hind legs. It did take another couple of weeks before she was completely mobile again, but her recovery was much greater then the vet expected. Perhaps you could mention Gabipentin to your vet.

As cava mentioned, she is no doubt very stressed being in strange place and feeling helpless. I would keep her in a dark, quiet area to try to reduce the stress as much as possible. Praying for your little girl and hoping you will get good news at the vet tomorrow.:Love_Icon Thank you for caring enough to take her in and trying to get her the help she needs.:hug

[LR]

How's she doing this morning? If you are still worried about the vet putting her down you do have another option but it requires a full commitment to the idea that you may have a squirrel companion in the house for the rest of her life.

If her pelvis or back is broken you may end up with the above squirrel. Sometimes though it just takes good meds, time, love and lots of patience. She is already moving her tail some. That's a good positive thing.

If you opt to skip the vet for right now you will need to let us know so you can get the meds she will need and proper dosing.

It's a difficult decision....

If her pelvis or legs are broken I have heard that some vets can do surgery and pin the bones back in place. That may be an option for you too if you have funds available for it.

It may be a good way to get her out of the vets office alive too even if you don't think you can get it done. Tell them you are going to take her home and get your money straight.

Either way, keep us up on what you decide. Everyone here is more than willing to help in anyway possible.

[Mel1959]

If you can get her to the vet for an X-ray you will be in a better position to make an educated decision about her future. The recommendation of a couple of squirrel friendly vets is awesome. They won’t take her from you, in Fl it’s legal to keep a squirrel.

[LR]

http://www.floridawildlifecare.org/squirrel.htm

This organization says they do free medical evaluations. Check out the site.

[Diggie's Friend]

It really is going to depend on the break to a great degree, as I learned when I found a squirrel with a broken pelvis in my yard recently. The Vet and rehabber that viewed the x rays saw that the pelvic socket was shattered, with loose bone fragments. Not a rehabber myself, I had come to the board to find a non kill rehabber in my general area that would offer a non release living option sadly none was found. So when this poor fellow was found with this severe injury that made him oon releasable he wasn't offered a chance at life.

In Florida this isn't the case for every squirrel with hip/pelvic fracture, as a number of tree squirrels with such injures have been supported as non releasables in the care of those who were willing and able to support them in captive care. And though this isn't for everyone surely, even if you don't see a way for you to support this squirrel with the wealth and experience of the members of TSB that will be wtih you each step of the way, there are others in this State that may be willing to take on the long term care of this squirrel; so don't give her up on that account.

[BobbiJ1979]

My son just sent me this photo. She did not look like this this last night. I don’t even know what that is?

[LR]

Did you get her to the vet today? It looks like she has been chewing on herself. When was the last time she had any kind of pain meds? She needs something more than Motrin.

[TubeDriver]

This poor squirrel needs to see a vet ASAP. That injury is life threatening. I don't know what is going on that would change the status from the first photos to this most recent photo but it looks like a dog has savaged that poor squirrel. :(

If there is nerve damage then self-mutilation is also possibly but I have never seen this severe of a case.


My son just sent me this photo. She did not look like this this last night. I don’t even know what that is?

[stepnstone]

My son just sent me this photo. She did not look like this this last night. I don’t even know what that is?

Please do the right thing and take her to a vet or a facility that can do the right thing...
it's called suffering!

[Nancy in New York]

This member has gone off line. :(
Prayers for this innocent squirrel.

[cava]

This looks like urine scald on top of a wound. It needs to be cleaned and dried and have medicine applied, kept clean and this squirrel will need pain management and antibiotics. Please take her to a vet asap!

[Mel1959]

Have you taken care of this squirrels wounds, medicated or taken her to the vet? You were given several options of experienced folks that would look at this little one and provide treatment. Doing nothing is not an option when you have an animal that is clearly suffering.

[LR]

Hopefully, God and his Angels have gathered this baby to rest with them...

[TubeDriver]

I hope we get an update? I think a vet is really needed since the extent of the injuries seem so severe.

[Mel1959]

I fear the worst since we have gotten no update. :boohoo:boohoo I wish folks would post a final thread so the rest of us could have some sort of closure.....even if it’s not the outcome we had hoped for. :tap