View Full Version : 5 1/2-6 week old suddenly not using front legs!!!
Hrj0515
03-28-2019, 03:34 PM
Received baby girl two days ago. She was found in a driveway with a bit of a bloody nose. She’s been doing amazing until mid day today. Got her out to feed her and she seemed really lethargic but perked up a bit to eat. I laid her on the floor and she wouldn’t use her front legs. She’s just pushing with her back legs and scooting around in a circle. She seems like she is in pain but when I move her front legs she doesn’t cry out like they are the problem. Could a bad tummy ache cause her to pull her front legs in like this?! I’m at a total loss of why she’s went down hill so fast! Waiting for the vet to call me back now
HRT4SQRLS
03-28-2019, 03:39 PM
Are you the finder? I just like to establish a little history.
I know of a baby that was down in the front legs. She was treated with Metacam for a couple weeks. She recovered and was released. Others have used prednisone for spinal injury.
Would your vet be willing to do an X-ray? Be careful in your state. It is not wildlife friendly.
Hrj0515
03-28-2019, 03:54 PM
I am not the finder. I advised the lady that found her to put her by the tree if she would be safe and to keep an eye on her that mom will usually come for the baby. She couldn’t do that because of neighborhood dogs. She was crawling around fine yesterday and there’s no possible way she’s been injured since being in my care. I also thought maybe she got too hot because of the heating pad but she didn’t feel hotter than normal. The heating pad is also on low and under her carrier. The vet said he would see her at 4:30 so I’m hoping for answers.
Nancy in New York
03-28-2019, 04:03 PM
Received baby girl two days ago. She was found in a driveway with a bit of a bloody nose. She’s been doing amazing until mid day today. Got her out to feed her and she seemed really lethargic but perked up a bit to eat. I laid her on the floor and she wouldn’t use her front legs. She’s just pushing with her back legs and scooting around in a circle. She seems like she is in pain but when I move her front legs she doesn’t cry out like they are the problem. Could a bad tummy ache cause her to pull her front legs in like this?! I’m at a total loss of why she’s went down hill so fast! Waiting for the vet to call me back now
What are you feeding her, and how much, and how often?
Are you the only one who handles her?
Why did you lay her on the floor?
Is it possible that she could have taken a fall?
Was she alright 2 days ago when you got her?
Is this your first squirrel that you're raising?
Sorry for so many questions. The answers may help
us determine the problem.
I got in a little squirrel a couple years back who could not use his
front legs. My vet took x rays and found nothing, but put him on
Metacam, and Gabapentin. He made a full recovery and was released.
Here's a real short video showing you how he couldn't use his front
legs, and just pushed with his back legs.
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-j2VzjTF/0/de0843b0/640/i-j2VzjTF-640.mp4
Edit: I see that you already answered some of my questions while I was typing.
Good luck at the vets. Is this a trusted vet that won't put her down?
Hrj0515
03-28-2019, 04:28 PM
I’m using Esbilac and feeding every 4 hours. She’s taking about 4mls each time.
When I was feeding her I noticed she was keeping her front legs pulled in so I laid her on the towel to see if she would use them.
She was fine when I got her other than a little bit of a nose bleed. She started sneezing later that afternoon and had a bit more blood but nothing since. My husband held her the other night while I mixed up formula but other than that it’s just me handling her. This is squirrel number 6 that I’ve helped and I’ve never seen anything quite like this! I’ll try to get a video of her before I leave for the vet. Thank you guys so much for responding so quickly!
stepnstone
03-28-2019, 04:50 PM
Do you know what formula the orignal finders were using?
Are you using the powered Esbilac with pre and pro biotics pictured below?
Please post a picture of this baby if possible...
308706
Hrj0515
03-28-2019, 04:59 PM
Yes that’s what I’m using. They had not fed her. She was found and then I was contacted. She wasn’t cold or dehydrated when I got her.
I’m trying to upload a video now
Nancy in New York
03-28-2019, 05:05 PM
You may have to upload to YouTube and then post the link here.
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