Malocclusion Advise Please

[Momofefe]

On Labor day I found 2 very young, fur covered squirrels that had fallen from my maple tree. One was squeaky and bloody, the other, I thought was dead until I patted her to tell her I was so sorry and then she wiggled. I called the not for profit wildlife center and they agreed to take them for rehabilitation. Fast forward to now...I have been checking in twice a week regarding their progress. The one I thought was dead, I have named her Bernice...has made a great recovery thus far. The one with the head injury (Barbara) has a top teeth malocclusion issue. I was told they trimmed her teeth in hopes of helping them to grow straight and if they did not they would "humanely euthanize" her. I found the Squirrel board and discovered the malocclusion thread and there are squirrels being loved and taken care of with these teeth issues. I called again today to check on the squirrel sisters and Bernice is great but Barbara's teeth are still growing wonky and her bottom teeth have not come in yet. I was told again that if there is no improvement that she would be euthanized. I then asked if I could transfer Barbara to another wildlife rehabilitator and was told, no. In conclusion, I asked if I had "signed Barbara's life away" when I admitted her to the nature center and the cranky woman on the phone responded a little too quickly and with a little too much... I don't know what to call it..."joy"??..."You absolutely did."
Has anyone been in a situation like this?
Does Barbara have a chance to be removed (Ohio)?
Could she live with no teeth and pureed food?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

On Labor day I found 2 very young, fur covered squirrels that had fallen from my maple tree. One was squeaky and bloody, the other, I thought was dead until I patted her to tell her I was so sorry and then she wiggled. I called the not for profit wildlife center and they agreed to take them for rehabilitation. Fast forward to now...I have been checking in twice a week regarding their progress. The one I thought was dead, I have named her Bernice...has made a great recovery thus far. The one with the head injury (Barbara) has a top teeth malocclusion issue. I was told they trimmed her teeth in hopes of helping them to grow straight and if they did not they would "humanely euthanize" her. I found the Squirrel board and discovered the malocclusion thread and there are squirrels being loved and taken care of with these teeth issues. I called again today to check on the squirrel sisters and Bernice is great but Barbara's teeth are still growing wonky and her bottom teeth have not come in yet. I was told again that if there is no improvement that she would be euthanized. I then asked if I could transfer Barbara to another wildlife rehabilitator and was told, no. In conclusion, I asked if I had "signed Barbara's life away" when I admitted her to the nature center and the cranky woman on the phone responded a little too quickly and with a little too much... I don't know what to call it..."joy"??..."You absolutely did."
Has anyone been in a situation like this?
Does Barbara have a chance to be removed (Ohio)?
Could she live with no teeth and pureed food?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!

Momofefe , welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I’m really sorry about the situation you’re in. Personally, I hate wildlife centers but that’s just me. I know they do a lot of good saving lives and they have the numbers to back it up. Unfortunately because of these numbers they don’t really have ‘time’ or resources for those that can’t be released. It’s boils down to the notion of ‘survival of the fittest’. They also have laws to abide by that are often cruel and anything BUT humane. VERY few states make exceptions for animals that can’t survive in nature. Some centers euthanize pinkies because they are so labor intensive. There was a particular disturbing case of a completely healthy squirrel that was euthanized because he was... in their words... “too human imprinted”. That was complete nonsense because given the chance, 99% of squirrels will ‘wild up’ when done properly. No amount of intervention would change their mind. We have seen horrible injustices done at wildlife centers.

Unfortunately what the NASTY women told you is correct. When you gave the babies to them, they now are subject to wildlife laws in your state. We have tried intervening in the past without success.

As far as your questions, maloccluded squirrels can’t survive in nature because the incisors will overgrown. They can’t properly keep them filled down. With that said, there are MANY maloccluded squirrels living as pets in peoples homes. In most states it is illegal to own wildlife so they live undercover. People just don’t talk about their squirrels in public places OR on social media. Those that do put them at risk of being seized. The incisors have to be trimmed regularly. With trimming they live full lives in captivity. Some opt to have the incisors removed. In addition to incisors, squirrels have molars further back on the jaws so they can still chew perfectly well. In nature they need the incisors for chewing bark and cracking open hard things like nuts.

I wish I had an answer for you. Sometimes with trimmings the teeth will straighten up. It has been happened before. I PRAY that this is the case with Barbara because getting her out of the center is extremely unlikely.

[Momofefe]

Thank you so much HRT4SQRLS for responding. I am heartsick over the situation I caused Barbara to be in. Barbara and Bernice were in bad shape and it was Labor Day and my vet wasn't open. They truly needed immediate care and I didn't have all the necessary squirrel rescue medical items available as listed on this site. Barbara was pretty bloody with a head injury and Bernice was just lying there with her eyes half closed. I have never found injured squirrels before and I hope I never do again...BUT..If I do, I will never ever ever ever take them into this extremely well funded wildlife center in which the animal must achieve 100% restoration.

Barbara seems to be a completely healthy squirrel except for her teeth...this is what makes me cry.

Yes, I have been praying daily for her healing and will continue to do so.

Again, thank you HRT4SQRLS for replying AND thank you for helping Jacob the squirrel and Kevin the human...I found that thread last night. God Bless you

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank you Momofefe
You have a compassionate heart. :Love_Icon It gives a glimmer of hope in our sin sick world. We will pray that Barbara’s teeth miraculously realign and surprise her caregivers. I will say that it is a good sign that they are even trying. Many will not. That in itself gives me hope.

If you ever find another baby squirrel in need please reach out to us here on TSB. We have people here usually day and night that will help you. Here is a guide that could help you in the early hours. https://www.henryspets.com/1-caring-for-a-baby-squirrel/

You really don’t even need to feed them. Offering safety, warmth and hydration is usually sufficient until a rehabber can be found. We network across the country to find safe care for squirrels. I know to some, it seems strange or down right weird what we do but deep down in our hearts was birthed a compassion that drives us to spend our time and resources to help those that would otherwise die if we didn’t fill the gap. Often it fills us with great joy and satisfaction but there are times when the loss/suffering crush those compassionate hearts.