Caring for a disabled wild squirrel

[Pam]

I have a wild squirrel I rescued from my backyard (twice). I let him(?) go to try and return him to the wild, only to have him come back and nest in some blankets I was keeping on my porch. Poor thing was shivering so badly, I brought him back inside. (I have two dogs, too, so I don’t want them killing him.)

His back legs don’t work, and he can’t use his tail. I’d take him to wildlife rescue, but I’m afraid they’ll just put him down. I originally rescued him from a rose bush on Christmas Eve, released him back into the wild about a week later when he seemed to be doing better. He returned to my yard to eat a few days later, then last week I found him on my porch & I took him in again.

I've gotten him squirrel feed as suggested on this board and some nice fabric that he nests in. I want to get him a larger habitat and a vet to make sure he doesn’t have any problems that could be attended to.

He seems to be eating and drinking okay. I try to limit my contact as much as possible.

Any advice is highly welcomed. Tyia

[stepnstone]

I have a wild squirrel I rescued from my backyard (twice). I let him(?) go to try and return him to the wild, only to have him come back and nest in some blankets I was keeping on my porch. Poor thing was shivering so badly, I brought him back inside. (I have two dogs, too, so I don’t want them killing him.)

His back legs don’t work, and he can’t use his tail. I’d take him to wildlife rescue, but I’m afraid they’ll just put him down. I originally rescued him from a rose bush on Christmas Eve, released him back into the wild about a week later when he seemed to be doing better. He returned to my yard to eat a few days later, then last week I found him on my porch & I took him in again.

I've gotten him squirrel feed as suggested on this board and some nice fabric that he nests in. I want to get him a larger habitat and a vet to make sure he doesn’t have any problems that could be attended to.

He seems to be eating and drinking okay. I try to limit my contact as much as possible.

Any advice is highly welcomed. Tyia

Just to establish... Did you attempt to release him with the back legs not working properly
or did that happen after attempting to release?
Please do not try to release again with legs not working, he won't make it out there and
your correct a center would put him down.
If your prepared to try and help him don't limit your contact as long as it don't stress him.
They are pretty intelligent (most times) knowing when they are being helped.
Tell us a little more about him, what was condition when first found?
Any attempt to use legs or just drags them?
Is he able to eliminate bowel and urine?
Post a picture or two if you can.

[tgramsey]

Thank you for helping him! The poor little thing. You give him Henry's blocks or another rodent block? Hoping someone here lives in Colorado and can give you good vet advice. I know from recent experience that when squirrels are not using limbs, it's best to get them on Prednisone as soon as you can to reduce internal swelling. There are many folks on the board who can help you with dosing based on his weight, but hopefully you'll get to see a vet.

[JLM27]

Be wary of vets and wildlife hospitals. I'm thinking they may confiscate the animal and put it down or report it to your wildlife police. I'm assuming Colorado has laws against keeping wildlife without a license as i understand that only Florida has no restrictions. Make sure it is a safe vet. Best to work with a licensed rehabber.

[Pam]

Just to establish... Did you attempt to release him with the back legs not working properly or did that happen after attempting to release?
Please do not try to release again with legs not working, he won't make it out there and
your correct a center would put him down.
If your prepared to try and help him don't limit your contact as long as it don't stress him.
They are pretty intelligent (most times) knowing when they are being helped.
Tell us a little more about him, what was condition when first found?
Any attempt to use legs or just drags them?
Is he able to eliminate bowel and urine?
Post a picture or two if you can.

His back legs have never worked. That’s how I was able to catch him in the first place. I did release him in that injured state & he was able to scurry off and up a tree, albeit slowly. He just drags this back & butt on the ground. But he is able to eliminate bowels & urinate okay.

I will slowly increase my contact. He does seem to be getting used to me.

[stepnstone]

Depending on how long he's been like this a treatment of Prednisone may possibly help with the paralysis
and always worth an attempt. Releasing him in this condition subjects him to suffering either from his condition
or by becoming prey to another animal. Even his own kind will pick on and ostracize him.
Being brutally honest, if he can not be cared for it would be better to take him to a center or vet to be humanly
euthanized then released to a horrible death of suffering.

[Pam]

Thank you for helping him! The poor little thing. You give him Henry's blocks or another rodent block? Hoping someone here lives in Colorado and can give you good vet advice. I know from recent experience that when squirrels are not using limbs, it's best to get them on Prednisone as soon as you can to reduce internal swelling. There are many folks on the board who can help you with dosing based on his weight, but hopefully you'll get to see a vet.

He’s got the Squirrel Complete food (that’s the brand name) that says it’s vet recommended. Is that okay? Is Henry’s blocks better?

I have prednisone if anyone can give me dosing & suggestions on how to feed it to him (that stuff tastes *nasty* ime).

It looks like he may have a UTI now, too. I believe there’s blood in his urine. Can squirrels have dried cranberries? Or do I need to get him on an antibiotic asap?

[Pam]

I will slowly increase my contact. He does seem to be getting used to me.

You were absolutely right! He let me scratch his back where he can’t reach and loved it, even grooming himself along with the scritching, and clinging on to my fingers at one point. I was even able to clean some earwax out of his ears. He seemed really pleased.

I’ll try and get some pictures later. He ate some food afterwards and is now sleeping.

I’ll make sure to continue my contact.

[redwuff]

Hi Pam,

Thanks for helping this very needy fellow. A picture would be very important and necessary to guesstimate his weight, for the possibility of medicine given for treatment.

Way to go with gaining his trust allowing you to scratch his body is a big deal in the squirrel world. I wonder if he is young. A picture would help us to figure that out also.

Could you also describe or take a picture of his urine that you think is blood?

[stepnstone]

He’s got the Squirrel Complete food (that’s the brand name) that says it’s vet recommended. Is that okay? Is Henry’s blocks better?

I have prednisone if anyone can give me dosing & suggestions on how to feed it to him (that stuff tastes *nasty* ime).

It looks like he may have a UTI now, too. I believe there’s blood in his urine. Can squirrels have dried cranberries? Or do I need to get him on an antibiotic asap?

We will need a weight or at least a picture for a guesstimate on weight.
Squirrels are dosed medication by body weight.
What is the milligram of your prednisone?
What Ab's might you have?

Henry's blocks would be better, I'm attaching below the link for the healthy diet for pet squirrels.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[redwuff]

He’s got the Squirrel Complete food (that’s the brand name) that says it’s vet recommended. Is that okay? Is Henry’s blocks better?

I have prednisone if anyone can give me dosing & suggestions on how to feed it to him (that stuff tastes *nasty* ime).

It looks like he may have a UTI now, too. I believe there’s blood in his urine. Can squirrels have dried cranberries? Or do I need to get him on an antibiotic asap?

If the Squirrel Complete food is by Exotic Nation, I would immediately order Henry’s Healthy Pet block. Squirrels diet is very complicated and being on the wrong diet will cause a condition called metabolic bone disease (MBD) that will end in a tragic death. Even tho the Sq. Complete has a bit of good stuff, squirrels won’t eat that cos there are too many ‘potato chips’ in that combination of foods.

[Rocky1]

Does anyone know where OP can find an example of a perfect (or very good) meal plan/diet for a non-releasable with neurological damage or for any squirrel if she would like one? (By pm or on the thread, whichever you are most comfortable with?). I know we have the squirrel food pyramid in the nutrition section which is very helpful. I just want to make this as easy as possible. As a non-rehabber, that would be one of my worries right now if I were in her position and I am trying to do the right thing.

[stepnstone]

Does anyone know where OP can find an example of a perfect (or very good) meal plan/diet for a non-releasable with neurological damage or for any squirrel if she would like one? (By pm or on the thread, whichever you are most comfortable with?). I know we have the squirrel food pyramid in the nutrition section which is very helpful. I just want to make this as easy as possible. As a non-rehabber, that would be one of my worries right now if I were in her position and I am trying to do the right thing.

Post#10

I'm attaching below the link for the healthy diet for pet squirrels.[/I]
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels)

The healthy diet (aka pyramid) is the right thing and the correct resource
to supply and meet the nutritional requirements for all captive squirrels.

[redwuff]

Hi Pam,

How are things going for you and this baby? Hopefully you are able to get some pictures of the squirrel. Please let us know how we can help you.

[Pam]

We will need a weight or at least a picture for a guesstimate on weight.
Squirrels are dosed medication by body weight.
What is the milligram of your prednisone?
What Ab's might you have?

Henry's blocks would be better, I'm attaching below the link for the healthy diet for pet squirrels.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

I’ve got 5mg prednisone that I can easily quarter with my pill-cutter.

Sorry I don’t know the lingo, what’s Ab’s?

UTI seems to have cleared up with cranberries. Urine is more normal colored & doesn’t smell like blood anymore.

Pictures: https://imgur.com/gallery/4V7BhcA

[Pam]

Post#10


The healthy diet (aka pyramid) is the right thing and the correct resource
to supply and meet the nutritional requirements for all captive squirrels.

AWESOME! Thanks... I've saved this for reference. :grin2

[Pam]

Hi Pam,

How are things going for you and this baby? Hopefully you are able to get some pictures of the squirrel. Please let us know how we can help you.

Apologies for my absence! Life is real. Here are pictures https://imgur.com/gallery/4V7BhcA

[Pam]

Got video too!https://imgur.com/gallery/fEqcZWY

[Mel1959]

I’ve got 5mg prednisone that I can easily quarter with my pill-cutter.

Sorry I don’t know the lingo, what’s Ab’s?

UTI seems to have cleared up with cranberries. Urine is more normal colored & doesn’t smell like blood anymore.

Pictures: https://imgur.com/gallery/4V7BhcA

Prednisone can’t be given as a quarter of a pill. Someone will help you dilute the pill in water and tell you how much to dose. The dose is based on the strength of the prednisone and the weight of the squirrel. Please provide both.

Abs is an abbreviation for antibiotics.

[Jerri]

I found a adult wild that could only drag herself with her front legs . I to had no experience at Wild life care . I took her in and with the help from these guys here we got it all figured out . I named her Lucy . Lucy was put on prednisone that worked wonders . We had set backs but it’s been almost a year later now and Lucy has use of her back legs , not like a normal heathy outdoor squirrel but she gets around in doors ok . She’ll never be releasable and Lucy and I are perfectly ok with that . she slowly developed a sweet personality and to me she seems happy . It is a very rewarding experience and heart warming one .

[RockyPops]

Hey Pam, thanks for the pics and videos. Your poor baby is beautiful.

He looks good other than the back leg problem.

My opinion is you need to get this baby started on medication ASAP to have a chance of making him better. And he looks young to me also.

I know life gets in the way but he really needs attention right now. Check back here for med dosing. Someone will be able to help.

And he needs a name too!:grin3

[lilidukes]

You were absolutely right! He let me scratch his back where he can’t reach and loved it, even grooming himself along with the scritching, and clinging on to my fingers at one point. I was even able to clean some earwax out of his ears. He seemed really pleased.

I’ll try and get some pictures later. He ate some food afterwards and is now sleeping.

I’ll make sure to continue my contact.

I've never seen earwax on a squirrel.
Dirty ears from basic dirt yes but wax no.

I have seen mites, maggots and lice in a squirrels ear.
Just sayin.

Is he urinating on his own or is he expressing/leaking his bladder
laying on his stomach.

Wishing you the very best with this guy!

[Pam]

Prednisone can’t be given as a quarter of a pill. Someone will help you dilute the pill in water and tell you how much to dose. The dose is based on the strength of the prednisone and the weight of the squirrel. Please provide both.

Abs is an abbreviation for antibiotics.

Ah, thank you...

Weight is 9.6oz

I figured it would have to be diluted. It’s not like they’ll just take the pill. Heck, I have to take orecautions when taking it... stuff tastes NASTY. :lol

[Pam]

Hey Pam, thanks for the pics and videos. Your poor baby is beautiful.

He looks good other than the back leg problem.

My opinion is you need to get this baby started on medication ASAP to have a chance of making him better. And he looks young to me also.

I know life gets in the way but he really needs attention right now. Check back here for med dosing. Someone will be able to help.

And he needs a name too!:grin3

My mother calls him Duke. I asked, “What if he’s a she?” She replied, “It’s Duke anyway!” :lol

Duke is getting care from me multiple times a day...my life comment was per ignoring this thread. So apologies were to everyone here.

Compared to the other squirrels outside Duke seems to be the same size, but may still be young, as you say.

I’ll be better at staying in touch from now on!

[Pam]

I've never seen earwax on a squirrel.
Dirty ears from basic dirt yes but wax no.

I have seen mites, maggots and lice in a squirrels ear.
Just sayin.

Is he urinating on his own or is he expressing/leaking his bladder
laying on his stomach.

Wishing you the very best with this guy!

The earwax I reported may have been just dirt/skin, since Duke can’t scratch with hind legs. Ears have remained clean since initial clean-out, so (crossed fingers) no mites.

Seems to be urinating on his own. There are many wet spots around the cage, not just where he lays.

Thank you for the support!! :grin2

[stepnstone]

Ah, thank you...
Weight is 9.6oz
I figured it would have to be diluted. It’s not like they’ll just take the pill. Heck, I have to take orecautions when taking it... stuff tastes NASTY. :lol

Info sent to your private messages...

[RockyPops]

No apology needed! And thank you for caring for Duke!

Let us know if prednisone treatment helps.

[CritterMom]

You will need to attend to the ears regularly for as long as the back legs are unable to do so. Ear issues are very common in NR squirrels with hind end paralysis, so I would be proactive in this area and maybe you can avoid them.

I would also see if he will let you begin to very gently start working the hind legs. I would start by very gently rubbing between thumb and fingers to help boost blood flow to the area for healing if it is possible and also to begin loosening up the muscles so those legs can be (eventually) gently stretched out. Otherwise the curling of the limbs can become very exaggerated and can become an issue itself.

[redwuff]

Does anyone think there is any chance this little cutie is a dwarf?


https://i.imgur.com/6AZI1wk_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[redwuff]

Pam,

I am wondering if you have been able to get Duke on a better diet than the exotic nutrition.
This guy is very slender and needs to be on a good diet as soon as possible. Thank you for caring for this little one. Without you this little guy would most likely be dead. You have saved Duke’s life.

I noticed that you have Duke bedding on a material like carefresh. He will be much more comfortable on a twin sheet with half a dozen pieces of fleece that he can hide under. I put newspaper under the sheet to soak up urine, but having the fleece to hide under is very important. Please don’t use towels, it is very easy for them to be injure by getting nails caught in the loops.

[Pam]

Pam,

I am wondering if you have been able to get Duke on a better diet than the exotic nutrition.
This guy is very slender and needs to be on a good diet as soon as possible. Thank you for caring for this little one. Without you this little guy would most likely be dead. You have saved Duke’s life.

I noticed that you have Duke bedding on a material like carefresh. He will be much more comfortable on a twin sheet with half a dozen pieces of fleece that he can hide under. I put newspaper under the sheet to soak up urine, but having the fleece to hide under is very important. Please don’t use towels, it is very easy for them to be injure by getting nails caught in the loops.

Thank you...

I’ve got the Henry’s food on the way and will be starting on prednisone tonight. That should help him put on weight too.

That material is a velveteen from an old pair of pajama pants. As soon as I can take care of whatever this skin problem is (another rehabber said mites & he may also have lice & fleas), I’ll get one of those soft burrows that my ferrets loved so much. Those are more difficult to clean out bugs from tho, in my experience.

[stepnstone]

As soon as I can take care of whatever this skin problem is
(another rehabber said mites & he may also have lice & fleas),

Replied and addressed all 3 suspected critters in your pm. :great

[Pam]

Replied and addressed all 3 suspected critters in your pm. :great

Thank you again for all your help!!! :hug

[redwuff]

Hi Pam:hug. How is your little man doing? He is such a cutie pie. Hope all is going well for you. Would love to hear from you:grouphug

[Pam]

Hi Pam:hug. How is your little man doing? He is such a cutie pie. Hope all is going well for you. Would love to hear from you:grouphug

Doing well! Got some more movement in the tail, even though the prednisone treatment is done. My mother figured out that Duke has some bot fly infestations so now we’re doing baths in epsom salts and got at least one to detach. We’ll be continuing that for a week to make sure the others leave too. Otherwise, we’re dealing with the infestation that’s causing the fur loss, and some is even starting to grow back in!

The bad legs seem to be due to a cyst that’s deformed Duke’s spine. I’m still doing PT on the legs despite the cyst. There’s some grip there so I think it may just be that the nerves are impacted, making the legs too weak. But there’s a weird bend to the spine, almost like a hunchback that doesn’t go away.

I’ll try to get some more pictures... my own gimpy-ness has been interfering in anything not necessary (we’re a pair, Duke & I :lol)

Thanks for checking up!

[redwuff]

WowPam, I have to say that I can’t imagine bot fly issues in Colorado in February. Have you gotten warbles out? It is no mistaking if you are seeing warbles, that’s for sure! Can you send a picture. Bot warbles are under the skin and they create a hole from which they emerge. There is an oozing of fluid from the hole and a big swelling that is the warble. I’ll see if I can dig up a picture. We should have a section on this board that says OOH TOO GROSS cos that is where bots would be.. But they never are attached on the skin. Like I said, a picture is good and we can learn from this!

Sounds like you have gotten into a good routine with Duke. Is he being a good boy and eating his blocks.

[Pam]

WowPam, I have to say that I can’t imagine bot fly issues in Colorado in February. Have you gotten warbles out? It is no mistaking if you are seeing warbles, that’s for sure! Can you send a picture. Bot warbles are under the skin and they create a hole from which they emerge. There is an oozing of fluid from the hole and a big swelling that is the warble. I’ll see if I can dig up a picture. We should have a section on this board that says OOH TOO GROSS cos that is where bots would be.. But they never are attached on the skin. Like I said, a picture is good and we can learn from this!

Sounds like you have gotten into a good routine with Duke. Is he being a good boy and eating his blocks.

Insects live year-round here, we dont get a hard freeze like in the Midwest. We had 70° weather just over a week ago. Here’s a link to a before picture. https://imgur.com/gallery/uK34YlK Whatever it was came off with the epson salt bath, treated with Neosporin afterwards, so I’ll continue that success until all are gone.

Hope that helps!

[Chirps]

Been in and out of this thread, then lost track of it. Pam, you rock! Thanks for being so good! Maybe a pic of the next disgusting critter to emerge would put the question to bed, but you're probably right that it's a bot.

Ever see the YouTube videos of the mangoworm removal? Both fascinating and disgusting at the same time. I almost wish we had mango worms here instead of bots since they don't seem to grip with those little barbs as tightly as the bots. You can just squeeze with gentle pressure and they pop out. But they also seem better at infesting in greater numbers so I guess it's a tradeoff.

[redwuff]

Insects live year-round here, we dont get a hard freeze like in the Midwest. We had 70° weather just over a week ago. Here’s a link to a before picture. https://imgur.com/gallery/uK34YlK Whatever it was came off with the epson salt bath, treated with Neosporin afterwards, so I’ll continue that success until all are gone.

Hope that helps!

Yup, that’s a bot. My hens love those tasty little critters:grin2

[Pam]

Hey Pam, thanks for the pics and videos. Your poor baby is beautiful.

He looks good other than the back leg problem.

My opinion is you need to get this baby started on medication ASAP to have a chance of making him better. And he looks young to me also.

I know life gets in the way but he really needs attention right now. Check back here for med dosing. Someone will be able to help.

And he needs a name too!:grin3

If it’s a him, his name is The Duke. If a girl, The Duchess.

I had a book as a kid: The Duke of Sycamore, where the main character was a squirrel. :grin2

Just waiting on med info. Thankfully, it’s not infected, but meds still needed, yes!

I’m super worried. :cry