I Found an Injured Squirrel with head wounds

[SquirrellyBird]

Hello all from a new member,

I was driving home the other night and I cam upon a squirrel (I think it's a fox squirrel, probably around 1 year old) sitting up as if he was eating in the road by my house, but he wouldn't move. So I got out of my car to see and he was still alive, but had some noticeable wounds on the top of his head, ear, and tail. I had a blanket and a box in the car, so I picked him up and moved him to my yard out of the road. I put a bowl of nuts and water by him as I didn't know what else to do. I hadn't observed him eat anything. On Day two, he was moving around a little, but mostly walking in circles and I still hadn't seen him eat anything. I happen to live in a state where you can't keep any wild animals, so I couldn't do anything for him other than monitor him and no vets or rescues are of any assistance. I had happened to have just bought some unflavored Pedialyte, so I took a dropper and attempted to feed him that way and he did eat some. Day 3, he was walking around even more, mostly in larger circles, but he was running in straight lines as well and even climbed a tree. Continued to drink from a dropper of Pedialyte and water mixture well, more than the day before. But still doesn't seem to be eating anything from the bowl of nuts or veggies. Today, he seems to not be doing well again. Hardly walking, mostly just balling himself up and burying himself in the grass. I tried to feed him some sweet potato mashed up, but he wouldn't eat it. Also not eating any Pedialyte/water.

Since no rehab/rescue will do anything because of state laws and I've probably done more than I should have, is there anything I can really do? Is there anything I can feed him in liquid form that might help? Can I feed him yogurt? What else can I try?

Also, in the process of feeding him, he did bite me, but it was provoked. I'm dumb. I washed it off immediately. I had to go through entire months worth of rabies shots 6 years ago. Should I have any concerns of rabies? He isn't aggressive or foaming at the mouth or anything. I know it's extremely rare in squirrels.

Thanks for any help.

[Scooterzmom]

Has anyone gotten back to you? How is the little guy doing now?

No need to worry about rabies. Just what you did... clean the wound properly, apply a topical ointment like polysporin and keep it clean - maybe cover it with a clean Band-Aid that you change at least daily.

Can you post a picture, to help us evaluate the age of this little one?

You could try to offer him some Ensure. Pecan flavoured or vanilla.

[Chickenlegs]

Where are you? Likely not close to VA but if we can find a person or a vet to treat maybe get your little squirrel on the road to recovery.

[SquirrellyBird]

Has anyone gotten back to you? How is the little guy doing now?

No need to worry about rabies. Just what you did... clean the wound properly, apply a topical ointment like polysporin and keep it clean - maybe cover it with a clean Band-Aid that you change at least daily.

Can you post a picture, to help us evaluate the age of this little one?

You could try to offer him some Ensure. Pecan flavoured or vanilla.

I'll get a pic shortly. He's a little more active. Still only eating the Pedialyte/Water mixture. I'll go get some Ensure now and give it a go and grab a picture.


Where are you? Likely not close to VA but if we can find a person or a vet to treat maybe get your little squirrel on the road to recovery.

Very close to VA as a matter of fact. One state away. What part of VA?

[SquirrellyBird]

Sad update :(

The little fella ate well via dropper last night, however I found him unresponsive this morning and barely breathing. He closed his eyes and died shortly after. Thanks for the suggestions and I hate I couldn't do more for him.

[TubeDriver]

Thank you for trying to help him. :grouphug Sometimes all we can do is give them some food and water and try make them comfortable before they pass over.

Godspeed gentle Foxxer.