Some issues with baby squirrel

[Twilight1125]

HI. I have a baby maybe 5 weeks his eyes just opened today. He fell from a tree after a storm we had. Mom took all other babies with her and left this little guy.

He definitely is the runt of the litter, small for his age, fully furred. He had a bump on top left of his head when he was found . It was a soft bump, if that makes sense? The next day it was gone. He needs to be forced to open his mouth, he is eating from a tiny syringe because he does not suck.He pees fine and poops fine.

He trembles , his whole body, not sure what that is.

I noticed he will only sleep on his right side. He also when on all fours, falls or leans right and his head is on the floor right side down. He needs assistance to be on all fours. He scoots around a little but mostly toward the right, his little right arm under is body.
He can move his right side limbs, he just has no strength to hold himself up on that side.
I hope this makes sense, it hard to explain. I have rehabbed over 30 squirrels and this is the first with such issues
Any one know what could be wrong with this little baby?
Thanks!

[Spanky]

Sounds like a head trauma / TBI. How long ago did you find him?

[Twilight1125]

I found him maybe 5 days ago.
What can be done?

[Spanky]

If you can find some prednisone or gabapentin that may help... the sooner it is started after the trauma the better. I'd give this a try even now if you can find either (or both)... we'll need the strength of the medication and the weight fo the squirrel to help provide dosing.

[Twilight1125]

I am trying to see if I can get either of these.
Also he hasn't peed since yesterday. I have tried ti stimulate him to go with a cotton ball, q tip, but it hasn't worked. I gave him water this mornng hoping it would help but it hasn't. his belly is bloated. He is pooping ok though, tiny black pellets.

I appreciate your help.

[Mel1959]

A lot of times with compromised squirrels they can’t urinate on their own. You will need to express his bladder or it will rupture. Please google how to express a squirrels bladder so you know how to do it. I’m not sure if there is a video on our forum or not. It’s imperative that you do this!

[Twilight1125]

Thank you. There was a video on here. I will try this.

[Twilight1125]

Ok so. that did not work. Baby started to squeak and not happily. So i tried to submerge his bottom in warm water, tried stimulating again with cotton and q tip. Still not peeing.

[Mel1959]

Where in New York? We have rehabbers and members there. His bladder will rupture if you can’t relieve him.

[Mel1959]

Just reread and saw how long you’ve had him and how old he is. He must be peeing on his own if you’ve had him for 5 days. Check his bedding.

[Twilight1125]

He was peeing on his own, but he doesn't seem to have peed since yesterday. his bedding is not wet and doesn't smell. When he was peeing I could smell it and changed his bedding immediately and washed him up.

[Twilight1125]

I am in Westchester County.

[Twilight1125]

Good News!!!! Baby squirrel finally peed! Local rehabber said to give pedialyte.

[Mel1959]

What are you feeding him? Formula? Which type? At 5 weeks he will need to be on formula for about another 8 weeks.

Only give pedialyte for 24 hrs then switch to slightly sweetened water. Offer the hydration between the formula feedings not instead of his feedings.