Sudden death - heart attack?

[tgramsey]

Hello there. Is it possible for an adult squirrel to die suddently of stress - or maybe a heart attack from stress? I'm asking because I was brought a wild adult male caught in a disgusting glue trap today. The squirrel appeared to be one or maybe two years old and seemed perfectly healthy. He wasn't physically hurt, just covered in that nasty glue. He was scared and tried to bite me and get away, which you'd expect. He cried out a few times - almost like a baby squirrel cry, which I've never heard from an adult, so I know he was really terrified. I tried to comfort him, but that only went so far. Anyway, I worked on him with mineral oil for about 30 minutes and finally had his feet decently free of goo and all of a sudden he just went limp. I thought he was finally calming down, but sadly, he passed away just like that. Did he have a heart attack or...? I tried to give CPR - best I knew how on a squirrel, but nothing.

Something similar happened about 2 years ago with a wild adult I had to catch once a day for meds, but he just passed out for a :10 seconds. I thought that was a one off oddball event until this happened. Thoughts. Thank you.

[Diggie's Friend]

Sadly, even when endeavoring to help these animals in distress some will succumb to what is termed, :"capture shock, for reason that they are already so stressed from a diseased or injured state. With glue traps there is no other option than to try to save them, as such it is more humane to attempt to do so than not. Retrapping daily to treat wilds with meds to support their survival is very stressful; which is why it isn't generally recommended, save a squirrel was prior rehabbed or accepts contact as an adult. Should the survival of a squirrel be unlikely save it be given care daily, taking it into captivity to render that care towards supporting its recovery and then release, is merited. If it is a breeding female with young, this may not be supportable save the care can be rendered quickly and mother squirrel released the same day.

[IngridStrydom]

I am so sorry about his death. Is mineral oil confirmed to be safe to use on squirrels? I am asking for my own education.

[island rehabber]

So sad, but not uncommon. In fact, "Capture Myopathy" was a topic at the last NY State rehabber's conference. With wildlife it is sometimes unavoidable. As for glue traps, any vegetable oil works the best, especially Wesson or Canola oil. Mineral oil is fine; its other name is baby oil so you know it's ok.

[TubeDriver]

Unfortunately, it is entirely possible for an animal to pass from capture shock. :) Covering a squirrels head/eyes so it can not see anything can help reduce stress when handling somewhat.

[tgramsey]

Hi, yes, mineral or vegetable oil are two I've always heard to use to break down the glue. I used mineral oil for another squirrel caught in a glue trap earlier this year and it worked great. Was working fine on this boy until he passed.



I am so sorry about his death. Is mineral oil confirmed to be safe to use on squirrels? I am asking for my own education.

[tgramsey]

Thanks. Actually, I did try to cover his face/head and that's when he cried out. Poor little thing. I hate that he was so terrified.



Unfortunately, it is entirely possible for an animal to pass from capture shock. :) Covering a squirrels head/eyes so it can not see anything can help reduce stress when handling somewhat.

[tgramsey]

Thanks, I had no idea. I'm going to read up on this.



So sad, but not uncommon. In fact, "Capture Myopathy" was a topic at the last NY State rehabber's conference. With wildlife it is sometimes unavoidable. As for glue traps, any vegetable oil works the best, especially Wesson or Canola oil. Mineral oil is fine; its other name is baby oil so you know it's ok.

[Trooper]

Stress from capture or extreme fear will bring this heart condition to squirrels and most prey animals. My beloved Trooper died in my very hands when we tried to grind down his bottom teeth (before I knew better) at his vet, and while he was being held down with mouth open with a wood dowel by a nurse, she pushed his mouth open a bit hard and he got frightened so much between that and the hand-drill grinder noise, that he collapsed and died of heart failure.

The vet was quick on her feet, gave him mouth to mouth and injected him with epinephrine, oxygen and within 30 seconds or so, he came back to life. He went on to live 5 more years after that.

Some vets, will not perform surgery on squirrels if they have been harassed or have been in panic, since the high cortisol levels in the blood stream is a suspected trigger to capture myopathy heart condition.

I am so sorry your efforts could not save this fellow squee, but your heroic attempt is well noted.

Trooper's dad.

[PaulK]

Stress from capture or extreme fear will bring this heart condition to squirrels and most prey animals. My beloved Trooper died in my very hands when we tried to grind down his bottom teeth (before I knew better) at his vet, and while he was being held down with mouth open with a wood dowel by a nurse, she pushed his mouth open a bit hard and he got frightened so much between that and the hand-drill grinder noise, that he collapsed and died of heart failure.

The vet was quick on her feet, gave him mouth to mouth and injected him with epinephrine, oxygen and within 30 seconds or so, he came back to life. He went on to live 5 more years after that.

Some vets, will not perform surgery on squirrels if they have been harassed or have been in panic, since the high cortisol levels in the blood stream is a suspected trigger to capture myopathy heart condition.

I am so sorry your efforts could not save this fellow squee, but your heroic attempt is well noted.

Trooper's dad.

I know this is a three year old thread, but I feel compelled to reply because this evening, I just lost my beloved pet, JD. JD was abandoned by her mother, and I hand raised her from when she was 4 weeks old. I special ordered her squirrel formula, fed her every three hours, and watched her become big and strong. I attempted to release her, but that went very poorly so I took her back into my home.

She eventually figured out how to let herself out of her cage, but I was fine with this and would allow it to happen. One day, I found her out of her cage and she attacked me as I was putting her back in so I could eat and shower. She attacked me and went into panic mode. I chased her around my house for 20 minutes until she tired out, then put her back in. This morning I thought she was incredibly tired. I was worried, but I thought it was probably fatigue as she did the same thing when I attempted to release her. I realized that it was bad this evening and she died in my hands this evening today. I just buried her.

Shock can be very serious in prey animals, and although I can admit that I made mistakes, I don't feel like any of my errors were too egregious. My squirrel was physically okay and she still died. Hopefully someone can learn from my mistakes.

RIP JD, you could be vicious at times but you will be missed.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hello PaulK:
I am so sorry for your loss of JD!

RIP little JD!

It is a very common tendency for conscientious Human Beings such as yourself to blame themselves for dire or even sub-optimal events or outcomes! I know you loved your little Squirrel and I do wish peace for you, PaulK!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel