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View Full Version : Emergency help needed! Central Park sick squirrel can’t open her mouth.



Miss Parker
12-14-2020, 06:23 PM
Hi everyone!
I saw a sick Grey squirrel in Central Park today. I found her because red tail Hawk was after her. It was raining. She looked definitely distressed and weak. She was skinny and her ears were flapped down. After the hawk left, I tried to feed her with opened walnuts and peanuts but she couldn’t open her mouth. She seemed hungry and raised the food to her mouth but she couldn’t open it even for small piece of peanuts.
I didn’t see any obvious injury outside her body or disproportional teeth growing outside.
She took soft boo ball to her den and I left tray of fresh water by her tree.
Could someone tell me what’s wrong with this squirrel and what can I do to help her?
Thank you so much.

CritterMom
12-14-2020, 06:58 PM
Perhaps tetanus? How did she carry the boo ball?

Miss Parker
12-14-2020, 08:02 PM
Thank you, CrittaMom!
I pasted the boo ball on the edge of her tree den, she picked them up by her hand and went in.
Does tetanus go away?

CritterMom
12-14-2020, 08:25 PM
Unfortunately, not on it's own. The attached article has some information:

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952625

Nature can be very cruel...

Miss Parker
12-14-2020, 08:59 PM
Thank you. Not sure what happened to this squirrel to cause this illness but the symptoms fits. Her face seems pulled back and the jaw locked. It is so upsetting.

Buddy
12-14-2020, 09:30 PM
Thank you, CrittaMom!
I pasted the boo ball on the edge of her tree den, she picked them up by her hand and went in.
Does tetanus go away?

Poor baby... :( :Love_Icon

TubeDriver
12-14-2020, 10:12 PM
It might be something other than tetanus, if this is the case than continuing to give soft foods could really help.

Miss Parker
12-14-2020, 10:12 PM
Thank you, Buddy. I will check her den tomorrow.
Big snow storm coming in ny this week. Another thing to worry about. It is so tough to be out in the wild.

Miss Parker
12-14-2020, 10:15 PM
It might be something other than tetanus, if this is the case than continuing to give soft foods could really help.

I will keep checking on her and make her as comfortable as possible.

island rehabber
12-14-2020, 11:28 PM
Hate to be a killjoy but this sounds like classic tetanus. :(