jlankheim
08-04-2021, 10:13 AM
Hello,
I am totally newbie here, so please forgive any unintended violation of norms.
I have a chipmunk I have been caring for for the last four days. I'm not sure what happened to it. It was found by someone in a driveway, walking in a stupor in circles. That person posted on a local subreddit looking for help after they were unsuccessful finding a rehabber within an hour and their parents would not allow them to bring the animal inside. I responded and took it in. My assumption was the chipmunk needed a safe quiet place to rest to either (a) recover or (b) succumb in peace to whatever ailed it. In an extra, closed off room, I set up a large opaque storage container with hemp bedding, several "hidey houses" for him to go into to get away from me, and plants and natural elements to reduce stress, raw nuts and seeds and water. Following advice I found on the internet, half of this container is sitting on heating pads. From the time he arrived, the chipmunk has been deeply lethargic, appearing to be in a state of torpor. He moves around the container as he adjusts himself in sleep but otherwise does not move, though all his limbs appear to be working. He will not move to hide. Nor will he move to food and water. He will drink from a syringe if it's put in front of him. Same with eating. He will nibble at a pecan if you put it under his nose for five minutes or so before falling back asleep. I've been feeding and watering him this way three times a day, otherwise leaving him alone. Otherwise, he sleeps in this torpor-like state 24/7. He does not have any visible injuries and he does not seem distressed, perhaps because he is unaware of his surroundings.
As mentioned, this has gone on for four days now. I would have expected to see some significant improvement by now, or for him (unfortunately) to die. Instead, he just lingers and I'm not sure what to do. Last night and this morning, he drank his a bit more water than previously and with a little more gusto, so perhaps that is a ray of hope. :)
I've called several local rehabbers and not had a called returned as yet, so am on my own for now. The one place I found where I can surrender him has said they will euthanize, and since he's held on this long I still feel like he might have a change to recover so I am reluctant to do that. If I am wrong, please educate me!
The only other thing I can think to do for him is administer some sort of antibiotic, in the event he has an infection, but would not want to do so without advice on dosing and safety of the particular medicine. Certain antibiotics for wild rodents seem to be contraindicated, and I wouldn't have the first clue on dosing or admin.
Any advice?
Thank you!
-Jennifer
I am totally newbie here, so please forgive any unintended violation of norms.
I have a chipmunk I have been caring for for the last four days. I'm not sure what happened to it. It was found by someone in a driveway, walking in a stupor in circles. That person posted on a local subreddit looking for help after they were unsuccessful finding a rehabber within an hour and their parents would not allow them to bring the animal inside. I responded and took it in. My assumption was the chipmunk needed a safe quiet place to rest to either (a) recover or (b) succumb in peace to whatever ailed it. In an extra, closed off room, I set up a large opaque storage container with hemp bedding, several "hidey houses" for him to go into to get away from me, and plants and natural elements to reduce stress, raw nuts and seeds and water. Following advice I found on the internet, half of this container is sitting on heating pads. From the time he arrived, the chipmunk has been deeply lethargic, appearing to be in a state of torpor. He moves around the container as he adjusts himself in sleep but otherwise does not move, though all his limbs appear to be working. He will not move to hide. Nor will he move to food and water. He will drink from a syringe if it's put in front of him. Same with eating. He will nibble at a pecan if you put it under his nose for five minutes or so before falling back asleep. I've been feeding and watering him this way three times a day, otherwise leaving him alone. Otherwise, he sleeps in this torpor-like state 24/7. He does not have any visible injuries and he does not seem distressed, perhaps because he is unaware of his surroundings.
As mentioned, this has gone on for four days now. I would have expected to see some significant improvement by now, or for him (unfortunately) to die. Instead, he just lingers and I'm not sure what to do. Last night and this morning, he drank his a bit more water than previously and with a little more gusto, so perhaps that is a ray of hope. :)
I've called several local rehabbers and not had a called returned as yet, so am on my own for now. The one place I found where I can surrender him has said they will euthanize, and since he's held on this long I still feel like he might have a change to recover so I am reluctant to do that. If I am wrong, please educate me!
The only other thing I can think to do for him is administer some sort of antibiotic, in the event he has an infection, but would not want to do so without advice on dosing and safety of the particular medicine. Certain antibiotics for wild rodents seem to be contraindicated, and I wouldn't have the first clue on dosing or admin.
Any advice?
Thank you!
-Jennifer