View Full Version : Tn Chipmuck Dog attack
Chippergray
04-06-2022, 07:18 PM
Need advice with a chipmunk our young Lab found/tortured. I did take it to the vet. He has very limited experience with wildlife. He didn’t see and fractures on the X-ray, but it drags its left hind leg. The vet said it could have nerve damage. It does have two small puncture wounds but they aren’t bleeding. It does have a good set of teeth. He latched on to the vets finger for a good 30 seconds. It hasn’t offed to bite me and I rub it’s head and cheeks often. The vet had no clue how old it might be. Can anyone tell from the picture I’ve attached? I did give it a couple drops of water with a dropper but it would not eat the hickory nut I offered it. It just pretty much sleeps. Probably in shock. I don’t know if it will live but even if it does I don’t think it will ever be released if it always drags it’s foot. I would appreciate any advice on age, anything I can do to try to get it to eat, anyone in my area that can provide long term care for it if it lives. Sorry for the limited photos. I try not to move it around much or bother it because I’m sure it doesn’t feel very well.
321533
Spanky
04-06-2022, 08:42 PM
It is hard for me to guess it's age from the picture. I'd make a WAG this chipper is 5 - 6 weeks old or older.
Continue to offer the water. A little honey or molasses would not hurt if he is in shock.
Puncture wounds from a lab are pretty significant for a critter this small.. dogs tend to "shake" what they catch so often there are broken bones and all too often fractured spines.
If only one leg is dragging, I would give some Infants (not Children's) Ibuprofen (Advil / Motrin). If it is bi-lateral (both sides) do not give Ibuprofen and let us know.
If you have a kitchen scale and can weigh him that is important for administering the correct dose of medications.
I'd want to go ahead and give some antibiotics because of those punctures wounds.. if you have any antibiotics, please post what you may have. You'll need only a single pill for an whole regiment for this little one. Maybe the vet can provide you some Augmentin or Baytril?
Chippers wean pretty early, but I would be inclined to try and offer some formula... Goat's milk might be the way to go but if you can get Esbilac (and not any other puppy formula), you can offer him that... here is the Goat's milk mixture we typically use:
3 tablespoons goat milk
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
I'd try to provide a heat source under his bin / cage (only under half so he can get away from the heat if it is too much). Don't provide heat if there is a chance of a head or spinal injury... again, if it is just one side, it is likely not a spinal injury as that would affect both sides.
As for food, I'd try to offer some dandelions, rose hips or any other "natural foods" you might find. Otherwise maybe try the likes of sweet potato, squash, green beans, sugar snaps, etc. Below is a link to the pyramid that includes healthy veggies.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels
This link is a 6 page primer on baby squirrel care.. chipmunks mature more quickly, but the basics are the same.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/
I am going to PM you a dosing chart for Infant's Ibuprofen.
Chippergray
04-06-2022, 10:24 PM
He is drinking water but he won’t eat anything. I tried a sweet potato too. Nothing. I’m headed to go get it some goats milk right now. It acts like it’s rooting for milk. Speaking of milk. It looks like it has milk in one of its eyes. Hope that’s not sign of infection. I do have a bactrim pill. I shaved a tiny bit off and put it in a water syringe and gave it. Might not have been enough. It’s not using its back end though. Pooping good.
Chippergray
04-07-2022, 12:16 AM
It is hard for me to guess it's age from the picture. I'd make a WAG this chipper is 5 - 6 weeks old or older.
Continue to offer the water. A little honey or molasses would not hurt if he is in shock.
Puncture wounds from a lab are pretty significant for a critter this small.. dogs tend to "shake" what they catch so often there are broken bones and all too often fractured spines.
If only one leg is dragging, I would give some Infants (not Children's) Ibuprofen (Advil / Motrin). If it is bi-lateral (both sides) do not give Ibuprofen and let us know.
If you have a kitchen scale and can weigh him that is important for administering the correct dose of medications.
I'd want to go ahead and give some antibiotics because of those punctures wounds.. if you have any antibiotics, please post what you may have. You'll need only a single pill for an whole regiment for this little one. Maybe the vet can provide you some Augmentin or Baytril?
Chippers wean pretty early, but I would be inclined to try and offer some formula... Goat's milk might be the way to go but if you can get Esbilac (and not any other puppy formula), you can offer him that... here is the Goat's milk mixture we typically use:
3 tablespoons goat milk
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons heavy cream
I'd try to provide a heat source under his bin / cage (only under half so he can get away from the heat if it is too much). Don't provide heat if there is a chance of a head or spinal injury... again, if it is just one side, it is likely not a spinal injury as that would affect both sides.
As for food, I'd try to offer some dandelions, rose hips or any other "natural foods" you might find. Otherwise maybe try the likes of sweet potato, squash, green beans, sugar snaps, etc. Below is a link to the pyramid that includes healthy veggies.
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels
This link is a 6 page primer on baby squirrel care.. chipmunks mature more quickly, but the basics are the same.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/
I am going to PM you a dosing chart for Infant's Ibuprofen.
He just drank some fresh goats milk. He seemed to like it. I did add a little more bactrim dust to it. I’m not really sure how much he needs. I didn’t give him any ibuprofen though because I don’t think he is able to his his hind legs at all. I’m so worried for the little fellow. 321540321540
Spanky
04-07-2022, 01:19 AM
He just drank some fresh goats milk. He seemed to like it. I did add a little more bactrim dust to it. I’m not really sure how much he needs. I didn’t give him any ibuprofen though because I don’t think he is able to his his hind legs at all. I’m so worried for the little fellow.
Can you weigh him and tell us what the strength of this bactrim dust and we'll help properly dose the medication.
If his entire hind end is "paralyzed", his best chance for recovery is steroids... prednisone, prenisolone, or dexamethasone. You will need just one pill likely... see if you can locate any of these and we'll help provide the dosing regiment. These steroids cannot be given with / mixed with ibuprofen (or any NSAID). He can receive tramadol if you have that available (again, with the strength of the tramadol and the chippy's weight we'll provide dosing info).
The sooner the steroids are started, the better his chances.
Diggie's Friend
04-07-2022, 05:10 AM
In addition, bio-identical Vitamin B-12 given soon after nerve injury may help to repair nerve damage in rodents.
Easy organic source to use: https://www.amazon.com/VeganSafe-B-12-Methylcobalamin-Adenosylcobalamin-Supplement/dp/B07JPZJYMD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=global+healing+vitamin+b12+2500+iu&qid=1626034157&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2EA2FBS33ATIG&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSM1RMQUY1SkhNUTkmZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyMjk0NjAyTjFYRVcyVk0zVEZLJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5Mzc5MDUxMDEyRVNTTDc5V0xHJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
See post for dosage: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?66808-Neurological-damage&p=1334062#post1334062
Chippergray
04-07-2022, 08:39 AM
Can you weigh him and tell us what the strength of this bactrim dust and we'll help properly dose the medication.
If his entire hind end is "paralyzed", his best chance for recovery is steroids... prednisone, prenisolone, or dexamethasone. You will need just one pill likely... see if you can locate any of these and we'll help provide the dosing regiment. These steroids cannot be given with / mixed with ibuprofen (or any NSAID). He can receive tramadol if you have that available (again, with the strength of the tramadol and the chippy's weight we'll provide dosing info).
The sooner the steroids are started, the better his chances.
He weighs about 1.5 ounces. I have a 2mg dexamethasone tablet. No tramadol. I’m trying to see if anyone I know has one. The only type of pain reliever I have is cyclobenzaprine and I have some oxy left over from a surgery I had years ago. I worry he is in pain. He has white milky substance in his right eye can be a sign of pain in squirrels.
Chippergray
04-07-2022, 08:41 AM
In addition, bio-identical Vitamin B-12 given soon after nerve injury may help to repair nerve damage in rodents.
Easy organic source to use: https://www.amazon.com/VeganSafe-B-12-Methylcobalamin-Adenosylcobalamin-Supplement/dp/B07JPZJYMD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=global+healing+vitamin+b12+2500+iu&qid=1626034157&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2EA2FBS33ATIG&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSM1RMQUY1SkhNUTkmZ W5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyMjk0NjAyTjFYRVcyVk0zVEZLJmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5Mzc5MDUxMDEyRVNTTDc5V0xHJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
See post for dosage: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?66808-Neurological-damage&p=1334062#post1334062
I don’t have any but I will see if I can get some locally.
Spanky
04-07-2022, 09:52 AM
He weighs about 1.5 ounces. I have a 2mg dexamethasone tablet. No tramadol. I’m trying to see if anyone I know has one. The only type of pain reliever I have is cyclobenzaprine and I have some oxy left over from a surgery I had years ago. I worry he is in pain. He has white milky substance in his right eye can be a sign of pain in squirrels.
Give me a few minutes to send you dex dosing.
Do not give the cyclobezaprine. Ask friends and family if they can spare a tramadol tablet (the dex will provide some pain relief). I understand tramadol is difficult to come by, the steroid treatment is the priority for now though.
Also ask around and try to locate either prednisone or prednisolone, only because they are a better option in this situation.
Spanky
04-07-2022, 10:55 AM
Dexamethsone dosing info sent in a PM... sorry for the delay, between the spring babies and my day job....
Chippergray
04-07-2022, 11:52 AM
Dexamethsone dosing info sent in a PM... sorry for the delay, between the spring babies and my day job....
Its okay. I actually just got back from the second vet appointment. This is a different vet from yesterday. I decided to have him euthanized. It was a hard decision and I cried all the home. The vet checked for feeling in his feet and tail. No response. I noticed when I got home I felt around his body to see if I could feel anything. Sure enough there was a bone protruding near his backside slightly to his left. Not sure if it was out of place or broken. I hope I made the right decision to end his suffering humanely. He was so sweet �� But I try to imagine his pain and what his life would be paralyzed. Not able to burrow or do things his instincts tell him to do. Never being able to be returned wild and instead spending his life caged.
TubeDriver
04-07-2022, 01:09 PM
It is always a tough decision to make but you first tried to help him and did not make the call lightly. :grouphug Godspeed little Chip.
Its okay. I actually just got back from the second vet appointment. This is a different vet from yesterday. I decided to have him euthanized. It was a hard decision and I cried all the home. The vet checked for feeling in his feet and tail. No response. I noticed when I got home I felt around his body to see if I could feel anything. Sure enough there was a bone protruding near his backside slightly to his left. Not sure if it was out of place or broken. I hope I made the right decision to end his suffering humanely. He was so sweet �� But I try to imagine his pain and what his life would be paralyzed. Not able to burrow or do things his instincts tell him to do. Never being able to be returned wild and instead spending his life caged.
Chirps
04-07-2022, 02:52 PM
Followed this thread with hope and trepidation. Thanks for helping this precious chip, especially that last most difficult thing to help with. He appreciates you.
Diggie's Friend
04-07-2022, 04:50 PM
So sad to hear that the chipmunk was too injured to save him. Thank you for going the distance to do your best to help him.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.