Help: Identifying issue w/ female Fox Squirrel & treatment (uterine prolapse?)

[Peanut773]

A female fox squirrel that has been around my place for the last 8-9 mos. or so, reappeared after what I believed to be mating season, however she has something dangling from her hind-quarters (hard for me to tell if it's from her butt, or belly).

I initially thought it was a worm or umbilical cord hanging out, but after researching further, it seems to be a uterine prolapse. Is anyone able to confirm from the images?

She doesn't seem to be in any distress, nor pain. She seems to be going about her daily routine as normal.

It's reddish, and looks to be something internal, it seems to leave blood prints on surfaces it touches. It's about 1.5-2 inches long, and about the thickness of a finger.

I'm imagining without treatment, this issue could be fatal, lead to infection, etc.

Any help? Advice?

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in the Chicago-area said they could help, but they weren't able to determine what the issue was from the photos. Said it could be an aborted baby, or uterine prolapse.

I feel horrible, and I'm willing to help her in any way...I'm concerned that since she may have babies, that if I trap her, she'll not be able to nurse them, but it's unconfirmed if she even has babies.

She's super sweet, and I'm hoping this isn't some life & death situation...please HELP!


https://ibb.co/CbbBqns
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[Peanut773]

https://ibb.co/CbbBqns
https://ibb.co/yy4kkwH
https://ibb.co/pvnhwgW
https://ibb.co/djGLdHX

[Peanut773]

Having difficulty uploading the pics I have, so here are the URLs:

https://ibb.co/CbbBqns
https://ibb.co/yy4kkwH
https://ibb.co/pvnhwgW
https://ibb.co/djGLdHX

[Mel1959]

It’s hard to say what it is. You will need to trap her with a havahart trap and take her for help. Have a plan in place before you trap her. She can be transported in the trap, but cover it with a sheet or blanket. It’ll help keep her calm.

[Peanut773]

It’s hard to say what it is. You will need to trap her with a havahart trap and take her for help. Have a plan in place before you trap her. She can be transported in the trap, but cover it with a sheet or blanket. It’ll help keep her calm.

Ok, I will plan for that. What if she has babies? How long can that be unaccompanied without the mother?

Also, from what I can gather, the uterine prolapse would be painful. She doesn't seem to have any distress, she still have a healthy appetite and overall 'demeanor' seems fine (not sluggish).

I first noticed this bulbous thing hanging from her hindquarters on 3/6, but I just assumed it was maybe some sort of afterbirth or something related to birthing...I had no clue it was potentially life threatening

[CritterMom]

If you can see her sitting up from the front, take a look at her nipples. They WILL be clearly visible if she is nursing and often you will see that the fur is wet around them.

That is just awful. Yes, it will end badly for her without intervention.

[Peanut773]

If you can see her sitting up from the front, take a look at her nipples. They WILL be clearly visible if she is nursing and often you will see that the fur is wet around them.

That is just awful. Yes, it will end badly for her without intervention.

I will check for that. Lately she's been coming around later in the day, closer to 4PM (previously it was almost always in the morning, especially around 10:30-11), so I'm concerned about trapping her, then having no where to take her until the following day. Guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I get there, step one is humanely and securely capturing her. Hopefully, Flint Creek will remain open later if need be for me to drop her off.

[stepnstone]

To me in that second picture it looks like it has ears and an indent where the eye would be.
Possibly a premature aborted baby. Definitely needs intervention.

[Peanut773]

I'll keep everyone updated...I wish I hadn't waited until today to take any sort of action...my thoughts were since she seems to not be in distress, that this all must be a normal thing....

I'll hopefully be able to capture her tomorrow or Friday so I can get her to the vet before any further time passes.

I appreciate everyone's input and for helping ease my anxiety.

[Peanut773]

https://ibb.co/h1b50Mb

Here's an image that shows the length...maybe this can help confirm the issue.

[stepnstone]

Can say with any certainly but to me even more it looks to be an mammal in the stages of prenatal under development that's in the stages of being aborted.

[Peanut773]

Can say with any certainly but to me even more it looks to be an mammal in the stages of prenatal under development that's in the stages of being aborted.

Is one outcome have a better likelihood that she will be ok and back to normal?

My squirrel knowledge is pretty limited, but I'm very observant and to me she looked pregnant (fatter with a pouch/belly) and the last week or so she's looked much thinner.

I'm just hoping I can help her recover <3

[stepnstone]

Is one outcome have a better likelihood that she will be ok and back to normal?

My squirrel knowledge is pretty limited, but I'm very observant and to me she looked pregnant (fatter with a pouch/belly) and the last week or so she's looked much thinner.

I'm just hoping I can help her recover <3
My fear would be wrapped around if she were pregnant there would be more and if that were correct they likely would not be alive and she would not be able to "pass" them. That would lead to infection and a death sentence for her as well.

[Peanut773]

Unfortunately I missed the window today to capture her. She seems to be moving around fine, and she definitely has an appetite still. Literally everything is normal about her behavior besides whatever is dangling from her hind-quarters.

I didn't notice any visible nipples either.

I'm hoping I can trap her tomorrow and get her to the vet before they close.

[Peanut773]

Ok, I have her safely captured in the Havaheart trap...I have her inside.

I've left VMs, and sent text messages to Flint Creek, but being that it's Sunday I'm not sure if I'll hear back from them at all today...

Any suggestions?

What can I do to help ease her fear? I've covered the trap she's in with a sheet, leaving an opening so it's not too hot and there's airflow.

The cage is obviously very small, but I'm concerned if I try to transfer to a box, she'll either get loose, or chew her way out of the box.

[Tashahaven]

It’s certainly not an ideal situation, however you look at it. BUT I would suggest, making sure she is in a very QUIET, LOW (or NO) traffic room. She is going to be very panicked and anxious, and warm, calm, quiet are the best things you can do to help her.

no tvs, doors slamming, people in or out. Keep her covered. Make sure she has lots of soft, warm fleece, flannel, or fabric (not towels with loops - claws get caught)

Access to Fresh, clean water, and food to get through the night.

Also if it is possible to verify/check there are no obvious sharp edges, or pinch points in the trap, for when/if she does freak out.

If she is safe, calm, quiet, warm, and reasonably “comfy”, with food and water…that’s all you can do until you can get to a vet tomorrow.

You are trying to save her life! THANK YOU! (You said she does not have protruding nipples, though right?)

[Peanut773]

It’s certainly not an ideal situation, however you look at it. BUT I would suggest, making sure she is in a very QUIET, LOW (or NO) traffic room. She is going to be very panicked and anxious, and warm, calm, quiet are the best things you can do to help her.

no tvs, doors slamming, people in or out. Keep her covered. Make sure she has lots of soft, warm fleece, flannel, or fabric (not towels with loops - claws get caught)

Access to Fresh, clean water, and food to get through the night.

Also if it is possible to verify/check there are no obvious sharp edges, or pinch points in the trap, for when/if she does freak out.

If she is safe, calm, quiet, warm, and reasonably “comfy”, with food and water…that’s all you can do until you can get to a vet tomorrow.

You are trying to save her life! THANK YOU! (You said she does not have protruding nipples, though right?)

I was able to get her to Flint Creek Wildlife Rescue.

It is in fact a uterine prolapse, so surgery will be needed. It will either be a) to tract the uterus back inside (less anesthesia, but vet has concerns this could happen again, and concerns it's been too long since the prolapse for this) or b) hysterectomy (more anesthesia needed, more serious of a surgery, but if she survives it, this will be the best chance to return her to the wild).

Surgery should be tomorrow 3/13, or potentially the 14th so keep sweet, little Peanut in your thoughts & prayers.

Vet didn't notice any signs that she was pregnant, and said it's likely she may have never had babies or been pregnant before.

She had a fever, has been given antibiotics. The vet said she's in good spirits, very active. Seems comfortable and not stressed.

They're at least operating on her, every other place I spoke with said humane euthanasia would be the outcome if she had a uterine prolapse.

I've done everything I could...I just hope she's able to pull through. I'm really sorry I didn't act on this the moment I saw it, but I sincerely thought she was trying to pass something she digested, or potentially an umbilical cord.

:Love_Icon Hoping for positive news, and I'll keep everyone updated.

Thanks for everyone that has responded and helped.

[Peanut773]

Vet noticed no protruding nipples, no signs that she was nursing, pregnant, or had ever been pregnant.

Will update me regarding babies IF they do find out that she has had babies/actively nursing, and I'll then find her nest and rescue the babies. I'm determined to do anything I can to help Peanut.

[island rehabber]

You are my hero of the week, going truly 150% for this squirrel! Please do keep us posted. :grouphug

[Peanut773]

Sweet, little Peanut will be undergoing hysterectomy surgery tomorrow (3/14). The anesthesia usually used is isoflurane, according to the vet.

Hoping since she's young and spry, that she can pull through this.

[Peanut773]

Good news! She made it through the surgery, and it was a success. :dance:dance:dance

The vet mentioned she's very cautious about the animals making it through the first night after surgery as well, b/c sometimes it's too stressful for the animals. However, thankfully Peanut was in good condition, and should be able to recover easily. I'm confident she will pull through and survive the night, and I believe the worst is over.

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers....she's a tough cookie!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Good news! She made it through the surgery, and it was a success. :dance:dance:dance

The vet mentioned she's very cautious about the animals making it through the first night after surgery as well, b/c sometimes it's too stressful for the animals. However, thankfully Peanut was in good condition, and should be able to recover easily. I'm confident she will pull through and survive the night, and I believe the worst is over.

Keep her in your thoughts and prayers....she's a tough cookie!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

Great job Mom, Vet, and Peanut!!!! I'm glad you are doing well little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

This is great news and made my night! :w00t:bliss:dance Please continue to update us as she progresses.

Will she be staying with them or with you for the recovery?

[Peanut773]

Great job Mom, Vet, and Peanut!!!! I'm glad you are doing well little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

hahah I'm the squirrel Dad, actually :D

but my gf was the one who initially noticed the issue, and she's the one that got be into feeding the wildlife at our home. She's as passionate about animals as I am!

[Peanut773]

This is great news and made my night! :w00t:bliss:dance Please continue to update us as she progresses.

Will she be staying with them or with you for the recovery?

She will be staying with Flint Creek, which is best b/c they have all the equipment and expertise at hand to provide optimal care. I don't believe they can legally release her back to me, since it put their permits at risk. However, if everything goes right, and she makes a full recovery, they'll be releasing her back near her nest(s)/habitat, which is essentially my yard and surround area.

I'm looking forward to the day where she shows back up at my window, in full health :Love_Icon

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

She will be staying with Flint Creek, which is best b/c they have all the equipment and expertise at hand to provide optimal care. I don't believe they can legally release her back to me, since it put their permits at risk. However, if everything goes right, and she makes a full recovery, they'll be releasing her back near her nest(s)/habitat, which is essentially my yard and surround area.

I'm looking forward to the day where she shows back up at my window, in full health :Love_Icon

Sound like a great plan, Pops (sorry about that mom stuff!)! Keep looking out that window for your Little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Peanut773]

Sound like a great plan, Pops (sorry about that mom stuff!)! Keep looking out that window for your Little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

No need to apologize! We are squirrel parents over here!

[Peanut773]

More good news! Peanut is doing well. She is in good condition, and the vet is confident that Peanut will be releasable. I'll provide more updates as they come.

She's a real trooper!


Also, I'm going to include a link to Flint Creek Wildlife's site and FB page to check out. I've made a donation, and if anyone else feels compelled to donate, please do so. I'm sure Peanut's surgery could have billed for thousands of dollars, so I'm truly amazed there are groups like this willing to volunteer and help animals in need.

They've treated over 60,000 (!!!) wildlife animals over the years, and they only euthanize less than 2%, and only when there are NO options for treatment.

I'm attending an orientation on 3/27 to do some volunteering with this group to help animals in need.

https://www.facebook.com/flintcreek/ (You can see some of the wildlife they've treated and read the stories, including many squirrel rescues & successes...looking forward to a Peanut success story on their site once she's back in the wild)

https://flintcreekwildlife.org/support-us/ (donation link)



*please note I have no affiliation with Flint Creek, nor did they require a donation or ask me to solicit donations.

[Mel1959]

Great news about Peanut :bliss

I looked at their website and jotted down their info for my records. Their website looks very helpful and easy to navigate. I’m so glad you found them. :dance. Thank you for posting the link for them.

[Peanut773]

Great news about Peanut :bliss

I looked at their website and jotted down their info for my records. Their website looks very helpful and easy to navigate. I’m so glad you found them. :dance. Thank you for posting the link for them.

Yes, what's incredible about Flint Creek is that all the other area Vets I spoke with said that if Peanut did in fact have a uterine prolapse, the only course of action they could take would be humane euthanasia...which made my stomach drop.

Flint Creek took her in, no questions asked and successfully performed a major surgery on her. I'll forever be thankful!

Update is that she's doing well. No details yet on the recovery process but at this point, no news is good news.

Also, this is the first uterine prolapse that Flint Creek has encountered in a squirrel (They've seen it mostly/only in birds), and thus their first successful surgery for this issue!

[Charley Chuckles]

:w00t
prayers continue 🙏

[Peanut773]

:w00t
prayers continue 🙏

Thank you so much. At this point no news is good news. I'll follow up once I have more to update. I'm hoping to get some pics sent over

[Peanut773]

https://www.facebook.com/flintcreek/photos/a.131016082275/10160597716967276

You can see an updated pic of sweet, little, Peanut. Dawn from Flint Creek is an amazing human being, I love her organization and her passion. Dawn said Peanut is doing great, and is too feisty to get a better pic lol, but part of that is b/c she's giving her 3 shots per day, so Peanut isn't her biggest fan at the moment.

[CritterMom]

This place is one in a million! How lucky it is so close to you.

She basically gave birth to her ovary and uterus. My God, I wonder what led to that?

[Mel1959]

What a great place! I’m so glad Peanut is doing so well. :serene:dance