Wild grey squirrel w/ partial paralysis

[SisterWithit]

The situation:
Adult grey squirrel who lives in a city park near Niagara Falls, Canada was observed this morning with acute paralysis of his Rear Hind Leg, as well as duller than normal mental alertness. Eg, 10 minutes after spotting him this morning, the sky opened up and it began to rain heavily. All nearby squirrels sot shelter except for him. He stayed where he was, soaked, shivering, and his eyes were flat and without spark (which I attributed to extreme pain).

My patio opens into the park in which this poor fella lives, and once the rain let up I began to try and coax him from his branch... Six hours later he tried to descend the tree, but by then he was too weak. He fell the last 5 feet onto the ground as helplessly I dashed over to to him with a baby blanket. He made no protest as I gingerly carried him inside and placed him in an extra large pet carrier. As he was trying to climb down from that tree he'd sat in all day, it looked as if Both of his rear legs were not operating (which might be the result of him sitting in one spot for six hours, never moving an inch). The symptoms displayed remind me of my readings about metabolic bone disease. But, as I said, he's completely wild, which I understand excludes him from MBD, correct?

Naturally, he wishes to be left in peace, but I have gently - and as quickly as possible - examined him for any sign of wounds. There are none.

Where I am now:
I need guidance. How can I help him get well? What can I do to make him as comfortable as possible? Please advice me with regards to fluids, and his best source of nutrition at the moment.

[Mel1959]

The best medication if you believe he is suffering from paralysis from head/spine trauma is prednisone or Gabapentin. Can you get either of those drugs? Someone can help you with dosing if you post the strength of whatever medication you can find and a picture of the squirrel so his weight can be estimated.

Thank you for saving him.:hug Keep him in a room with no noise and with his carrier covered. Most wild squirrels like raw coconut chunks, raw corn chunks, avocado (no skin or pit), sweet potato, butternut or acorn squash, sugar snap peas and sometimes kale. Try offering any of these items. Provide a shallow bowl of water. Put some clean pebbles in it so he doesn’t put his nose under the water.

I’m hopeful that just having a place to rest, recover and stay warm will be all the help he needs. I personally don’t know of any rehabbers in your area but others might. Please check back often.

[SisterWithit]

Can't begin to express my gratitude to The Squirrel Board and the wonderful members such as yourself, Mel!
Don't know what I'd do w/out your assistance, I shirley don't.
I'll start tracking down the meds in the a.m., as well as picking up those fruits & veggies. Hopefully they'll tempt our little patient :hug
Phew!...he's managed now to fall asleep... (Lol...now I just need to resist the compulsion to keep checking on him every 5 minutes!)
Merci Beaucoup! :) Talk-soon!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

The situation:
Adult grey squirrel who lives in a city park near Niagara Falls, Canada was observed this morning with acute paralysis of his Rear Hind Leg, as well as duller than normal mental alertness. Eg, 10 minutes after spotting him this morning, the sky opened up and it began to rain heavily. All nearby squirrels sot shelter except for him. He stayed where he was, soaked, shivering, and his eyes were flat and without spark (which I attributed to extreme pain).

My patio opens into the park in which this poor fella lives, and once the rain let up I began to try and coax him from his branch... Six hours later he tried to descend the tree, but by then he was too weak. He fell the last 5 feet onto the ground as helplessly I dashed over to to him with a baby blanket. He made no protest as I gingerly carried him inside and placed him in an extra large pet carrier. As he was trying to climb down from that tree he'd sat in all day, it looked as if Both of his rear legs were not operating (which might be the result of him sitting in one spot for six hours, never moving an inch). The symptoms displayed remind me of my readings about metabolic bone disease. But, as I said, he's completely wild, which I understand excludes him from MBD, correct?

Naturally, he wishes to be left in peace, but I have gently - and as quickly as possible - examined him for any sign of wounds. There are none.

Where I am now:
I need guidance. How can I help him get well? What can I do to make him as comfortable as possible? Please advice me with regards to fluids, and his best source of nutrition at the moment.

Hi SisterWithit:
Being a wild Squirrel does NOT in itself rule out the possibility of developing MBD. For the "average" wild Squirrel; their diet probably does provide adequate protection from developing MBD but I strongly suspect that some wilds do develop this condition for whatever reasons but we just don't have the evidence. Nature views an impaired prey animal as an invitation and most any Squirrel in a weakened state is destined to be food for predators rather than clinical evidence for us who may be in a position to document MBD in a wild.

The dietary options for "Park Squirrels" is potentially quite different than for the "average" wild Squirrel as "Park Squirrels" find or are given candy, chips fruits, nuts and a whole host of other foods that would in my opinion; easily put these particular "Park Squirrels" at great risk for developing MBD!

Thank for your concern for this Squirrel and for taking him in! He would be a meal for a predator by now if you hadn't rescued him!

I am assuming paralysis of both rear extremities but from your wording, may its is only one rear extremity. If so, an injury may be a more likely explanation and he probably could climb up into the tree with one rear extremity being functional rather than neither. Please clarify. Also, please check him closely for an injury looking for cuts, bruising, swelling or subtle deformity in an extremity (which would suggest a fracture or dislocation [if in a joint region])

Certainly, his paralysis could have resulted from an injury but it would almost certainly would have needed to occur while he was up in the tree as he could not have climbed up there with his hind extremities paralyzed or even weakened as they were when you first saw him

I would say that MBD is certainly a possible explanation for this Squirrel's current status and in fact, I suspect MBD! Also, while there is obviously nothing good about MBD itself; the Emergent Treatment for MBD is simple to utilize and totally harmless even if the Squirrel does have MBD! But, if he does, in fact have MBD; this treatment could be life-saving! I would urge to begin the Emergent treatment for MDB immediately ! This is a link to Henry's Pets Information and treatment pages on their website for MBD: https://www.henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/

Thanks again for your concern and caring for this most unfortunate little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I meant to say in my post that the treatment for MBD is harmess even if the Squirrel does NOT have MBD! I had left out the word "not."
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

Where are you located?

As StS suggested, MBD is always a possibility, but if you are only seeing one leg compromised then it’s not as likely.

If you are in Canada we have several members there and I know of one facility, but I know Canada is a large region. :eek

How is your patient this morning?

[Mel1959]

Sending a pm.

Edit: pm sent with resource info.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi SisterWithit:
How is your Squirrel doing? What did you decide on treatment?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel