Urgent Help Needed

[Kishore]

Hi, I have a squirrel in my house and it has a rubber band stuck around its mouth and neck. Don't know what made the rubber band got around its mouth. It's pregnant too. I am really finding it difficult to remove from the squirrel. What would be the best solution to remove it? Please help! Thanks in advance!


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PxHbHYc2mQ0xFjezaoAAldkMSCIIP0pY/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P-vnKaI68XKS_nPBGstsf9k905sT-2sn/view?usp=share_link

[Kishore]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P-vnKaI68XKS_nPBGstsf9k905sT-2sn/view?usp=share_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PxHbHYc2mQ0xFjezaoAAldkMSCIIP0pY/view?usp=share_link

[Charley Chuckles]

So this is a wild squirrel that got in your house with a rubber band around its neck and mouth 😳
I hate to say it but to me sounds like someone may have done that to the poor squirrel 😕
Please if you haven't already do not put it out until you can get the band off of her or she will surely die.

If you can get a net, or a blanket to throw over her if you have any kind of pet carrier to put her in till you can get help to remove the rubber band. Do you have a vet that would help you?

I hope others can give you ideas 👍

[Mel1959]

If you can capture the squirrel with a net or some other way you can throw a blanket over it to grab it. Keep the squirrel wrapped in a blanket with its eyes covered and use a pair of scissors to cut the rubber band for removal. Please do not leave it out of your house till you are able to remove the band, as it will be a horrible death for it.

[Kishore]

Thanks for the reply. It was building its nest when it got hold of the rubber band. Since it’s pregnant and non cooperative, I don’t want to cause any injury while removing the rubber band. By the way, I raise the squirrel from the time it was rescued when it was hurt by falling from the roof.

[Charley Chuckles]

Oh since you raised her will she let you get close? I'm thinking towel over eyes as Mel suggested maybe some tongs or can you just slip it off her. Is there a way to get a picture without freaking her out so we may be able to figure a better way🤷

[Tashahaven]

Awe. I soo hope you are able to remove this rubber band! Poor baby! AND pregnant?! Please help this little one if you can. ❤️💕

[olorin19]

This is what I would do in a situation like this. I have used this approach to give antibiotics orally, examine wounds, apply salve, soak an injured leg in an epsom salt solution, etc.

I have a pair of mittens that consist of a leather shell with a thick wool liner. The overall thickness is such that a squirrel can bite the mitten (typically on the thumb) but still not reach my thumb or hand.

So, I would suggest you first put find something that can be put over your hands that is similarly bite proof. Multiple pairs of mittens or gloves, etc.

Then out on several sweatshirts so that your belly is similarly bite proof.

You then need to get ahold of the squirrel somehow. I have typically done this by getting the squirrel to climb on me then waiting until it is on my forearm to where I can gently trap it with my other hand. It also might work to try covering it with a towel, but that may scare it and make the whole process even more difficult. Do you have a small cage, box, etc. where you could manage to trap it first, then reach inside with your hands to get ahold of it?

Once you do have the squirrel in your hands, then place the squirrel against your belly. (Some squirrels may bite your belly, which is why you want a few layers to protect yourself.) Since you want to cut the rubber band, have the scissors ready. Once you have the squirrel against your belly, use one hand to hold them in place. Do not worry so much about the rear legs, etc. but make sure you secure the upper part of the body and front legs, but leaving the head free. Then take off the glove/mitten on your free hand, insert the scissors under the rubber band, stretch it away from squirrel, then snip in two.

Depending upon the squirrel, some may be quite agitated by this point, in which case your best bet is to put the glove/mitten back on then get hold of squirrel with both hands then release them away from other.

I would suggest making soothing noises throughout the process, etc.

Some squirrels will move away from you the moment they are released. I have had others where the opposite is true, and they will make a beeline for my hood or lie on my forearm to be be massaged and reassured after the trauma.

Key points in all of this:
Be calm.
Be gentle with the squirrel.
Make sure you are protected.

Unless this squirrel is really comfortable with someone else as well, you are better off doing this solo rather than having another pair of hands there. We have found with various squirrels that even though they are comfortable with my wife, they get much more agitated and panicky if there is anyone else there besides just me.

[olorin19]

Did you manage to remove the rubber band?