Rectal prolapse

[Jeskafaye]

I have a baby squirrel about 5 mths old that I found almost dead around 5 weeks old I've been his momma every since I'm not a licensed rehabilitator but I read this forum closely too keep him healthy he has rectal prolapse and no vet will see him unless I turn him over to them I'm all he knows and I can't let him go but I don't want him to die. He was in inflammatory meds bc of a fall n it constipated him I think bc the vet that saw him said that he was fine n then after he meds now he's got his butt hanging out I don't want him to die please can anyone tell me what to do rv who can help I'm in opelousas la.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I have a baby squirrel about 5 mths old that I found almost dead around 5 weeks old I've been his momma every since I'm not a licensed rehabilitator but I read this forum closely too keep him healthy he has rectal prolapse and no vet will see him unless I turn him over to them I'm all he knows and I can't let him go but I don't want him to die. He was in inflammatory meds bc of a fall n it constipated him I think bc the vet that saw him said that he was fine n then after he meds now he's got his butt hanging out I don't want him to die please can anyone tell me what to do rv who can help I'm in opelousas la.

Hi Jeskafaye:
Thank you for the love and care you have given your baby Squirrel! What is the name of your Squirrel? I also must tell you that I am not a Vet and I know that you have tried without success to to find a Squirrel Friendly Vet but nevertheless; a Veterinarian is ideally what your Squirrel needs now!

If you could post some photos of what you are seeing it may helpful and can also be sent to a Veterinarian so they can also see what is going on (please see some suggestions for finding a Vet below)! Did the rectal prolapse just occur or has it been there for some time? Rectal prolapse is not that uncommon in rodents or other animals but it has high risks for developing complications and ordinarily cannot be left untreated. Also, there is usually significant swelling and it is difficult or impossible to reduce (put the prolapsed portion of the rectum back inside) without using anesthesia and having this performed by an experienced person (usually a Veterinarian)! Among the complications that can often occur with rectal prolapse are swelling as already mentioned, ulceration of the exposed inner lining of the rectum, loss of or decreased blood supply to the prolapsed portion which leads to necrosis (skin death). There is a relatively simple (for those trained in using it) for retaining the once prolapsed portion of the rectum with what is called purse string sutures placed carefully and not tightly around the anus. First however, the prolapsed portion of the rectum needs to be very carefully and gently cleaned and carefully examined for ulceration and other skin damage as well as perforations. If the exposed skin is NOT intact with a good blood supply before the prolapsed portion is reduced, there is a very high risk of infection developing in the abdomen and usually antibiotics are given anyway in case there are micro-perforations (unable to be seen but still exist).

This condition is really a surgical urgency/emergency and hopefully an experienced Vet can be found who can see your Little One immediately and who will not confiscate him or euthanize him! Unfortunately I do not have anyone to recommend in your State. There are many other on The Squirrel Board who may have contacts or other suggestions that could be helpful! One possibility would be to try to locate an Exotic Animal Veterinarian relatively near to you and ask them if they see Squirrels or even pet rats and of course try to determine before actually bringing your Squirrel to them that they will conscientiously treat him and return him to you! There are some Exotic Animal Clinics in Louisiana that I saw on a quick internet search. Again, getting this prolapse addressed properly is very time critical!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Do you have any antibiotics available? If so please post the name and strength.

Also, my suggestion would be to for an Admin to move your thread to the Emergency Life Thrdatening Forum!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

How’s your squirrel doing?

If you are willing to drive there might be a vet in a neighboring state that would see your squirrel. There is a hospital in Houston, TX that had an exceptional squirrel vet. Unfortunately that vet left and moved to Grapevine, TX, but the hospital may still have someone that will see squirrels. The name is Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists 713-693-1111. Please be cautious if you call to be sure they won’t confiscate and before giving too much personal info.

You could also reach out to Austin Wildlife Rescue 512-472-9453 and see if they have any suggestions.

Have you checked with any rehabbers in the state of Louisiana to see if they can help? Here’s the online link for rehabbers in Louisiana. https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/permitted-wildlife-rehabilitators

[Jeskafaye]

I have reached out to a woman who is a rehabilitator but she said she cannot give him back to me.i made a vet heartbreaking but his life saving decision to hand him over I think it's crazy how a simple country girl can't find a squirrel save his life and get help for him when he needs it..I can't be a licensed rehabilitator bc I'm a convicted felon from when I was young a dumb but my squirrel loved me and I'm his momma and I'm afraid he will feel like I abandoned him like his real mom did I'm having a very bad day .

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I have reached out to a woman who is a rehabilitator but she said she cannot give him back to me.i made a vet heartbreaking but his life saving decision to hand him over I think it's crazy how a simple country girl can't find a squirrel save his life and get help for him when he needs it..I can't be a licensed rehabilitator bc I'm a convicted felon from when I was young a dumb but my squirrel loved me and I'm his momma and I'm afraid he will feel like I abandoned him like his real mom did I'm having a very bad day .

Hi Jeskafaye:
I may have read you post wrong but it appears that you have given your Squirrel to a Rehabber for care.

We as Human Beings often tend to worry about possible emotional responses and feeling in the animals we have had relationships with that are really based upon our own feelings, our experiences, our level of insight and our own understanding of a situation. We can, of course, never know what Squirrel might actually feel about now being in the presence of someone unfamiliar and he may feel some fear as this is all a sudden change. I doubt very much if your Squirrel has felt you abandoned him because this concept itself requires considerable sophistication in humans to arrive at this belief and I am certain that Squirrels are unable to recognize this change in who he with as abandonment and I am also certain that he doesn't feel his mother abandoned him either! This is really you interpretation!

Guilt is one of the things humans feel which can be beneficial at times but often serves to cause us as people to suffer severe emotional anguish! You did NOTHING wrong! You did everything right! You put what is best for your Squirrel above your own feelings and your usual concepts of mothering but in reality, you are trying to save his life! Along with that, you gave him the greatest and rarest of gifts a wild animal could ever receive and that is love! You could not have performed the surgical procedure that is required for correction of a prolapse or the medical support that is required during recovery. You loved this Little Guy so much, you put him in the care of someone you believe will provide the very specialized interventions and treatments he requires to survive and thrive! I know you feel bad and I dare say any of us would feel bad also and for the same reasons as you, BUT, you acted out of love and gave him the chance for life! I wish you the very best and I wish you peace, Jeskafaye! I also wish the best for your little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

PS: Do you have the name of the Rehabber and the name of her facility?

[Mel1959]

:yeahthat:goodpost:goodpost

[Jeskafaye]

Hi Jeskafaye:
I may have read you post wrong but it appears that you have given your Squirrel to a Rehabber for care.

We as Human Beings often tend to worry about possible emotional responses and feeling in the animals we have had relationships with that are really based upon our own feelings, our experiences, our level of insight and our own understanding of a situation. We can, of course, never know what Squirrel might actually feel about now being in the presence of someone unfamiliar and he may feel some fear as this is all a sudden change. I doubt very much if your Squirrel has felt you abandoned him because this concept itself requires considerable sophistication in humans to arrive at this belief and I am certain that Squirrels are unable to recognize this change in who he with as abandonment and I am also certain that he doesn't feel his mother abandoned him either! This is really you interpretation!

Guilt is one of the things humans feel which can be beneficial at times but often serves to cause us as people to suffer severe emotional anguish! You did NOTHING wrong! You did everything right! You put what is best for your Squirrel above your own feelings and your usual concepts of mothering but in reality, you are trying to save his life! Along with that, you gave him the greatest and rarest of gifts a wild animal could ever receive and that is love! You could not have performed the surgical procedure that is required for correction of a prolapse or the medical support that is required during recovery. You loved this Little Guy so much, you put him in the care of someone you believe will provide the very specialized interventions and treatments he requires to survive and thrive! I know you feel bad and I dare say any of us would feel bad also and for the same reasons as you, BUT, you acted out of love and gave him the chance for life! I wish you the very best and I wish you peace, Jeskafaye! I also wish the best for your little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

PS: Do you have the name of the Rehabber and the name of her facility?

Yes she is from St martinville and I don't know the name of her facility I just know her name is Fallon and I had called everyone and I was referred to her. So I'm really not sure she told me that he had surgery and it went well and he survived it and he's recovering and slowly getting better. I just wish I could of been able to get him back im not licensed but I could of took a class on his nutrition so I would of known better of what to feed him .

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Yes she is from St martinville and I don't know the name of her facility I just know her name is Fallon and I had called everyone and I was referred to her. So I'm really not sure she told me that he had surgery and it went well and he survived it and he's recovering and slowly getting better. I just wish I could of been able to get him back im not licensed but I could of took a class on his nutrition so I would of known better of what to feed him .

I'm sorry you can no longer be with your little Squirrel, Jeskafaye! You are a very good and loving Squirrel Mom but your final magnificent loving act led to his life being saved by his having the surgery to reduce and contain the prolapse!

I'm so glad your Little One is doing well postoperatively!

Maybe one day again, Jeskafsye; you may have the wonderful opportunity the be a Squirrel Mom to another baby who will be so very fortunate to have you! Please keep us updated on your Squirrel's progress.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel