Adult Female Squirrel desperately needs vet care

[Bruno69]

Minx, an 8 year-old injured female black Eastern Gray squirrel needs vet care. She has lived in our yard for at least 8 years. We think she was grabbed by a hawk or owl and dropped. She lost use of her hind legs and has an open gash on her body where we think she was grabbed by a beak or talons. She needs xrays and possible surgery by a vet, but we live in MD the Eastern Shore and vets here will not treat squirrels. We are taking care of her; she is strong, lively and has a good appetite. Can anyone recommend a vet in MD, DE, or another nearby state that will treat squirrels?

6/16/23 Minx has suddenly displayed new and alarming symptoms. She began unusually restless this morning when we cuddled her as we usually do in the mornings. Then, she appeared to go to sleep but kept moving involuntarily in a seizure-like manner. She has never had seizures as far as we know since we took her in. To prevent calcium deficiency, ever since we took her in we have been sprinkling her food with the powder from Henry's to prevents that condition. However, with a spinal injury, we fear that alone could cause seizures. We had been using puppy pee training sheets under her cage to catch droppings and urine. We just found out yesterday that the activant in them could cause problems if the chemical is breathed in over a period of time. Could this cause these sudden symptoms? WE ARE DESPERATE TO FIND A VET WHO WILL TREAT SQUIRRELS. DUE TO HER INJURIES, SHE CANNOT BE TREATED PROPERLY WITHOUT EX-RAYS & MAY NEED SURGERY AND.OR ANTIBIOTICS OR OTHER MEDICATION. IF ANYONE CAN ADVISE OF A VET IN MARYLAND, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA OR OTHER STATE NEAR MARYLAND, WHO WILL TREAT A SQUIRREL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP! WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THIS DEAR SQUIRREL WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

[WilmingtonWild]

Hello, I’m so sorry this has happened to Minx. I’d like to help gather the information you’re asking for but thought I’d ask for an update first. It’s so serious. I’m thinking of her and your family.

[Spanky]

6/16/23 Minx has suddenly displayed new and alarming symptoms. She began unusually restless this morning when we cuddled her as we usually do in the mornings. Then, she appeared to go to sleep but kept moving involuntarily in a seizure-like manner. She has never had seizures as far as we know since we took her in. To prevent calcium deficiency, ever since we took her in we have been sprinkling her food with the powder from Henry's to prevents that condition. However, with a spinal injury, we fear that alone could cause seizures. We had been using puppy pee training sheets under her cage to catch droppings and urine. We just found out yesterday that the activant in them could cause problems if the chemical is breathed in over a period of time. Could this cause these sudden symptoms? WE ARE DESPERATE TO FIND A VET WHO WILL TREAT SQUIRRELS. DUE TO HER INJURIES, SHE CANNOT BE TREATED PROPERLY WITHOUT EX-RAYS & MAY NEED SURGERY AND.OR ANTIBIOTICS OR OTHER MEDICATION. IF ANYONE CAN ADVISE OF A VET IN MARYLAND, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA OR OTHER STATE NEAR MARYLAND, WHO WILL TREAT A SQUIRREL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP! WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THIS DEAR SQUIRREL WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.

I don't know a vet that I can refer, you are in a very tough area for finding squirrel safe vet.

While providing the sprinkled calcium does can be helpful, it will not prevent MBD (Calcium Deficiency) if the rest of her diet is not balanced. She needs to be eating rodent blocks, either a supplement like Henry's (1 -2 blocks and day and then healthy veggies and a bit of fruit) or a commercial extruded block like Teklad, Mazuri, Oxbox Rat, or the like. If feeding the commercial variety, that needs to be 80% of their entire diet. Nuts and seeds are treats, like feeding cotton candy or gummy bears to a toddler.... if the nuts and seeds are the main diet, there will be issues.

Here is the link to the healthy squirrel diet:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[WilmingtonWild]

Just to let you know I posted about an hour ago on Next Door asking for the name of a Vet who would treat a seriously injured squirrel in DE or MD. I’m sorry there’s no response yet. You’re probably aware of injured wildlife rehabbers, but little Minx’s needs seem beyond what they can do. I think she probably needs your comfort care the most. Good luck.




6/16/23 Minx has suddenly displayed new and alarming symptoms. She began unusually restless this morning when we cuddled her as we usually do in the mornings. Then, she appeared to go to sleep but kept moving involuntarily in a seizure-like manner…

…WE ARE DESPERATE TO FIND A VET WHO WILL TREAT SQUIRRELS. DUE TO HER INJURIES, SHE CANNOT BE TREATED PROPERLY WITHOUT EX-RAYS & MAY NEED SURGERY AND.OR ANTIBIOTICS OR OTHER MEDICATION. IF ANYONE CAN ADVISE OF A VET IN MARYLAND, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA OR OTHER STATE NEAR MARYLAND, WHO WILL TREAT A SQUIRREL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP! WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THIS DEAR SQUIRREL WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.[/QUOTE]

[Bruno69]

I don't know a vet that I can refer, you are in a very tough area for finding squirrel safe vet.

While providing the sprinkled calcium does can be helpful, it will not prevent MBD (Calcium Deficiency) if the rest of her diet is not balanced. She needs to be eating rodent blocks, either a supplement like Henry's (1 -2 blocks and day and then healthy veggies and a bit of fruit) or a commercial extruded block like Teklad, Mazuri, Oxbox Rat, or the like. If feeding the commercial variety, that needs to be 80% of their entire diet. Nuts and seeds are treats, like feeding cotton candy or gummy bears to a toddler.... if the nuts and seeds are the main diet, there will be issues.

Here is the link to the healthy squirrel diet:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels


We were aware of Henry's squirrel blocks and bought some when we first took her in. However, she refused to eat them. We even broke them up in smaller pieces to make it easier for her to handle. She did nibble on a couple, but left them laying there and pushed them aside. However, that is now moot because she suddenly took a turn for the worse today and died in her sleep. We are heartbroken; we loved her very much. If the vets around her would have tended to her when we first found her injured about a month ago, she might have been saved. I think the law that keeps vets from treating squirrels is very cruel and discriminating.

[CritterMom]

Believe me, so do we.

I am so sorry, but I also need to commend you. 8 years old in the wild almost never happens. You must have provided her with just what she needed. Falling in love with wild squirrels is almost as hard at the end as falling in love with one that lives indoors with you. I know this was hard on you but I also am glad she was inside with the people who kept her safe for so long at the end.
:grouphug

[Bruno69]

Hello, I’m so sorry this has happened to Minx. I’d like to help gather the information you’re asking for but thought I’d ask for an update first. It’s so serious. I’m thinking of her and your family.

Sadly, Minx took a sudden turn for the worse and died in her sleep this afternoon around 1pm. We are heartbroken. We loved her so much and she was doing so well; we could not believe the sudden downfall. We have lots of squirrels in our yard and if we need to rescue another one, we would be so grateful to know of at least one vet that would treat a squirrel and not just euthanize them. Thank you for your kind thoughts. God bless. 325176325177

[Spanky]

Sadly, Minx took a sudden turn for the worse and died in her sleep this afternoon around 1pm. We are heartbroken. We loved her so much and she was doing so well; we could not believe the sudden downfall. We have lots of squirrels in our yard and if we need to rescue another one, we would be so grateful to know of at least one vet that would treat a squirrel and not just euthanize them. Thank you for your kind thoughts. God bless.

I am very sad to learn of Minx's passing. She knew loved and passed in that warmth thanks to your commitment and care. RIP Minx. :sad

In the general area you are located and the state's being butt holes and overly aggressive in enforcing the laws, the best thing may be to screen smaller-scale local rehabbers. In my experience, there are vets are willing to see squirrels and treat them... and return them.... but the big BUT is.. a licensed rehabber needs to the "front person" that provides a buffer. This usually is not going to happen with the "big box" wildlife sanctuaries and rehab places.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Bruno69:
I'm so sorry for your loss of little Minx! I know she basked in your love on a daily basis. Thank you you care, concern and your love for this Squirrel! You did all you could! I also wish that Vets could legally see Squirrels in your State and the many others with similar restrictions. There are States that permit a Vet to treat wildlife, often for up to 3 days and after that they must transfer care to a licensed rehabber. There are only a very few States where a Vet can legally treat Squirrels and then return them to your care. Sometimes we are able to find a Vet willing to treat our Squirrels even in the "unfriendly" States who do it despite the laws and low on the radar! I wish that Minx could had been able to be seen by such a Vet and I know you looked for one in desperation and concern! Thanks again, Bruno69!
RIP little Minx! You are very much loved!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel