mrwhite.ears
07-29-2023, 12:04 PM
Big Mamma is a beloved wild squirrel who has been coming to my back patio for water and snacks (Walnuts, almonds--raw unsalted of course). She would come by just about every day for the last year or so.
In the beginning of June, she showed up with balance problems. She was listing to her right side. I thought she had gotten injured in a scrap (she's tough and gives as good as she gets) but when I've examined her via binoculars, there is no evidence of injury from a fight or fall.
Each week, I see the leaning get a little worse. She's now crab walking/running. But she does in fact run. She may stumble a bit, but she makes it. When she eats, she has gone from eating sitting up steadily, to wobbly-constantly adjusting to regain balance. And now she eats while laying on her side in the grass.
Initially, I was thinking maybe MBD, until my camera picked up a raccoon traversing my patio late one night this past week. So I was thinking raccoon roundworm . But here we are at the end of July and she's still moving strong, although awkwardly. I thought roundworm takes squirrels relatively quickly, but she's still here close to 2 months after I observed her motor problems.
There are days when she seems a little worse than others, but she still thrives. The only problem I'm seeing right now (besides the motor/balance problems) is that she's itching quite a bit. And she can't twist her body to get to what's itching her. Sometimes she'll lay on her side writhing as a way to scratch the itchy area (I guess)
I'm not sure what to do. Do I capture and see if maybe a wildlife refuge will take her and possibly rehab her with medicines? Is there something I can give her that will help her. I was thinking Ivermectin?--I'm familiar with the rice grain technique and have used it successfully. But I'm worried since something seems to be impacting her motor skills and maybe Ivermectin worsens it(?).
Do I leave her be? She still has spirit. But she's not the same squirrel who visited me prior to that fateful June morning. She'll chase other squirrels even while running awkwardly.
What can/should I do...it breaks my heart to see her this way. Suggestions?
In the beginning of June, she showed up with balance problems. She was listing to her right side. I thought she had gotten injured in a scrap (she's tough and gives as good as she gets) but when I've examined her via binoculars, there is no evidence of injury from a fight or fall.
Each week, I see the leaning get a little worse. She's now crab walking/running. But she does in fact run. She may stumble a bit, but she makes it. When she eats, she has gone from eating sitting up steadily, to wobbly-constantly adjusting to regain balance. And now she eats while laying on her side in the grass.
Initially, I was thinking maybe MBD, until my camera picked up a raccoon traversing my patio late one night this past week. So I was thinking raccoon roundworm . But here we are at the end of July and she's still moving strong, although awkwardly. I thought roundworm takes squirrels relatively quickly, but she's still here close to 2 months after I observed her motor problems.
There are days when she seems a little worse than others, but she still thrives. The only problem I'm seeing right now (besides the motor/balance problems) is that she's itching quite a bit. And she can't twist her body to get to what's itching her. Sometimes she'll lay on her side writhing as a way to scratch the itchy area (I guess)
I'm not sure what to do. Do I capture and see if maybe a wildlife refuge will take her and possibly rehab her with medicines? Is there something I can give her that will help her. I was thinking Ivermectin?--I'm familiar with the rice grain technique and have used it successfully. But I'm worried since something seems to be impacting her motor skills and maybe Ivermectin worsens it(?).
Do I leave her be? She still has spirit. But she's not the same squirrel who visited me prior to that fateful June morning. She'll chase other squirrels even while running awkwardly.
What can/should I do...it breaks my heart to see her this way. Suggestions?