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Spongiform
10-09-2007, 03:24 PM
I live on a street aptly named Oak Lane. Lots of old growth oak trees in and around my yard. I think there's a dozen or so in my yard alone so there's always lots of squirrels running around.

Last week I found a young squirrel in the front yard that couldn't seem to walk. I'm not a vet or a doctor, but it looks like he somehow managed to injure his spine about halfway down his back. His lower back is limp and he has no movement in his lower back, legs or tail. His front half seems to work just fine though.

I brought him in and set him up in a 40 gallon fish tank. He's been eating acorns, dog food and monkey biscuits. He's been drinking a few ounces of water a day. He's about as active as he can be. I built him a nest to sleep in and have been using shredded non-scented paper towels as bedding.

I called the local animal shelter. They said they would take him and feed him to their pet falcon in some "circle of life" project they had going. The local animal rescue declined to take him and recommended euthanasia or release.

I called a few individuals who deal with injured animals and left messages but it's been a week now and none ever called me back.

He's friendly as long as you don't try to touch him. He's about as active as can be expected. He re-arranges his setup daily and has been eating a decent amount of food for his body size. I treated him with Adam's flea and tick spray, as he had quite a few fleas on him. He's what I would called a young adult. Not full grown, but not a baby either.

So - is there any hope for this guy? I've had my fair share of crazy pets through out my life (including squirrels) but I don't have a clue what to do with a crippled one. I've heard about people who specialize in taking in injured animals who can't be rehabilitated but I have not been able to find one myself.

If it helps any - I live in Sterling, Virginia (near DC).

~
Brian

thundersquirrel
10-09-2007, 03:38 PM
hi brian! :Welcome

thank you so much for sheltering this little squirrel!

about the break- could you manage to feel his legs, or have you felt his legs at all? are they warm or cold? does he respond when you touch them?

what do you feed him? what do his poops look like?

(forgive all the questions, but they help us to help you :) )

there are educational places that take unreleasable wildlife, but they tend to prefer the kind they can handle. they're allowed to be picky because there are so many unreleasable critters out there. not sure this route would work.

for now, just continue to take care of him, and we'll give you advice. thanks again for doing this. you're awesome! :thumbsup

rippie-n-lilgirlsmom
10-09-2007, 03:39 PM
Hi Brian Thank you for helping this poor helpless squirrel.
Do you have any vet that will treat wildlife? Dexamethasone I believe would help this squirrel (steroid), if you can start doing some calling I will look up some rehabbers that may also be able to treat him. A vet would be able to do an x-ray and give a clearer picture of the outcome.
You could try giving him some Ensure to drink warmed slightly, if you are going to keep him for an extended amount of time he will need a full spectrum light. You can also try giving him dark green veggies some fruit, cut up sweet potato, & some wallnuts.

rippie-n-lilgirlsmom
10-09-2007, 03:45 PM
Maybe someone here can help or point you in the right direction.



Virginia, Northern

Virginia, Northern region, Clarke County (Millwood)..... 540-837-9000

Peggy Coontz (Director/Wildlife Biologist), Blue Ridge Wildlife Center
peg@blueridgewildlife.org
Wildlife Species: Raptors, corvids, waterfowl, small mammals, reptiles
Specialties/Knowledge: Raptor and corvid rehabilitation
Comments: Educational programs on native wildlife offered.
Veterinarian care available at the Center.
Virginia, Northern region, Fairfax County (Alexandria)..... 1-800-293-3988, pin 05

Dennis and Rita Desmond (director), Northern Virginia Reptile Rescue
VaHerper@bigfoot.com
Wildlife Species: we only accept reptiles and amphibians
Virginia, Northern region, Fairfax County (Annandale)..... 703-973-3157

Leslie Sturges (director), Bat World NOVA
Wildlife Species: bats and turtles
Specialties/Knowledge: Bats, Big brown bats and silver hair in particular
Virginia, Northern region, Fauquier County (Midland)..... 540-788-7645

Julia Bolt, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
juille1999@yahoo.com
Wildlife Species: all rabies vector species, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
Specialty: raccoons, fox, and bobcats
Virginia, Northern region, Loudoun County (Purcellville)..... 540-338-2133

Leslie McCasker, licensed home wildlife rehabilitator
teddbear@erols.com
Wildlife Species: raccoons, bats


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Virginia, North Central

Virginia, North central region (Boston)..... 540-987-8431

Amo Merritt, Wildlife Rescue League of VA, Native Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
amo@695online.com
Wildlife Species: accept all wildlife
Specialty: raccoons
Virginia, North Central region, Hanover County (Hanover)..... 804-779-0224

Catherine (member), Area Rehabber's Klub (ARK)
friendoftheanimals@yahoo.com
Wildlife Species: Squirrels, rabbits, opossums, migratory birds,
reptiles to include snakes


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Virginia, Northeast

Virginia, Northeast region, Fairfax County (Fairfax)..... 703-352-5474

Pat Chamberlain, Wildlife Rescue League (WRL)
Wildlife Species: Pinkies: Squirrels, Opossums, flyers, Chipmunks, Neonate
Cottontails; Will treat injured adult Squirrels, Opossums, Cottontails, Chipmunks, and flyers
Virginia, Northeast region (Falls Church)..... 703-532-1475

Kimberly Manthy, Wildlife Rescue League, Falls Church Animal Warden,
Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Arlington Animal Welfare League
rescue@WL911.com
Specialty: Very young "pinky" mammals -- flying squirrels, mice, squirrels, fawns,
beaver, rats, moles, otters, etc. Mostly orphans. No raccoons. Also injured and
orphaned birds, including herons
Virginia, Northeast region (Falls Church)..... 703-578-4729

Kent N. Knowles, Wildlife Rescue League of Virginia
the Raptor Society of Metropolitan Washington
KentK3@aol.com
Specialty: Raptor rehabilitation, handling, and conditioning.
Education talks with non-releaseable raptors. Falconry techniques with raptors.
Virginia, Northeast region (Manassas)..... 703-368-5539

Madeline Libre, Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (C.R.O.W.)
vibrant@gte.net
Wildlife Species: pigeons, crows, gulls, opossum, groundhog, hawks, owls, and vultures
Virginia, Northeast region, Prince William County..... 703-897-0340

Robin C. McClary, Citizens for the Preservation of Wildife, Inc.
Wildlife Rescue League of Northern Virginia
Animalad@aol.com
Specialty: Designed, developed, and implemented a rescue program
for Canada Geese. How to recognize seriousness of injuries, how to recognize
its mate, capture techniques, and getting parents and goslings off highrise office
buildings and relocation to pond safely.


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Virginia, Northwest
Virginia, Northwest region, Roanoke County (Salem)..... 540-387-9764
Sharon Reese (Category II rehabber), Wildlife Care Alliance
reese2resque@aol.com
Wildlife Species: rabbits squirrels mice birds(subpermitee, Federal)opposum
NO RACOONS
Specialties/Knowledge: rabbits,squirrels
Comments: also take care of domestic baby rabbits(dead mother or mother has no milk)


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Spongiform
10-09-2007, 11:38 PM
Unfortunately, he died tonight. Not sure what happened. He seemed fine last night before I went to bed. He seemed alert and normal this morning as well - but sometime this afternoon he took a turn for the worse. Little bugger died in my hands :(

Thanks for all the help and advice anyway.

~
Brian

anneke
10-09-2007, 11:45 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this news, Brian. There must have been more going on internally. Thank you for trying so hard for him.

Anneke

Spongiform
10-09-2007, 11:48 PM
After he died I poked around a bit. I'm thinking his injuries were both more and less serious then I originally thought. His ribs felt like they were broke - although I'm no expert on squirrel ribs. Also, as he died his back legs twitched for a moment - so I'm thinking his whole back side was squished up on the inside. He didn't have much in the way of exterior damage. A scratch or two and a few bits of fur missing. Could have been hit by a car I suppose.

thundersquirrel
10-10-2007, 12:23 AM
thank you for investigating the body. many people find it too sad or too hard to handle a dead squirrel like that.

broken ribs, few outside injuries....does sound like a car, or a dog. you gave him a more comfortable finale than most critters would ever dream of- feel good about that. :Love_Icon

Mars
10-10-2007, 12:25 AM
:sad

jules
10-10-2007, 04:59 AM
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Buddy'sMom
10-10-2007, 08:54 AM
So sorry to hear that, Brian. Poor little guy. :Love_Icon

You did a wonderful thing rescuing him, caring for him and finding help. He spent his last days safe from predators, comfy, loved and with a full tummy ... that was the best gift you could give him and you should be proud of having given that to him. :bowdown :bowdown It does sound like he had internal injuries that may have made recovery impossible or painful.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug