Injured Flying Squirrel with Severe Head Tilt

[tomcics]

I am opening this thread for a friend, so I have no direct contact with injured squirrel. A couple days ago she noticed a small animal just sitting there, she took it inside and initially put it in box to keep it warm overnight. It turns out to be a flying squirrel. She went out and bought a big used bird cage for it, even if it was just going to be for short term care. She has a better view of it now and wrote me that squirrel has ate some nuts and plenty of pooping but when it sits, it's head tilts to the left. She said it does get bursts of energy now and then and moves around. When she went looking around trying to understand what might have caused this symptom, the leading info was that maybe an injury to the brain from a fall (remember this is nocturnal flying squirrel). She also read it could be a metabolic bone disease, in that case it would require calcium treatments. As it is unlikely to find anyone in Michigan that could treat it, she will need to do what she can on her own. She is looking for tips and advice on what to do. Later today or tomorrow, she will send me some photos of the head tilt. I have a photo but does not show head tilt.

[tomcics]

[Mel1959]

I have reached out to someone who might have some resources in Michigan that can help. I’m waiting to hear back and will post on the thread when I do.

In the meantime, can the finder locate any prednisone? Someone can help dose it if they can. Prednisone has been known to work wonders for head injuries.

[tomcics]

I have reached out to someone who might have some resources in Michigan that can help. I’m waiting to hear back and will post on the thread when I do.

In the meantime, can the finder locate any prednisone? Someone can help dose it if they can. Prednisone has been known to work wonders for head injuries.

Thanks, I am doubtful that they could locate any prednisone (if that is prescription drug) but I will ask. I recall when I got Orbie (chip), he had severe head tilt and Pete sent me something for it, may have been prednisone.

[Mel1959]

Is the finder committed to keeping it if it becomes a NR like Orbie? Do you think they would like me to see if there’s an experienced person to take it? Or find a vet for them to take it to?

[tomcics]

Is the finder committed to keeping it if it becomes a NR like Orbie? Do you think they would like me to see if there’s an experienced person to take it? Or find a vet for them to take it to?

I am not sure but the fact that she went out and bought a big cage right away makes me thinks she is committed, I have already offered to take care of it, so she has that option too. She works during day, so that is why I have opened thread for her. In the beginning I suggested to her if flyer looks fine next day or two, let it out by the closest tree she found it near and it if it climbed tree, then it could probably survive but now it seems it did have an injury (maybe from a fall). I advised against (at this point) calcium treatments, do you have any suggestion on that front?