tail injury

[SugarHill]

It's never a dull moment around here! I was feeding my outside guys this evening and one little girl came running to me; I saw about half of her tail was missing and the end looked bloody. She kept sniffing/snuffling and frantically eating the sunflower seeds I had with me. There were several other squirrels around; one was chasing her, the others just wanted their snacks. And while she would hop on me and around me, she definitely didn't want me to touch her (as much as I wanted to scoop her up and bring her inside). I know they can lose their tails and still climb etc. I just don't want her to be at a disadvantage while she tries to heal. I wonder if it's worth trying to trap her (I hate seeing them panic when they realize they've been trapped) or just let her do her thing and not interfere?

[SammysMom]

It is probably best to leave her and just keep an eye on her. It stresses them a lot to be trapped. Prayers for quick healing though. I am not that experienced with such injuries so take my advice with a grain of salt and listen to others who have personal experiences.

[firerunner]

I know how you feel --- on July 5th one of our wilds that had just started coming to us for peanuts broke it's foot. (thinking fireworks and panic and she got it caught/twisted in the gates or fence etc) I wanted to cry every time I saw her.

We talked about trapping her, and if she was one of our releases we probably would have but she was wild. So we left her be and just ensured that there was plenty of readily available food for her when she came to eat. Seriously the squirrels thought they were in heaven the feeders never went empty LOL

Last I saw her was about two weeks ago, (which is normal ) her foot is messed up, healed wrong, she is a little thin, but she is still around. I worry about her getting pregnant and if she can handle it.

All I can suggest is, do like we did and make sure there is plenty of food, so they don't have to struggle to find it or fight to get it, while they heal.

[SugarHill]

This morning I went out to open my outside cages and found my injured little girl by herself in one of them, sniffling and snuffling something fierce. Her little nose is all snotty and has crusted blood around it. I left the cage shut, happy that she had taken advantage of the nest box inside. I have some sulfamethokazole & trimetho. that I've used on my little guys when they were on formula, but have never tried it on an adult. Any quick and dirty ways of getting it into her? I've searched TSB but all the recipes are rather complex and I have to go to work shortly but wanted to start her on an antibiotic this morning if possible.
I also have some probiotics I'd like to include

[Annabelle's papa]

This morning I went out to open my outside cages and found my injured little girl by herself in one of them, sniffling and snuffling something fierce. Her little nose is all snotty and has crusted blood around it. I left the cage shut, happy that she had taken advantage of the nest box inside. I have some sulfamethokazole & trimetho. that I've used on my little guys when they were on formula, but have never tried it on an adult. Any quick and dirty ways of getting it into her? I've searched TSB but all the recipes are rather complex and I have to go to work shortly but wanted to start her on an antibiotic this morning if possible.
I also have some probiotics I'd like to include

Bless Your Heart SugarHill, is She the same little one you posted about on Sunday? I know you were glad to be able to have and keep Her protected in the cage, before you had to leave for work.

[Nancy in New York]

This morning I went out to open my outside cages and found my injured little girl by herself in one of them, sniffling and snuffling something fierce. Her little nose is all snotty and has crusted blood around it. I left the cage shut, happy that she had taken advantage of the nest box inside. I have some sulfamethokazole & trimetho. that I've used on my little guys when they were on formula, but have never tried it on an adult. Any quick and dirty ways of getting it into her? I've searched TSB but all the recipes are rather complex and I have to go to work shortly but wanted to start her on an antibiotic this morning if possible.
I also have some probiotics I'd like to include

Can you give me the strength of the sulfa trim? And do you happen to have a picture of this little girl?
Please keep the door closed, I think she was trying to find a safe haven to rest. How long until you are home again?
Make sure there is water and plenty of food, and if you have the strength, I can most likely help you dose.
BUT you need a picture that you can post because they are dosed by weight, so at best at least I could guesstimate.

[SugarHill]

it's 200mg/40mg per 5mL
I've attached some photos of her. She seems to have a pretty good appetite.

PS Sorry about the sideways photos...I'm still learning how to use my photo edit options

[SugarHill]

thanks, yes, annabelle, this is the same little one. I was relieved to see her using the nest box in the outside cage. I made a mixture of rodent blocks with some FoxValley formula, some crushed calcium (Kal Dolomite) some probiotics and a drop of the SMZ. Oh and some avocado. After watching her turn up her little sniffly nose at that, I gave her a walnut with a drop (about .02cc) of SMZ directly on it. I gave her some sweet potato as well, refilled her water dish. There were quite a few rowdy boys trying to figure out why the outside cage was still closed, so I put up another nest box for them nearby, and added a bunch of treats to hopefully keep them occupied so they don't stress her out too much.
I won't be home until after she's in bed, so it will be morning before I can check on her again.

[Annabelle's papa]

thanks, yes, annabelle, this is the same little one. I was relieved to see her using the nest box in the outside cage. I made a mixture of rodent blocks with some FoxValley formula, some crushed calcium (Kal Dolomite) some probiotics and a drop of the SMZ. Oh and some avocado. After watching her turn up her little sniffly nose at that, I gave her a walnut with a drop (about .02cc) of SMZ directly on it. I gave her some sweet potato as well, refilled her water dish. There were quite a few rowdy boys trying to figure out why the outside cage was still closed, so I put up another nest box for them nearby, and added a bunch of treats to hopefully keep them occupied so they don't stress her out too much.
I won't be home until after she's in bed, so it will be morning before I can check on her again.

I"m sure You'll get Her well taken care of, and even though She is a wild and not a release, it is Amazing how She knew to come to You for help two different time's in a row. It make's You think Your release's are Bragging on You to all the Other Squirrel's.

[Chickenlegs]

Thank you SO much for helping this sweet girl. I think this qualifies you for a pair of sainthood suspenders

[SugarHill]

My little injured girl is hanging tough in the outside cage. I was worried about her getting chilly all by herself but she did pick a pretty nice nest box- I put fleece blankies in all of them this fall and I suspect the tenants have been adding their own additions throughout the past month or so. She is getting the antibiotics at least once a day, delivered on a walnut. Her appetite seems to be really good (or maybe she's just hiding everything) as all the food I leave for her is gone with the exception of an orange slice and some rodent block crumbs. I also gave her a drop of echinacea for an immune booster.
Her breathing isn't quite as labored but it's still very congested sounding. There is a thick layer of dried snot on her nose and I really want to take a wash cloth to it. But I'm pretty sure she'd not only run off while I had the cage door open, but also hate me forever if I tried to get it for her. I've seen her grooming so she'll probably (hopefully) get it on her own?
Also, I looked closer at her little tail-what appeared to be a clump of damp tail fur may actually be the remnants of her tail. that is, the vertebrae, minus the skin and fur. I was horrified at the thought of this, but I've seen mammal skeletons (I teach biology) and it definitely looks like little tail vertebrae. So...wait and see? I cringe at the thought of amputating the exposed part (it's about an inch long). Thoughts?

[SugarHill]

I put several rice buddies under the nest box inside the outside cage. Since she's by herself and it's been snowing, I was worried about her getting too cold. I'm a little concerned about her eating the rice if she wakes up and goes down to investigate the new things under her house. Is it okay for them to ingest rice? I'd be surprised if she actually ate much of it since she has plenty of other things in there that would taste better. I just don't want her getting curious and eating something that may be harmful.