I understand this is a squirrel forum, but I could not find anywhere else on the internet while looking for answers so I came here. I thought I'd ask around here while I wait for my states wildlife rescue place to respond to my email.
Around two hours ago my dog happened upon a chipmunk on our back porch. I saw and he did nothing, but sniff the animal. After putting my dog in the house I looked closer at the chipmunk. It seemed to be breathing at a normal rate. (which according to the internet was 75 breathes per minute though I can't be too sure on that.) However it remained curled in a light ball and had it's eyes tightly closed. It would occasionally move it's head around, but did not open it's eyes. Where it was laying is right out in the open on our cement patio.
We took a large red bucket and filled it with a towel, a bowl of bird seed, and a separate, shallow container of water. We gently transferred the chipmunk into the bucket using a fish net and have left it outside in the shade. I apologize in advance if we should not have done this. It did not move at all or protest when we scooped it up with the net. I've been checking up on it every fifteen minutes and all the chipmunk has done is curl into a ball amongst the towels. It did not move at all or protest when we scooped it up with the net.
It doesn't appear to have any external injuries and there is just a small bald patch on it's lower back. I was wondering what you may believe to be affecting the chipmunk and what course of action I should take. I am able to do whatever you feel is best for the creature.
I live in central Wisconsin in a wooded area.
Thanks.