Neurologic Symptoms

[Lisasquirrel]

Hello everyone, I had an awful day. I am a rehabber in MA. I live on a lake and I just released some grey squirrels about a month ago. I get home from work and look outside by my bird feeder. I see a squirrel stagering around ataxic wobbly on his feet. I run outside and go close and he climbs the tree clearly neurologic. I then panic wondering if it was one of mine but mine come up saying hey you got any snacks? So then I see the squirrel fall from the tree now I am in panic mode thinking he could hurt himself. I got gloves and a towel and caught him and got him in a carrier while I had time to think. He had no wounds blood or trauma I could see. He was using all legs just head tilting and ataxic. So then I read up on Racoon Roundworm. It affects squirrels, the larvae enter their central nervous system making them neuro. I really felt like this is what he had especially because we see so many raccoons here. I brought him to my Veterinarian and we humanly euthanized. He was suffering. After reading up on this disease it sounds like there is no treatment.

After getting in my car I sobbed. It hurts every part of my being to euthanize espescially a younger squirrel who had a full life ahead of them. Even though I know it is the most humane option it still hurts. So I am reaching out because I need to learn from this. Has anyone ever seen this? Are there treatments for this? Please help because I couldn’t bare seeing that again. Like I said I have many raccoons here and I know their roundworm eggs are very hard to kill in the soil. Only heat will kill the eggs. Thank you to all

[Anne]

Being a licensed rehabber here in FL and taking in so many different species, raccoons being one, I, too, have always been worried about the raccoon roundworm and take special precautions. It used to be that raccoon roundworm was always fatal to humans, partially because most victims were small children. I googled newer treatments and found where humans have been successfully treated and saved by new medications. I didn't find any information on treatments for other animals. It's like there being no research on rabies vaccines being helpful given to raccoons because there is no interest/money for studies.
None of this is at all helpful to you with the sad event you went through today. I know how heartbreaking it is not to be able to save an animal that needs us. I say over and over that euthanasia is so often a gift that we can give, but that still leaves us with emotional pain. Until animal medicinal science is important to the world we will continue to have few resources available to use. You did what was best for the squirrel by saving it from a terrible death by another animal or the worm. Thank you for him.

[Lisasquirrel]

Anne, your words are so kind thand you for your response.