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Thread: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

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    Default ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Hello! Thank you for accepting my request to join.

    FACTS: I was called on Monday 4/17/2023 to come pick up a young squirrel that's back legs were paralyzed. The people who found him said he had been seen at their apartment complex for the last two weeks dragging his back legs around, but he was getting up and down trees fine so they didn't do anything, just noticed. On Monday, they found him at the bottom of a tree curled up and barely moving. They presented a large piece of bark to him and he climbed right on it. With pictures and descriptions,

    I didn't think he would last much longer, so I picked him up and brought him to my house for essentially hospice care. (Corny, yes, but I don't feel anyone, even animals, should die alone if there is the opportunity not to) He was frail and dehydrated, and his back legs were pretty much worn down to the bone (not actively bleeding, but still REAL bad!) They got him some water and trail mix while they waited for me (Yes, I know, dried fruit is bad, but they only gave him what they had on hand) and he ate and drank feverishly.

    Well, he surprised all of us and thrived. I was holding him in a box, so I went and got him a 36 in x 36 in rabbit cage and padded the bottom so his legs wouldn't scrape. I even went away for five days and had my 8-year-old feed him and give him water (never touching him!). Now, he is running around the cage, climbing the little bars and holding on like Tarzan, and he is back to HATING me (he hated me at first, warmed up a bit when I took care of his back legs and fed him better food) and his little legs are healing SO well (the cuts, obviously, not the paralysis). I called around to anyone I could think of (vets, animal control, rehabbers, etc) and most of their suggestions were to euthanize. He survived at least two weeks of being paralyzed in the wild and never waivered in his will to live. He is a tough little guy and to just euthanize him without exploring other options would break my heart. He is still in the cage and is doing ok, but I can tell he is not happy in there (I mean, would you be?)

    THOUGHTS So, I obviously don't want him living in a cage for the rest of his life, but I also don't want him to get released and immediately killed. Additionally, the thought of him scraping up his legs more and getting an infection, and dying a painful death makes me sick to my stomach. I am in FL and can legally keep him without a permit as long as he is a "pet" (and please know, this would be a LAST CASE scenario for me, because while I am amazing, and he would be taken care of, loved, cared for by a vet...I am not a squirrel and can't give him the life he would have outside, as much as I would try) I had other thoughts, like releasing him to the tree that's in my front yard so if he stays around I can keep an eye on him, I could easily build a shelter for him in my back yard so while he would have free roam of the world, but he would have a place to come back to if needed, but I want to know, from those of you who have been in this situation before, what is the best thing for me to do? If it comes down to it and euthanizing would be the best option, I will do it, but I had to ask...Thank you for reading and any advice you can provide.

    TLDR have a young squirrel with his back legs paralyzed (for at least two weeks) who didn't think was going to make it, he is thriving, but now that he is, not sure the best option for him. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Have you tried steroids? A round of prednisone or prednisolone or two may render surprising results. Sometimes the paralysis is due to nerves being pinched by swelling caused by the initial injury, rather than actual severe spinal damage. If you can get some prednisone into them, it knocks down the swelling and inflammation and eventually, sometimes, the nerves recover. It is best done as soon as possible after the injury, but I would definitely give it a shot. This would be pills from a human prescription - leftovers perhaps. You would need to provide us with his weight and the size in milligrams for any prednisone or prednisolone you are able to get, and would need a 1ml or smaller syringe to dilute and dose (no needle). We would be able to give you all of that information once we got YOUR info.

    Given how long this has gone on, it is likely a Hail Mary pass, but I can't think of any reason NOT to try it. We have seen total recoveries.

    I would NEVER release an animal in this condition. That WOULD be cruel.

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    olorin19 (05-01-2023)

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by CritterMom View Post
    it is likely a Hail Mary pass...

    I would NEVER release an animal in this condition. That WOULD be cruel.
    Thank you! I am not sure how to get prednisone, but I will work on it! And I will get the weight info later today! And if it won't hurt, I will absolutely try it! Lucky is a fighter and if anyone could pull off a miracle, it would be him!

    Additionally, I am glad you agree with me that releasing them right now (in this condition) is cruel, I agree completely (because of all the reasons I worried about and more)

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    First thank you for rescuing this squirrel boy
    I see your in Orlando we have an awesome squirrel vet in Port Orange Dr Emerson 👍 it can be pricey but here is her info.
    Sending prayers🙏

    4540 S Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange, FL 32129
    Map of ravenwood veterinary clinic

    (386) 788-1550
    Charley Chuckles gone from my arms FOREVER in my heart 8/14/04-3/7/13
    Simon, our time was too short together, but you gave us so much love, be with CC now 3/7/14


    The "CHARLEY CHUCKLES MEMORIAL RAIL TOUR" leaves the station choo chooo
    *Deland,FL. *Washington DC *Boston (Back Bay) *Boston (North Station) *Wells,Maine *Albany,NY *New York (Penn Station) *Back to Deland FL. "July 1- July 22" 2013

    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...RIAL-RAIL-TOUR Check it out here
    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...OW-A-NEW-MOMMY!!!!!
    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...RAINBOW-BRIDGE
    http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...e-called-Simon
    charleychuckles1@gmail.com

    I'm not poof reading any of this

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by jessinwndrlnd View Post
    Thank you! I am not sure how to get prednisone, but I will work on it! And I will get the weight info later today! And if it won't hurt, I will absolutely try it! Lucky is a fighter and if anyone could pull off a miracle, it would be him!

    Additionally, I am glad you agree with me that releasing them right now (in this condition) is cruel, I agree completely (because of all the reasons I worried about and more)
    Ask friends, family, social media, etc. People get the multipacks from doctors for lots of things - respiratory issues, I just got two tooth implants and the dentist has his patients do a round of prednisone before the implants are put in. You are supposed to finish those but lots of people don't...hopefully one of your friends!

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by CritterMom View Post
    You would need to provide us with his weight.
    Still working on the prednisone, but how the heck do I weigh him? Any suggestions? He is small, should I use a food scale? I tried holding him and weighing him and then subtracting my weight, but my people-scale wasn't accurate enough!

    Thank you!

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Yes, a digital scale that also weights in grams and kilograms (most do already). They are fairly cheap and have a good sized flat platform to weigh on because they are made to weigh food. Thay also have a tare function - you can put a little container or even a cardboard box, put it on the scale empty and then zero the scale out. When you add the squirrel, the weight it shows is JUST squirrel, not box.

    They are pretty inexpensive at Walmart or Target.

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    @crittermom

    I was able to finally get him weighed (165 g) and get prednisone! I was able to get them from a member of my dogs playgroup and they are 20 mg tablets (we have Great Danes!) so I am hoping there is a way I can get lucky a safe dose from that? Please let me know and again I appreciate all your help through this.

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    I just sent you directions via PM.

    If you do not know how to read a syringe, or need a refresher course, please ask here on the board. Don't guess! And please don't try to do this with anything larger than a 1ml syringe with clear markings. You cannot get the small measurements for an animal this size with a larger syringe.

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by CritterMom View Post
    I just sent you directions via PM.

    If you do not know how to read a syringe or need a refresher course, please ask here on the board.
    I got the directions; thank you! And please, I would appreciate you talking to me like an idiot! I want to be as careful as possible, and although I am certain I can do this, I would appreciate you detailing the measurements! I have attached a picture of the syringe I got from a vet.

    PS - I also attached a pic of me weighing him because I think the look on his face is priceless! Please do not worry; I kept him in the container for three seconds (I counted!), measured, and snapped a pic of the measurements, so I didn't transpose numbers or anything! His face makes me laugh! Name:  IMG_2173.jpg
Views: 112
Size:  92.2 KBName:  IMG_2189.jpg
Views: 110
Size:  90.3 KB

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    That is exactly what you need - a 1ml syringe. Do you need any further help?

    He really does look astounded!

    And nobody to my knowledge is born knowing how to read a syringe, and Americans have even more problems because the metric system isn't really a "thing" here. I have seen more smart people laid low by that little decimal point...

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    No, as long as I have the correct syringe, I will start tomorrow as “day one” and go from there! Fingers and paws crossed this helps!

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by jessinwndrlnd View Post
    ...I will start tomorrow as “day one” and go from there! Fingers and paws crossed this helps!
    I would start just as soon as possible, time is of the essence. The idea of prednisone is to alleviate the swelling that could be pressing against or crushing the nerves. If the pressure from the swelling continues too long, permanent damage results... if we get lucky and alleviate enough of the pressure, we can mitigate it from becoming permanent... or lessen the amount of permanent damage that may otherwise result.

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    There are many people here on TSB with lots of experience and stories on squirrel that were not able to be released (NR) for a multitude of reasons.

    In my limited experience (two NRs), you focus on figuring out how to create the best environment for your little guy to have as happy and safe a life as possible.

    And what will work perfectly well for one squirrel may not work (or be a bad idea) for another squirrel, depending upon their unique challenges and personality.

    Good luck and please keep us posted.

    And what is your little guy's name?

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Thank you! Prednisone started, and fingers crossed!

    Her (or his, but I am pretty sure it's her) name is Lucky!

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    Default Re: ADVICE PLEASE Young with back legs paralyzed

    Quote Originally Posted by jessinwndrlnd View Post
    Thank you! Prednisone started, and fingers crossed!

    Her (or his, but I am pretty sure it's her) name is Lucky!
    To determine gender with young squirrels, remember that while penis and vulva may look similar, they are located in quite different places. With the female, there is little distance between where they pee and where they poo, whereas with the male there is quite a gap (for scrotum).

    If you do end up needing to keep Lucky, again the trick is to design their environment to meet their needs.

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