Rescued adult squirrel

[Mcdraggels]

Hi All,
Last night we found an adult grey squirrel dragging himself across the pavement to the bushes. There are no visible injuries. We were able to grab him and he's in a plastic box with holes and towels. This is in Orlando, Florida. He slept over night, and this morning has been happily eating some apple and pecans, and drinking lots of water. He shakes a little bit every now and then, and still has the back leg lameness, but seems otherwise okay. The shakiness is some twitching, almost like you would twitch at the gym when your muscles are tired. It lasts a couple seconds and then it stops.

We have been in touch with a wild life rehabber who recommended taking him to an emergency vet who takes wildlife. The rehabber mentioned that since both backlegs were being dragged, it's likely a spinal injury and may not be a happy rescue story.

If it is possible, I would prefer to save the squirrel and keep him as a non-releasable squirrel. Can you help/advise? I have been reading about food on Henry's Pets and about calcium and other safe foods and will be ordering some blocks from them. I do have some left over prednisilone ear rub from my cat (who crossed the rainbow bridge from cancer about 4 weeks ago).

Photo attached.

[CritterMom]

The steroid route is the one to take here but I have no experience with the transdermal form, just the pills. Not infrequently, they suffered blunt force trauma, which caused internal tissue swelling that is pressing nerves now that don't do well being pressed. Prednisone/prednisolone will relieve the swelling/inflammation really fast, and if there is no permanent injury to the spine they often recover at least some percentage of their movement, and sometimes they get it all. If the spine is damaged, nothing will help it.

We have some more medically minded folk here who will likely weigh in on this form of prednisolone. Keep checking back.

[Mcdraggels]

The steroid route is the one to take here but I have no experience with the transdermal form, just the pills. Not infrequently, they suffered blunt force trauma, which caused internal tissue swelling that is pressing nerves now that don't do well being pressed. Prednisone/prednisolone will relieve the swelling/inflammation really fast, and if there is no permanent injury to the spine they often recover at least some percentage of their movement, and sometimes they get it all. If the spine is damaged, nothing will help it.

We have some more medically minded folk here who will likely weigh in on this form of prednisolone. Keep checking back.

Thanks. I took him to the local vet that accepts wildlife. He had a broken spine sadly, and they put him to sleep.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thank you Mcdraggels for your concern and care for this severely injured Squirrel! You bestowed upon him the rarest of gifts a wild animal can ever receive and that is love!
RIP little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

PS: Would you please post the name and contact information of the Veterinarian you found who will see wildlife unless this person is doing this "under the radar" and in that case would you please send this contact information in a PM to me (and I will forward it to the Admins) or directly to one of the Admins. Apparently you live in Florida and this is overall, a Squirrel Friendly State and there are more Vets there who will openly see Squirrels but the more known options, the better! We maintain and update databases of "Squirrel Friendly" Veterinarians while also being being able keep information on those who may not want to "go public" restricted to an extent as long as they may be willing to see another Squirrel in need)! Thanks!
StS

[Charley Chuckles]

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thanks. I took him to the local vet that accepts wildlife. He had a broken spine sadly, and they put him to sleep.

Not many people would stop and help an injured squirrel. Thank you for all your effort. Its very sad but for the best to end his pain. He is free at last! He looks so peaceful in your last picture.