Caring for Injured Squirrel

[estgrsqmom2]

About 4 weeks ago, I rescued a squirrel that drags it backend. Every morning and maybe a couple of other times throughout the day, I bathe her and do PT by moving her back legs, which she does have movement in but there is nerve damage. She either fell from a tree or was dropped from a hawk. She has to be held to feed and drink because she can't hold herself up, she does get her fill of sunflower seeds and a peanut here & there that she cracks open. She has developed some sores on her backside, including other areas and so I have been putting Neosporin & cornstarch in the areas. I have been watching and have not seen any blood in her urine, which I understand is a good sign and means there isn't any internal bleeding. When I take her out of her box to move around, she gets up and goes despite not having her back legs that are being dragged. Is using Neosporin and corn starch the right way to go for her sores? Is there a website or directions on how to make a "cart" that can be built to help lift her back legs and give her a little more mobility? Is there anything else that I should be doing to help her?

Thank you and God Bless!
Estgrsqmom2

[olorin19]

Any idea how old this squirrel is?

And do you have any photos of the squirrel and the injured areas?

There are certainly better dietary options than sunflower seeds and peanuts, but first we need to know if this is a young enough squirrel to where formula is still needed.

[estgrsqmom2]

I have a few pictures of her, Lil Bit'a Faith, for help on figuring out her age because I wouldn't know how to tell. I also have included some pictures of her sore backend. Now, there is one that isn't as bad as it was because of the cream that I am using, changed from Neosporin. I will "doctor" her after her bathes that include PT, and then a couple other times throughout the day.
Up until Wednesday, she had quite the appetite of a slice or two of an apple, sunflower seeds, she enjoys cracking open the peanut shells but may or may not eat the peanut, and a cashew or two. Between yesterday and today, her appetite has slowed, and it does have me a little concerned. I don't know if it can be seen in the picture, but I would like to see if there is a way to put a little weight on her.

I hope these pictures help.

[CritterMom]

Oh, this poor girl.

First, I would do something different with the wound care. Instead of glopping it all up with gooey neosporin, I would very gently bathe the area (it will take multiple baths to get all the sticky ointment off) And then apply some diluted 10% povidone iodine to it. You can buy this at any drug store or Walmart - name brand is Betadyne but they make store brands of the same stuff. Mix it at 1/2 teaspoon of the povidone iodine to 1/4 cup of water. I usually warm it slightly - if you get it as close to their body temp it is most comfortable for them, and using a cotton ball, saturate the wounded areas with it and put her someplace warm to dry. Don't rinse it. It is a powerful anti-bacterial that doesn't hurt when applied. If this was a hawk, their talons are a bacteria covered mess.

She needs to have her entire lower body in a little fabric bag that you can cinch around the waist - or perhaps velcro? It needs to be lined with either period pads or pads for urinary incontinence. There has to be something to wick the urine away from her skin and the pads will do that. You will have to get creative and crafty. There is NO surface she can be on that s soft enough not to tear her up when she drags across it. She needs to have the parts she drags covered all the time.

Are the wounds in the pic from dragging or was she like that when you found her?

Is she pooping and peeing? Often injuries like this can affect that.

Can you get your hands on any antibiotics? Like human antibiotics left over from an illness. Check around with friends and see what you can find.

I would get your hands on some 1ml syringes - if you find antibiotics you will need one that small to do the dosing - and they are what we use to handfeed. I would get a bag of either Esbilac POWDERED puppy formula at a pet store, or order a bag of Fox Valley 20/50 formula: https://henryspets.com/collections/f...50523685912881. Mix per package directions (both are 2 parts water to 1 part formula powder), warm up and I would add a blob of peanut butter to it to boost the flavor and smell. Let the peanut butter soften and melt and stir it into the formula. You may need to syringe feed it but I would try putting a spoonful on a little plate and see if she will lap it up.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Adding to CritterMom comments:

There is Vet Wrap (in many colors) that is slightly elastic and only sticks to itself. If you put pee pads on first and wrap around body area it will protect the body for dragging. (Look on Amazon for details but I'm sure Walmart or other pharmacy has it.) Vet Wrap can be removed easily for her baths and them reapplied.

Google "squirrel wheelchairs" and you will find some (not cheap). I would focus on her injuries to heal first them wheelchair later. Did you get any xrays to confirm no broken bones, pelvic, and/or spine ?? Any squeaking during PT ??

Mr.SSG

[island rehabber]

Just adding that Silvadene is excellent for urine scald...best I've ever used.

[supersquirrelgirl]

How's that sweet foxer doing ??

[estgrsqmom2]

Thank you everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I am making a list of items to get from Walmart to start the new wound care process. It just so happens that Lil Bita Faith landed into a family that is creative and crafty, especially her "Aunt". I haven't taken her to get x-rays, but am reaching out to a friend from church who is a vet to see if she could do that. I do have to hold her up to feed her, and I'm guessing because her spine may be broken. I do know that I haven't seen any blood in her urine, and I have read that that means there isn't any internal bleeding. When we do the PT, there isn't any squeaking. She can move her legs, and does give some resistance during PT. Thank you again for sharing all the ideas and suggestions, I promise they will be taken to heart and used. I will update as I see her progress. Thank you and God Bless! Oh, and to all you Mom's. Happy Mother's Day! Hope y'all had a great day!