Squirrel cant walk or stand straight

[Wildlifed]

I've never seen this before in squirrels. I'm not sure if I need to intervene. Any help and/or suggestions are welcomedhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1ur9...w?usp=drivesdk

[supersquirrelgirl]

Any chance this squirrel got into poison somewhere ?? Possibly a hard fall on to your patio - head injury ??

Definitely looks off for balance and motor skills.

Can you get close to this squirrel ??

[Wildlifed]

Poison could be a possibility. Although it's the only one out of about 8 that come around showing these symptoms. I can try to get closer what would you like me to do once I get close?

[Mel1959]

Squirrels can act off balance and lose motor skills from a fall and also from roundworm. Capturing it would be its best chance if it’s from a fall. It can be treated with prednisone. Many make a recovery after being treated. Roundworm is fatal.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Poison could be a possibility. Although it's the only one out of about 8 that come around showing these symptoms. I can try to get closer what would you like me to do once I get close?

Getting closer might let you check for any injury. Look for blood coming out of nose or mouth. Any abnormal bumps.

Do you have raccoons in your area ?? This could be source of roundworms.

[Wildlifed]

Yeah ive seen 1 racoon about 2 months ago. I'll try to get close to see if it's physically injured the next chance I get

[Diggie's Friend]

For more on, 'Raccoon Roundworm" 'zoonotic' disease see:

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...83#post1376983

[Wildlifed]

Getting closer might let you check for any injury. Look for blood coming out of nose or mouth. Any abnormal bumps.

Do you have raccoons in your area ?? This could be source of roundworms.

The squirrel came back today I dont see any physical injury. I took some video maybe youot anyone can take a look and see something I didn't?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vCg...w?usp=drivesdk

[supersquirrelgirl]

One thing I noticed in both videos is she falls onto her right side. In some case looks like right hind leg is extended without giving her support. Wonder what other people see ??

In the second video, she appears alert and focused on you/camera and appears to keep moving toward you. When she is on her right side, definitely looks winded as she really exerting herself to move.

Really not sure what to think and hope other TSB Members will give their insight.

For now, keep her hydrated with water and supported with some food.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Checking back for update. Same behavior ??

[Wildlifed]

Checking back for update. Same behavior ??

Yes same behavior. The little girl comes back every day to get her filling in food and water. I'm trying to keep my eye out on any physical injury

[CritterMom]

Yup. This baby isn't neuro - she is bright and alert - no head drift, no "stargazing." In fact I am 95% sure I know what is happening because Tip taught me that this past winter.

Tip showed up at the Squirrel Cafe in February. I was working in the kitchen and looked up to see a squirrel laying on it's side in the Cafe. I watched while he ate his fill, and as he climbed down and started away, it was obvious that he was laying on his side because his right hind leg was clearly dislocated. In fact, at one point while he was on the platform eating, I could see that it was totally disconnected at the joint - the only thing holding it were tendons, and it swung freely if he wasn't careful. The pain that must have caused made me weak. Any rehabber or vet would have immediately euthanized him.

I have far too many squirrels at the Cafe to set a trap to catch a particular squirrel, and despite his problem staying upright, he could still run, and in fact was clearly a VERY dominant squirrel - it took DAYS before anyone started throwing him out of the food area, and then they only did it with multiple squirrels going after him at the same time. So I did what I usually do - try to stuff the animal as full of food (with hidden vitamins and stuff) EVERY time I see it, so it goes home into it's safe nest and sleeps for half a day. I could usually spot him coming in to the yard due to his issues, and began to keep him eating down on the deck so the others could eat at the platform and leave him alone. 2 giant pecan halves glued together with a wad of nut butter of some kind with Henry's vitamins and extra calcium hidden in it were very popular. He cooperated with my program completely.

Some day I will write up his whole story but cut to the chase...the day I watched him run up the trunk of the big silver maple in my backyard, and hang head down by his BACK FEET to eat a walnut, I knew he was going to be fine. He is hard to pick out now other than being a tad clumsier sometimes but I pick him out more by the other's behavior - his status is back and NOBODY comes for Tip.

I have thought of it a lot. There is a procedure done by vets called an "FHO" or Femoral Head Ostectomy. If the hip dislocates, you can either do 5 figures worth of artificial hip surgery, or you can cut the end of the femoral bone off and anchor it into the "cup" of the hip where it rests, and it will fasten down and eventually internal scarring will create a crude "new hip." I have to assume that something like this occurred naturally in this case. That hip was dangling free without any control, and three months later I often can't pick this squirrel out of a crowd.

Feed the heck out of her. Squirrels are actually the laziest things - if they don't have to forage because they are hungry they like NOTHING so much as a nap. And she is safest in her nest.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Many thanks to CM and especially Tip! (Very Happy Tip recovered)

Wildlifed:

Glad this squirrel comes everyday and you are there for food & water support. Is it possible to trap her to reduce movement ??

[Wildlifed]

Yup. This baby isn't neuro - she is bright and alert - no head drift, no "stargazing." In fact I am 95% sure I know what is happening because Tip taught me that this past winter.

Tip showed up at the Squirrel Cafe in February. I was working in the kitchen and looked up to see a squirrel laying on it's side in the Cafe. I watched while he ate his fill, and as he climbed down and started away, it was obvious that he was laying on his side because his right hind leg was clearly dislocated. In fact, at one point while he was on the platform eating, I could see that it was totally disconnected at the joint - the only thing holding it were tendons, and it swung freely if he wasn't careful. The pain that must have caused made me weak. Any rehabber or vet would have immediately euthanized him.

I have far too many squirrels at the Cafe to set a trap to catch a particular squirrel, and despite his problem staying upright, he could still run, and in fact was clearly a VERY dominant squirrel - it took DAYS before anyone started throwing him out of the food area, and then they only did it with multiple squirrels going after him at the same time. So I did what I usually do - try to stuff the animal as full of food (with hidden vitamins and stuff) EVERY time I see it, so it goes home into it's safe nest and sleeps for half a day. I could usually spot him coming in to the yard due to his issues, and began to keep him eating down on the deck so the others could eat at the platform and leave him alone. 2 giant pecan halves glued together with a wad of nut butter of some kind with Henry's vitamins and extra calcium hidden in it were very popular. He cooperated with my program completely.

Some day I will write up his whole story but cut to the chase...the day I watched him run up the trunk of the big silver maple in my backyard, and hang head down by his BACK FEET to eat a walnut, I knew he was going to be fine. He is hard to pick out now other than being a tad clumsier sometimes but I pick him out more by the other's behavior - his status is back and NOBODY comes for Tip.

I have thought of it a lot. There is a procedure done by vets called an "FHO" or Femoral Head Ostectomy. If the hip dislocates, you can either do 5 figures worth of artificial hip surgery, or you can cut the end of the femoral bone off and anchor it into the "cup" of the hip where it rests, and it will fasten down and eventually internal scarring will create a crude "new hip." I have to assume that something like this occurred naturally in this case. That hip was dangling free without any control, and three months later I often can't pick this squirrel out of a crowd.

Feed the heck out of her. Squirrels are actually the laziest things - if they don't have to forage because they are hungry they like NOTHING so much as a nap. And she is safest in her nest.

That's soon awesome this is what i hope/wish for. A back to normal for the little squirrel ill start feeding her a bit of vitamins with some calcium

[Wildlifed]

Many thanks to CM and especially Tip! (Very Happy Tip recovered)

Wildlifed:

Glad this squirrel comes everyday and you are there for food & water support. Is it possible to trap her to reduce movement ??

I'm an able body but have no idea what's the best way to trap her without causing high stress. If you have any suggestions let me know

[Wildlifed]

Many thanks to CM and especially Tip! (Very Happy Tip recovered)

Wildlifed:

Glad this squirrel comes everyday and you are there for food & water support. Is it possible to trap her to reduce movement ??

I'm an able body but have no idea what's the best way to trap her without causing high stress. If you have any suggestions let me know

[supersquirrelgirl]

This only works if you have a crate or container to hold squirrel ?? Not a box.

[supersquirrelgirl]

This only works if you have a crate or container to hold squirrel ?? Not a box.

If not, I would say continue feeding like you're doing now and forget trapping.

If you are uncomfortable trapping in any way, I would say forget it and do what you're doing

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thinking about trapping again.......If this squirrel goes nuclear in captivity, it really defeats the purpose of trapping to prevent unneeded movement.

Does squirrel live close by ??

[Wildlifed]

Thinking about trapping again.......If this squirrel goes nuclear in captivity, it really defeats the purpose of trapping to prevent unneeded movement.

Does squirrel live close by ??

I can't track her passed my fence. We live in a dense wood area and our neighbors dont really get along with us. Once she goes over I kind just try to hear her steps and see through the cracks where she goes but like I said its a very dense wood area. Today I walked out to see if she was okay and it startled the other squirrels which startled her. She tried running up the fence post but fell down when she was half way up. She just layed there for about 1 min and then just looked over to catch her breath and then went up and over. Breaks my heart seing her struggle to escape not to mention on the other side of that fence ive seen a cat a few times. I also started doing what @crittermom stated and crushed some vitamins and sprinkled abit on 2 pecan halves and stuck em together with nut butter. Thank you all for your suggestions and help.