My paralyzed 7mo old got tangled in her netting & now won't eat & is lethargic. Help!

[Queue]

Squirt is paralyzed. She got tangled in her nesting cloths. She was tangled long enough to cut off the circulation & causing one paralyzed foot to swell. She has been chewing on it since it swelled up. Swellings gone down but she has been lethargic - not eating or drinking very much. She only lets me hold her. Anyone have any ideas of what's going on with her after the entanglement?

Susan M

[supersquirrelgirl]

I bet Squirt was quite scared being tangled-up and not able to get free. Maybe extra terror for being a paralyzed squirrel. Her foot swelled up so could there be pain if she was twisting and turning to get out ?? You think she has some pain ??

My guess would be a good fright or pain. Either way, she might need a little time to relax and calm down. Go slow.

[CritterMom]

If you can give us her weight, some infant ibuprofen will take a lot of the pain away.

[olorin19]

Squirt is paralyzed. She got tangled in her nesting cloths. She was tangled long enough to cut off the circulation & causing one paralyzed foot to swell.

Susan M

I would get rid of those nesting cloths and any other material that Squirt’s claws can get stuck in. Fleece works very well, as their claws do not get stuck.

With neuros, this is an even bigger issue, as they may lack the ability to get themselves unstuck.

[Queue]

Thank you! Right now she is glued to my chest. Sh is 419 grams. I replaced her nesting with non seemed small squares of cloth. No yarn, no strings.
She has a stacked her foot Together, she visits but is barely eating & drinking. She loves yogurt. Would that be okay for her to try?

Susan & Squirt

[olorin19]

Knit cloth, even very fine like a sheet or pillow case, can still trap those tiny claws. You want fleece, which does not have the loops.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thank you! Right now she is glued to my chest. Sh is 419 grams. I replaced her nesting with non seemed small squares of cloth. No yarn, no strings.
She has a stacked her foot Together, she visits but is barely eating & drinking. She loves yogurt. Would that be okay for her to try?

Susan & Squirt

I'm sure hearing and feeling momma's heartbeat is so comforting! I'm sure giving Ms Squirt a small yogurt treat won't hurt. Maybe mix with a little water to keep her hydrated. Maybe sneak a little ibuprofen in too?? We can help you with dose amount if needed (no pressure). How is the leg doing ??

Mr.SSG

[Queue]

Thank you to everyone! She is feeling better, she finally took a good drink of water. Her foots better, she hasn't bit it lately. She has snuggled all day.

Susan & Squirt

[supersquirrelgirl]

Just curious......In you posted picture, looks like her foot is red is that the injured foot from being tangled ??

[Queue]

Yes, that was the one that swelled up. She chewed on both badly when she first discovered them but has not touched either foot until this happened. I put betadine on it & she's leaving it alone.

She's starting to eat the rat chow that my husband uses to make their block. But she doesn't want the block right now. She is drinking pretty good & wetting & pooping but her poop appears very dry or sticky, not her normal bm.

Susan

[supersquirrelgirl]

Her foot in the picture looks pretty red. I wonder if that's painful ?? Can you post a few pictures ??

As CritterMom suggested, maybe infants ibuprofen would help with pain ?? Just need her weight for dosing.

[Queue]

She's moving around more but she is still chewing on her foot.

She eats fresh veggies & rat chow. She sticks her nose up for her block, which she used to love.

Susan

[supersquirrelgirl]

Good that she's eating and drinking. Does she have feelings in her foot ??

If the foot is still very red and/or slightly swollen, might be time for topical betadine dapping. Can you post an updated picture?

[CritterMom]

I sent you dosing for the infant ibuprofen a couple days ago. If the foot hurts and she is chewing because of that, relieving the pain may stop the self mutilation... You just need a 1ml syringe. Most of them LOVE the taste so it usually isn't hard to give.