baby grey squirrel essex/london

[vanessa1977]

hello, looking for some general advice
i work in a vets and a member of the public brought in a baby grey which had presumably fallen out of its nest and bashed its face. now its teeth are cutting in, it is apparent that the bottom incisors are growing normally but the tops have been pushed in by about 45o so that they are growing into the mouth. it can eat and is growing well, bright and active etc. i would like to know if it is viable long term and as it will have permanent problems with the teeth, if there is anyone in the essex/london etc area who looks after this kind of thing?
thanks

[Hedgehoggy]

Hi Vanessa

Squirrels' lose their milk teeth anytime between 6-12 months old, and their incisors constantly grow thereafter to compensate for heavy wear. There's no way of knowing how this one's adult teeth will grow through until its lost its milk teeth.

I'd suggest contacting London Wildcare Trust hospital for expert advice. I know they used to have a permanent resident squirrel when I worked there many years ago!

London Wildcare Trust - Home

[Maverick47]

The other big problem with this is what to do long term, it can't be released back into the wild, and will need to be housed/fed for a very long time.

More trouble thans it's worth

[Hedge Witch]

Sad to say this, but unless you can find a long term home for this squirrel, I think euthanasia is your only real option. As far as I know it is illegal to release it back into the wild. Sorry!

I hope you can find it a home and somewhere were they have the expertise to treat it.

[Maverick47]

Yes it's illegal (wildlife and countryside act). As this is an alien/pest species.

HW is right, its the only way

[tufftie]

No it isn't illegal that was changed last year. You can now look after and release grey squirrels in most areas of the UK. Vanessa I will send you a pm for somebody your way who will be able to help The top teeth are important for cracking nuts - depends how bad it is but no reason that he should be put down..hopefully.

[Maverick47]

Originally Posted by tufftie

No it isn't illegal that was changed last year. You can now look after and release grey squirrels in most areas of the UK. Vanessa I will send you a pm for somebody your way who will be able to help The top teeth are important for cracking nuts - depends how bad it is but no reason that he should be put down..hopefully.

Sorry but thats a load of old tosh, I'm sure that our endangered red squirrel population will be delighted to hear this

Gamekeepers and wildlife rangers across the country will all have to stop trapping and shooting the tree rats with immediate effect.......I don't think so.

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Maverick47

Sorry but thats a load of old tosh, I'm sure that our endangered red squirrel population will be delighted to hear this

Gamekeepers and wildlife rangers across the country will all have to stop trapping and shooting the tree rats with immediate effect.......I don't think so.

I think you'll find they can be released but only if the person releasing has applied for and got a licence to do so. (That's what I've read on media reports anyway)

[Gaina]

Originally Posted by agrumpycow

I think you'll find they can be released but only if the person releasing has applied for and got a licence to do so. (That's what I've read on media reports anyway)

I was watching 'Wildlife SOS' recently where they released some young greys back to the area they'd been rescued from (I believe the nest was blown out of trees) and Simon Cowell (the man who runs it) explained that they had the proper licenses to do this....Vanessa, I'll send you a PM with a link to the rehab center.

[tufftie]

I also know of a vet your way who will treat him for free and somewhere close where he can go for rehab. PM me if you want the details. The vet is very good and had one of my squirrels for a while