Sick Red Squirrel

[Red Squirrel]

Do we have anyone on WAB that might be able to give me some info on this sick squirrel please?

I saw it this morning on the lawn looking a bit lost. It then came and sat on the ledge that goes around the conservatory, looking in at me. That's not unusual they very often do that but it sat there for ages and that is unusual.

I went out and spoke to it gently and it didn't move so I realised there was something wrong with it. Using thick leather gloves I picked it up and put it in the tub. I rang SPCA (RSPCA equivalent) for advice. Said they would send someone to collect it.

She said she would keep it till morning then take it to the animal rescue.
I offered to keep it myself and take it to the vets if it was still alive. She agreed.

It seems as though it has something wrong with it's nervous system. It goes through the motion of eating with jerky head movements but doesn't seem to be eating properly. Almost as if it's miming. It doesn't show any signs of fear which is also odd.

I took some video, what do you think?

‪Sick squirrel‬‏ - YouTube

[eeyore]

my first thought was parapox but its not showing symptoms - I'd have said that its suffered a blow to the head or maybe the spinal cord , or some other trauma as it clearly aint right

it needs to go to a wildlife hospital now - not wait til morning, theres a map linked from wabs home page that will help you find a local one, most are staffed 24/7 and many will collect.

[Farplace]

I agree with eeyore. Probably head or spinal injury. Needs attention today, urgently.

[eeyore]

you dont say exactly where you are and southwest scotland is quite a big area but these links may be useful

Contact Hessilhead
Animal rescue - animal shelters and rehoming
http://britishwildlifehelpline.com/c...0Scotland.html

[Wild-Woman]

In a way I suppose it's encouraging by the fact that it is attempting to eat.
I do hope it makes it.

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for the info eeyore. One of the contacts is to far away. Another is only manned part time and difficult to get help from. I knew about that one as I would have taken the jay that I found earlier this week if needed.

The other one is constantly engaged.

[Red Squirrel]

Got through to the Mossburn rescue centre who then suggested I get in touch with Hessilhead which I did.

The helpful lady suggested food, water and warmth and vets in the morning. Neither of us felt that a vet would see the squirrel on a Sunday evening.

The squirrel is still alive and I've brought it into the unheated conservatory.
Fresh bedding and food has been given.

I'll keep you updated.

[~T~]

I don't have any advice other than to say Hessihead are excellent and will do their utmost to help if they can.

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Red Squirrel

It seems as though it has something wrong with it's nervous system. It goes through the motion of eating with jerky head movements but doesn't seem to be eating properly. Almost as if it's miming. It doesn't show any signs of fear which is also odd.

Hi Red Squirrel .... I've looked at your video, but the jerky movements are actually quite consistent and not abnormal for this species.

I agree though that the squirrel is not feeding normally, but it is a good sign that it is attempting to eat. What is immediately noticable is that it is not holding the food correctly, which might indicate some limitation of movement in the arms ... that might be as a result of a physical injury, or indeed some neurological damage as the aftermath of a concussion.

A few years ago we had an adult female red squirrel brought in that had suffered a fall and some head trauma. Although she recovered from the concussion quite quickly, she was left with a paralysed right arm ... which meant infortunately that she wasn't a suitable candidate for release, but she did settle down well and lived out the remainder of her life here in apparent contentment with her lot and not overly handicapped in what she was capable of.

Your squirrel does need to be fully assessed to check just what its limitations might be .... based on your video clip, I'd first be checking those arms for possible fractures ... you could also check for possible visual impairment by getting it to follow your (gloved) finger from one side of the its head to the other. Also check its olifactory system is working OK by offering something temptingly smelly, such as a piece of banana, apple or melon. But don't put off having it examined thoroughly by a vet.

Incidentally, it's worth remembering that every vet practice in the UK, must, by law, operate a 24hr contact service ... so you should always be able to speak to a vet to get further advice. If you do have to visit them afterhours however, they are quite entitled to charge you accordingly for the privilege.

If your local vet is unable to provide the necessary expertise with red squirrels (and it's probably unreasonable to expect they will), the Exotic Animal Clinic at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School at Easter Bush, Roslin, outside Edinburgh is worth contacting (http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departme...mergencyclinic) ... to be put in touch with possibly the most experienced and helpful wildlife vets in the country.

Should your squirrel require longterm care, then undoubtably Hessilhead is the best equipped and experenced rescue centre in your region.

Best of luck.

[Red Squirrel]

Just to let you know that squirrel died yesterday evening.

Having watched the reds on a daily basis for 11 years I felt that this one wouldn't survive but we always hope don't we?

Thank you for all your advice and contacts which will be kept for future reference.

I have removed the video but will save it just in case anyone wants to use it for reference.