Source
r/squirrels•
StruggleBasic

Squirrel struggling to breathe, tail hair nearly completely gone

Help! Injured or Ill Adult Squirrel!

It looks like a bit of his nose has been bitten off, or there is something stuck on it. It keeps coming to my window and standing there staring at me. I woke up this morning to it at my bedside table by my feet staring at me, thought it was hissing until it came back at my window. What can I do to help? Should I try to get a photo? It lets me sit next to it, but if I try to reach my hand it runs off and returns shortly.

Edit next morning: Squirrel has returned to me, watching me at my window while I slept. He was nibbling on anything that looked good. Gave him water, then he climbed up to the 7th story before I could get him food

Posted Jan 2, 2022, 11:32 AM UTC · edited

1316
feverxdreams•

I’ve seen squirrels ask for help when they need help. Call a wildlife place

6
StruggleBasicOP•

The squirrel has sadly not returned to me for hours, I saw it perched on a tree a good distance away from me for about half an hour and have not seen it since. Still worth calling? I might see if it returns to me in the morning, squirrels in my area usually do

3
feverxdreams•

Yeah if it returns I think. Maybe put a box out and some water or nuts if you have them.. maybe it could gain a bit of energy. Poor guy

2
chainsawinsect•

This poor little guy is not going to make it without professional care 😔

2
StruggleBasicOP•

Everywhere is over an hour away, with taking multiple trains and collectively a 30 minute walk. The mud has come off a bit, there is a bloody scab and I've been feeding him and giving him water.

2
2_Impfinity_N_Beyond•

If you're worried about rabies then you should just give it some warm water or milk and see if she drinks it. She does seem like In trouble. Honestly I have no idea of western Squirrels. If you really want to help her then Maybe try to give her food in a box or cage and catch her and take her to vet or animal care shelter or something. You'd like to see her wounds amd treat it but I don't see her letting you touch so that's not going to work I suppose.

Can't say if she's really hissing or in pain or looking for help or something. You want to make sure not to let her bit you, just in case.

5
StruggleBasicOP•

The first time I came over to the squirrel, it tried to bite my fingers. Not sure if it thought I had food or not, will try warm water/milk. Unfortunately hasn't returned in over 10 minutes now

5
jojokitti123•

Squirrels are not rabie vectors

3
2_Impfinity_N_Beyond•

Oh so they don't get rabies?

2
jojokitti123•

It's EXTREMELY rare

1
Seasplash•

More like they don't transmit it to others.

1
The-City-Is-A-Drag•

Their actions seem to say they are used to being fed by people but they don’t trust you yet. That is why they are willing to come to you but run off. As for the fingers. If they are used to people feeding them, hands mean food.

4
StruggleBasicOP•

That makes sense, I see a lot of people feeding them.

2
jojokitti123•

It needs help, in some form.

3
ChicagoSquirrelLover•

Put out nuts ("raw", unsalted and unroasted) and water to keep him fed and watered. And then locate a wildlife rehabber in your area. If you can't find one call a vet clinic and ask if they know of one. Thank you for caring!!

2
StruggleBasicOP•

The closest wildlife rehab is over an hour away, with taking multiple trains and overall about a 30 minute walk. I have been feeding him and giving him water, the mud seems to have come off a bit while doing this and he has some bloody scabs around the area.

2