Is Anyone On Here A Veterinarian?

[gr8tpanther]

I have a squirrel that my neighbor caught in their TRAP!! they are not home, but the trap door came closed on the squirrels little head. It is still alive and eyes are blinking, but all our local vets are closed and I don't know what to do cause I don't want it to suffer...

I have it here in my lap wrapped in a towel, and I am giving her water by a dropper so she doesn't dehydrate and I flushed out her one eye that looked like it had saw dust in it.

If anyone is a vet, I sure could use some advice.

 

[KathyTX]

Do you have a local Animal Control department?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Is there an emergency vet that is open 24/7? Most areas have at least one you can call.

How about animal shelters?

 

[gr8tpanther]

I called the local SPCA and I called most of the veterinarians in my yellow pages, I can't find anyone who is open OR who has emergency numbers mentioned on their answering machines.... I also am looking for the number for our local game commission, but the lady at the SPCA said that was just a waste of time!?!?!?!

I would gladly keep the little thing till it heals, but I think it is more serious than that

 

[EsmeraldaX]

http://www.squirrel-rehab.org/connections/index.html

Maybe one of these could help?

 

[KathyTX]

Please be aware that a squirrel is a wild rodent, and can carry diseases and host ticks. They also have sharp teeth, and their instinct will be to fight.

Squirrels don't make good pets, and won't be happy being kept captive.

I know they're kind of cute, but please be careful.

 

[gr8tpanther]

OK, I called my local VET, and they are basically reeming me out for handling it first off and telling me that I can't KEEP a squirrel cause it is illegal, so I am to let it DIE????????????

Thanks E-X, I am on that link now.... cross your fingers!!!

 

[gr8tpanther]

Ok, the game commission, much to the SPCA being wrong, is going to help me I think... will keep you posted!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by gr8tpanther
OK, I called my local VET, and they are basically reeming me out for handling it first off and telling me that I can't KEEP a squirrel cause it is illegal, so I am to let it DIE????????????

Thanks E-X, I am on that link now.... cross your fingers!!!

I got treated the same way by a so called emergency vet when I rescued a pigeon with a broken wing while on vacation once. They basically told me to put it outside and let it die. I refused to do so, smuggled the bird into my motel and made a makeshift splint and called another vet the next day who basically told me I was a saint for taking the time to try and help. I guess it depends on the vet. Sadly, the vet tried, but the pigeon did not make it.

Just remember to wash your hands really well each time you touch it, keep it away from your kids and pets, just in case. Chances are, there are no problems, but you never know.

Crossing fingers too. I hate to see little animals hurt.

 

[gr8tpanther]

I wanted to go to school to be a Veterinarian... grrrrrrrr, now would have been a great time to use what I would have learned had I done that!

Anyways... squirrelly is now in a cat carrier till the game commission gets here

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by gr8tpanther
I wanted to go to school to be a Veterinarian... grrrrrrrr, now would have been a great time to use what I would have learned had I done that!

Anyways... squirrelly is now in a cat carrier till the game commission gets here

Wishing the best. Keep us posted.

 

[bballmom56]

Good Luck! Yes, please keep us posted. I wouldn't be able to turn my back on it either.

 

[gr8tpanther]

The game commission came and got the squirrel and basically said they weren't going to help it cause there are TOO many squirrels!!


Well, at least I know I did all I could to help it and I feel better knowing that....


Thanks for the help all!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by gr8tpanther
The game commission came and got the squirrel and basically said they weren't going to help it cause there are TOO many squirrels!!


Well, at least I know I did all I could to help it and I feel better knowing that....


Thanks for the help all!

You did all you could.

 

[CEDmom]

I don't believe in allowing an animal to suffer but weren't you the least bit concerned about injury to yourself or your loved ones when you removed that injured wild animal? It's just something I would never consider doing.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Originally posted by CEDmom

"I don't believe in allowing an animal to suffer but weren't you the least bit concerned about injury to yourself or your loved ones when you removed that injured wild animal? It's just something I would never consider doing. "

Ummmm, I'm not a religious person but I would consider it a selfless act and I'm glad that people are compelled to help others, whether it's animals or people. This last summer when we hosted a child from Chernobyl I was amazed at the few people who thought we were crazy to allow a stranger into our home for 6 weeks. Some even thought it was nuts to have her in our home because she would emit radiation! Always, always follow your heart, especially when there is someone/something in need of your caring.

 

[gr8tpanther]

Originally posted by CEDmom
I don't believe in allowing an animal to suffer but weren't you the least bit concerned about injury to yourself or your loved ones when you removed that injured wild animal? It's just something I would never consider doing.

My kids already had it out of the trap by the time I got home, I didn't think of injury to myself. Heck, I had one as a pet once, he was an awesome pet.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by Cindyluwho
Originally posted by CEDmom

"I don't believe in allowing an animal to suffer but weren't you the least bit concerned about injury to yourself or your loved ones when you removed that injured wild animal? It's just something I would never consider doing. "

Ummmm, I'm not a religious person but I would consider it a selfless act and I'm glad that people are compelled to help others, whether it's animals or people. This last summer when we hosted a child from Chernobyl I was amazed at the few people who thought we were crazy to allow a stranger into our home for 6 weeks. Some even thought it was nuts to have her in our home because she would emit radiation! Always, always follow your heart, especially when there is someone/something in need of your caring.

There is a BIG difference between helping a child and putting yourself and your family at risk from a wild animal!
I am an animal lover and I hate to see animals suffer, but I would never put myself, my pets or my family at risk. I may have released the squirrel from the trap and then let nature take its course. Besides the fact that it is illegal in most areas to keep a wild or game animal as a pet, an injury like that needs to be handles by a trained animal rehabilitator, not a lay person.
And your children should be told not to handle wild animals. Squirrels look cute, but you are lucky none of them got bit or they would be needing very painful rabies shots.

 

[gr8tpanther]

Originally posted by phillybeth
There is a BIG difference between helping a child and putting yourself and your family at risk from a wild animal!
I am an animal lover and I hate to see animals suffer, but I would never put myself, my pets or my family at risk. I may have released the squirrel from the trap and then let nature take its course. Besides the fact that it is illegal in most areas to keep a wild or game animal as a pet, an injury like that needs to be handles by a trained animal rehabilitator, not a lay person.
And your children should be told not to handle wild animals. Squirrels look cute, but you are lucky none of them got bit or they would be needing very painful rabies shots.

I spent my entire childhood nursing injured animals, they are not pets, I heal them and set them free. That is just MY second nature. Always has been, always will be.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by gr8tpanther
I spent my entire childhood nursing injured animals, they are not pets, I heal them and set them free.

That's still illegal. I commend you for your compassion though. To me, it is not worth the risk- I will call the professionals and let them handle it.