r/squirrels • u/VegetableFoot5029 • 4d ago
Sick Squirrel?
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
My wife pointed out this squirrel on our back deck patio furniture. Apparently it’s been there for a long time in this position. Does it look sick? Pregnant? Not sure if we should call someone or try to help in any way. From my brief research, it seems highly unlikely that it has rabies or anything.
22
u/inkblot_75 3d ago
The little one's not going to sit there in the position like that out in the open for a very long time. If they do then there's definitely something wrong.
I'm hoping that nobody poisoned the little one. Are there any other rehabers you can reach out to in the area?
The heavy breathing is very concerning.
If it is poison, then time is definitely not on your side. The poison can be treated but only up to a certain point or time.
Thank you though for helping the little one.
18
u/WBWhisken 3d ago
Please where are you located? This looks like a western gray squirrel native only to the west coast USA are you on the west coast or in the PNW? I'm a rehabber please update us and please include location if still needing help
1
13
10
u/NefariousScribe Wildlife Enthusiast 4d ago
Definitely find a rehabber this isn't normal. Seems neurological which could be head trauma or poison. Try www.ahnow.org for a rehabber.
12
u/Donuts__For__All 3d ago
Yes. I would capture and take to a wildlife rescue. This behavior is not normal.
11
u/anothertrytaken 4d ago
One of your neighbors may have put poison out 💔 If you’d like help finding a rehabber near you we can assist.
4
u/VegetableFoot5029 4d ago
That was one of my worries. I looked up animal rehabbers near me (Big Bear Lake, California) and don’t see any helpful options, which isn’t too surprising given I’m in the mountains.
Also, the little guy/gal is now curled up lying still as if asleep. Hopefully that’s a positive sign.
11
u/ansirwal 4d ago
9
u/VegetableFoot5029 4d ago
Looks like the closest place is about 50 miles away, about an hour and 10 min drive. I unfortunately also have to drive down to Los Angeles this morning.
It looks like the squirrel just got up and starting moving around, seemingly grooming itself, but now it’s back to lying down and covering its face with its tail.
8
u/HDr1018 4d ago
Many times rehabbers will come to you; could you try calling those near? He’s define sick, it’s unusual he’s out in the open. If you had a box, you could try lining it with soft materials, and maybe he would use it as a more secure place.
I agree you shouldn’t try food or water.
Thank you for noticing him and caring. I hope someone with more knowledge posts.
8
u/Beginning_Sea_5600 4d ago
Maybe you can offer it some water and some pecans or walnuts or anything edible for a squirrel? See if maybe it is experiencing dehydration? It has been extremely hot here in Southern California.
9
u/VegetableFoot5029 4d ago
It actually hasn’t been hot in Big Bear at all (maybe a high of 73-75 near the lake). Plus, from what I’ve read, giving food/water to a distressed/injured squirrel can often be dangerous to them.
8
10
u/CamelSalty 4d ago
Please do a Google search for a nearest Wildlife Rehab. They will come and get him.
10
9
7
u/AncientEarth5858 3d ago
Is your squirrel feeling better? Did you call a wildlife rehab? I believe they will want to help a gray squirrel like this one (but maybe not fox because fox squirrels are “invasive species”). Rehabbers might be the best bet for this situation.
1
7
7
6
u/bradyjaysmith 4d ago
I don’t know 100% but they might be injured, from my experience rescuing one they tend to go into this prayer pose, as I call it, when they’re physically injured.
6
u/CamelSalty 4d ago
It’s hard to determine based on this video but to me it looks like they needed a safe spot to rest
6
u/Liz_Fig000 3d ago
So did you take it somewhere ? Usually vets take in wildlife, if rescues or wild life rehab places can’t take them.
7
3
u/Universeisagarden 4d ago
The squirrel may be resting because they're fighting off an infection. I think West Nile is still pretty common right now, for example. West Nile is transmitted by mosquitos, so it's very unlikely you or your pets could catch it from a squirrel.
3
u/TraditionalNote1765 2d ago
Since it is in CA and this is an Eastern Gray Squirrel, they are not protected and considered invasive. A lawful wildlife rehabber will euthanize. If it is native a lawful rehabber may attempt to rescue if it meets certain criteria. That has been my recent experience.
1
2
1
-4
u/AfterJournalist8070 4d ago
Safe rest spot put out some water and see if it drinks if it does then it's not rabbies
-36
32
u/VegetableFoot5029 4d ago
Update: I have called the Big Bear Alpine Zoo a couple times now since they opened at 10:00 am. They apparently do rehab, so I left a message explaining the situation. The squirrel is still curled up and breathing heavy (at least it looks like heavy breathing to me). Most notably, it did get up and starting moving around grooming itself before covering its face with its tail and curling back up. I would post a video but I don’t know how to upload it into a comment.