What are some of the symptoms of a sick squirrel?

Squirrels have adapted to life with humans and are quite at ease in their existence. If you are dealing with an infestation of squirrels, the most excellent way to start is to set traps and then take defensive measures. What are the symptoms of a sick squirrel? Whether there are signs of injuries or not, dehydration and shock are factors that are very important. The squirrels should never be cold and when this happens to the youngsters, it can actually be fatal. You should never try to feed a squirrel while it is cold or in shock.

Water is very essential for purposes of digestion and of depleted; the functions of the body suffer. You need to make sure that the nose of the squirrel is moist and the mouth wet. You can also use the pinch test where you raise the skin at the back of the neck. If you release the skin, it needs to go back to normal immediately. Failure to retract immediately means that the squirrel is dehydrated. You need to take immediate action in such a case.

Squirrels are susceptible to different types of disease and many are yet to be fully understood by vets. There are many symptoms that you should look out and that would tell you that the squirrel is sick and in need of urgent help. They include:

• Wheezing, shivering, sickness, coughing and sneezing

• Discharge from the mouth, nose, eyes and ears

• Lesions, rashes and scabs

• Passing blood or diarrhea

• Having parasites especially when the animal is heavy with fleas

• Spasms, wobbling and seizures

• Injury

You may also be able to notice flesh wounds, broken bones, bleeding and abscesses that can be very severe and this require that you take the animal to the vet immediately. It can be hard to diagnose internal bleeding but symptoms such as severe listlessness, bleeding from the mouth, ears and nose cam actually tell you the animal is in trouble. The squirrels love climbing and sometimes falls do happen. This is one of the ways in which they can sustain serious injuries.

There are other injuries such as scratches, bite and cuts. These types of injuries can be dealt with some level of care and patience. The wound need to be cleaned with a solution which is saline. You should use an antiseptic, not disinfectant to clean the wound.

Go back to the How to Get Rid of Squirrels page or email us if you have any other questions about What are some of the symptoms of a sick squirrel?