What Are Signs a Baby Squirrel is Sick?
You’ve probably been noticing your baby squirrel’s lethargic behavior, or maybe it has been eating in the corner and suddenly charged at its sibling. While this is not a normal behavior for a baby squirrel, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as encephalomyocarditis. Here are some other symptoms you may see, too. Weakness and dehydration.
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Lethargic behavior
A baby squirrel who is in danger of dying will exhibit a lethargic behavior. Other symptoms include diarrhea, loss of weight, and spasms. It may also turn gray or have spots on its body. These symptoms are common with illnesses like rabies, bubonic plague, or internal organ infection. A veterinarian should be contacted if a baby squirrel begins to exhibit any of these symptoms.
If you find your baby squirrel acting lethargic, it may be suffering from a virus. Squirrels are highly intelligent animals. Their funky personalities, speed, and energy make them amazing pets. In general, baby squirrels are able to function independently between 10 and 12 weeks old, so you may not need to intervene too often. But if you notice a baby squirrel acting lethargic or losing its appetite, it may be a sign that they are sick.
Weakness
Despite its small size, a baby squirrel may be extremely weak. Symptoms of an illness include loss of energy, reduced body weight, and baldness. There may also be visible tumors or spots on the squirrel’s skin. Sick squirrels may also be a bit lethargic and exhibit a high fever. A bald squirrel can be a sign of internal organ infection, rabies, or another condition.
Another possible weakness in a baby squirrel is its inability to swallow formula. Since infants require mother’s milk to grow and develop, it is important to keep it supplied. You can feed your baby squirrel puppy milk replacement formula, but do not give it human formula, goat milk, or cow milk. In fact, a baby squirrel may only be able to take in a few drops of formula at a time, so keep this in mind when feeding your squirrel.
Dehydration
When a squirrel is sick, you should immediately take it to a Wildlife Rehabilitator. Leaving a baby squirrel unattended can be very dangerous. Providing improper care for squirrels can lead to their death. For more information, read the tips below. If you do decide to raise the squirrel yourself, make sure that it receives the proper care. Baby squirrels should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold.
When a baby squirrel becomes dehydrated, it cannot properly function its digestive system or other bodily functions. You can perform a skin turgor test by gently grasping the back skin. If the skin retracts immediately when you release the pinch, the squirrel is dehydrated. If dehydration is the main cause, a veterinarian can prescribe a solution to restore the squirrel’s fluid balance. The powder is available at vets.
Symptoms of encephalomyocarditis
Symptoms of encephalomyocarditis in baby squirrels include loss of energy, thinning of the skin, and grayish pink lips. If you notice one of these symptoms in your baby squirrel, seek medical attention immediately. This virus infects the heart and skeletal tissues, and causes inflammation and degeneration. In severe cases, it can damage the nervous system. Although there is no specific treatment for the disease, it can be treated with the appropriate antibiotics.
While rabies is a serious disease, squirrels rarely contract it. In fact, squirrels are not known to transmit rabies to humans in the United States. In some cases, however, squirrels may contract a fatal roundworm parasite. The resulting signs and symptoms look similar to those of rabies. Because of the danger of rabies, it is important to limit your baby’s exposure to ground squirrels.
Symptoms of rabies
If you think that you have found a squirrel with rabies, the first thing you need to do is rinse the bite. In addition to this, the rabies-infected squirrel might also have internal injuries, such as a lung contusion. This is the result of bleeding inside the body, which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. If a squirrel does show any of these symptoms, it is likely that it has the disease. If the squirrel dies of the disease, however, it is unlikely that it is infected.
Typically, symptoms of rabies start two to eight weeks after exposure, although the incubation period can vary. Early signs of rabies include a fever, headache, and pain in the area of exposure. The disease rapidly progresses to cause severe neurological illness, which may include agitation, difficulty swallowing, and paralysis. Eventually, the patient will die. Rabies is spread through broken skin and saliva.
What are some signs that a baby squirrel is sick?
Lack of interest in eating or drinking Lethargy Difficulty breathing Fluffy or patchy fur Discharge from the eyes or nose Swelling Bald patches.
What can you do if you find a sick baby squirrel?
If you find a sick or injured baby squirrel you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
Why is it important to get a sick baby squirrel to a wildlife rehabilitator?
A wildlife rehabilitator will be able to give the baby squirrel the proper care it needs to get better.
What should you not do if you find a sick baby squirrel?
Do not try to feed the baby squirrel yourself as you may do more harm than good.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is dehydrated?
One way to tell if a baby squirrel is dehydrated is by checking if its eyeballs appear sunken.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel is malnourished?
One way to tell if a baby squirrel is malnourished is by checking its fur.
If the fur is patchy or thin this may be a sign of malnutrition.
What are some common diseases that can affect baby squirrels?
Common diseases that can affect baby squirrels include parvovirus distemper and mange.
What is parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a virus that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea in baby squirrels and can often lead to death.
What is distemper?
Distemper is a virus that affects the respiratory gastrointestinal and nervous systems of baby squirrels.
It is often fatal.
What is mange?
Mange is a parasitic skin disease that can be caused by either mites or fleas.
It can lead to hair loss itching and skin irritation.
How can you prevent baby squirrels from getting sick?
One way to prevent baby squirrels from getting sick is by ensuring that they are vaccinated against common diseases.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel has mange?
One way to tell if a baby squirrel has mange is by checking for bald patches on its skin.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel has parvovirus?
One way to tell if a baby squirrel has parvovirus is by checking for severe vomiting and diarrhea.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel has distemper?
One way to tell if a baby squirrel has distemper is by checking for respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing.
What should you do if you think a baby squirrel has mange?
If you think a baby squirrel has mange you should take it to a vet or a wildlife rehabilitator to be treated.

Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.