Eastern Gray Squirrel #16-2518

Species Name (EN): 
Species Name (LA): 
Admission Date: 
December 14, 2016
Location of Rescue: 
Staunton, Virginia
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Poisoned
Prognosis: 
Outcome: 
Euthanized December 19, 2016
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive

On December 14, homeowners in Staunton found an injured squirrel in their driveway. The homeowners had recently put out several rat poison stations around their yard to control the rodent population.

Dr. Ernesto examined the female squirrel at admission, and found her to be depressed and not standing, but was in good body condition. No fractures or obvious injuries were found, though during the physical exam, the squirrel started seizing. Based on the lack of physical injuries and the presence of neurologic signs, combined with case history, Dr. Ernesto believes that the squirrel ingested the rat poison.

The squirrel was given fluids and Vitamin K, which assists with blood-clotting. Rat poison works by inhibiting an animal's Vitamin K production, and in turn, the affected animal bleeds to death internally. The squirrel's prognosis is grave.

Rat poison does not simply target rats; many wild (and domestic) animals can ingest and be affected by poison. In turn, predators -- including hawks, owls, falcons, foxes, bobcats, and more -- can be poisoned when they eat affected prey. For more information, visit: www.raptorsarethesolution.org.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide medical care to this poisoned squirrel  ... and to the 2,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year.

Updates

December 19, 2016

On Saturday, December 17, Dr. Peach checked on squirrel #16-2518. The poisoned squirrel did not show any signs of improvement and was unable to stand and eat on her own. Dr. Peach made the decision to humanely euthanize the squirrel to end her suffering.

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