From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-03-23 23:34:22 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] URGENT: squirrel?????
To: Mohr <mohr@wonderferret.com>
cc: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0303231834050.64558-100000@login7.isis.unc.edu>
Natasha,
I have never heard that squirrels carry canine distemper. Now raccoons
and foxes, yes, they can. There are probably external parasites like
fleas that could be shared, but I don't know of anything really dangerous
for the ferrets that the squirrel could be carrying. If anyone knows
otherwise about squirrels, though, please reply.
Especially since the squirrel is injured, s/he really needs to get some
expert care. There is generally a good network of wildlife rehabilitators
around the country; usually there is no fee for turning an animal over
(although they might ask for an optional donation sometimes). Hopefully
there is someone near you. Here are a couple of lists to check:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
http://wildliferehabber.com/contacts.htm
If no one is close, start calling around to places near you: emergency
vets, state wildlife agency, local humane society. Many state wildlife
agencies list licensed rehabbers in their state on their websites, so that
might be someplace else to look. In any case, one of these sorts of
places should be able to direct you to someone who can help. There might
be other ideas here:
http://www.nwrawildlife.org/documents/jacobs_mammals.PDF
Best wishes,
-Pam S.