From DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center
Patient of the Week
Have you ever heard of a rat king? Maybe don't look it up, the photos can be a bit disturbing. It's when a group of rats get their tails intertwined together and become one large mass, unable to pull apart. Sometimes there is material that is making the entanglement worse like hair, garbage, or sticky residues. Now, how about a squirrel king?
I'm not sure what the rescuer of this ball of fur thought, but good for her for managing to contain this understandably agitated group of six juvenile eastern gray squirrels. Thankfully, all the squirrels were alive and in relatively good condition! They were quickly sedated for detangling and assessment. Watch the process in a video in the comments. While they may not look alive in the video and photos, all six are alive and well, just sedated for this delicate procedure.
While unbraiding their tails, some plastic and hay was discovered in the mix. We didn't find any in this case, but squirrels can get sap on their fur that can contribute to this. Unfortunately, their tails were cold and swollen in spots, which will lead to partial amputations for these babies. But a better alternative than staying stuck together!
Two days after intake, the squirrels had surgery to remove the tips of their tails that were permanently damaged from the entanglement. They all lost about half of their tail, but it won't prevent them from eventual release. There are many partial-tailed squirrels doing just fine in the wild (one is a regular visitor in our preserve)!
So far in life, these squirrels have had to do everything together. Den together. Eat together. Go to the hospital together. Even have surgery together! I'm sure as they get older, they will be happy to explore what the natural world has to offer and make their own way.
Plastic, straw, and fur were mixed up in the tangle of tails.
Making progress- halfway there! I can't imagine trying to do this without sedation!
Once they are separated, each gets a shot to reverse the sedation, medications, and fluids before getting set up in the hospital. Surgery in a couple days will be needed to address their damaged tails.
This was found tangled in with their tails.
One early riser, but still out of it. Can't imagine what is going on in that little head.
This group of siblings is five males and one female. They look pretty cute all lined up.
A couple days later, the squirrels had surgery. Two groups of three each at a time makes for a quicker procedure.
The tips of their tails were snipped off where there was permanent damage, then sutured and bandaged.
Post-surgery, these cuties were still feeling sleepy. We will be able to tell this litter from the others!
Their tails should heal quickly, as long as they stay clean and calm. Maybe wishful thinking for a group of juvenile squirrels?
