Squirrel Kits
Four juvenile squirrels were recently brought to Tucson Wildlife Center, each arriving under very different circumstances.
Two of them are orphans, found out of their nest and unable to survive on their own. At this age, young squirrels are still completely dependent on their mother for warmth, nutrition, and protection—making early intervention critical.
A third was caught by a dog—fortunately, without significant injury—but serves as a reminder of how vulnerable young wildlife can be this time of the year.
The fourth patient raised a different concern. Based on symptoms, our veterinarian team suspected exposure to rodenticide, likely secondhand through the mother. Even indirect exposure can be dangerous, especially with second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, which are designed to persist in the body and cause internal bleeding over time.
To counteract this, this little one is being treated with Vitamin K1, the standard antidote for anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity. Vitamin K1 helps restore the body’s ability to clot blood properly, which these poisons disrupt. Early treatment can make a critical difference in survival.
Spring is baby season for many of our local wildlife, and situations like these highlight three important ways you can help keep them safe: check your yard before letting pets outside, keep dogs supervised or on a leash to prevent accidental encounters with young animals, and avoid the use of rodenticides, which can have unintended and often deadly impacts on wildlife.
Each of these squirrel kits is now receiving the care they need, with the goal of growing strong enough to return to the wild where they belong. As a reminder, if you find a young animal alone, please call TWC for guidance before intervening. This can prevent accidental orphaning and help ensure the best outcome. If you would like to help patients like these squirrels, click this link to donate,
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We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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