GRAPHIC PHOTOS

Woodchuck

Wednesday - June 3, 2020

This last week has presented us with a variety of animals needing help. Although we are currently on an intake hold for baby animals, our services are still available for injured wildlife since we know how difficult it is to find help for them.

On Saturday, we received a call regarding an adult woodchuck who was found on her rescuer's engine...after a 90 minute drive north. The woodchuck was a 3.19 kg (7.02 lb) nursing mom and we knew right away her front left foot was damaged, but we were not anticipating how much her condition would dwindle over the course of a few days. Loading her up with subcutaneous fluids, pain medications, antibiotics, and adding colloidal silver and sugar to her care plan, we gave everything we could to help her, but yesterday morning we knew something more was going on considering the amount of blood found in her enclosure. We immediately brought her to the vet.

Unfortunately, the heat from the engine not only burned her, but the tissue took a few days to die off and the skin on her neck detached, exposing the entire area...her left leg was also beyond saving. The smell of rotting flesh filled the room and after deliberating with the Veterinarian, humane euthanasia was the course of action we chose to move forward with.

This is wildlife rehabilitation. It is not easy...and horrific sights are part of the job. Although euthanasia is not how we wanted this case to end, it was the kindest gift we could offer this little lady. The problem: We are still financially responsible for the medical care provided, regardless of the final disposition. Cases like this use up a lot of supplies and as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, we are only able to continue helping animals in the capacity in which we do, with your support!

Thank you for helping us save wildlife!

Ps With the increase of people staying home and vehicles not being used, please check around/under your vehicle before driving...especially if it has sat for awhile. Animals tend to use vehicles as a temporary shelter and unfortunately situations like this occur often.

Thank you to the rescuers for bringing her in, had she just been released in nature, she would have had a very painful, agonizing death. We are thankful to have been able to prevent that. We also asked for them to notify the people in the area where the vehicle was sitting, to keep a look out for babies. Unfortunately, as far as we know, they have yet to be found.