Opinions Requested - Gaius finger

[Missouri]

OK.

Here is the one injury I have yet to correct for Gaius.

There is blood flow, or he would of lost it awhile back ago.

Will this be --or develop into --a problem later on?
It causes no pain, is scored, but healed.
It continues to grow, and stay in this ballooned proportion as Gaius grows.

Opinions appreciated.:)

M

http://a467.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/54/l_cee27da9e1c69fab058da08a565a6162.jpg

http://a915.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/115/l_81351ed8a7aab5109589293ec5ed5912.jpg

[Mars]

:thinking do we know what caused it? Is it abcessed? Is there anything grapped around the toe??:thinking

[Sciurus1]

I am sorry to say this, it is LIKELY a tumor, or cyst. I have had two squirrel with ones like this on their toes. The only remedy IF it is a tumor is to have the toe removed. If it is a tumor it will be hard, not watery inside like a cyst is. Cyst or tumor though, it has to be treated. An exotic Vet is what you need to do that, so ask IR about where one may be located in your vacinity. If a tumor, it could be lethal if not treated very soon, that being days, not weeks. IT is then an URGENT condition she has, please then check with IR for an exotic Vet. If you don't have one, perhaps the members can get it to one for you. If the Vet says it will take more than 20 minutes it is the wrong Vet, don't have them do it. We lost one to being under too long, but the other was done and out in 15 minutes. That Vet knew her stuff and squirrels. It makes all the difference, as we sadly found out too late.

[4skwerlz]

I think Mars has a good point. Are you certain there isn't something wrapped around that toe? Even a hair possibly.

Ask LynninIn and Mountainmama to take a look at it also.

[Sciurus1]

That can be easily confirmed or denied, by just doing a simple test, to see if it is hard, or watery. If it were from constriction, it would be watery, if a cyst the same, but if a tumor, it will be hard. It looks like a tumor, having seen both a cyst and a tumor as well myself. Cyst may burst, but reoccur and even become tumors in rodents. Tumors though, continue to grow, and will not resolve. If hard take her to a Vet ASAP, to confirm this. Sadly the only way to remove them is to remove the entire toe. The good knews is that they can survive it if the Vet is experienced at toe removal as to do it fast, in 20 minutes or less, time under anesthesia being an issue as well.

[island rehabber]

Missouri -- here is a list of RODENT-FRIENDLY vets in your state. I would encourage you to have Gaius checked out by one as soon as possible. :)


Missouri

Dr. Teresa Bradley
Belton Animal Clinic
1308 N Scott Ave
Belton, MO 64012
(816) 331-3120
www.beltonanimal.com (http://www.beltonanimal.com/)
(2001--Robin Rysavy)

Tri-City Animal & Bird Clinic
15646 Manchester Rd
Ellisville MO 63011
(636) 227-4041
www.tetranet.net/tricity
(2001--Jennifer Sisson)

Dr. Jim Howard
610 Dix Rd.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 636-4626
(2001--Danel Jones)

Dr. Brock Exline
Hecker Animal Clinic
7240 Wornall Rd
Kansas City MO 64114
(816) 333-4330
(2001--Robin Rysavy)

Dr. J. Stiens
Dr. Kathryn Mainka (2005—Melodi Rayl, melrayl@getatlas.com (http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/F4B4B249/26?To=melrayl@getatlas.com&count=1108149083)) Sunshine Animal Hospital
3235-A East Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65804
417-889-0090
(2004—Peggy Jean Eckl, gecklswife@earthlink.net (gecklswife@earthlink.net))

Dr. James Hackworth
Emergency Veterinary Clinic of SW MO, Inc
2130 S Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65804
417-890-1600
gecklswife@earthlink.net
(2004—Peggy Jean Eckl, gecklswife@earthlink.net (gecklswife@earthlink.net))
This is an EMERGENCY only practice that sees exotics. This vet was extremely knowledgeable - if he had regular vet hours, I'd definitely see him as my regular vet. I believe they open at 5pm on Friday & are open 24 hours until Monday at 8am; and are open on holidays. And the price is reasonable compared to what we pay for exotics at the regular clinics during regular hours! In fact, I paid less at an ER visit here, including meds, than I paid at my regular vet, including meds!

Dr. Fisher
Fisher Animal Hospital
St. Peters, MO
(2000-Nikki Steffe)

Dr. Gwen Heist
Webster Grove Animal Hospital
7979 Big Bend Rd
Webster Grove, MO 63119
314-968-4310
(2003—Lara Crock, l_crock@hotmail.com)
They are open until 2am on most nights but Dr. Heist does not work every day.

[Sciurus1]

If it were me, I would sent your photos to gecklswife@earthlink.net (gecklswife@earthlink.net) as soon as you can, and do that squeeze test on the toe for hardness to let her know if it is hard or not.

[Missouri]

Whoa!

Thanks all. Got your messages.

Gaius was victim of cat bite and had other injuries on back,toes and legs, so I thought this was an injury remnant. If I recall, it was bloody at the time I found her and I used neosporin on it like the the other injuries. They have all healed well and I gave oral broad spectrum ABX early on ( just as I did for Laz when I found her etc)

However, this may be a previous condition that just looked bloody due to other injuries.

My cat brought both Baby Laz and Gaius in through the dog door. He is not much of a hunter, and does not climb, so I assume he finds them on the ground and brings them in. When they don't move around for him to chase, he loses interest. That is how these lil rodents arrive ( or are 'delivered ' ) in my living room.

I tested myself early on and it seems hard and not watery.

I will look closer now and see what I can determine.

Money is short here due to my own disbility status , but I will see what I can do Vet wise.

Missouri is an illegal squirrel ownership state.

I may need to give him over to the State WildLife Rescue in the area to get him the Vet help. ( If they would even do, and not put down)

Glad I posted.

My own Vet is pretty friendly and may do a freebie look at him.

I'll keep you informed as to what transpires.

M

[Sciurus1]

No need to give him over to die to a hard core rehabber. We are the Squirrel Board, and we can help I am sure of it!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:bowdown :thankyou

[Pam]

My own Vet is pretty friendly and may do a freebie look at him.

I'll keep you informed as to what transpires.

M

Have you checked to make sure there is nothing wrapped around the toe? Even a fine piece to string from the nest could be around it.

[Missouri]

The Squirrel Board does it again !!!

:thumbsup :thankyou :bowdown

I just RAN Gaius up to my Vet!!

I confessed I had unwittingly become neighborhood squirrel woman lately and would she give me an opinion on my newest arrival.

She laughed and said "Squirrel Woman huh? Now we know who to call !" LOL

Anyway, she got out her surgery glasses, had a look, and it was CONSTRICTION. She removed what was around it with a surgical instrument and we decided it was a SCAB that had formed from the initial injury a few weeks ago and that the original scab had constricted and dried.

She was fasincated, and I have the little scab wring in a bottle. She said. "Here. Put THAT on your squirrel board !" LOL

"No charge. Community Service" :thumbsup

I'll take a pic of it later.

I put neosporin on it and the swelling should go down over the next 24 hours.

Keep all fingers and toes crossed this is a final fix, and no tumor.

Thanks Thanks All !!

M ( and Gaius)

[TexanSquirrel]

I hope it turns out alright!

[island rehabber]

:wahooGreat vet, and let's hope he's on the road to recovery!! :wahoo

And an extra gold star for the vet for not standing on ceremony and telling you she "doesn't treat wildlife"......:shakehead be careful she may send you all the orphaned squirrel babies now :D

[Sciurus1]

Glad you took her to the Vet, who was able to help her for free. Glad too, you found a Vet you can rely on, the silver lining! Keep us posted. :jump

[Mars]

:multi :multi :multi

[Missouri]

Quick update:

As I promised my Vet " to put THAT on my Squirrel Board" -here is what she removed , embedded under the growing skin at the score of the finger.

The original scab from injury over two weeks ago!

http://a943.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/19/l_82f2e1f26ae1f2c4cbfdb94059309d4e.jpg

The finger swelling is slowly going down.

Another Squirrel Board Succes Story! :multi

I would take a pic of Gaius' finger this morning - but he moves too fast. A real wiggle worm who thinks he can hop and climb, eyes still closed and all!
I belive Gaius Julius Caesar has been aptly named: BLIND Ambition ! LOL

Honest to Pete! How do ANY of these lil squirrel babies stay in the nest ???

Thanks again ALL ! :thankyou :bowdown

M and Gaius

[Jackie in Tampa]

:jump :jump :jump :jump
:thankyou Dr.Vet
:thankyou TSB for being persistant and right:thumbsup
:thankyou Missouri...for being fab!
Sounds like you may be the new nursery!:wahoo :wahoo

[Sciurus1]

Is that bizarre or what? Such good news it is going down; please keep us posted on the progress.

Can we have the info posted on the rice buddy here for our new member, so as to give Gaius something warm to snuggle with.

[Sciurus1]

How is the patient doing today: any more change in the size of the swelled finger?

[Sciurus1]

How is the finger today; has it gone down some? Can you share a photo of it?

[Lady Squirrelly]

Wow, I never would have guessed that such a thing could happen.

So glad his little finger is going to be better.:thumbsup