Paw Injury

[Apple Corps]

Some of you may remember my post about a serious right front arm / leg injury on one of our juveniles. I was confused as she can climb like a rocket and hauls @$$ when so inclined. A couple of days ago I watched her spinning and rolling around for pure joy. She walks as if there is an significant injury but is most mobile.

Now - her leg appears to be improving. She can manipulate filberts and almonds with her hurt paw - so it works. But when not using it the paw remains in a clenched position - almost like a person that has suffered a stroke (I'm not suggesting she had a stroke BTW).

I've trapped a couple of other fuzzers trying to get her - now I'm thinking I may just need to leave things as they are.

Any thoughts as to what may be at play?

[foxsquirrels]

I've never seen anything like that in a squirrel. I've seen something similar in a horse. They remember pain even if it is no longer there and will compensate for it. It's not that it really hurts anymore, they just remember what made it begin to hurt. It's so hard to tell when you can't touch them. I hope she does well and is not really in pain.

[Sciurus1]

I would bring her in for observation and put her in a release cage. At least then she would have much to grip on running around in such a cage, and no one to chase her. You also may be able to check her out then with the help of another of course, to palpate the arm to see if you can detect any break, and be able to observe her for a few days at least to see if she then improves or not.

[Apple Corps]

Oh yes - she is most mobile. For some reason she is leery around the trap and keeps her distance from me - although she is coming closer to me each day.

I'm trying to not push it too much - don't want to scare her off.

[Apple Corps]

Great News - I caught another fuzzer - Bad News - another wrong fuzzer :shakehead :shakehead

This lil guy was in the trap and I was trying to talk him out of it before the door was triggered -no way / no luck - the door is triggered.

He was not too stressed out - only in there for 10 seconds - he hopped out and walked off all of 5 feet before stopping and checking things out.

The one I am trying to trap walked in & got one of the teaser nuts at the entrance and up the tree :shakehead :shakehead

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

lol, they won't be trapped when they know they are wanted !
I would say it sounds like a muscle/ligament issue. A break although fist may be closed would not let the said squirrel run quickly unless very scared and it would be completely favored. If said squirrel uses it I would not think its a break unless its healed incorrectly and put pressure on a muscle.
If you let your hand hang from your arm and then squeeze about 2 inches from your wrist you will see your hand close. Its a reaction and more comfortable to keep this way if you try to open it.

If it is a break it might be to late to do anything unless its re broken and if its a muscle issue nothing can be done except rest and relaxation or surgery depending on why...
JMO

[Apple Corps]

Correct - a re-break may be part of the Tx.

On a really funny note - one of our big squirrels was trying to get at the nuts in the cage. She actually grabbed the side of the cage with her teeth and started dragging towards the tree - she was moving the entire trap :thumbsup :thumbsup

I finally chased her off - at this rate I will catch every other squirrel but the one I need :shakehead :shakehead

[Apple Corps]

Two more squirrels trapped yesterday - both the wrong ones :shakehead

Lil hurt paw is determined to NOT get help :dono :dono

One of the two trapped yesterday was the most "po'd" of the group I have trapped - He went up the pear tree and chattered at me for about 30 seconds - not happy.

[FallensMommie]

Lol....I only have to go out to my garage to get viciously chattered at....and I haven't even done anything :shakehead


Hope you get that injuried one to see what's going on.