Blaze has a broke toe...

[pamela lee]

I think. I have decided to call the little guy I got in with the bloody nose Blaze. His nose and lip are fine now but I just noticed one of his toes is very swollen. When I got him in I noticed a tiny scab on the toe but nothing else. I can move the toe and it feels broke but doesn't seem to bother him at all. Do you think it's infected and he'll need antibiotics and that's why it's swollen or will he just loose it like Sissy's Joey?

[Scrapsmommy]

Awwww poor little guy!!! I dont know but i just wanted you to know i am thinking of him and hoping it will get better on its own! u feel so bad for them when they are hurt.

[Mars]

Most likely if it is just broken it will heal just fine though he may have limited use of it. The death of toes seen in Joey was caused by a lack of circulation. Are the feets warm or cold? Coldness could indicate a lack or circulation.

[pamela lee]

His little toes are nice and warm.

[Mars]

:thumbsup

[squirrel princess]

Swollen for sure wonder how he managed that:thinking boy the mishaps these guys can get in:osnap

[Sciurus1]

I shouldn't say much, surely you know what you are doing. Just thought to ask from the photos, is any sign of an absess perhaps: the toe does look very swollen. What is that dark thing, or spot on top of the toe, do you know?

[JLM27]

If it is an infection shouldn't he have antibiotics? How can you tell if a squirrel toe is broken? Does he have pain? Does he squirm or holler when you move his toe? Could another critter have bitten it? There was a case of toe-biting through a cage on TSB a short while ago.

[Sciurus1]

Sorry I missed your note on there being no feeling of pain there, which is very atypical response for an absess or break in this area. Broken bones, or an absess found in this area would be very sensitive to touch, and painful, due to the numerous nerve endings located there, yet tumors are not senstive to touch, and do not even hurt when squeezed. I am concerned then it may not be due to a fracture, but a possible separated toe joint, from the growth of a tumor in this area. If it were though from the swelling associated with a break, it could be then acting like a splint for a break, yet with the possibility of infection in this area, it would still need to be checked by a Vet, to determine that one way or the other, unless pus begins to come out of the enlarged area. In the case of infection, or a tumor, both being time sensitive issues, that are potentially life threatening, it is needful to take this squirrel ASAP to a Vet, for proper diagnisis and treatment.

[digiandchipper]

Any news on Blaze???:Love_Icon

[pamela lee]

Blaze went to see the vet yesterday and he doesn't have any breaks that they could see on the x-rays. The toes are not infected but we did discover that he doesn't have full use of one of his back feet. He also has a slightly swollen toe on that foot as well. He still has pain response in the back foot just doesn't really use it. He'll be overwintering so that will give me plenty of time to see if he'll get the use back if not he'll have a FOREVER home here with me. He opened his eyes today. He's such a sweet little man. This is a video of him using that foot.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/peanutsmom26/th_MOV06287.jpg (http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee159/peanutsmom26/?action=view&current=MOV06287.flv)

[digiandchipper]

Thanks for the update - he is so precious.........maybe his little foot will get better with your loving care:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Sciurus1]

Good you took him to confirm or deny the break. Now that it has shown not to be broken, and not infected, what the cause of this swelling, or enlargement is, is a matter of concern, whether then edema in the toes, cysts, tumors, or something else.