Broken ankle on flying squirrel.

[oldsoldier]

This afternoon a black rat snake climbed one of the columns on our porch, crawled 6 feet on a one inch ledge and got to our flying squirrel's cage. For some reason, Angus came out of his nesting box and the snake managed to break his right hind ankle. There is no open wound, no bleeding but his back foot is just flopping uselessly! I called every veterinarian in the area and finally reached one but he can't see him until tomorrow afternoon. He isn't optimistic!
I have him in a small dark box to try to keep him as immobile as possible and his appetite doesn't seem to be affected. He allowed me to take him out of his cage and has his usual sweet disposition but I am worried sick! Some of you helped me when I found him orphaned last October and we made it through getting fur, opening his eyes, weaning and learning to "fly." Any suggestions?
Joel

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Some one will be on shortly..hold tight...Joel..

[Anne]

Joel, where in Georgia are you? Do you have a good vet by you? I am just outside (south of)Jacksonville, FL. Have excellent vets here, even Exotic vets; I am sure one can help your little flyer. I had a vet here pin the broken leg of a pet mouse! About the same size as a flyer.

[Momma Squirrel]

Thanks Anne for responding, I was just about to put out some feelers to see if I could get someone to respond thanks, sure hope we can get this little one some help. :grouphug

[oldsoldier]

Anne... thanks for being there! I am in south central Ga- about sixteen miles south of Griffin. There are no vets here who work with really small animals and most don't want to work with wildlife (I don't mean that in a derogatory sense - it just isn't their area of expertise). This little guy is as important to me as a child and even now after all of this he is calm and is taking water and food. I'll do whatever I have to do to help him but the one vet in our area who even agreed to look at him said he doesn't have much of a chance and he can only assess and try to get me in contact with one of the universities.
Joel

[Momma Squirrel]

Joel I am NO expert but always seek second opinions, don't ever underestimate these little guys, they can be very strong and resiliant. I know we can pull together and get you the help you need one way or the other :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hey Joel, good idea quiet and dark and small..can you get a pic?
Heat will make him comfortable, and of course treats.
Hydration is key here, make sure he is getting lots of fluids.
I would advise plan B on the vet, it's a broken ankle, not a neck for crying out loud!
The problem with splints and bandages, they chew...if you attempt to do this yourself you will need an e collar.
Not sure on Georgia laws and flyers, ck it out first, seeing how he was a wild orginally...be careful.
Pic may help...do you have any meds?
Dang black snakes! Can't live with them , can't live without them!:soapbox

[island rehabber]

Joel I'd go with Jackie's Dark, Warm and Quiet advice since he may be a little shocky from the injury. FLuids are an absolute must...water or Pedialyte if he prefers flavor.....definitely see the vet tomorrow to assess the nature of the break. :thumbsup

[philomycus]

Squirrels are illegal in Ga, and unless you have a vet you can trust, they will "confiscate" your squirrel. If you are this close to FL, you ca see a vet here without any problems. Anne and I know a VERY competent vet in Jax. Expensive, but she is GOOD. Island Rehabber has good advise here= keep quiet and warm until morning and then go from there and we can help you get the care you need. Keep your baby warm and quiet tonight. There's not much we can do this evening, but ASAP tomorrow, she needs to see a vet. Please get some rest and get ready for tomorrow as it will be a busy day. How far are you fom jacksonville?

[oldsoldier]

Thanks for the help Folks! I kept him with me all night "in confinement"... kept giving water (expected him to be thirsty and he was) and food (he ALWAYS has a good appetite). When he is just sitting still he looks fine - it's only when he is moving about that you see any problem! He has been very content to just sit and be petted so that is the route I opted for. Tried the "Just Answer" website and paid for the advice which was what I was already doing but at least I felt better knowing I tried!
I know they are illegal as pets in GA but as a 66 year old retired combat veteran I couldn't give a damn less about a government that would have me leave a helpless infant out or turn it over to a government agency. ( The last time we did that it was with a Cooper's Hawk I found here on the farm with a broken wing - they promptly euthanized him and I promptly wrote government off as an answer!)
Sorry, I get carried away...
Joel

[island rehabber]

Joel as a vet you're already my hero but today you're my Hero of the Day! Keep us posted on how the little guy is doing, OK? :)

[Anne]

I googled and can see that you are 288 miles from Orange Park. Not to far for a beloved pet:D I-75 to I-10 and you are here:thumbsup You are just a bit west of Macon. We really have an excellent vet here and I can't see any problem except distance with getting that ankle getting treatment:wahoo I am going to PM you my phone number, you can call me any time. Let me know if there is any thing I can do to help.

[Secret Squirrel]

Sorry your boy is injured. You are getting lots of good help from TSB...way to go folks:thumbsup. This boy can have a very good outcome so don't lose hope. I know you are very conserned and worried....good Poppa!!!!


I have a grey squirrel with a broken ankle. He is better now..... This is what I did....

The vet splinted his entire back leg...it lasted for about 5 days with me re wrapping it every night. The vet had him on pain meds for 4 days but wouldn't x-ray him....:thinking the vet wasn't very positive. Told me "this is bad"....and shook her head. I left with my boy wrapped up...no matter what the vet said.:tilt

I took him to my regular vet and he x-rayed his foot, said it was dislocated and fractured. He took off the splint (foot was floppy) and told me to wait and see.
So I kept my boy in a small rubbermade container so he couldn't climb and hurt him self more. Toby stayed in his sleepy sack for 3 days, he was in pain but he ate and drank from his sack.
Toby slowley recovered with cage (container) rest and confinment. He is now using his foot but his ankle is kinda stiff. He can climb and hold on with his toes and gets around just as fast as he did before his accident.
I plan on releasing him in the next few weeks.
Animals can heal just fine in the wild with no human intervention, but as your pet I know you want to help him as much as you can.

So don't loose hope....:grouphug

Best wishes for you and your little guy:grouphug

[Ultra Peepi]

Joel- Best wishes to you and your flyer. I hope your little friend gets the treatment he needs + recovers well and quickly. Everyone here is so fast to offer up advice and assistance - it's wonderful.

[oldsoldier]

Update on Angus. I had a really great local vet check him out - Angus was really good and allowed the vet to see and palpate - and his belief is that he will probably lose the foot. The bone, at the ankle, is crushed where Angus thrashed about when the snake got hold of his foot. He (the vet) wants to see him on Friday and amputate if necessary. My job is to keep him as quiet as possible - which is pretty easy since he sits still to be petted and he can never get enough of that. Thanks to all of you for your kindness and concern.
Joel

[philomycus]

Thanks for the update and I'm estatic you found a vet to take him to that you can trust. I have a 3 legged grey squirrel and he's a happy boy, I'm sure your little guy will do fine with 3 legs. Now he gets extra attention from daddy!! :D Please let us know how it goes with your little one!

[Anne]

Joel, I have been without internet since this morning. I couldn't get here to check up on you two. So glad to hear the good news. At the same time I am so sorry that your baby will lose his leg. He'll be much happier at home with you.
The best is that you have found TSB, hope you stay and let all of us know how every thing turns out. Prayers for a quick recovery :grouphug :grouphug

[4skwerlz]

I'm just catching up with this thread. I know how hard it is to see your baby hurt (my Henry broke his arm badly last year, but recovered and is fine now). As others have said, we've got quite a few three-legged squirrels here on TSB, and they're all fine and happy.

BTW, thank you for your service to our country. I really appreciate it.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:wave123 Hello Joel, I too have a three legged grey sq!http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15158&highlight=sarah+legged


Sarah also had crushed bones , resulting in amputation.
Does the vet have your flyer on meds?
I would give lot's of hydration, heat and good nutrition...I would even offer esbilac or formula,no matter how long it's been, at least some yogurt!:thumbsup
..were you planning on releasing Angus?:Love_Icon

[Buddy'sMom]

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[oldsoldier]

Our vet didn't put him on any meds because he appears to be fine... jumping from my shoulder onto the vet as though nothing was wrong. He also said he would only amputate if it was necessary to save Angus! He chewed his way out of "confinement" last night and was happily playing in the shower stall this morning. He immediately jumped on my shoulder and sought his favorite pocket!
I intend to try to comfort and restrain him as much as possible but intervene as little as possible. I still believe that the God who created us and them still cares as much for them as he does for us and, in my 66 years I have seen many "miracles" - despite the claim that the age of miracles is past! That doesn't mean I won't seek out and use medical assistance... just that I also know some assistance comes from elsewhere.
My plans have always been to release Angus - I love the little guy too much to want him to become a captive. He deserves all the good stuff that life has to offer and the only reason he is still with me is because he has chosen to stay. He climbs up the trees a short distance... may play around a little but if he sees me start to walk away he gets back on my shoulder as quickly as he can. If he becomes handicapped as the result of this, I'll re-evaluate, seek Divine guidance and proceed accordingly!
Thanks for all the concern for my little buddy from a lot of compassionate, caring people.
Joel

[Secret Squirrel]

That is wonderful news. I am sure Angus will be just fine. As humans owned by squirrels it seems like we worry more than necessary and want to protect them at every turn. :grouphug

As it turns out...it's good you were there to help Angus in his time of need:wott ...phew...it could of been awful for him to battle the snake all by himself. :thankyou for saving him.

Thank you for keeping TSB abreast on Angus's foot....praying for a good recovery.

[island rehabber]

I'm happily moving this thread out of Life Threatening into Non-Life Threatening Emergency...it will still be visible to rehabbers in case little Angus needs extra help. Sounds like his dad has everything under control, though! :thumbsup

[oldsoldier]

Just returned from the vet with Angus... he says there is still circulation in the foot and there is only slight swelling so we are waiting. Angus is in good form and though he fussed with the vet he made no attempt to escape or bite... I think some of the words he said can't be published on this website but in his position I would have done the same! I am concerned because the foot still is sort of flopping about but I have him confined and spend quite a bit of time just petting him 'cause he always sits still and relaxed for that. My vet again refused payment despite my plea.
Angus was a big hit in the waiting room again, coming out of his wrap and eyeballing everyone and parental prejudice aside he is a handsome little guy with a personality to match!
Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and concern for Angus!!!!!:thankyou
Joel

[island rehabber]

Ah that's great news, oldsoldier! I'm sure Angus was ridiculously adorable and lucky YOU to have such a great vet! Here's hoping for continued good reports and a less floppy foot! :thumbsup

[Anne]

Great news indeed. I am so happy he is being kept as quite as possible under the circumstances. I was extremely worried about the little fellow. He appears to be handling the discomfort well. So glad he still has four legs :thumbsup. Hoping for a quick recovery.:grouphug :grouphug

[Secret Squirrel]

Your vet is wonderful!!!! Thank you for the update on Angus. Kida neat having a kid that all the ladies (guys too) just fawn over...... lucky you.
You can expect him to have a floppy foot for several weeks. It's sad when they try to scratch with that hurt foot....the leg is going in the right direction but the foot ain't having no part of it !!!! :shakehead LOL!!!
Just be sure you scratch him on that side for the next few weeks....I am sure he won't mind a bit.
You may want to increase his calcium intake just a little bit...if he will still take Esbilac it sure wouldn't hurt.

Good luck and blessing to you and sweet Angus.

[oldsoldier]

So far everything is looking pretty good. Angus has taken all of this in stride and he is looking much better! I'm hoping things continue in this vein because I would like to think the little guy could have a real life with his "cousins" out in our pecan trees. Every time I rescue one I say "never again" and I do well until another orphan comes along. Told my wife I'm not going outside during October this year because that is when we always find them... but that won't last! My own children were never this labor intensive!!!:jump
Joel

[Jackie in Tampa]

Glad to hear a positive updatE!:thumbsup

[Secret Squirrel]

I understand totally about the "never again" ...nope, never again :shakehead ...but I always do...:thinking and I think you will too:D .
Angus really was lucky to have such wonderful parents, yes he will be happy when he is released. He will move right back in with his clan and life will be good. :bowdown *pat on the back..incerted here*:bowdown

I just released my gray squirrel with the broken ankle, he is happy to be free and doing well. All's well that ends well, good luck and keep us posted on Angus...Oh yeah...post some pictures....I would love to see him.

[MiriamS]

Hey Joel,

What's the update? I was just thinking about your little one's ankle the other day and thought to check in.

(Am I the only one that thinks about other people's flyers throughout my week? So strange)

Miriam