adult gray found with broken arm

[squirrely pearly]

found an injured squirrel, can't move it's arm at all, can't climb. is there anything besides keeping him in a warm dark quiet place, with food and water...that I can do for him..I can't personally take him to the vet, worried about the stress to him too. The vet I have asked before about squirrels euthinizes the injured.

other than the arm he is drinking seems to be ok. but I know without his arm he's in big trouble out there!

oh and he's a biter! he's terrified I know..he's already drew blood from me so now I'm kinda terrified too :thinking not sure how to handle this

[Nancy in New York]

found an injured squirrel, can't move it's arm at all, can't climb. is there anything besides keeping him in a warm dark quiet place, with food and water...that I can do for him..I can't personally take him to the vet, worried about the stress to him too. The vet I have asked before about squirrels euthinizes the injured.

other than the arm he is drinking seems to be ok. but I know without his arm he's in big trouble out there!

oh and he's a biter! he's terrified I know..he's already drew blood from me so now I'm kinda terrified too :thinking not sure how to handle this


OK so you know all of the basics. Wonder if you could contact virgo or atlantssquirrelgirl to see what vet they go to.
If you can place a heating pad under his container, you know half on and half off, set on low. He may need the extra warmth...he may be shocky.
Do you have any rescue remedy? If so, if it is the spray bottle give him a few squirts.

edit....the non use of the arm right now doesn't necessarily mean a break, so perhaps some rest will tell you more. If it is broken, I don't know if that could ever be fixed enough for him to be releasable...:thinking

[Jackie in Tampa]

OK so you know all of the basics. Wonder if you could contact virgo or atlantssquirrelgirl to see what vet they go to.
If you can place a heating pad under his container, you know half on and half off, set on low. He may need the extra warmth...he may be shocky.
Do you have any rescue remedy? If so, if it is the spray bottle give him a few squirts.

edit....the non use of the arm right now doesn't necessarily mean a break, so perhaps some rest will tell you more.
totally agree...cover the cage, offer wtare in a spill proof bowl {adding pebbles helps}
dark and quiet
did you notice any other injuries?
punctures? bugs? dirty ears?
let him rest today...cking back on him in a couple hours...
acorns is all I would offer now if even that...
rest is best:thumbsup
:thankyou :Love_Icon
sorry about the bite! ouch!

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

My vet can gas this baby so it is an unkowing participapant in treatment. Arm will most likley not be reset, but bandaged with a splint to heal. Then the squirrel will need to be kept where it cannot climb, like in an aquarium. I have one you can use.

However, and adult wild squirrel is not likely to leave the bandage alone, so I'm not sure it's worth putting him through that.

Can you get a picture of the arm?

[squirrely pearly]

I tried handling him, pulling him out of a small trap cage, and fixing it with a fleece blanket , water bowl and a few hickory nuts, acorns and a harrys block (just in case he would even want it). he got away from me quickly, ran behind the dresser and froze..I was able to pick him up again and get him back in. I am terrified of handling him afraid I won't be able to catch him again if he gets away from me! he can run good, I couldn't tell if he used the arm, but it's just kind of hanging there when in the cage. He's a small adult, definately not a older one. I tried to put him on a tree outside when I first found him, but he ran DOWN instead of up, and went in a little hole in the ground. Cant get a good pic of the arm, he is laying on that side kinda ..not sure if it's broke , could just be sore like you said. Should I just let him be for a day or so, then try to put him back on a tree? he was chewing on the side of the cage, a little..seems to be in shock..I don't want to stress him

[squirrely pearly]

OK so you know all of the basics. Wonder if you could contact virgo or atlantssquirrelgirl to see what vet they go to.
If you can place a heating pad under his container, you know half on and half off, set on low. He may need the extra warmth...he may be shocky.
Do you have any rescue remedy? If so, if it is the spray bottle give him a few squirts.

edit....the non use of the arm right now doesn't necessarily mean a break, so perhaps some rest will tell you more. If it is broken, I don't know if that could ever be fixed enough for him to be releasable...:thinking

I don't have rescue remedy, I will get some if I know where..when you say squirts, do you mean on his body? I don't recall ever hearing about rescue remedy sorry if I sould silly!

[Nancy in New York]

Not too sure about putting him in a tree in a couple of days, we will have to see how this goes. Right now, I would put him in a dark quiet room covered. Not sure what kind of cage you have him in, but can he chew his way out? Do you have him on any kind of heat source now? I would leave him be for a while, and before you actually look at him the next time...just approach him while talking softly to him, this way you won't be startling him. (You probably already know all this...:) ) Perhaps you would want to get a little rescue remedy, this would be better for him too, just to calm him down and make his recovery (?) go easier.:grouphug

edit...I just saw your other question about the rr.
You can get this in the health food stores, get the one for humans not animals...You can put 2 or 3 drops of RR in about a cup of water and then in a misting bottle. Gently mist the cage. They will inhale it or it will come in contact with the mucus in the eye. Method works nicely. (This suggestion came from Mars)
You cannot overdose them on this, it is NOT a drug...just something to take the edge off.

Here is a quote from CritterMom...

"It is absolutely NOT a drug. It is a distillation of a bunch of different flower essences. It doesn't make them loopy or sleepy (or you, for that matter - I use the stuff myself). What I notice when I take it myself is that the physical manifestations of fear/stress disappear - sweaty hands, butterflies in the stomach, hyperventilation, these things go away. Fear is kind of a feedback loop - you get scared, the butterflies start, which makes you more anxious, more butterflies, etc. RR short circuits that somehow. veryone I give it to says "It isn't doing anything" because you can't feel anything happening, but you are calmer.

Not a drug.
Can't use too much - no toxicity issues at all.
Absorbs transdermally - so you can put it on any place that has bare skin - paw pads and ears are good.

It may help with what you are doing. It certainly won't hurt!"

[squirrely pearly]

I have him in a metal cage, because of worrying if he will chew through anything else. There is no rush about putting him back in a tree, I just figured the less interation with me, the better off he would be. He has lots of soft sstuff in there so he's not just in a hard cold place, heating pad underneath set on low. he's in the corner with his mouth open against the bars. he almost looks like he's dead, but he did that earlier and when I picked him up he bolted. thats why I figured he's just in shock. I'm worried about him drinking water, will he drink if thirsty? thre is no way I could give him water I don't think. I just have never handled a wild adult before, so I am not at all confident in what I am doing!

thanks ASG, Nancy, and Jackie, I think for now the vet would be alot for him to go through unless you think it's the best.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Claudia,

Make sure he has a safe hammock, or box he can hide in, and partially cover the cage so he can have some privacy (kind of like the cage at my door). Do you have an MP3 player, or is your computer near his location. I can send you some bird noises to play, which will drown out household noises, and might calm him down.

You can hang a water bottle, he'll probably turn a bowl of water over, so if that's your only option right now, just keep it really shallow.

Send me a PM with your email address, and I'll send the you the music.

[Nancy in New York]

I have him in a metal cage, because of worrying if he will chew through anything else. There is no rush about putting him back in a tree, I just figured the less interation with me, the better off he would be. He has lots of soft sstuff in there so he's not just in a hard cold place, heating pad underneath set on low. he's in the corner with his mouth open against the bars. he almost looks like he's dead, but he did that earlier and when I picked him up he bolted. thats why I figured he's just in shock. I'm worried about him drinking water, will he drink if thirsty? thre is no way I could give him water I don't think. I just have never handled a wild adult before, so I am not at all confident in what I am doing!

thanks ASG, Nancy, and Jackie, I think for now the vet would be alot for him to go through unless you think it's the best.

Oh I know that he has soft stuff in his cage...you are a good mama. It can be scary handling an adult squirrel, so better to be cautious.
Do you have a water bottle that you can hang on the cage? I wonder too if you try syringe feeding him the water, (through the bars of the cage) perhaps if you let a little drip onto his mouth he may start licking it. If it freaks him out, I would just leave him for a while.

You may be right about the vet being too much for him. BUT and I absolutely hate to say this....if they got an x ray, and the arm is deemed not useable...would that be better to know now? You would have to make a decision to find him a home or................:thinking
I can honestly say, I don't know if I would take him to the vet now either...maybe if we all start praying now....:grouphug :grouphug

[squirrely pearly]

Oh I know that he has soft stuff in his cage...you are a good mama. It can be scary handling an adult squirrel, so better to be cautious.
Do you have a water bottle that you can hang on the cage? I wonder too if you try syringe feeding him the water, (through the bars of the cage) perhaps if you let a little drip onto his mouth he may start licking it. If it freaks him out, I would just leave him for a while.

You may be right about the vet being too much for him. BUT and I absolutely hate to say this....if they got an x ray, and the arm is deemed not useable...would that be better to know now? You would have to make a decision to find him a home or................:thinking
I can honestly say, I don't know if I would take him to the vet now either...maybe if we all start praying now....:grouphug :grouphug

well I guess if they can't set his arm IF it's broke, then letting him have a little time to destress will be ok? I did try to syringe water to him through the cage, his mouth was open against the bar, and he didn't flinch. I let 1 small drop into his mouth, he didn't swallow or anything, it just came back out. I will try to do a picture after a few hours of him being alone. I am headed to the health food store for the rescue remedy.

Thanks for your prayers for him, I hope nothing else is wrong, and I do pray his little arm heals.

[CritterMom]

If you an get some Rescue Remedy onto or in this squirrel, it sure would help. The fastest would be to get some in it's mouth or on the lips or gums but you can spray or dribble it on a pay or ear, too.

Get some orange pedialyte and a syringe and dribble it in his mouth - you say it is jammed against the cage bars so you should be able to reach. They often really like the sweet.

Other than that, warm, dark, quiet...

[Kristal]

I tried to put him on a tree outside when I first found him, but he ran DOWN instead of up, and went in a little hole in the ground. Cant get a good pic of the arm, he is laying on that side kinda ..not sure if it's broke , could just be sore like you said. Should I just let him be for a day or so, then try to put him back on a tree? he was chewing on the side of the cage, a little..seems to be in shock..I don't want to stress him
I remember reading that red pines often live in middens on the ground, or at least they build them, partly as a stash, but also as a tunnel and escape route. Is it is a red pine? Probably also the pain is making him aggressive, not to mention the stress. I would think an adult would know how to drink from a bowl.... Maybe give him food and water and warmth, let him decompress a while, then re-assess.

[squirrely pearly]

got back with the rescue remedy and pedelite, and peeped in on him...he's curled up in a squirrel ball looking snug. so I left him alone. He's been in his water because his paws were wet, so hopefully he drank some. He opened his eyes and looked at me as I was peeping, but didn't jump and run to the corner so I figured the best thing for him now is rest and calm.

He only bit me that one time..I'm not scared of being bit, Lord knows my Pearly drew enough blood when she was here to do a blood transfusion. I'm scared for HIM! It's been since may since I've held a adult squirrel and she was tame,(if you call squirrel play "tame") so to be biten by a wild would probably give me the "sling" instinct, thats why I was afraid to pick him up :rotfl as much as you brace yourself that it could happen, most times the instinct still kicks in!

So I am prepared for tomorrow with the pedilite (however ya spell it) and rescue remedy if needed. How will I know if his little arm is better? I can't let him climb, he's in a small little cage to prevent much movement. :thinking

[squirrely pearly]

I remember reading that red pines often live in middens on the ground, or at least they build them, partly as a stash, but also as a tunnel and escape route. Is it is a red pine? Probably also the pain is making him aggressive, not to mention the stress. I would think an adult would know how to drink from a bowl.... Maybe give him food and water and warmth, let him decompress a while, then re-assess.

if red pines are red, then he's not one! he looks like a regular gray squirrel to me ..
thanks Krista, :) we'll see how he is in the morning I guess

[Kristal]

Like the grey, they can be a lot of different colours

http://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-8&q=red+pine+squirrel&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

But reading their wiki again I see that they are a lot smaller, around 250 grams.

[squirrely pearly]

wow, I never knew that! how in the world can you tell them apart? the grays from the reds then?

[Jackie in Tampa]

can you get metacam...ask around, friends and family...maybe someones dog was at vet recently, you never know...something for pain would be great...let TSB know what you find!
sending good vibes:Love_Icon

[virgo062]

wow, I never knew that! how in the world can you tell them apart? the grays from the reds then?

Grays are cuter:eek: :baghead

[Kristal]

wow, I never knew that! how in the world can you tell them apart? the grays from the reds then?

The American Red or Pine Squirrel is smaller and has a shorter tail. Judging from weight I would think they would be half the size of an Eastern Grey, perhaps smaller.

[Nancy in New York]

The American Red or Pine Squirrel is smaller and has a shorter tail. Judging from weight I would think they would be half the size of an Eastern Grey, perhaps smaller.


Here is Jeffrey, my red, and then one of my greys. Fluffer (the grey) was about 5 1/2 weeks old here...and at that age quite a bit larger than Jeffrey who is full grown in this picture...:rotfl
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/Jeffrey%20beauties/IMG_2846.jpg

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/IMG_6100.jpg

[virgo062]

Oh thanks Nancy for showing "Jeffrey" after I said Greys were cuter:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Oh thanks Nancy for showing "Jeffrey" after I said Greys were cuter:Love_Icon

I had a feeling that was you...even with the bag over your head...119774

[virgo062]

I had a feeling that was you...even with the bag over your head...119774

KNOTHEAD!!! I'm sorry I just can't keep him off the computer:rotfl

Sorry Squirrely Pearly:(

[squirrely pearly]

well the little hurt squirrel turns out to be a girl (I am pretty sure) got a quick peep..she is doing good..she took a syringe with FV last night and 2x's today. Hydrated her first. she loved the rescue remedy. She's not so mean...just trying to figure out how old she is..can anyone tell by these pics??! She is not limping anymore. uses her leg..thinking of re releasing..any thoughts?

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Definately a baby, looks to be around 10-12 weeks. She's borderline of being able to be on her own, but is not wise enough to be afraid of people.

Tough call on this one. It could be that she's still got a family/nest out there, and just got herself into some trouble. Does she seem heavy, or light for her size? If she's light, then she's probably on her own and needs a little help. If she feels like she's normal weight, not exhibiting signs of an injury, then you might want to try a supervised re-release where you found her.

Another option would be to group her with mine, and re-release in a couple of weeks with my group, which are around the same age, maybe a little younger.

[squirrely pearly]

she's not light..she's actually pretty fat and healthy..to me anyway. I will try a supervised release tomorrow at the same tree she was found around. will she go back with her siblings and mama? she growls a little, and did bite the first time I held her. Mostly she wants to hide when approached.Which I assume is normal for a wild baby. If she doesn't seem to know what to do I will bring her back. I just don't want to seperate her from them if I don't have to. thanks ASG, It amazes me you can tell her age! You know your squirrels thats for sure!

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

If she can find her nest, she will reunite, no doubt. Be sure to look around for potential nests where she might have come from, and look for a nursing mother.

Make sure that you drop food where you found here, and if you have an extra nestbox to hang on that tree, that would be fabulous.

[Kristal]

Yes, but eastern greys can also be very cute ;)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_qi4Ev59-5jE/TLtMeynBoVI/AAAAAAAAAe8/u_sCaoYKfE0/s512/DSCF5130.JPG