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View Full Version : advice needed for outcome prognosis of injured squirrel.



ljhpsauce
06-26-2012, 11:33 AM
Hi I am one of your UK squirrel rehabbers and i have been rescuing rehabilitating Squirrels for the past 8 years so i already know quite a bit about Squirrels as U can imagine, :D lol Anyway i usually work as a animal nursing assistant/wildlife rehabber at a 24 hour Veterinary hospital but have had to have a little bit of time of recently due to health so i would normally get advice from an understanding and compassionate to squirrels Vet at the hospital. But was wondering if anybody on here may be able to help and give a little advice. About 2 weeks ago I was given a 6wk + Squirrel who not only was blind in one eye ( from a wound that must have happened when she was very young as it was well healed ) But also she has a broken front right arm possibly shoulder ?? She tried to lift it a few times to use but just cant quite manage so she just keeps it tucked in close to her chest. She has been on anti-inflammatory painkiller - Metacam. etc Which has helped a lot as she is so feisty and determined to fight to live (normally at our vet hospital for a squirrel with a broken limb the outlook is bleak so they tend to euthenaise to prevent any further suffering and distress ) But apart from being still a bit nervous and easily startled due to her blind side, once she realises who U are etc she is fine (as long as no loud noises!) which is understandable. Because she is such a trooper i feel she deserves a chance and I already have a resident handicapped from head trauma squirrel as part of our family, So was wondering if anyone could tell me what the prognosis is for her managing with only 1 working arm and is there anything else i could do for her broken or dislocated arm to help. :thankyou

Jackie in Tampa
06-26-2012, 11:44 AM
sorry to be brief but wanted to give encouragement..
i have a front arm amputee, 5plus years old, had surgery at about 9months old..
I do advise amptation..if you don't she may chew it as it will be in her way forever..
wild animals will not keep a useless limb.
If it has been two weeks and she is absolutely not using it, that's my advise..
PS, My sarah is the best jumper out of 10NRs:thumbsup
I have seen wilds without front arms as well!

I recently fostered two juvinile sqs that both had rear leg amptations...
the surgery outcome was beautiful and both sqs had no problem adjusting since they were both very young..
less than 6 months.
Both were adopted after the surgery and recovery!

Keep us in the loop what you decide to do!
You Rock:bowdown