injured wild squirrel- possible infection/broken arm- please help

[Thor's Friend]

Hi there,

There is a very kind squirrel that I visit at the metro station. He actually found me early one morning and looked hungry...I happened to have some peanuts for him and we became friends. He was missing for a few days and I just found him again today- it appears he has cuts and scrapes on his right arm and it is very swollen. I have attached some photos. This squirrel is living in a forrest behind a metro station. He seemed not himself today, a little jumpier than usual and hesitant to come near other people. Usually he is very outgoing. I think he is really hurting and I would like to help. Any ideas on how I could help Thor would be greatly appreciated.

Thor's arm today: http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o557/wolverinestern/8af83170.jpg

Thor's arm before: http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o557/wolverinestern/94375ba3.jpg

Unfortunately, you can not tell by the pictures that there are scratches underneath his arm. He seemed to be bothered by it because he was not putting any weight on it and he was licking at it.

Also- can you tell by the photos how old you think little Thor is?

Thank you so much!

-Ethan (Thor's friend)

[quagmire]

Thank you for offering this squirrel the help he needs. :)

Some of the more knowledgable people will chime in but when the wild squirrels in my area need some help with mange or scratches I use a bit of liquid antibiotic and put some on an apple slice and they eat it right up. Usually have to do this every other day for about 3-5 days but they have always gotten better. However, if it is a broken appendage, he will need better care.

Good luck.

[stepnstone]

Hard to tell the age, does look like an adult. Obviously by the ear it looks like he's been in a few scraps too.
Anti biotic would be good to prevent infection if you really had a way to get them in him, sometimes they just have to
depend on nature to heal them. If the arm was/is broke, he would have to be captured and assessed to provide any real help.

[Thor's Friend]

Thanks for your help, everyone! I am very worried about little Thor.

Would capturing be the best idea or should I try antibiotics first? What kind of antibiotics work best?

I can't tell if the arm is broken or if he just has inflammation from the scratches under his arm near his elbow area. It was hard to tell...he stayed a little further away today.

He wasn't really putting any weight on it though...

[stepnstone]

Thanks for your help, everyone! I am very worried about little Thor.
Would capturing be the best idea or should I try antibiotics first? What kind of antibiotics work best?
I can't tell if the arm is broken or if he just has inflammation from the scratches under his arm near his elbow area. It was hard to tell...he stayed a little further away today.
He wasn't really putting any weight on it though...

If he has scratches and swelling, he most likely has infection. If capture is possible it would be best so he could be treated with consistency to promote faster healing.

[Thor's Friend]

Hi stepnstone!

Thanks so much for your response. Any suggestions on the best way to capture him and how to treat him?