Front leg swollen... Please help

[Khrys10]

I have been nursing a 4.5 week old squirrel for the past 2.5 weeks I've just noticed that his left front leg (hand) is swollen more so around the wrist like area. The emergency vet clinic only treats domestic animals please help!!! I have pictures if needed

[SammysMom]

What sort of cage is he in? Is it possible that he took a fall? What is his regular daily diet?
Can you post a picture?

[Khrys10]

He is eating a mixture of quarter part whipping cream 1 part esbilac powder 2 parts water... 3cc's every 3 hours or so overnight he gets one cc of water... I'm a nurse... So the feeding part I find easy he dedicated this morning urinates at each feeding... It's just the paw at this point @sammysmom oh yes and he is in a box too small to climb out of just yet

[SammysMom]

Can you post a picture of him and one that is of his leg? If it is easier, I can post it for you if you text them to me at (203) 214-7427

[Khrys10]

I sent two pictures via text I'm a 484 area code @sammysmom

[SammysMom]

Pics I just received. Anyone think it might be an ant or spider bite?

[SammysMom]

Does it feel warm to the touch? Or seem to be fluid-filled?

[SammysMom]

Another picture...

[Khrys10]

He is warm from his bottles... Body/legs seem to be same temp (warm) the troubled area around paw is both firm and fluid like (soft) so not hot to touch and padding of under paw is firm

[SammysMom]

Non-swollen hand

[SammysMom]

Do you have a magnifying glass that you could use to see if you can see a bite mark?

[Khrys10]

Thank you for posting pics for me @sammysmom!!!! Monty (squirrel) is not sleeping on swollen paw he is curled up on side with paw in front.. He didn't cry or pull away when I touched it...

[SammysMom]

Touch it and then his other hand to your lips and see if there is a temp difference. I know, weird, but it works...lol

[Khrys10]

Looking for magnifying glass!!!! @sammysmom

[Khrys10]

@sammysmom... I used the lips method... Same temp it's not hot... I don't see any markings either... He seems to be able to curl his fingers still even with swelling

[Khrys10]

I just ran to the store for a magnifying glass... I do not see any bites... And on another note I just read a thread on using fox valley instead of esbilac... I ordered some

[SammysMom]

What city are you close to?

[Khrys10]

@nancy thanks!!

[lilidukes]

just a quick question. you said you are giving him
water between feeding. Is this just plain water
or is there salt in it??

[Khrys10]

@lili I'm not giving water I between feelings I'm giving water overnight to keep hydrated... I was reading the Manual for wildlife rehabilitators... Which makes sense since they are metabolism species they need high fat content

[Khrys10]

Sorry... please Excuse the autocorrect @lilli

[SammysMom]

Is he ever running around when he might have injured himself?

[Loopy Squirrel]

When I see swelling in the joints I always worry about septic joint disease. Over the years I have had a few squirrels develop this. My vet told me that the bacteria can obviously come from a direct bite or wound, but can also come from their own intestinal tract. The bacteria migrates around the body and sets itself up in their joints. I would watch for more swelling either on the joints of the other legs or watch to see if the swelling in the affected leg migrates up toward the elbow. If this is septic joint disease it's a long course of antibiotics (SMZ) for a really long time. One vet told me 30 days and another told me it's more like 90 days because it's so hard to get the antibiotics to the joints. If it's just a fracture in there the swelling should go down relatively soon, but septic joints only get bigger and spread to other joints.

[Khrys10]

Wow... @loopy I would not have considered that... But now my heart is racing... I will watch and measure the swelling... @lilli he is to small to be running around just yet he is only at 4.5 weeks... So he hasn't injured himself on my watch... I do not know what to do as of right now I know not to tape it in case it's just a sprain and u have no idea about dosing measurements for squierrels to give anything as far as an anti inflammatory but then again I do not know what's causing this... I have sent pics to doctors even though they treat humans... Any help at this point is great..

[SammysMom]

If we found someone within a 25 - 30 mile range, would you be able to meet them so they could take a look at your baby?

[Khrys10]

Of course @lili ... Anything that could help Monty

[SammysMom]

I think you were answering me, right?

[Khrys10]

Yes @sammysmom... Sorry about that!!! I contacted/emailed Sarah Rowe author of "squirrel tales" she in return had me call her. I received her reply late last night so hopefully this morning we will connect... Meanwhile mighty Monty is stable he ate well and is resting and the swelling has not spread.