LynninIN's Sammy - Compound fracture

[Bravo]

Posting this for LynninIN. It's about Sammy, another of TSB's favorite fuzzies:


Sammy has a displaced compound fracture of his femur. When he was hurt on New Years, I put him in a smaller cage to heal. He seemed to get better every day and by the end, he was climbing all over. I let him out Sunday and he could not jump. He made it to his nest but could not get down. I called and made a vet appointment. She will work with wildlife legal or not. He came down to me on Monday and I put him back in the small cage. He went today and has a bad brake. She said I could not feel it because of muscle over it. I thought the brake was lower. She put him under anesthesia and took an X-ray. It is really bad.

Not sure what to do. She is consulting a vet orthopedic to see if it can be pinned although not sure if he would survive the surgery. I can let it heal on the position it is and he won't be able to jump. I could modify his room. The other options given was amputation and putting him down, which of course is not going to happen. Very sad right now.

[KarmaKay]

I'm so sorry about Sammy's fx. Please know that prayers are coming your way! Keep us posted

[SammysMom]

My vet has done it successfully with 2 femurs using a hypodermic needle as the pin. The AB is the really important thing though. A combo of Clavamox and Clindamycin were the key to success because infection was an issue with both of the pins. I would now say that using the combo to begin with is what I would do myself.

[LynninIN]

Thanks for the info. It's been a while since I've posted. For those that do not know, Sammy is 10 years old.[/B]

[Nancy in New York]

IF you think he could live happily without jumping, I would leave it alone.
It's always difficult giving someone else advice on their baby, so I am just thinking if this were mine.
Sammy is an elder squirrel, and putting him through a surgery of this type may be too much for him.
Do you think that if he has limitations, it will disturb him? Make him uphappy?
Is he in any pain?
Is he eating and drinking normally?

It's SO great to see you Lynn, I'm terribly sorry about the circumstances though. :sniff

Edit: Just a thought. Give Sammy some additional calcium while he's healing.
Calcium carbonate is a good choice as the taste is pretty benign.
OR if he will eat tums, give him one a day.

[LynninIN]

Hi Nancy, I think that is the best way to go. Leave it and modify the lay out of his room. He is in pain now and dragging his leg. He was not dragging it before the vet visit. I think being under anesthesia and palpitation made it worse. Hoping it calms down a lot. He was eating and drinking normal until the vet visit this am. Hoping he is better tomorrow. Gave him metacam so that may be a part of it. He has eaten a little and drank this evening. I am giving him calcium now. The only Tums he liked was vanilla, bummed when they quit making them.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Nancy, I think that is the best way to go. Leave it and modify the lay out of his room. He is in pain now and dragging his leg. He was not dragging it before the vet visit. I think being under anesthesia and palpitation made it worse. Hoping it calms down a lot. He was eating and drinking normal until the vet visit this am. Hoping he is better tomorrow. Gave him metacam so that may be a part of it. He has eaten a little and drank this evening. I am giving him calcium now. The only Tums he liked was vanilla, bummed when they quit making them.

I would imagine the manipulation did make it sore.
IF you have Tramadol, you can give that for added relief
with the Metacam.
I'm sorry to hear the visit took so much out of Sammy. :(

What I have observed with squirrels in the wild,
is when they find out they have limitations,
they adapt pretty easily. They learn what they can and cannot do,
and tend to use more caution when trying something.

Please keep us posted on your precious Sammy.
He has been a long time, very much loved, "member" of this board.

:hug:Love_Icon:hug

[Fireweed]

Hi, Lynn! :hugI'm sorry to hear Sammy is in pain and you are both going through this. :sadness
I hope he starts feeling better soon...

I can't believe Sammy is 10! :Love_Icon Yes, please keep us posted. I think about Sammy from time to time and have wondered how you two are... :grouphug

[Bravo]

Hoping for better news. :grouphug

[SammysMom]

Oh goodness! At 10 years old I would never do the surgery! I am so glad that he has you to look out for him! Many prayers for his recovery...:Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

LynninIN:grouphug I am so happy to see you here, but so sad to learn of Sammy's issues....I agree with everyone here that, at 10 years young, he doesn't need surgery and stress. He'll most likely adjust to a 'lower impact lifestyle' very quickly, especially due to his age, and be a happy boy. My only experience with a very bad fracture was a squirrel I had who smashed his hind 'elbow' in three places....it was pinned and he healed perfectly, but he was only 14 months old. I will bet that with painkillers and rest, Sammy will be ok....he has a brilliant, loving squirrel mamma and that's the most important thing :glomp

[Sissy]

Prayers for you and Sammy. :grouphug

[LynninIN]

Sammy is moving around better this morning. He opened his am walnut without difficulty then made warning noises to me until he ate it. In other words, his normal morning routine. He does not like medicine, he makes funny faces after I put it in his mouth

[TubeDriver]

:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Sammy is moving around better this morning. He opened his am walnut without difficulty then made warning noises to me until he ate it. In other words, his normal morning routine. He does not like medicine, he makes funny faces after I put it in his mouth

Great report!
So glad that Sammy is feeling better.
Is the Metacam flavored?

[Bravo]

Thanks for the update... it does sound like he's got plenty of reserve strength. Take your meds, Sammy. :grouphug

[LynninIN]

Sammy escaped from the small cage Friday night and ran all around his room including up his cages and into his nest box by the ceiling. He was fast! It had to hurt him. He stayed there until morning then came down to me. Now he is back in the smaller cage. He needs to stay in there for a few weeks to heal. He does not seem to agree. Still hating the medicine he rolls into a ball and covers his mouth.

[Nancy in New York]

Sammy escaped from the small cage Friday night and ran all around his room including up his cages and into his nest box by the ceiling. He was fast! It had to hurt him. He stayed there until morning then came down to me. Now he is back in the smaller cage. He needs to stay in there for a few weeks to heal. He does not seem to agree. Still hating the medicine he rolls into a ball and covers his mouth.

Glad that Sammy is feeling so good!
You know we would LOVE to see pictures of
this darling boy! :tap :poke
How long will he be on meds?

[SammysMom]

Sammy escaped from the small cage Friday night and ran all around his room including up his cages and into his nest box by the ceiling. He was fast! It had to hurt him. He stayed there until morning then came down to me. Now he is back in the smaller cage. He needs to stay in there for a few weeks to heal. He does not seem to agree. Still hating the medicine he rolls into a ball and covers his mouth.

Oh good Lord, the theatrics that go along with giving a squirrel something they don't want...:shakehead Take your medicine Silly Sammy...it will help you to feel better!!!:grouphug

[Bravo]

Thanks for the update, L. At least you know there's no lack of spirit from the King of the Plushies. :grouphug

[LynninIN]

Glad that Sammy is feeling so good!
You know we would LOVE to see pictures of
this darling boy! :tap :poke
How long will he be on meds?


He has metacam and calcium medication. The metacam is prn. The calcium is 0.5 cc so it's a lot to get in a stuborn squirrel.

My pictures won't upload?

[Fireweed]

Sammy! There's that beautiful "King of the Plushies"! He really looks fantastic. :Love_Icon
Those DPTs are extra special with the twists. DPTTs, I guess. :grin2

[Nancy in New York]

He has metacam and calcium medication. The metacam is prn. The calcium is 0.5 cc so it's a lot to get in a stuborn squirrel.

My pictures won't upload?


Akkkkkkkkkkkk, Sammy looks fantastic!:w00t
Love those double paw tucks! :klunk

https://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-ndKZ7fh/0/XL/i-ndKZ7fh-XL.jpg

[stosh2010]

268783 <<< click on pic
The WORLD famous------Difficult to Master------
Body Challenging------
90 degree to the right---twisting/turning----DOUBLE PAW TUCK !!!!!

I lightened the orig. a little--to show off Sammy's beautiful colors.

[stosh2010]

How is
SAMMY--today ??

[LynninIN]

Sammy is good. He is seriously ticked he has to stay in the small cage. Little brat tucks his head under his "fluff' so I can't get to his mouth. " fluff" means he's pulled the stuffing out of his stuffed animals and made himself a fluffy nest.

For those of you that don't know, I received the greatest, most challenging rehab yet 5 years ago. A 5 year old adopted daughter. She turned 10 last Sunday. As a single working parent it has been difficult but worth it. Sammy has never been neglected but my online time has been limited.

[LynninIN]

The good news is Sammy is eating Henry's squirrel blocks. He quit eating the homemade ones. The not so good news is he still hates his medicine. It is only a small amount. I got no sugar banana chips today. He loves them. I put is medicine on it. He wiped it off on one of his stuffed animals, then ate it. Squirrels aren't smart at all.:grin2

[CritterMom]

So he didn't wipe it on you? I don't know - he may need to turn in his squirrel card for missing that opportunity!

[Bravo]

Squirrels aren't smart at all.:grin2

:rolf Watching to see what the ugly taste does to the stuffies. :ardilla

[vlchan]

The good news is Sammy is eating Henry's squirrel blocks. He quit eating the homemade ones. The not so good news is he still hates his medicine. It is only a small amount. I got no sugar banana chips today. He loves them. I put is medicine on it. He wiped it off on one of his stuffed animals, then ate it. Squirrels aren't smart at all.:grin2

Have you tried givig it to him in a syringe? If it's not liquid dissolve it in some apple juice and give it to him in s syringe. Let me know if this helps ☺
Also could you send me a homemade treat recipe you were using? My girl loves Henrys too!

[LynninIN]

Have you tried givig it to him in a syringe? If it's not liquid dissolve it in some apple juice and give it to him in s syringe. Let me know if this helps ☺
Also could you send me a homemade treat recipe you were using? My girl loves Henrys too!

The cookies/blocks I was referring to, was one of the early formulations of Henry's squirrel blocks. He likes the new recipe much better. I have tried a syringe. He buries his head in his fluff or uses his stuffies to block me. Any deceptive tactics I can only use once. One time I got it in when he had a nut in his mouth. Pretty sure he was cussing at me for a couple minutes. He would not fall for it again. Tonight, I put the medicine in between two no sugar banana chips (after he ate is healthy squirrel blocks). Sammy 10 - Human 3

[LynninIN]

Sammy is doing much better. He loves Henry's healthy blocks. I think they have sped up his healing and given him more energy. Today is his first day out of the small cage and he is quite happy. His room had to be re-designed so he did not have to jump. He's using all the modifications well. Still adjusting to not having his play wall and ropes. The bed with all the stuffies was lowered. It's going to be a work in progress but this is what he has so far. White fluff was given for him to make his new bed so he didn't unstuffed all his toys again.

[island rehabber]

Good job, mamma! He's still got a wonderful habitat that's just a little safer. Love the covered head and footboards :great

[SammysMom]

Wonderful news and terrific changes! Nice job!:w00t

[Bravo]

Great to read! :grouphug Go Sammy :w00t

[LynninIN]

Fluff..... Fluff❤️. Glorious fluff ❤️❤️❤️

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