Hugo, has a huge gash on his leg and foot!

[gvazquez8]

Hugo is doing well as far as he is able, but we do have a problem. His legs are paralyzed. He can move around with his front arms just fine, no problem actually. He gets around so fast. The problem is his left leg got gashes because it was rubbing on the wood in his cage. It got so bad the it created an open wound. We obviously were consulting with the vet about it and they gave me granulex to help clean and heal it. I also put triple antibiotic on it.It was getting so much better. Then a few days ago, he started losing a fur around it and now I'm not sure what to do. I also notice his foot has a huge wound on it and my fear is he is biting it. I don't know what to do. They are no longer open wounds, but their huge gashes. His left on his knee down to almost his entire leg and then his right foot from ankle to foot. I feel like a terrible mama. I make sure it stays clean, wash him, clean them everyday. And medicate it. We switched his cage out a few months ago to metal, so it wouldn't irritate his legs on further. I dont know if I should go back to the vet or consult with someone differently. I'm hoping you can help in anyway. I have been crying for days because I'm scared that I may have to euthanize him. He is so happy and content with his life that I would feel so terrible if that were the case. I love him like if he was my own kid. Nerve thought I would love someone so much. Please help...thank you in advance.

I will be posting pictures soon.

[CritterMom]

You may need to fashion an e-collar for him that will prevent him from being able to reach the wounded area. Wounds itch as they heal and he may be able to feel that. If he was unable to access it until it was totally healed he might eave it alone when the collar finally came off.

Antibiotics may be indicated if you are seeing signs of infection.

Children's Benadryl will help with the itching - healing wounds provoke the same histamine action you get with an allergy. We would need to know his weight to dose it accurately for you.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I met Hugo when he was a very tiny baby. I remember there being concerns about his legs even then. He didn't push off with his legs like other babies. Hugo's mom and I have reconnected and will be getting together tonight. I have some tiny rodent e-collars so we'll see if that will work. I also mentioned CC's vest as an option.

We'll see if antibiotics are indicated. CM, thanks for the suggestion of the Benadryl. I hadn't thought about that. I have no experience with the paralyzed kids so I thought others might offer suggestions about Hugo's problem.

[gvazquez8]

It wont let me attach a photo. any reason why?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Down below the reply box are Additional Options
Click Manage Attachments and it should give you the option to open up your pics (Add Files).
Upload and it should attach.
I do it on an iPad so other devices might be different.

[gvazquez8]

Alright it finally let me attach the pictures. IF you can look at his leg, you can see how massive this is. Its from his knee and covers his shin area. The wound itself is actually at the knee, below it, and i'm not sure how, but its just visible skin, no fur. Im not sure how his fur rubbed off, but know its visible. His foot is from his lower ankle following the side of his foot. Its looks terrible, luckly he shows no sigh of pain or stress about it.

[CritterMom]

Oh, this is nasty. It is going to take a long time for this to close.

HRT4SQRLS, this looks like an excellent opportunity to use the Silvadene/insulin blend. If that wound contacts ANYTHING it is going to need to be bandaged for healing because it will just continue to be rubbed raw, even by the softest of surfaces.

[TubeDriver]

I also think he needs to be watched very closely and consider an e-collar because some of that could be from self biting.

Silvadene is very effective an also DermaGel would be a great way to protect this area and allow it to heal/breath while keeping out dirt and contamination. Applied 1-2x per day should do it.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:eek Oh Dear Jesus!

Gen should be at my house within the hour. I have Silvadene. I hope she knows a diabetic that has insulin.

Edit... I think we need to start antibiotics even if this isn't infected YET! Made the antibiotics will hold off the infection.

[Nancy in New York]

:eek Oh Dear Jesus!

Gen should be at my house within the hour. I have Silvadene. I hope she knows a diabetic that has insulin.

Edit... I think we need to start antibiotics even if this isn't infected YET! Made the antibiotics will hold off the infection.

Good thinking on the antibiotics Patti.
Please keep us posted. :grouphug

[Mel1959]

I agree this looks like it needs to be covered at least for a get days to keep it from being further irritated. Patti, you need to work your magic! That looks like it would feel very painful, but if it can be allowed to heal and doesn't get infected it does not look like euthanasia would be necessary, IMHO.

[CritterMom]

The Derma gel would help protect it. I would order some asap.

[HRT4SQRLS]

OK, Gen and Hugo are on their way home. The good news is that the wounds don't look as bad as the pics indicate. I almost died when I saw those pics. :eek The redness gave the impression that there was exposed tissue... bare naked muscle. That is NOT the case at all. It is not as red as the pic shows. What I saw was skin that is very irritated. The deep wound that was present is actually healing. I did not see evident of actual chewing. There were no puncture wounds from bites. I believe Hugo is licking the area and the hair loss and redness might be due to that. It doesn't look infected at all. There are no open wounds.

Hugo is a very strong, healthy squirrel. He eats his 2 HHB's per day and eats veggies like a horse. He has a wonderful appetite. He will basically eat anything. To occupy his time I gave him a blackberry. He went crazy over that. We only let him eat a half because he hasn't had blackberries before. He was getting antsy in the travel cage so I cut a small oak limb and he went crazy over that also.

I sent Gen home with Silvadene cream. If needed she does have access to insulin. I don't feel it's necessary at this point. I also sent her home with Clavamox just in case it's needed. Gen will buy the Benadryl and Derma Gel. I sent her home with Ultra Fleece for his cage to have a super soft flooring.

The e-collar was a total flop. He has a large neck and strong arms. He could flip that off before you blinked. :shakehead
She will try the Benadryl and will place some additional enrichments in the cage. If he's occupied chewing oak sticks he won't be fixated on the legs. I will get information on making a CC vest.

I'm hopeful! :tilt

[Nancy in New York]

OK, Gen and Hugo are on their way home. The good news is that the wounds don't look as bad as the pics indicate. I almost died when I saw those pics. :eek The redness gave the impression that there was exposed tissue... bare naked muscle. That is NOT the case at all. It is not as red as the pic shows. What I saw was skin that is very irritated. The deep wound that was present is actually healing. I did not see evident of actual chewing. There were no puncture wounds from bites. I believe Hugo is licking the area and the hair loss and redness might be due to that. It doesn't look infected at all. There are no open wounds.

Hugo is a very strong, healthy squirrel. He eats his 2 HHB's per day and eats veggies like a horse. He has a wonderful appetite. He will basically eat anything. To occupy his time I gave him a blackberry. He went crazy over that. We only let him eat a half because he hasn't had blackberries before. He was getting antsy in the travel cage so I cut a small oak limb and he went crazy over that also.

I sent Gen home with Silvadene cream. If needed she does have access to insulin. I don't feel it's necessary at this point. I also sent her home with Clavamox just in case it's needed. Gen will buy the Benadryl and Derma Gel. I sent her home with Ultra Fleece for his cage to have a super soft flooring.

The e-collar was a total flop. He has a large neck and strong arms. He could flip that off before you blinked. :shakehead
She will try the Benadryl and will place some additional enrichments in the cage. If he's occupied chewing oak sticks he won't be fixated on the legs. I will get information on making a CC vest.

I'm hopeful! :tilt

Great update.:w00t
Thank you as ALWAYS for being there for these little ones, AND their caretakers too! :hug

[Charley Chuckles]

You may try this, my CC had to wear it as he would self mutilate
I hope this helps and Hugo heals quickly :grouphug
Go to post #22 .
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?40232-Squirrel-with-a-paralyzed-leg-need-amputated-Pro-s-Con-s/page2&highlight=lilly

[HRT4SQRLS]

:thankyou Abby

[gvazquez8]

Thank you and thanks especially goes to Patti for always helping with open arms. She is the best, I have been so stressed about this and she definitely gave me much needed hope.
I was going to try Benadryl today but decided not to because I worked a longer shift. Tomorrow in the afternoon I will try it. He usually takes a nap around noon for like an hour so I may try it around then. I have been using the silvadene and triple antibiotic in between.
I haven't noticed him messing around with it. I have been putting oak limbs and toys for him to occupy his time while at work. I came home and noticed the oak limb completely done. So I definitely think this well help occupy his time. Pray for him please! Will post tomorrow on his reaction to the Benadryl and any other updates.

[gvazquez8]

Sorry I hadn't posted! The benadryl seems to help out. I do believe the wound is healing a lot more. I think it bothers him how quick it's healing because Ive caught trying to bite it. The benadryl has helped though to avoid that. He has been leaving it alone. The derma gel I ordered should be here tomorrow so I'm hoping that will do the truck for sure.

[gvazquez8]

He's been rubbing his ears lately a lot and his face. Should I be worried? I know they like grooming themselves, but this seems a bit excessive.

[CritterMom]

I wonder if it is a reaction to the Benadryl? Hold off on it and see if the rubbing goes away.

Is Hugo in any way exposed to either outdoor squirrels or does he go outside himself? I am wondering if maybe all of this rubbing could be from mites too small for you to see. Have you ever dosed him with Revolution?

[gvazquez8]

No, he really hasn't been exposed outside and definitely doesn't have the ability to talk to outdoor squirrels just because of where we live. We have a closed porch so I will take him out on sometimes, but typically he doesn't really want her she sunbathes while sitting on my shoulder. I stopped the Benadryl this morning just to make sure. He seems to still be rubbing on his ears and face. It does seem like something is very itchy or of that sort.