hand curled up. not using it.

[meganmarire]

So this morning when I fed my three squirrels they were all completely fine. When went to feed them next the two girls were moving around everywhere like they always do at feeding time. But the boy was just laying there. I knew something was wrong so i decided to feed him first. His right paw he has curled up and wont uncurl it and his arm kept twitching every once in a while. When I put him down, he wont uncurl it or use it. So I really do not know what to do or what is wrong with it. I am worried and really need advice!

[CritterMom]

I would get him out of the cage with the others, first. It sounds like he may have taken a fall and hurt himself. I would say get him out and set him up someplace comfy and observe him. Is it curled because it hurts? Will he let you touch and move it or not?

[meganmarire]

Well they are still in a small container so he couldnt have fallen. I will seperate them for now. He will let us touch it. But he doesnt move it at all. Usually if we touch their paws they grip onto our fingers.

[CritterMom]

Babies. How old? What are you feeding them, how long have you had them and how did they come to you? Did they fall from a nest at some point?

[meganmarire]

I am guessing them to be about 4 weeks. Have had them since April 15. I work at an auto repair shop and a car go towed in because it wouldn't start. When the bottom cover got taken off the guys took out a bunch of nesting and found the squirrels. Should I try to find a vet to look at him? Or just wait a few days and see how it is

[Tai]

Can you take a close up shot of the hurt paw/arm and the normal paw/arm?

[meganmarire]

I will get a picture when I get back home in about an hour or so

[meganmarire]

Here are the pics of the good paw and bad paw. The bad paw is the one curled up (the photo on the left)

[Tai]

If I'm seeing it right, there looks like some bruising towards the elbow and some swelling in the hurt paw. :( Could it be a possible break? If you have a vet that could x-ray it, that'd be great. I know a lot of vets aren't used to wildlife but will often look at babies.

[meganmarire]

Ok I'll have to see if I can get him to the vet. Any special care instructions til then? We have him separate from his sisters and he is still eating and pottying good.

[meganmarire]

No luck finding a vet to look at him yet. Gonna have to wait unit Monday. It looks like its swelling more. Is there anything i can do to help with that. we are thinking of taping his arm to his body so it doesnt move too much and swell more.

[Rocky1]

I'm not an expert or rehabber, but would like to ask about the possibility that the swelling is due to something other than injury, like inflammation or infection? Is it possible that he touched something that he's allergic to or that irritated the skin? Or maybe he got bit by an insect? Personally, I would NOT tape the arm.

[meganmarire]

Well if he touched something he is allergic to wouldn't his whole body be affected all he comes in contact with is the sheets in his cage and my gloves. And I guess it might be possible an insect got in and out. I will keep an eye on him until Monday and see if it looks any better. My mom is a nurse and said to just give it time cuz bones heal eventually. But my only concern is that it won't heal right and that he will end up crippled. If that happens I don't think he will survive in the wild. And I can't keep him forever. My cat is always trying to get in my room and get to the squirrels as it is. He used to sleep in bed with us but we kicked him out so that we could have the squirrels close by.

[Spanky]

It would be helpful if you could post a get a better, in-focus picture of his arm.

How much does he weigh?

[meganmarire]

I believe he is about 55 grams. And I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's not just dislocated it kind of looks dented in at the top. I'll try to get my boyfriend to help me get a better pic by the end of tonite

[SammysMom]

Often if you take the pic from farther away and zoom in, the focus is better. Do you have any infant ibuprofen or could you get some? We can help you with dosing so don't just give it without help and a good weight on him.

[meganmarire]

Here's some more pics

[meganmarire]

And his exact weight is 55 grams

[SammysMom]

Do you have infant ibuprofen?

[meganmarire]

No but I can get some tomorrow

[SammysMom]

I sent you a PM with the dose. :thumbsup

[meganmarire]

Someone at work said his arm just looks dislocated which is kind of what I was starting to think. I read that if I just move his arm around it should pop back into place. I just don't want to hurt it worse if that's not the problem. But maybe it's worth a try? Does anyone advise against this or do you think it's a good idea? I just have been trying to contact people to look at it since Saturday and NOBODY will look at him

[meganmarire]

Got the squirrels to an emt that has experience with squirrel. He said the arm looks dislocated and if it doesnt heal right he will be able to keep him as a house pet. So sad to see them go but now i know they are in good hands and can be released into the country.