Two broken front legs-

[Tryingeverything]

Hi I am looking for help for a little guy I found in the road. Most people I have called either have no called me back or say to euthanize the little guy. His front legs are not working but he can move the whole arm, just not the elbow, paw. One is extended and the other is curled up. Both hind legs work, but he favors one over the other. He cannot stand up, but is moving all over the cage by pushing himself around with his feet. He is eating and drinking and otherwise seems okay. I just want to ask if I should keep trying to call rehabbers until I get one that will take him because he really wants to live or if I should take the advice or the two I spoken to and have him put down? I don't want to make the wrong decision and have him in pain just because I personally don't believe in euthanasia.

Thank you for any help.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi I am looking for help for a little guy I found in the road. Most people I have called either have no called me back or say to euthanize the little guy. His front legs are not working but he can move the whole arm, just not the elbow, paw. One is extended and the other is curled up. Both hind legs work, but he favors one over the other. He cannot stand up, but is moving all over the cage by pushing himself around with his feet. He is eating and drinking and otherwise seems okay. I just want to ask if I should keep trying to call rehabbers until I get one that will take him because he really wants to live or if I should take the advice or the two I spoken to and have him put down? I don't want to make the wrong decision and have him in pain just because I personally don't believe in euthanasia.

Thank you for any help.

He was most likely hit by a car.
Can you post a picture of him.
Do you have infant iburprophen?
Are you giving him anything by mouth, water?
Keep him in a dark, quiet area.
Put plenty of material (without loops) so he can burrow in.
They love fleece or anything without loops, ie t shirts etc. if you
have no fleece.
Do you have Prednisone.
We need a picture or a weight to dose meds.
Thank you for helping this baby. :hug

[Shewhosweptforest]

I would wait....it's possible that he just has some swelling in his shoulders etc....not necessarily broken :dono as Nancy asked....prednisone would be the thing to try...that would let you know if it's a break or soft tissue...poor lil bub :sadness I wish rehabbers would give them a chance...they are remarkable healers and such lil fighters to survive :Love_Icon thank you sooo much for trying to find help and doing it yourself when no help is being found :bowdown

[Mel1959]

Thank you for helping him. He sounds like a real fighter. Once you can get a picture and establish a weight, someone can help you dose the prednisone or ibuprofen. Then you will need to begin offering some food and hydration based on his age. I hate the idea of euthanasia to when you don't know for sure what you're dealing with. Once he's on some meds you might see a big difference.

[Nancy in New York]

I just sent them an email, asking them to come back on the board, we're trying to help.

[Tryingeverything]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your suggestions. Here is a picture of him. 278034278034

He doesn't want to curl up or hide under anything.

[DarkLies212]

The attachments aren't showing up for me :thinking

[Nancy in New York]

The attachments aren't showing up for me :thinking

I know. :(

[DarkLies212]

Here is the picture. Poor baby :(

278049

[TubeDriver]

The fact that his hind legs work is good news.:dance That means his spinal cord is not significantly compromised. The injury is probably soft tissue and/or bone related and limited to his front arms.

I would definitely start him on infant Motrin if you have no other meds (50mg/1.25ml strength drops). You can safely give him 0.25cc infant motrin every 4-6 hours.

It is sweet flavored so he might eat from a syringe or you can mix the motrin into some apple sauce and give it to him in a little bowl.

Most squirrels like apple sauce!

[Nancy in New York]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your suggestions. Here is a picture of him. 278034278034

He doesn't want to curl up or hide under anything.

Can you put some fleece or shirts in there so he isn't so exposed.
Even if he doesn't want to hide or curl up, he will be more comfortable.
Are you hydrating him?
Has he eaten anything?

[stepnstone]

What is the status on this poor baby today?
has it been given any meds for pain or anything??

[Tryingeverything]

Hi Ive been trying to put all types of fabric in there and he just keeps pushing it away. Maybe he doesn't like the smell. I'll buy some new fleece today. I will also buy the baby motrin on the way home. Yesterday I gave him a tiny amount of motrin crushed in water. Now that I have dosage I'll give him some more.

Thank you

[Tryingeverything]

I give him water as much as possible, as he can't hold himself up so I have to feed him with a dropper or hold him up. He is eating almonds ravenously and chomping on sticks.

[Tryingeverything]

Also a question, how long should I be looking for improvement in his arms? How do I know if he is in pain?

[Nancy in New York]

Also a question, how long should I be looking for improvement in his arms? How do I know if he is in pain?

He has to be in pain.
The infant ibuprophen will help a lot with that.
If there is swelliing and the ibuprophen helps with that
you should see improvement if there are no breaks.
He's breaking my heart.
Thank you! :Love_Icon

[Daisey007]

I wouldn't mind rehabbing this guy because I know he can make a full recovery... but I'm way down in Georgia!

Oh how I wish my dad was still able to fly his plane...

[cava]

Keep up the hard work and thank you for taking care of him.

Also, if he won't get into the blankies you give him, may be use a pillow case to cover a portion of the cage so that he feels secure and secluded. I'm sure it's scary to be a prey animal who can't get away anyway, having a hiding place might lessen his stress. Also, keep the cage up off the floor and on a table/counter if you can.

I'm wishing you and him the best of luck.:Love_Icon

[Shewhosweptforest]

Glad to see he's still with us :bowdown you are doing an amazing job...l know it's scary....hang in there...and ask any questions you need to...there are no dumb questions....and we've asked many ourselves :hug