Baby with foot problem....

[RockyPops]

I have a new mom with 2 babies in a nest box in my yard. Mom has been taking treats for a couple weeks now. She's getting used to me.

The two babies have just started coming to the ground to forage. So I'm guessing they are about 10 weeks old. Probably weigh about 10 oz..?

One is outgoing and takes treats from me already, the other is shy and not as active.

The shy one came near enough today that I could see it's left, rear leg and foot are injured. It has a little use of the left foot but not normal.

It's foot is swollen to twice normal size and pinkish with hair missing. It's leg looks like a trunk with no shape to it.

I'm thinking it is or has been strangled. My first notion anyway.

I'm guessing I need to try and catch her to see what the problem is. I have a small hav-a-hart trap but I don't know if she is heavy enough to trigger it. The other option would be a fishing net if I can get close enough.

Anyone have any ideas about catching her, then handling her and how to go about treating? Medications once verified?

I have been told there is a squirrel friendly vet here if needed but I have never used them.

Thanks in advance!

[stepnstone]

I'm guessing I need to try and catch her to see what the problem is. I have a small hav-a-hart trap but I don't know if she is heavy enough to trigger it. The other option would be a fishing net if I can get close enough.

Catching and finding out exactly what the problem is and being able to treat likely will require confinement.
Make sure you are prepared with where and how to house this baby for treatment.
Whatever the problem, you will need to administer a pain /inflammatory to reduce swelling.
If something is bound around it be prepared to remove it, if an infection is involved it will need antibiotics.

[RockyPops]

Thanks stepnstone.

Catching her is going to be the big hurdle. I'll catch her in or put her in a hav-a-hart with a cover over it. I have a cage or two that will house her if needed.

If I'm that lucky I'll try to post some follow up pics.

[stepnstone]

Thanks stepnstone.

Catching her is going to be the big hurdle. I'll catch her in or put her in a hav-a-hart with a cover over it. I have a cage or two that will house her if needed.

If I'm that lucky I'll try to post some follow up pics.

I hope you can and wish you much success, that kind of swelling involving
both leg and foot can become a very bad situation for that little one.

[RockyPops]

No luck catching her today. Once I tried with net she wouldn't let me get close anymore.

I went up ladder to try to get her coming out of nest box. She'd hear me and head up the tree.

I put trap at base of tree she lives in. She doesn't come down much but when she does she comes down her tree. She doesn't do limb to limb very well.

I didn't catch her but I did catch a juvi and then her brother...TWICE.

Her brother is close to same size as her and now I know they are heavy enough to spring the trap anyway.

I'll try again tomorrow.

Breaks my heart that I can't communicate that I'm trying to help.

[RockyPops]

Success at last. After 7 trapped squirrels.

I have her in trap inside my house.

Close ups of bad foot...as best I can get them right now.

It actually looks better now, swelling has gone down.

Normal foot for comparison...

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Bad foot....

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[stepnstone]

Good job, can you take a (whole) picture of her so we can take a guess at age?
Is she able to use the leg and foot now?
It looks inflamed, not necessarily infected.
Will you be able to Handle clean it up and treat her?

[RockyPops]

Step she is right at eleven weeks old. Judging by 6 weeks +- when she started peeking out and eight weeks when she started coming out.

I noticed right before I caught her that she was getting around much better.

The foot looks so much better now. Looks like swelling has gone down.

I handled her last night to let my wife look at it. She said if it was something around it, looks like she's gotten it off. She believes foot has started healing.

The baby was so stressed from being caught, I was worried about her health. I don't know if baby or I can withstand being held again.

I kept her in last night to get another look this am.

[stepnstone]

It does look to be healing, I wouldn't suggest holding on to her too long.
Since there's not much chance of fly strike this time of year, I would likely
wash the foot with some diluted betadine and let her go again.

[RockyPops]

Thanks for advice and help Stepnstone!:great