Wild adult eastern grey — limping or twitching?

[astrll]

Hi everyone,

One of my regular wild squirrels, Scoop, recently came by and there seems to be something wrong with his left hind leg. I can’t tell if it’s twitching, or if he’s just keeping weight off it. What do you think?

(sorry for the links out — I wasn’t sure of the best way to upload a video so I converted them to GIFs)

https://ibb.co/ggcNjHQ
https://ibb.co/LZscbhf
https://ibb.co/v16TJTG
https://ibb.co/BT81n8G
https://ibb.co/TRpL5YZ

Other than the leg, his behaviour is a little different too. He’s been gone for a couple weeks — I assume to mate. Before he left, he would come by in the mornings and late afternoons. Always full of energy! He also trusts me and allows me to hand feed him. Really friendly and playful.

Yesterday and today, he came really late in the evening — around 9:00 — and wasn’t his same energetic self (though that might have to do with the time?). Aside from the leg limp/twitch, he’s able to climb trees and jump but when he’s sitting it seems like he’s leaning. He also seems to be slower and more careful in his movements.

I’ve read other posts on here that’ve said wild squirrels can generally recover from injuries, so I’m trying not to become over-worried! Other than fresh water and nutritious foods (I’m already doing this for Honey anyways), is there anything else I can do to help?

Thanks in advance ❤️

[McCarthy]

Poor feller!

Can be a neuro issue, a strain or a break, all likely from a fall. Maybe an infection that causes pain when he puts weight on it.

I had one of my wilds show up with a dangling paw just 2 weeks ago. Looked much like a wrist break so I took him in. Luckily it healed in 2 weeks, most likely a strain after all. He became very depressed while he was healing in a cage. I had to "force" hand-feed him most of the time because he was eating very little on his own.

So dealing with them when they are confined is very challenging, needs a proper cage and a bunch of other items and foods.

I'd say you are doing good by making his life easier with food and water. He shows up late to avoid fights and chases with other squirrels, knowing his current limitation.

I hope his leg isn't broken. It doesn't look like it but you never know. They can do surgery on a leg, with hardware an all, but that will be stressful and expensive.

[Spanky]

Other than the leg, his behaviour is a little different too. He’s been gone for a couple weeks — I assume to mate. Before he left, he would come by in the mornings and late afternoons. Always full of energy! He also trusts me and allows me to hand feed him. Really friendly and playful.

Yesterday and today, he came really late in the evening — around 9:00 — and wasn’t his same energetic self (though that might have to do with the time?). Aside from the leg limp/twitch, he’s able to climb trees and jump but when he’s sitting it seems like he’s leaning. He also seems to be slower and more careful in his movements.

I’ve read other posts on here that’ve said wild squirrels can generally recover from injuries, so I’m trying not to become over-worried! Other than fresh water and nutritious foods (I’m already doing this for Honey anyways), is there anything else I can do to help?

If this is one you see regularly, I would give it a few days and see if he seems to be improving or worsening. There is not a need for immediate intervention IMO based on the GIFs.

If at all possible, try to confirm there is not anything wrapped around his leg... his movement is a bit odd from my experience with rear leg injuries. To me is almost seems like there could be some twine/string/fishing line or something wrapped around his leg maybe where the leg meets the hip? :thinking

In addition tot he fresh food and water, start making a plan in case you decide he requires intervention. Like rigging a cage, a dark quiet room to place him in after capture. blanket to drape over the cage, etc. Having a plan makes everything go smoother and less stressful for the squirrel. Last thing you want to do is trap him then start consider next steps... stressful for you and him!

[astrll]

Thank you so much McCarthy and Spanky! McCarthy, I’m so happy to hear that your little buddy healed — I read your post and the release was so beautiful! ❤️

I will continue to monitor him and start making a plan if intervention is necessary. I’m also going to contact a local rehabber just to establish that connection.

Is there a way to check if it’s a neuro issue or spinal issue?

A couple more details I noticed — his tail is usually never that relaxed or still when he comes by. Also, I was looking at his paw and saw the toes are closed together, instead of spread apart like the other. And I noticed that his coat is the best I’ve ever seen it be in warm months, that is much fuller and shinier than usual. It almost looks like his winter coat! Are those details related to the leg?

I hope it doesn’t come to it, but is there a post on here that I can refer to for safely trapping a squirrel to bring to a rehabber? I don’t want to stress him out.

I would do/spend anything for this fella!

Thanks again ❤️

[Spanky]

A couple more details I noticed — his tail is usually never that relaxed or still when he comes by. Also, I was looking at his paw and saw the toes are closed together, instead of spread apart like the other. And I noticed that his coat is the best I’ve ever seen it be in warm months, that is much fuller and shinier than usual. It almost looks like his winter coat! Are those details related to the leg?

The "closed toes" and the less active tail are normal when they have injury's, I believe the squirrel McCarthy recently released had the type of closed toes during the initial days. And this was a squirrel that was suspected of having a broken leg, but he bounced back and was released in I think a week give or take a few days.

Have you seen him around today to assess how he is doing (better, same or worse)?

[astrll]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been monitoring Scoop for the past few days and he’s doing very well!! The limp turned into a hobble and is now just a little off kilter. I hope that makes sense haha

He switched his visits from the evenings to the morning and yesterday he visited in the morning and afternoon — which was how much he normally visited. He also seems much more energetic!

He had lots of water when he visited, and ate some kale and coconut covered almonds. I’m so happy he’s recovering, it was so heartbreaking to see him in pain.

He’s still leaning to his left when sitting and he twitches his leg to take the weight off every once in a while. He’s spreading his toes again and his tail is back to normal again

Thanks so much for being with me while I worried about him — you’re all so knowledgeable and amazing!

Here’s a video of him from yesterday — https://www.instagram.com/reel/CfC20b6sdvG/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

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Cutie pie!

[Spanky]

He switched his visits from the evenings to the morning and yesterday he visited in the morning and afternoon — which was how much he normally visited. He also seems much more energetic!

Switching his visit times was directly related to his compromised condition... no perfectly healthy and able squirrel wants a less than 100% squirrel hanging around them... it just makes them all targets from predators. The squirrel community can be very harsh on a compromised squirrel coming around during "rush hour", so he was wise to come off hours and blessed you were there provide some extra assistance whehe was really in need.

In returning to his more normal routine, he is signaling that is recovering and getting stronger...