Broken wrist

[barneysmom]

Hi everyone; do any of you have a "squirrel-proof" remedy for bandaging a 5-week old baby squirrel's wrist? The poor little guy can't hold his sunflower seeds and every wrap I've put on his wrist winds up, of course, on the floor of the cage. Any help you can give will be appreciated. Thanks.

[susanw]

Hi Barneysmom! I don't have any advice for you, but I hope someone comes up with a solution for you soon. Wrap on a squirrel, that's a tough one!:dono

[4skwerlz]

Are you sure it's broken and not just sprained? Can you post a pic?

[barneysmom]

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies; I tried a cone and he flipped out; he wanted no part of it so that took care of that trick. The wrist is definitely broken and just hangs - he has no use of it whatsoever. Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera (yea, I'm a little behind the times over here) so I can't send pictures. I'll see about borrowing one in the meantime. A fellow squirrel rehabber suggested doing nothing and letting it "heal on its own". I really don't see that happening though - seems to me some kind of splint is needed for proper setting of the bones, don't you? thanks for your help. You guys are great!

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

:dono :thinking I think that it would be great if youd be able to splint it...BUT a squirrel would NEVER let it stay on ...and never mind getting it to sit still while your attempting it...
It would be its soul mission to GET IT off..it'll heal wrong..and be painful no, doubt...but unless you can get it to the vets..and see what they could do..I dont think there are a whole lot of options...
Thats all..I can come up with....:dono :thinking

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

As you describe it, the squirrel's paw is just dangling? Certainly it cannot set properly if it's broken and that's the case. As mentioned already, they don't like splints, and it's a lot of work to keep them on. We had another member recently with some experience with this, although it wasn't a wrist, her squirrel remained splinted/bandaged for a number of weeks to allow proper set. It was quite a battle to keep it on, but eventually, all was good. It was posted by Critter Queen, about Tanna. You may want to PM her.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6015

[LynninIN]

:Welcome

FYI: barneysmom is a NYS licensed wildlife rehabber.

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

:Welcome

FYI: barneysmom is a NYS licensed wildlife rehabber.
:thumbsup

[TexanSquirrel]

:( I hope the little guy gets better soon!

[Gabe]

I would try a popsicle stick cut to the proper length. Apply tape at each end to keep splinters away. Use one stick over and one under the leg. Go from finters to armpit. Wrap with a layer of soft gauze then cover that with a layer of vet wrap. The toes should be exposed and the ace wrap should anchor across the back, under the chest and then to the top of the arm. Apply Yuck as needed to keep him from chewing on the wrap.
This type of break where it is hanging freely is very difficult to set properly without an x-ray but if your fingertips are sensitive you should be able to feel when the bones are aligned. If it is a clean break across then pinning is the only option. Check and make sure he has feeling in his fingertips. Amputation may be the only alternative if he has nerve damage in the fingertips.

[4skwerlz]

Apply 15 layers of tape over the splint. Reapply as needed for the next 3-4 weeks. Hopefully you can wrap, faster than he can chew....

[hazel]

White medical tape. You would need to do everything possible to avoid allowing the splint to get wet. If the splint is wet to the point that it's possible that the moisture soaked through, then it must be replaced because some seriously nasty bugs can grow inside the splint.
I'd think that for a complete fracture that arm may need to be splinted for six weeks. That also means that you may need to change it to allow for growth. After the splint is applied and anytime it's replaced, watch the fingers carefully for swelling for the next 48 hours. If the splint is too tight anywhere, the fingers will swell.

Gabes suggestion on wrapping the tape over and around the shoulders is an excellent one - it will help keep the splint from falling off. I would first pad the arm and wrist by wrapping it with multiple layers of gauze, then the popcicle sticks, tape to hold the sticks in place, gauze wrapped fairly snug and then tape to cover. Be sure you can see the fingers. Yes, the splint will be thick. I had to do this with a baby prairie dog who had a broken rear leg. He healed fine and never did remove the splint.

Yuck is a product to stop thumb sucking in children.