Juvenile with broken rear leg

[Golfinho]

I wish I knew someone up there to help you but I don’t.

Right now hydration/food are important. Could you get a low small cage? Even a cat carrier would be better than a TV box.
I would offer a rice buddy to see if the baby wants warmth.

Just try to reduce stress and hopefully the baby will realize you are trying to help. Of course, it is a wild animal but often they will accept help.

I wouldn’t do it now but you can try splinting the leg. It’s a long shot but there aren’t many other options.

Can you suggest what dimension container is optimal? (the box now is 27x27x27).
Can this heal (however imperfectly) on its own?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Can you suggest what dimension container is optimal? (the box now is 27x27x27).
Can this heal (however imperfectly) on its own?

Oh that’s a big box. When I think TV box I think those huge boxes that are flat (8 inches).
I was thinking something small to limit mobility. A box with solid walls might agitate the baby and it would try climbing out of the box. If it could see out and with plenty of fleece to hide under, it might be less stressed and more settled.

https://www.amazon.com/Ware-Manufact...909334&sr=8-33

This is just an idea of a cage.

Can it heal... that’s a million dollar question. Squirrels do heal fast but it won’t heal dangling like it does. I have seen pics of squirrels with splinted legs. They use vet wrap. It can heal if the bones are brought back together and the leg immobilized. The problem is they often remove the splint. Many opt to have broken legs amputated but that is problematic in that it makes a non-releasable squirrel AND it requires a vet.

If it was me facing this bad situation I would try splinting the leg. I don’t like the other options.

[Spanky]

If it was me facing this bad situation I would try splinting the leg. I don’t like the other options.

I agree, best to splint. I have had them not to seemed bother by the splint at all and pretty well ignore it.

[TubeDriver]

If you can't get a vet or rehabber who will treat, you can try to splint as HRT4SQYRL stated.

Is the break on the lower or upper leg? Generally with a simple, closed fracture, the leg is manipulated in order to join the broken ends together and a splint is applied to keep everything in place. You could try some coban tape with a tongue depressor to make up a splint. This might work but there are a lot of "ifs" involved here and the outcome is uncertain. Squirrels do heal very fast. I have seen my yard wilds limping around on 3 legs for a couple weeks but most recover without help.

I really think your best bet is to find a local rehabber who will confirm that they are will to get this squirrel to a vet and would be willing to care for her while she recovers.

[Golfinho]

If you can't get a vet or rehabber who will treat, you can try to splint as HRT4SQYRL stated.

Is the break on the lower or upper leg? Generally with a simple, closed fracture, the leg is manipulated in order to join the broken ends together and a splint is applied to keep everything in place. You could try some coban tape with a tongue depressor to make up a splint. This might work but there are a lot of "ifs" involved here and the outcome is uncertain. Squirrels do heal very fast. I have seen my yard wilds limping around on 3 legs for a couple weeks but most recover without help.

I really think your best bet is to find a local rehabber who will confirm that they are will to get this squirrel to a vet and would be willing to care for her while she recovers.

Upper leg, it looks like. The exotic veterinarians nearby who care for small mammals all list ferret, chinchilla, rats, flying squirrels, etc. but none will help gray squirrels. You’re likely right about the best bet, but still have to find a rehabber within range of an hour or so.

[frankc]

I have uploaded this picture of the baby squirrel with the broken leg. A better picture is coming in the morning. What does the board think by looking at the right rear leg. Attached or not ? I know it's hard to tell. I Zoomed in tight and am still not sure , but it's like I said better pictures are coming tomorrow. Right now the little one is sound asleep.

[frankc]

It's so good to see so many people in this babies corner !!! Bless you all

[Spanky]

I have uploaded this picture of the baby squirrel with the broken leg. A better picture is coming in the morning. What does the board think by looking at the right rear leg. Attached or not ?

I am not sure what "attached or not" means?

It appears in this picture that she is pulling the leg up, into / next to her body which is a good sign. But that is juxtaposed to the description of dangling and floppy.

Definitely a better picture is needed, better yet a video after she wakes up...

Her tail looks wonky in this picture too...

[frankc]

Hi Spanky. I agree I just went back and zoomed in real tight. It dose look like she is holding it up and like you said that is a GOOD sign. The dangling part was ment and should have be better explained as detached from the bone in a way that there would be no firmness just flopping around. I think right now a splint might just do it !!

[Golfinho]

thanks to everyone who’s offered suggestions and insight. we’ve been following them all and have a rehabber for tomorrow. just have to make it ‘til then.

[TubeDriver]

You are doing great. Just keep her warm, in a quiet place. A little, shallow bowl of water and some nuts or treats to tide her over till tomorrow
.

thanks to everyone who’s offered suggestions and insight. we’ve been following them all and have a rehabber for tomorrow. just have to make it ‘til then.

[Golfinho]

I really think your best bet is to find a local rehabber who will confirm that they are will to get this squirrel to a vet and would be willing to care for her while she recovers.

Thanks, T.D. That’s the approach, and if not for today being the major Holiday that is is, we may have had this accomplished already.

[Golfinho]

this little juvenile is now in the hands of a rehabber who reported the injury was a broken foot, and she’ll soon be on the mend.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Golfinho

That makes me so happy. Thanks for your compassion and efforts.

[frankc]

I am so Happy I could bust !!!!!!!! YES!

[TubeDriver]

You saved her life! Good job!

You could ask the rehabber if she would consider releasing her in your yard since she is familiar with the area. Hopefully, she will overwinter her because it is really too late in the year to release a juvenile squirrel.

[Golfinho]

You saved her life! Good job!
You could ask the rehabber if she would consider releasing her in your yard since she is familiar with the area. Hopefully, she will overwinter her because it is really too late in the year to release a juvenile squirrel.

I was actually wondering about that — if she could come home. The rehabber’s home has a lot of land and is more wooded and rural (albeit with predators), whereas we have only a 3/4 acre lot (on a cul-de-sac with a park, though). Wonder if squirrels have a preference.

[RockyPops]

I would vote for bringing her home to more familiar surroundings!

Thanks for helping her!

[frankc]

I agree with Rockypops