Owwie!

[puppetgal]

My baby boy has an owwie It looks like his middle claw is just dangling there! Its freaking me out and litterally looks like its backwards! UGGGGGGGH! I'm not sure how he did it but I'm pretty sure it he was climbing around his cage on his log. There is some swelling and hes not favoring it but that nail is going to come off. I'm sure of it, just looking at its its like hanging there. Hes 146 grams and still getting around ok. Not whimpering, I'm sure hes just glad for some love! Help me! Should I put a bandage around it to help him keep from ripping it off? I've already read about the neosporin ointment but as far as baby motrin for his discomfort? how much for him? I feel awful about this and I want him to feel better!

[farrelli]

I'm sorry you haven't received a reply yet. Can you provide a pic?

As for INFANT Motrin, for a 146g squirrel, you can give 0.036CCs.

[MommaLove]

A picture would be great to see the extent of the injury...

Take a look at this thread with Elle my female that released and came back with an injured paw..

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...highlight=elle

[puppetgal]

I'm sorry you haven't received a reply yet. Can you provide a pic?

As for INFANT Motrin, for a 146g squirrel, you can give 0.036CCs.

Its not that bad in this pic but it looks as if its twisted entirely opposite of its normal setting IE: its backwards

[farrelli]

I'm really sorry you're not getting attention today. The list is crap in terms of responsiveness today. We're usually much better. Hopefully tomorrow someone who's seen this kind of injury will respond.

Is it just the nail, or the whole digit that's "reversed"? You say it's dangling? Is there any cut? Have you tried to manipulate it?

We had one on here recently whose finger was broken and apparently healed sticking straight out, and she/he turned out fine.

Do pay close attention to self-mutilation. He may end up biting it off, but you want to make sure that it doesn't go any further than that.

[puppetgal]

its not the entire digit its just the nail thats twisted around. Hes definately favoring it this morning He was trying to play with me and toss around but is protective of his paw. Hes even trying to make an attempt to climb his log! He was using the favored paw too. These little guys are resilient! Im still a worry wart. Will he chew it off or would it be best to allow it to fall off on its own? I have some antibiotics could I give some to help prevent any infection other than the neosporin? As for trying to manipulate it? Yes I did and its pretty much twisted its not going to rotate back to its normal shape. Thats where I thought a band aid could come in to play? or at least a butterfly? something to rotate it back to normal to hopefully allow it to grow back normally? Is this going to hinder his mobility for life?
I think it hurts me more than him! Hes my baby and I hate to see him in pain!

I'm really sorry you're not getting attention today. The list is crap in terms of responsiveness today. We're usually much better. Hopefully tomorrow someone who's seen this kind of injury will respond.

Is it just the nail, or the whole digit that's "reversed"? You say it's dangling? Is there any cut? Have you tried to manipulate it?

We had one on here recently whose finger was broken and apparently healed sticking straight out, and she/he turned out fine.

Do pay close attention to self-mutilation. He may end up biting it off, but you want to make sure that it doesn't go any further than that.

[Charley Chuckles]

I resized it for you

[Charley Chuckles]

[Charley Chuckles]

Does he cry if you touch it? is that nail long? it doesn't appear to be, I was thinking if it is getting caught on things, maybe you cuold trim just the tiny white tip, but not if he is in pain....do you use towels or fleece? Fleece is best so their nails don't get snagged, it doesn't look like the finger is bent around just the nail, but yes make sure he isn't chewing on his toe/finger as I call it...there is something you can use if he is in pain, but first let us know if he is, because you don't want to have to use anything if he is not....sorry all over the place this morning not enough coffee yet

[puppetgal]

Yes I do use fleece not Towels. His finger isnt turned around its just his nail. He has been chewing on it but has it kinda balled up to protect it. I will try to cut the nail down the best I can. He yelped at me while I was trying to get a good image of the toe so ya I imagine it does hurt. Its pinkish red and obviously swollen. I wanted to try to put some ice on it but Im sure he wont go for that. I tried to hold him to comfort him and he did snuggle. Im scared to death hes going to rip it off and bleed all over! The only chewing I have noticed is just his normal grooming nothing like really hearty about trying to chew his toe off Will it fall off? Can I put something on it? This little guy is my sweetheart. I love him with all my heart Spoiled!
sorry about the supersized images! I will resize them before uploading. I just wanted a good view of his hurt piggie

Does he cry if you touch it? is that nail long? it doesn't appear to be, I was thinking if it is getting caught on things, maybe you cuold trim just the tiny white tip, but not if he is in pain....do you use towels or fleece? Fleece is best so their nails don't get snagged, it doesn't look like the finger is bent around just the nail, but yes make sure he isn't chewing on his toe/finger as I call it...there is something you can use if he is in pain, but first let us know if he is, because you don't want to have to use anything if he is not....sorry all over the place this morning not enough coffee yet

[Toddy]

I had the exact same thing happen to my Tod. She got her claw caught on her cage and basically ripped it out, although it was still dangling there by some flesh. Like you, I totally freaked out! Tod favoured the injured paw for about two days, then started to use it like normal, even though the claw was twisted and dangling there.

Since she didn't appear to be in too much pain, so I did not give any medication. I simply applied Neosporin twice a day around and under the claw. Your squirrel will lick it, which is perfectly fine, and will actually help with the healing process.

Her entire toe was swollen to about three times its normal size for about a week. It was very badly bruised, black and red! The swelling eventually went down, as the toe started healing.

Tod's claw eventually fell off by itself after about 10 days. She had a stump of a toe for about three months, then a new claw started to regrow. The new claw is a bit deformed, but it doesn't bother her in the least!

Just watch for any redness and/or signs of infection. This is a common injury and should heal up just fine.

[TubeDriver]

That is really nothing for a squirrel. You could trim the nail so it does not snag or aggravate the finger but it will heal on its own. Keep an eye out for infection but I doubt that will occur. Lots of my wilds have a finger or two that were injured/damaged but it does not seem to slow them down at all!

[Charley Chuckles]

I too believe it will heal on it's own, if you need pain med advise baby ibuprofen works, but BE SURE TO ASK HOW TO DOSE, I have no idea but several here can help with that, but if he isn't in bad pain I would not use it.

[puppetgal]

Hes walking fine on his log but there are times he does favor it and holds it up. Trying to walk with only one paw. I will see how he fairs with it. Hes been holding it against his body and I can only comfort so much Motrin will be on standby. I did get dosing instructions.
Thanks again everyone for all your help!

I too believe it will heal on it's own, if you need pain med advise baby ibuprofen works, but BE SURE TO ASK HOW TO DOSE, I have no idea but several here can help with that, but if he isn't in bad pain I would not use it.

[Toddy]

I know what you mean, Tod held up her paw too the first few days after the incident. The pain and the swelling should go down as the days go on. Lots of lovin' and extra snuggle time is the best medicine!