help!!!!! his paw won't extend?

[sketchi]

it's strider, he's only using three legs to walk now. his front left paw, he curls up tightly by his side, never setting it on the floor. it is always in the curled position, can't relax it (the fingers). when I try to stretch or massage it out, doesn't work, and he pulls away from me. he's the most stoic rat out of mine, so he never squeaks but I do think it hurts him when I squeeze his hand lightly!

the only reason I can think of is my mom says she may have accidentally closed the cage door on his hand, but when she went to open it he was already free from it. this was a few days ago though, and he's still not better!

he still eats with both hands, grooms with both hands, and seems otherwise to be in good spirits. I'm taking him to a vet today (but not my regular since I'm in a different city!!!), but would love the opinions of rat-shackers first. any links to relevant articles are also welcome!

wauggh my poor baby, I hope it won't come to amputation!!!

 

[lilspaz68]

Sounds like a sprain or an ooops..dont' touch it and just watch for any swelling. He should be just fine.

 

[sketchi]

it seems swollen...

 

[lilspaz68]

that also is normal. If it was extremely swollen then I would give him metacam or infant/children's for pain/anti-inflammatory.

 

[jorats]

Ya, these things happen.

 

[sketchi]

thanks for the reassurances, whewff... I've postponed the vet visit for a couple days, to see if he gets better on his own. vet visit is $82! if it's not an emergency I'll save this money for another day. :thumbup:

 

[Moon]

Really not much you can do for feeties unless they become really bad. Poor boy.