PATIENT:  Allegheny Woodrat, #11-1945

LOCATION OF RESCUE:  Greene County, Virginia

CIRCUMSTANCE OF ADMISSION:   Possible animal attack

ADMISSION DATE:  August 9, 2011

PROGNOSIS:  Fair

On August 8, Wildlife Center Scientific Advisory Committee chair Dr. Jamie Reaser found an injured juvenile Allegheny Woodrat near her home.  The woodrat was covered in saliva and had a broken left hind leg.

When the palm-sized woodrat was admitted to the Wildlife Center the following day, veterinary fellow Dr. Miranda confirmed a fracture in the leg — though she suspected it was an old fracture that was already beginning to heal.  Since the fracture appeared to be stable, she opted to let the rat rest for the day rather than performing radiographs right away.  A course of antibiotics were started, as it did appear that there was an infection brewing around the injured area.   Pain medications were also administered.

The following day, the Allegheny Woodrat was anesthetized for radiographs.  These x-rays confirmed that a callous had already started forming over the fractured tibia and fibula.  The fracture was fortunately well-aligned and joint involvement is not suspected.  The woodrat has a good range of motion with his hind foot. 

Allegheny Woodrats are found in the Appalachian Mountains, though have now disappeared from the northern part of that range.  They are listed as a federal species of concern due to declining populations during  the past 30 years.   Allegheny woodrats primarily live in rocky outcrops in forested areas — particularly preferring places with overhanging rocks and ledges.  Woodrats are also nicknamed “pack rats”, due to their habit of collecting and caching non-food items such as bottle caps, coins, feathers, and bones.

The veterinary team will continue to monitor this young woodrat.  An additional set of radiographs are scheduled for later this month.  

August 17 update

The Allegheny Woodrat continues to do well.  Dr. Miranda took another set of radiographs on August 17 to check to see how the woodrat’s injured leg was healing.  While it’s not the straightest of alignments, the bone is healing quite nicely and the woodrat doesn’t seem to be impeded in anyway when he walks.   The woodrat will finish up a course of antibiotics this week and if all continues to go well, he will be released next week.

August 23, 2011

On August 22, Dr. Miranda evaluated the Allegheny woodrat.  After springing out of his hide box, and nearly escaping his enclosure, Dr. Miranda signed off on his release.  The woodrat was returned to his original rescuer so that she could release him in the area in which he was found.  

Your special donation will help the Center to provide food, medicine, and ongoing medical care to  the 2,300 patients the Center will admit this year.  Whether a common species or one of special concern, the Center is there to help, and we rely on the support of caring individuals.  Please help!