Injured Bank Vole (Urgent)

Reptilian · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 12:52 PM

I was just sat outside relaxing in the sun when my cat started whining for attention. As i looked down he was having a thoroughly good time terrorising a poor vole. Initially i thought the vole was dead, then i saw some movement so i scooped it up in my hand and kept it there in for a while because the poor thing was in shock.

After about 10 minutes it came round. It jumped down and tried to run off which is when i noticed its back legs were dragging so i picked it up again. Bloody thing bit me and drew blood, undeterred i carried him indoors and it's now in a box.

He's now over the shock but still limping badly. If i let him go now my cat will have it for dinner without a doubt so what should i do?

Poor quality pics unfortunately.

I know nothing about rehabilitating voles, so any help appreciated.

Gill Catton · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 02:45 PM

hmmm looks to be in a bad way unfortunately..... Try looking in the yellow pages for your nearest wildlife rescue and ask them for advice....
I tried to rehabilitate a baby rabbit once and failed - wished I had phoned those with more knowledge far earlier than I did.......

paulinemiller10 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 07:44 PM

Hi there, I would keep him in a cage with food and water, he may be just in shock and will get the use of his legs back, not sure what he is, voles eat grass I think, and woodmice will eat chopped peanuts, he needs to eat while you decide where he is going. Pauline.

nightshade · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 08:05 PM

Shock from the injuries will quickly set in,keep it warm and dark and quiet
leave it water it will not feed until it recovers

Bank Vole | Wil About Britain

Reptilian · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 05:38 PM

Well i kept it in a box for a good few hours before he came round properly. It munched through some apple i gave it and it looked much better but still it's back legs were not working right and my dad noticed it didn't have much control over it's tail and his balance was off which is when we persumed it was some kind of spinal injury. I ended up releasing it some time later and oddly it seemed to run off fine.

Anyway, i guess nature will take it's course now.