Possible Cat Attack

[397rs]

I have a squirrel whose back side has been ripped bare and there are two bloody slashes on the bare skin. I'm not certain if it is a cat bite, a cat swipe, or possibly from another squirrel.

The fur is completely gone in about a 2 inch space. I have read that if it is a cat bite that the bacteria from the cat can kill it.

Today, I found "Boomer" in the state mentioned above near his squirrel box. He's now gone into his house and is sleeping.

I live in a state where it is illegal to take care of squirrels and no one will help other than putting them down. I was told by a rehabber that Baytril is what is needed but that she cannot help me with that. Any suggestions?

Will a spray on Neosporin work at all? Thanks.

[Mars]

It sounds like a degloving wound?? Where the skin has been ripped away or is it just a lot of fur missing?? Cat bites leave puncture wounds. The claws can rake the skin. If you can clean the wound with a mild soap and water and then disinfect provadine iodine ( diluted to a weak tea color ). You can then apply a neosporin. If the little one can not be handled the spray may be the best you can do.

Hope this helps. :)

[Buddy'sMom]

Sorry to hear about Boomer. Is Boomer a squirrel that you raised and released (vs. a "friendly wild")? I'm asking to learn about his age, since males often fight each other for priority for the females, and if he is at least a year old, perhaps it was a squirrel fight. Especially if Boomer is young, he would be at the bottom of the squirrel hierarchy. They frequently take hunks out of each other.

You are correct that cat saliva can be deadly and antibiotic treatment is recommended if a cat injury is suspected. Other than the nature of the wound, do you have reason to suspect a cat? Are there cats in the yard/neighborhood? Have you seen any cats going after the squirrels before?

Neosporin will not be a substitute for oral antibiotics if it is a cat bite.

Do you have any antibiotics available? If so, that might be suitable -- one of our rehabbers can advise.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

EDIT: Follow Mars' suggestion if you can -- she is a very experienced rehabber.

[397rs]

To respond to Buddy's Mom, Boomer is 11 months old. Born at the end of last July. He was raised by us along with 3 others when their mother mother was killed by a car.

He has been released for over 2 months now but continues to come back to the outdoor cage and squirrel box everynight. There are a few other male squirrels in the area but I have not seen the violent male interaction in our neighborhood. I've seen more of momma squirrels driving out others from their area.

To answer Mars' question, it is a clean bare patch with two linear slashes. They look more like slashes than punctures but I can't get him out of his house to get a better look at it either.

I cannot get a vet to help as it is illegal here. I found a rehabber and she said that she has a vet but they will only see her squirrels. I have a feeling that even if I asked her to take Boomer in for me as "one of hers" that the vet would most likely put him down because he is "non-native" even though they've been in this area for over 100 years.

I have some outdated Ciprofloxacin 500mg for human consumption and some outdated Cimetidine 200mg and Amoxicillin 100mg for my dogs.

Thank you both for writing back.

[397rs]

One other response to Buddy's Mom, yes, I do have reason to believe that it is a cat. We have them all over the neighborhood stalking all of the squirrels. The squirrel population dropped to almost none last year in our neighborhood.

[Buddy'sMom]

Ciproflaxin is the human equivalent of Baytril. The trick is to get it down to a small enough dose for a squirrel. I'll get someone else to help with that, but in the meantime we need to estimate Boomer's weight. Is he a grey squirrel or a fox squirrel? At nearly a year, does he look about the size of the adult squirrels in your area?

It still may be that it was not a cat, but since Boomer is special to you and since you have the med, it would be best not to wait and see.

Do you still have syringes from feeding them, that you can use to measure out doses?

:grouphug

[397rs]

Boomer is a bit smaller than the adults that I have seen around here and he was the runt of the litter. Yes, I do still have syringes from feeding them.

[397rs]

And he is an Eastern Gray

[Buddy'sMom]

Ok ... estimate he's maybe 1 pound. I sent a PM to Apple Corps to come and help calculate (I don't really feel like my math is reliable enough). He might send you a PM --- we generally don't like to post dosages on a public thread. {If someone else sees this before AC gets here and can send 397rs the instructions, please do -- but post something here so AC knows}

Ummm ... just how "outdated" is the cipro? The "dispose by" date is pretty arbitrary and has some flexibility (this is not a medical opinion :D ) but it shouldn't be too old.

500 mg is a pretty huge starting point -- is it a capsule or is it a caplet or tablet that can be broken in half (or smaller) to start with a lower number??

[397rs]

They are caplets and they are dated 3/03...not good, I know. Thank you so much for the help!

[Buddy'sMom]

Here's what I found (at http://www.ciprofloxacinpharmacy.com/active.html -- I have NO IDEA if this is a reliable quote, as it seems to be a site to get mail order cipro :dono ):


What is the shelf life of Cipro?

Cipro has a shelf life of approximately 36 months.However, materiel has been and is currently being tested through the DOD/FDA Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP) and has received extensions up to 7 1/2 years from original expiration date and some lots have received up to 9 years from original expiration date. Materiel shows no signs of deteriorating based on yearly test.

[397rs]

I talked with my Mother-in-law who is a retired physician and she said that the pills are probably still good, at least to some extent. So, I'll wait until I hear from Apple Corps or others to determine how much I should use and the best way to give it to boomer. In the mean time, I'm waiting for him to come out of his house so that I can spray his wound with Neosporin. Thanks again.

[squirrel princess]

Just reading in on your thread good luck with your little guy:grouphug you are in the right hands with the guys here:thumbsup

[Buddy'sMom]

OK, that's good confirmation about the expiration. :thumbsup

Also give some thought to how to give him the meds. Usually, you would crush the pill (or piece) and dissolve in a small amount of water, then measure out the dose from there (store liquid in fridge).

Do you think Boomer would take anything from you via syringe? It could be mixed with a little juice or Pedialyte if that would make it more palatable to him.

Alternatively, think about putting it on or in a small amount of a food he will take. If he would take a piece of melon, it could be injected into the melon (watermelon perhaps), or put on a bit of cracker or bread, or maybe mixed with something he will take from you and eat. Avocado?

Good luck! :grouphug

[397rs]

All good points. Thanks. He likes sweet potato and strawberries so those would probably be my best bets. I'll try the syringe but he's been wild for two months now so I don't think he's going to take to the syringe or even me handling him too much at this point.

He does drink from his water bottle in the outdoor cage that I keep stocked so I'll get some flavored pedialyte and see how that works first. But won't try it at all until I hear back from someone on doseage. Thanks again.
:bowdown

[Apple Corps]

The Baytril or Cipro dosage would be 4 mg TWICE daily for 14 days for a 1 pound fuzzer. So if you dissolve a 100mg tablet in 10cc of water:

5cc yield 50mg

2.5cc yield 25mg

1.2cc yield 12gmg

.6cc yield 6mg


.3cc yield 3mg.

See if your Mom can quickly get a couple of Cipro tablets from her contacts - 2003 is pretty dated.

[397rs]

Thank you very much! I'll see what I can do. I'm calling all relatives as well...but this will get me started. I'm very glad you all are out there! Your threads were very helpful to me during my days of raising these little critters and I want who I have left to live long healthy lives.

[sherryxx]

Good luck with him. My cats never go after squirrels. My squirrel has gone after them if they get too close to his food, they take off running. I miss that boy.

[Buddy'sMom]

Thanks AC!! :thumbsup

If you can get newer cipro, that would be good. But I checked a few more sites and found some that I feel more comfortable relying on (Johns Hopkins was one), that said the FDA has approved two year extensions of expiration for cipro -- based on potency. The public doesn't get actual expiration dates -- everything is just given one year from dispensing. For military stockpiles (unopened, stored under ideal conditions) they (FDA) have recertified cipro for much longer. Your storage conditions would not be ideal, but there is likely enough potency to at least start with what you've got.

UNLESS!!! Make sure the tablet looks normal -- no discoloring or appearance of dissolving or crumbling. If it looks bad in any way, just toss it as it could do more harm than good.

[397rs]

They look good. So, I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes.

[Apple Corps]

All good advice from Buddy'sMom - the older pills may have 75% potency unless they were stored in poor conditions (heat, light, humidity).

AS such - you could bump the dosage to 4mg safely - or even 5mg would be fine.

[397rs]

So far, so good. I used Neosporin spray and was quick and easy on his backside. The disolved portion of Cipro in water at given at .4cc went real smooth. He's sleeping again so we'll do it again at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Thanks again to all of you!

[Apple Corps]

Sounds as if you are on top of things!! I would still try to locate some more current Cipro or Baytril just in case...

Have you determined if the skin is missing - fur pulled out - how extensive the "wound" is?

Also - puncture wounds or not?

Feel free to PM me about lowering the number of predating cats in your area.

[GoldenEyes]

FYI and plea to everyone:

All different types of medicines, and since so many are being dispensed these days, they are starting to become ever more present in our drinking water.

When disposing of any medicine (over the counter and prescribed), please don't flush it down the toilet or down the drain. Please find a place that would take them for proper disposal like at the Hazardous Materials Disposal Center near you. Thank you.

http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water/20080309184409990001

[Apple Corps]

Correctomundo GoldenEye

[tatcat]

FYI and plea to everyone:

All different types of medicines, and since so many are being dispensed these days, they are starting to become ever more present in our drinking water.

When disposing of any medicine (over the counter and prescribed), please don't flush it down the toilet or down the drain. Please find a place that would take them for proper disposal like at the Hazardous Materials Disposal Center near you. Thank you.

http://news.aol.com/health/story/ar/_a/probe-finds-drugs-in-drinking-water/20080309184409990001


:jump i so agree!!!!:jump

[Loopy Squirrel]

By the way you are describing the squirrels injury I am wondering if it was grabbed by a hawk. I have had four hawk attacks this year on my backyard squirrels. I even caught the the hawk standing on one of my crying babies. When the hawk saw me he flew off and let the baby go. They do terrible damage including punctures and scalping. They also can squeeze the squirrel and cause internal damage. I'd watch the squirrel very carefully. Hawks talons are very dirty and definitely a potential infection site whereever they puncture. All four of my guys managed to escape the grip of the hawk but they suffered injuries from minor punctures to very deep scratches and puntures into the muscle that later abcessed.

[Apple Corps]

Loopy - we were having a b ig hawk problem as well. They were starting to look at our yard and fuzzers as a buffet line.

Matters were quickly taken care of - hawks are now gone.

[Loopy Squirrel]

What did you do? I need advice.

[Apple Corps]

Loopy - first, my philosophy: We invite these wonderful lil creatures into our lives and ONTO our property. Thus, I will not allow them to become a buffet for hawks or cats. The never ending debates about "nature taking its course" are not for me - I will protect our guests to the best of my ability. We have had cat problems - at least 6 of them are no longer predating on anything. As a result of their departure, our herb garden no longer has cat feces in it and our doors are clean and bright. More importantly, our native wildlife has flourished - dove, hummingbirds, lizards, fuzzers, and more little birds than I can identify.

As to the owls & hawks - we have had a number of them - one or two so aggressive that they were attacking squirrels on our covered patio only eight feet away. The lil fuzzers were quick enough to hop onto the pavers and go under our heavy teak chairs. The flying predators would fly up 15' to 20' up into a tree and stare for my departure. Their wait was not to their benefit and they prey no more.

As you know, there are federal and state laws regarding the shooting of raptors. Your location (rural, urban, suburban) and adherence to the law will dictate many people's course of action. Neither I nor TSB would publicly advocate shooting them - there are, no doubt, many cases where some rural locations and common sense judgement have resulted in raptors being taken out with "extreme prejudice". Along those same lines, I suspect that urban and suburban dwellers have migrated to high powered pellet rifles to dispatch the raptors with similar "extreme prejudice". Next down the ladder would be paintball guns - there are some legal restrictions about harassing them as well - but.....

Garden hoses and banging pots and pans may help deter an attack about to happen but not that effective in the long run.

A passive series of approaches involves disrupting their flight paths with lots of shrubs (3' high), string tied between your gutters and nearby tree limbs, netting, and boards leaned up against things to provide overhead protection.

Some people have written about placing some toy rats, mice, squirrels, etc. in tree limbs with monofilament snares all around them. That may not be legal either - but is probably effective. Feeding stations should be set up in areas with LOTS of overhead protection. The normal paths to get to the feeding/watering areas should also be so protected.

For more open areas - I purchase 6' long plastic garden poles - wrap string around three of them about 12" from one end - and form a tepee that is about 5 feet high. Place 3 or 4 of those around - loop some string between them - sort of like making your own spider web - you have now given the lil critters some better chance of getting killed.

Does that help?

edit: someone that deployed all of these measures would have really have a protected area.

[GoldenEyes]

Apple Corps, sounds like you have been real busy setting these things up. So glad you found a win-win situation for all parties involved without anyone getting injured. I'm trying to visualize everything you described, but have some difficulty. Could you help us out with some pics of the setup? And which type of 3' bushes are you using? I get very confused when I go to the plant nursery because there are too many to choose from. If you could name a few, that would be very helpful. Thank you!

[Apple Corps]

Will do - later today :D :D

[GoldenEyes]

Will do - later today :D :D
Thank you so much! Can't wait to see it!

[397rs]

I'm very worried about Boomer. I'm calling out to Apple Corps and Mars to give me some suggestions.

Boomer seemed to be better last night. We brought him in from his squirrel box outside and into the garage where he has some peace and quiet and can rest and be monitored. He has always been spooked of all kinds of predators at all times - so he was completely at peace last night. We gave him .5cc of diluted Cipro as per AC's recommendations yesterday and treated the wound with spray on Neosporin.

He ate a bit and drank some water and went to sleep. This morning at 5:30am, he was pretty lethargic but let us handle him. We treated the wound a second time and gave him another .5cc of diluted Cipro through a syringe both times - just quickly shot into his mouth. He climbed up on his dad's back and peed the longest pee I've ever seen a squirrel do.

But now, he's still sleeping, his nose is crusty dry and breathing seems labored and slow. Hasn't wanted water or food. It's just very reminiscent of his brother last weekend who complained of an injured foot or leg and slept for 2 1/2 days and then died of convulsions in our arms.

My husband thinks that it could be related to the Cipro because he seemed to be doing so much better last night. Any thoughts? Could it be coincidental that he got a chunck taken out of him at the same time as he's actually dying from being poisoned?

The injury site looks pretty good, as far as having your fur fully ripped off and three long gashes left behind.

Any advice is appreciated. I do not know how all of you have the stamina to go through such an emotional roller coaster with these little guys but I'm certainly glad that you are out there and helping. Because I have no vets to turn to in the state where I live. Thanks.

[Buddy'sMom]

I'm so sorry Boomer isn't doing well ... and sorry for the loss of his brother :Love_Icon last week. :grouphug :grouphug

Several rehabbers receive email notices when there are Emergency postings and hopefully one will come soon and help you. It seems unlikely (to me) that the Cipro would have that effect, but to be on the safe side, perhaps you should hold off on the next dose until someone with more knowledge of the meds advises you. In the meantime, keeping him quiet and comfortable, offering water and "juicy" foods will probably be the best thing.

Injured squirrels DO prefer to rest when they are hurt. Still, you know Boomer and if your instinct is that he's not right ......well, I hope someone can tell you what you should do next.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[397rs]

Thanks.

[Buddy'sMom]

A couple of questions that might provide helpful info for the rehabbers:

1. Was the pee (a sign of love! :D ) on a light enough shirt for you to notice if it was clear or had any sign of blood in it?

2. When you handled him, did he give any indication of tenderness in any spot? Or difficulty moving? (Wondering if he might have any internal injury --- it's hard to see bruising with their fur, but tenderness could be an indication, or any swelling -- ??)

3. Are you aware of anything he (they) could have been poisoned with? Any pesticides used or sprayed in your yard or neighbors yards? Anthing stored where they could get into it (and looking a bit ripped or nibbled)??

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[397rs]

Yes, the pee was a sign of love, plus the fact that he's not in his usual environment where he can pee outside the cage. He took the opportunity of being out of the cage where he sleeps and dosed his dad with liquid love. Good thing he hadn't showered yet.

Anyhow, the pee was clear (as far as squirrel pee goes) but had no signs of blood.

Yes, we have handled him quite a bit checking out for any signs of tenderness, swelling, etc. and find no such indication. He stretches and curls up and sprawls out all without any indication of internal injury.

As far as poison...we do not use any kind of weed control, fertilizer or any chemicals due to birds, squirrels, and our own two doxies that are close to the ground already. However, we cannot control the stupidity of our neighbors. Two days after the release of our 4 babies, our next door neighbor had guys with tanks on their backs spray their entire backyard with roundup (or something like it) and everything in their yard died within a couple days and then they came in and tilled it all up, treated it with something else, and laid down fresh new sod. They also have cats...

When Spike died last week, I called my dog's vet and asked if roundup would have killed a squirrel if it crawls back and forth under the fence to bury its stash...and she said that it dries quickly and most likely wasn't the cause. Even their cats wouldn't probably be effected. I find that hard to believe but who knows.

There are so many things that I'm sure the neighbors around me use, slug bait, rat poison, some people think squirrels are rodents and don't like their bulbs dug up that they just planted, etc., etc., etc. I even took a big walk around our entire neighborhood last week after Spike died looking for any evidence of traps, or poison deliberately left out and I couldn't find anything.

Our little guys are just so curious, especially having not been brought up with a mother to keep track of what they are getting into that I feel like we set them up for failure. The first week out, boomer ate some of my sedums and got really sick for a couple of days. Diarreah and everything. Pedialyte and rest fixed him right up. OK, I'm going to stop ranting. But that's what I know. Thanks for the questions.

[Buddy'sMom]

You have been very thorough. That's good news about the pee (except for dad), and that there are no apparent tender spots.

If it was RoundUp herbicide they sprayed (and likely was), I don't think that would have caused a problem, especially once dried. It is supposed to only be active against growing plants, interfering with their growth mechanisms. Rat and other critter poisons can be very bad, however. Unfortunately, there's no way to protect wild squirrels ......

I know you must feel devastated by Spike's death. But by rescuing, raising and releasing him, Spike was able to have an opportunity at the free-in-the-trees squirrelly life he was born for, and I'm sure he loved being out in the trees and grass, if only for a short time. It's very tought to be a wild squirrel, whether squirrel or human raised. Try not to be too hard on yourself for things out of your control. :grouphug

[Apple Corps]

I would keep the Cipro per schedule - you do not want to start and stop and start antibiotics - bad news. It could be that your lil fuzzer is healing - needing rest and a calm healing place. Plenty of water handy - some pedilyte available would be good also.

Vitamin K is the antidote for most rat poisons.

[Mars]

Is there any chance you could post pics of the wounds??

I will PM you with my thoughts on possible homeopathic help. :)

[Buddy'sMom]

397rs, Mars is our "Homeopathic Goddess" -- really knows her stuff. Trust what she tells you. :thumbsup

[Apple Corps]

One of the big issues we all face is "internet diagnostics" with limited data. If a poison is at play. you need to get an antidote quickly. Vitamin K will be effective if an anticoagulant rat poison is involved. Here is the link http://www.marvistavet.com/html/rat_poison.html

Others are available for nerve poisons, etc.

PM me with your location - we have had very good luck in getting vets to help - even in illegal states.

[Buddy'sMom]

The problem is that you have to know what the poison is in order to give an antidote. And there is no knowledge of any specific poison even in the area where he was.

397rs, Apple Corps has been very good at finding squirrel-friendly vets even in highly illegal states. If he could be seen by someone with knowledge of squirrels, that would be good.

:grouphug

[Apple Corps]

Buddy'sMom is correct - is there a poison and if so, what?

Vitamin K would not be harmful "just in case" it was an anticoagulant rat poison. A vet could administer atropine if there was an indication of insecticide or certain herbicide poisons.

The right vet could run some quick toxic substance screens and see if anything shows up.

[397rs]

I'll try and gets some pics and post them. I just was talking with Mars on PM and mentioned that Boomer woke up and ate some sunflower seeds and drank a good amount of water. He didn't touch the veggies or fruit but I'm just so happy that he got up! He's burrowed back into his bedding now but I'll try to get pics.

I'll add pedialyte and will add some spinach and cooked broccoli for vitamin K. I'm really concerned that each time I dose him with the Cipro he might be falling back. I'll wait to talk with Mars, etc., but I think I'll try at least a lighter dose of Cipro tonight and possibly a different method of giving it to him. I kind of wiggle the syringe into the side of his mouth and then push in the dose. He's mainly reacting to the taste but it could be that I am also aspirating him a bit as well. I just assumed that as an adult, I didn't need to worry about that too much like we did when they were babies taking formula.

I think I've answered most questions. I'll check on him and see if I can get you some pics. Thanks.

[Apple Corps]

Just to double check - was the Cipro tablet you dissolved 100mg?

Our crew of fuzzers will KILL to get to sunflower seed - especially the black oil variety. Fruits & veggies :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[397rs]

It was a 500mg tablet cut into 5ths and then 1/5th (100mg) disolved in 10cc of water. Then I drew up less than .5 cc in a syringe and gave it to him last night. I put the remaining 9cc's in the fridge and then this morning (12 hours later) I hand warmed the meds and then drew up .5cc and adminstered again.

He likes the white striped seeds better for some reason. He usually really loves cooked sweet potato but he won't touch it right now. So, seeds are better than nothing! Thanks.

[Apple Corps]

GOOD NEWS - vet ready to go tomorrow :jump :jump

[Loopy Squirrel]

Vit K is what we normally use for rat poisoning but it has to be given right away to have any affect. Has Boomer had a stool yet. If there is internal bleeding from rat poisoning or being grabbed it should come out in the pee or poop. Poop will look very dark like tar and it probably wouldn't be formed like a normal stool. My biggest concern is if he got grabbed by a hawk their talons grab right around the rib cage and if he was puntured he could have a punctured lung or if he fell to the ground he could have blood on the lungs as well. The damage doesn't always show up right away. I would keep him warn and hydrate him as much as he'll take. Continue the antibiotic too because he can get septic very fast from the bacteria from the bite or grab.

[Apple Corps]

Loopy - I think the Vitamin K will be good even down the road a bit - it helps restore the coagulative ability of the blood.

We have a vet ready to go - not sure there were any puncture wounds found thus far - that is good news.

I'm wondering if Boomer is simply needing some normal rest after a trauma.

Your pee & poop Dx is on the money - good point.

[Buddy'sMom]

Glad he ate and drank -- both good signs. :thumbsup And AC has worked his magic yet again!! :alright.gif Good luck with the vet tomorrow!

Last year we researched rat poisons in order to respond to a proposed change in EPA rules. 397rs, I don't know if it is at all likely that the boys could have gotten into rat poison. Clearly it could not have been at the same time or Boomer would not have stayed healthy this long. However, Spike's symptoms (first an "injured foot" and then convulsions and death) came to mind when I read the nerve toxicant info. His symptoms MIGHT NOT be related, of course, but worth thinking about. And so far I don't see any similarity to Boomer's symptoms. Here is the info, for whatever it might be worth:

Rat poisons are grain- or pellet-based, used in parks or in or around buildings. If there is a park near you, there may have been loose baits there. Or if there are commercial buildings nearby (apartments, restaurants). Residential use baits are more often found contained in bait stations, but not always. There are two basic kinds of poison, with different antidotes. I'll list the active ingredient names, in case you become aware that any have been used and can check a label.

Anticoagulant poisons (the most common):
The active ingredients include: warfarin, clorophacinone, diphacinone, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone.
The antidote: vitamin k
Without antidote, death occurs 4-10 days after ingestion, but animal becomes weaker and lethargic due to blood loss, making them more vulnerable to predators.

Nerve toxicant poisons
The poison: bromethalin
This one affects cells and the signs are neurological --- beginning with paralysis and perhaps progressing to tremors, seizures. Other signs may include vomiting, anorexia. There is no way to test for this and it is difficult to diagnose without knowledge of ingestion.
The antidote: emesis or gastric lavage (but NOT in symptomatic animals) and three doses of activated charcoal per day for 48 hours. I don't know how one would accomplish the activated charcoal treatments with a squirrel -- probably with sedation. http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/0903toxbrief.pdf?docid=1141

Hope this is helpful --- and I also hope it turns out not to be needed.
Have a quiet night. :)

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Apple Corps]

How is Boomer doing tonight??

[397rs]

I started to reply and lost the whole story, but i'll try and wrap it up in a nutshell. Boomer seems better! His wound is looking much better as well. I apologize for no photo, but I don't have the digital camera with me.

I just got him up for his cipro and another good long pee. Yes, loopy, his pee was clear and the poo that he pushed out of the cage looked good and solid.

I'm attaching two photos of him from healthier days (as a baby) so that you can at least see how cute he is (of course).

Thank you all, AC, Buddy's mom, Loopy, Mars, and others...I lost my last response by trying to go backwards to see all of you that have been there for me and Boomer today. I think we both will have a restful night. I'll give you another report in the morning.

[Apple Corps]

OMG - a 100% cuteness overload :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Rockypal]

Too, much, CUTENESS! Upload that second pic into your avatar.

[397rs]

Boomer is back! This morning I thought I was going to get another hour of sleep after I checked on him but no such luck. The first morning that I'm happy that I can't go back to sleep! He was bouncing so much in his little infirmary cage that I had to transfer him out to the outdoor cage and lock all of the doors.

I know that it would be the wrong thing to release him right now, but HE WANTS to GO!!! I couldn't even dose him with Cipro yet. But I'm using Buddy's Mom's suggestion and injecting a strawberry and will put it in the cage when it's safe to open the door.

What a difference! Yesterday at noon it had been a little over 24 hours since his injury and I seriously thought at that point that I onely had 10 percent chance of him surviving. It's now been about 44 hours and wow. I am very happy. Boomer's not, he wants out. But I'll have to give it at least anoher 24 hours.

I don't even know how I would be able to transport him to the vet that Apple Corps set up for me. However, I do plan to call the vet and discuss various options and how to continue the meds. Perhaps he can provide me with a more up to date perscription and perhaps even a different form. The way Boomer's bouncing right now, there's no way to even give him an injection!

Anyhow, what a wonderful thing the internet can be. I never had such a positive experience! Thank you all and I'll let you know what the vet says too. I hope some day that I can be of as much help to someone else as you all have been to me and Boomer...:thankyou :thankyou

[397rs]

Thanks for the suggestion, Rocky. I now have an official avatar.

[Loopy Squirrel]

That is adorable. I am glad that Boomer is doing better. Maybe he did just need a little medicine and rest.

[Mars]

:jump :jump :wahoo :jump :jump

[Rockypal]

Your welcome for that, HE IS SO ADORABLE!

[Buddy'sMom]

It's GREAT NEWS that Boomer is feeling so much better this morning!! That must have been quite a reilef, to say the least! :thumbsup :wahoo :wahoo Squirrels have amazing recuperative powers and seem to know when they need R&R.

Your pictures are beyond adorable -- especially the one of the two babies. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon Was that Spike, or one of the others? Toooo cuuuute!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[397rs]

The second photo is of Petunia (tooney)(looney tooney). She is also gone but we hope has just found another home. She disappeared a few days before Spike got sick. So, we're not sure.

Anyhow, Boomer finally wound down after several hours bouncing around in his cage and is lying around like a panther now. Waiting to get out. I think that we will keep him in at least until sometime tomorrow, if we can. I'm calling the vet in a few to see what he suggests. I am very happy!

[Buddy'sMom]

:thumbsup When we released our Buddy, he came back a couple of times with injuries that were relatively minor but enough that we gave him a couple of days rest in his release cage. He, also, wasn't too happy, but accepted it, healed and then went back out to try again. Boomer will forgive you. :) At least you can make sure he is rested and his injury healed up enough that he is moving around easily and quickly enough to be able to stay safe.

You're doing a great job!!
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[tatcat]

:thumbsup glad to hear boomer is doing well now...:thumbsup

[SkwerlGirl]

I think I'm gonna pass out from a cuteness overload...


Help me...:)

:wave GOOD JOB FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS WEE ONE!!! :wave

[Apple Corps]

Are you still giving Boomer his Cipro? Once started, as a general rule, you want to complete the treatment regimen so as to not create what is known as a "rebound infection".

How is he doing?

[Buddy'sMom]

Boomer's Mom has provided an update by PM and said it was OK to share it here -- it's a Happy Ending and we LOVE happy endings!!


It's been a while since the drama of Boomer's last ordeal and I just thought that I would follow up and let you know that last Sunday, on my birthday, we re-released Boomer because he was just bouncing off the walls of his cage wanting out. Such a change from coming so close to his last breaths.

Well, he stayed away for two whole days and nights and then returned mid-morning and slept in his house for the rest of the day and night! Then up again at 5:20am and stayed awhile with me to eat his breakfast before he headed off again to parts unknown. He's in a pattern of being out for two nights and coming back early-mid-day to sleep. Last night we had a rock and roll thunder storm that kept us all awake and I was certain he would show up this morning and yep, he was back along with his sister Daisy. I'm one happy Mom write now and I owe it all to invisible/vertual friends like you all!

Apple Corps, I'm sure that your efforts to locate a vet for me will not be in vain as I have secured a trust in the vet's clinic that I can contact him again if needed. Thank you so much!":multi

This is SUCH good news!! :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

397rs did a terrific job taking care of him and getting him back in shape to return to the trees. :bowdown And Boomer has forgiven her for keeping him in for rest and meds for a little while. :alright.gif

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug