11 year eastern gray squirrel has tooth infection - Richmond, VA

[ragee79]

We have an 11-yr. old Eastern Gray squirrel that my mom has raised that would not crack open nuts, so we have had to cut his teeth down since he was young. We have been giving him vitamin supplements for years and he has been very healthly. He was doing well up until the last 6 months, it seems as though his bottom teeth that broke off have now become infected. Or at least, that is what the vet has told us. He has had pockets fill up with fluid from infection and the vet lanced it and drained the puss out and put him on an antibiotic (Baytril - 22.7mg pills). It worked the 1st time and he healed, but then the infection came back, the pocket was lanced again and now it does not seem to be getting better, even with him still taking the antibiotic. The vet also says it would be too dangerous to try to remove the bad teeth because it could break his jaw. Is there a stronger medication we can give him or anything else we can do? We love this squirrel so much, he is like a part of the family. Any help is appreciated!

[squirrel princess]

wow 11 years old. I can not help you but someone should be on
to:poke

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

We have members that have removed teeth due to various medical conditions as a last resort, and it doesn't break the jaw.

We also have some members that have vets with a great deal of dental experience. Hopefully, one of them will be able to help you out.

Are you willing to make a road trip to get a second opinion? There's a fantastic vet in NY, which is a reasonable drive from Richmond. Maybe the source of the problem can be corrected rather than to keep treating the infection.

[island rehabber]

Yes, my vet here in NYC is very knowledgeable about squirrels and dental issues; there is also a vet down south who is excellent but no one right in Virginia, I'm afraid. To back up a moment, what about trying another antibiotic on him? The infection may have become Baytril resistant (not sure if that can happen, but it might) and a course of Sulfatrim or SMZ-TMP might finally knock it out.
BTW, may I send you eleven :thumbsup for keeping this squirrel happy and healthy for eleven long years? Wow, great job!!! :bowdown

[Frickster]

could you show us pictures of your sweetie!?

[squirrelfriend]

I don't know if it actually breaks the jaw or not to remove them. Is it the lower teeth that are the problem? The member that had to have her squirrels teeth removed were on the top. I know when abcesses are lanced that they need to stay open to heal from the inside out. It can't be done with a simple pin hole.

[Sciurus1]

At the age of 7, our own Vet refused to operate on our Foxer, who for medical reasons needed to have a hysterectomy, saying she was too old and likely wouldn't survive. I then did some research, and found a couple local Exotic Vets, who were willing to do the procedure. She survived that procedure, but the Vet still took too long to do it. At 9 she developed a tumor on one of her toes that had to be amputated, but because we had another squirrel at 7 who had a tumore as well, which the same Vet operated on, but again took too much time to do, so that we lost her, we opted for the other Vet with more experience, who did this same procedure in only 15 minutes. Choosing a Vet then with allot of experience with exotics or small mammals is a must, for time is a BIG FACTOR in them surviving the procedure, as is experience, Exotic Vet or not.
As far as dental issues, as our members have said, we do know of Vets who do this kind of procedure on Squirrels, During recovery the squirrel cannot eat on it's own,and may not want to eat either. For that reason they have to be fed by syringe, or tubed if they refused to take food that way. It is a very traumatic procedure, that can damage the jaw, especially in older animals, and causes damage, and bleeding, which is the main reason for mortality. I had an 11 year old with dental issues myself, who was not in good health, we decided not to put her through more than she had already been through. Yet if your pet is in good health, know that because of the advanced age of your squirrel, the Vet may not agree to attempt the procedure, and will in anycase let you know the chances of survival are slim, still there is no hurt in asking. If you want to do that, just contact one of our moderators by Private Message, letting them know your location by city and State. They will then put you in contact with someone who has contact with the Vet. May God give you wisdom in making this decision. S1

[ragee79]

Sorry it took me awhile to get back to everyone! I have been painting my house to sell.. Thank you all for the helpful info. We are really worried about PJ and do not think that surgery is an option. It would be too risky with him going on 12 years old this year and we do not want to put him in a bad situation since right now he is eating and playing. I think we are going to ask for a different antibiotic and try him on that and maybe lance it again if we have to. We really have no choice... I wish there was a better solution to make him all better again.... We just love him so much and cant bare to lose him, but I know it will eventually have to happen. Does anyone know of any other antibiotics that are safe for squirrels just in case the vet is not sure of the ones that yall listed? I appreciate the help! God Bless!:thankyou

[starfairy]

My squirrelly had to have his top front teeth remove a few years back. He now has periodontal disease . My vet said that if it came down to it that he could not remove his front bottom teeth because it would ruin his jaw. Not sure what he meant but whenever he gets an infection, (which is not to often anymore) he will give him a shot of baytril and clavamox drops to take home. He also gave me maxi/guard zinc to rub on his gums to help keep his mouth clean.

[PBluejay2]

We have an 11-yr. old Eastern Gray squirrel that my mom has raised that would not crack open nuts, so we have had to cut his teeth down since he was young. We have been giving him vitamin supplements for years and he has been very healthly. He was doing well up until the last 6 months, it seems as though his bottom teeth that broke off have now become infected. Or at least, that is what the vet has told us. He has had pockets fill up with fluid from infection and the vet lanced it and drained the puss out and put him on an antibiotic (Baytril - 22.7mg pills). It worked the 1st time and he healed, but then the infection came back, the pocket was lanced again and now it does not seem to be getting better, even with him still taking the antibiotic. The vet also says it would be too dangerous to try to remove the bad teeth because it could break his jaw. Is there a stronger medication we can give him or anything else we can do? We love this squirrel so much, he is like a part of the family. Any help is appreciated!

I'm no authority here, but I have studied some on the cranial structure of squirrels and have a skeleton for reference, and while I can see how the top teeth may be removed (they arc about the size of a dime and curl back into the skull about to the base of the premolar (first molar), the bottom teeth extend back under the molars and pretty much comprise the jaw bone, with a thin sheath of actual bone encircling them almost up to the joint itself. How one would remove a lower incisor without destroying the jawbone itself is beyond me, but I don't doubt it can't be done.

[jme2323]

wow you are so lucky to have such a long lived sq companion! he sounds like a sweetheart...hopefully you can get the diff antibiotic and manage the problem...

wish you the best!

[Charles Chuckles]

:Welcome I hope your little boy will be OK I am sending my prayers to him, and I wish there was a better antibiotic...my Charley has an ongoing ear infection and I have him on Batril drops/he has taken the pills, but it has not helped. I hear it is one of the best:dono but maybe like IR said they become resistant to it. Please let us know how he is and if you find anything better. My Charley is 4-1/2 years old I pray everyday I will have him for a long long healthy time to come:bowdown Great job on PJ

[wheezer]

First it is amazing you have an 11 year old squirrel:thumbsup

I wish my Wheezer could have lived that long:tilt

I know there are several other antibiotics that can be used as well as some homeopathic remedies that might be of some help. I am surprised your vet hasn't tried other antibiotics. Maybe get another opinion.

I know there are others here who will come with more answers. Even if they offer you names and phone numbers of their vets who you could call for advice. Some vets will even call other vets to offer advice. There are many avenues for you, hang in there:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Welcome:Welcome to the best place to come for squirrel help from the best squirrel lovers in the world:thumbsup