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lizharrell1
08-15-2009, 03:57 PM
One of the babies I got yesterday (fell 80 feet from nest) appears to have a broken jaw. I don't SEE any obvious deformities, however, when I feed him I am able to feel what seems to be grating under his jaw when he tries to nurse. I am successfully getting 1/2 strength Esbilac into him, but he nurses VERY differently then all of my other babies. The female that fell with him, has no obvious injuries and is a much better eater than the male (I also just went and got the other baby that FPL pulled from the nest-this baby is a female-there was a male with her but he was gone when I got to them). Anyway, I have no idea how to handle this situation with the little male. I realize my limitations and I REALLY need some advice on this. Thanks
Liz

I Love Lucy
08-15-2009, 04:16 PM
How old is this baby? Sometimes when babies' teeth are emerging they don't eat well and there can be a grating feeling while they are nursing. Some babies teeth even appear loose. Some of them have a harder time adjusting to nursing with new teeth and play around with the nipple. If this is an older baby check his teeth to make sure there is no malocclusion.

If you really feel there is a break in the jaw this baby needs to be seen by a vet in your area. There are many rehabbers on TSB in Fla. that will be able to help you find one.

Good luck.

lizharrell1
08-15-2009, 04:24 PM
I estimate them to be about 5 weeks or so. Looks like their eyes will be open very soon. I thought about the teeth thing too, but the other baby doesn't seem to have that issue. They DO have but their upper and lower teeth. Unfortunately, no vets in this area see wildlife, even though I got the babies from the vet:dono I have a call in to Anne about this, but I know she has her hands MORE than full, so not sure when I will hear back from her. The other baby I went to get today (the male that died) also looked like he had a jaw injury as well, but that baby had obvious swelling, my baby has no swelling.

Legomom
08-15-2009, 04:31 PM
I don't know what could be done if the jaw is broken. Did I give you my vet's number? If not, here it is. Backwoods Trail, Dr. Burba...352-669-5998. No ER line, but they open at 8:30 during the week. His receptionist/tech was a rehabber...she's very helpful, too. Especially over the phone. (You probably passed the office on your way to me. On SR 19 in Altoona.)

Buddy'sMom
08-15-2009, 04:36 PM
Liz, can you tell if that baby seems to be in pain? I would guess if the jaw is broken (or injured) pain would be worse with nursing -- does he nurse w/o lots of pauses like it hurts? Any facial swelling?

As Legomom said, I don't think anything could be done about the jaw itself. However, pain meds may be needed for him. (I'm guessing you prbably don't have any? Is it possible the vet that gave them to you would work with you on pain meds (we can provide info if s/he does not treat sqs and wouldn't know the specifics))

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Legomom
08-15-2009, 04:43 PM
I have some metacam if needed & I can get more from my vet.
Hopefully, someone here can help you figure out if he needs the meds or not.
Let me know...I'd be happy to meet you halfway. :grouphug

Buddy'sMom
08-15-2009, 04:58 PM
I have some metacam if needed & I can get more from my vet.
Hopefully, someone here can help you figure out if he needs the meds or not.
Let me know...I'd be happy to meet you halfway. :grouphug
I sent Liz a PM with Jackie's number for a phone consult -- I know Jackie (among others here) has cared for sqs with jaw/facial injuries and would have some ideas for maybe how to tell and how to care for him. :grouphug

lizharrell1
08-15-2009, 05:08 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone. No the baby does not seem to be in any pain, if anything, while he is nursing, he almost acts like he is attacking the nipple, so not sure if he just has new teeth he is dealing with or does indeed have an injury. I am getting ready to call Jackie now for more info. Will keep posted.
Liz

Jackie in Tampa
08-16-2009, 09:37 AM
Good morning...looking for update...and sending good vibes from Sq Central!:grouphug

Buddy'sMom
08-16-2009, 09:43 AM
The other thread says babies are going to Anne today.

Anne, I hope that means you are now feeling lots better :flash3

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Jackie in Tampa
08-16-2009, 09:51 AM
If Anne is too busy, I will take them!
...not stepping on toes, just offering!:D

philomycus
08-16-2009, 12:22 PM
Great job everyone! I hope this little one is doing well. Liz- my mom still sees Bella in her yard and has now become her "pet" outdoor squirrel :D Kudos for you to realize when you're over your head.

I don't know how far Palatka is from g'ville, but in the future I can be used as a last resort if you need help!

Buddy'sMom
08-16-2009, 12:36 PM
...
I don't know how far Palatka is from g'ville, but in the future I can be used as a last resort if you need help!
I was HOPING you would say that!!! :multi :multi :multi :multi
There actually have been quite a few calls for that area. MsOakley is there and then Sarabi is the next closest, I think. So another emergency contact would be great! :bowdown

:thinking :thinking Maybe you can work sqs into the whole vet school experience, all those new friends you are going to make -- show-and-tell-and-educate all those budding vets so they can go open their practices and actually have some knowledge of sq needs -- and won't have to automatically say "oh, no, we don't do squirrels here" :thumbsup

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Anne
08-16-2009, 02:28 PM
Liz drove up this morning with the three babies. One of the girls is having gran-Mal seizures. When Liz called me last night about these seizures I had her try syrup, however the problem is persisting. I administered a dose of Dex subQ with saline, but the baby had another episode about 90 minutes later. The boy's jaw trouble is not apparent here, but I use a different type/size nipple. So all three siblings are here with me. While Liz was here she received a call about the finding of yet another sibling. All babies have a good appetite.

lizharrell1
08-16-2009, 02:42 PM
Great job everyone! I hope this little one is doing well. Liz- my mom still sees Bella in her yard and has now become her "pet" outdoor squirrel :D Kudos for you to realize when you're over your head.

I don't know how far Palatka is from g'ville, but in the future I can be used as a last resort if you need help!
Thanks, Philo,
Palatka is about 45 min from Gainesville, and I am in Gainesville several times per week. And great to hear about Bella!!! I was wondering about her!!!

lizharrell1
08-16-2009, 02:46 PM
Liz drove up this morning with the three babies. One of the girls is having gran-Mal seizures. When Liz called me last night about these seizures I had her try syrup, however the problem is persisting. I administered a dose of Dex subQ with saline, but the baby had another episode about 90 minutes later. The boy's jaw trouble is not apparent here, but I use a different type/size nipple. So all three siblings are here with me. While Liz was here she received a call about the finding of yet another sibling. All babies have a good appetite.
Hey Anne!!!!
Picked up the other baby, a VERY emaciated female from that same group. May have fallen before or with the others but had climbed under the finders house. I have started her on Pedialyte, seems a little lethargic, but appears to be holding her own. I also picked up the other little squirrel from my sis-in-law, this baby is also a female and about 2 weeks old maybe. Just fell out of nest this morning, so doesn't appear dehydrated and looks good. Will go ahead and give her a Pedialyte feed as well. Whew!!! What a day!!! I hope the little seizure girl I gave you does well, and I hope I was wrong about the jaw on the boy!!!:jump

lizharrell1
08-16-2009, 03:20 PM
After looking at the newest little girl that I got from my sis-in-law, she is actually around 3-4 weeks. She is fully furred, kind of on the small side but she walks pretty well and curls her tail over her back. She is just small. Think Mom may have pushed her out of the nest because she IS so small? Do squirrels do that kind of thing?:dono

Anne
08-16-2009, 03:30 PM
Sometimes, Liz, they do. Or sometimes it's the siblings fighting for more room. Your little girl may be the runt, or Mommy sensed something wrong. We really never know why we get the singleton babies.:grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon
If you (or they) need me, you know our way here:D

lizharrell1
08-16-2009, 03:41 PM
Sometimes, Liz, they do. Or sometimes it's the siblings fighting for more room. Your little girl may be the runt, or Mommy sensed something wrong. We really never know why we get the singleton babies.:grouphug :grouphug :Love_Icon
If you (or they) need me, you know our way here:D
At this point, Anne, I could probably put my vehicle on autopilot and it would get me there just fine!!! Depending on how the female I got that was a part of that other litter, does, and how well this other new baby do, I may need to hang on to the one from the litter I brought you, just so the newest little girl isn't by herself. She is WAY too small to put in with the Fab 4, who by the way look like giants compared to her, even though I am not sure there is actually that much of an age difference between all of them. So if a little squirrel is pushed out of the nest by Mom or sibs, do they develop a complex after that? LOL. Do they make a little baby squirrel dose of antidepressants? (I have a picture in my head of a little squirrel, laying on its back on a little sofa, telling a squirrel psychiatrist (or squirrel whisperer, maybe) all about the problems in their life and blaming mom and sibs for it all):D Okay, I think I need a nap, have had little sleep this week and I am starting to sound loopy!!!:jump