Swollen Front Leg and Paw

[scintally]

I have three 7-8 week old baby squirrels. They are all doing great, running around, on fox valley formula, outcome is normal, and are beginning to chew and eat pecans, peanuts, carrots, califlower and watermelon bits.

They have become SO active and I introduced them to their large, branch-filled, wire habitat last night.

Today I noticed the male has a swollen forearm and paw.....could it be just a sprain I can monitor or is it broken? Last night and this a.m they were running around like mad up and down with no problems, the girls are still climbing and running but the male won't use his paw and I have his in his nesting box to restrict activity.

I have a pic ready to post but cannot figure out how...so I put it as my avatar pic.

Thanks!

[momma2boo]

You should restrict how much room all three have to climb because falls happen and injuries can be seriois. I always graduate them slowly from the tiniest enclosure to the next small size up and so on until they are 4 months old when they are finally allowed in a large pen (5' H x 6' W x 3' D).

Download your picture to your computer but be sure you resize the picture to a much smaller size so it will upload to the site then when posting go to manage attachments to upload your picture to the thread. Once uploaded you are set.

I'd love to see his leg. My little man, Jack Parker, came to me on Thursday with a compound fractured femur.

Julie

[scintally]

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[scintally]

Above is a picture. It doesn't feel broken, but with the swelling it is hard to tell. It is not misaligned just twice the size of the current one. I heard I can give metacam to reduce the swelling. We give 0.06mls to cats after their spay sx for pain at work. What is the dosage for a baby squirrel? I can get exact weight tomorrow. Thanks.

[mpetys]

What kind of flooring is on the bottom of the cage? Is it wiring too? Is the spacing enough that he could have got his paw through it and then twisted it when running? I ask because I have my little ones in a birdcage right now. I line the bottom with a large piece of fleece folded in half twice. When I am cleaning their cage and remove the fleece to put new, clean one in, I have seen one of mine with their paw all the way through the wiring and was scared one of the others would pounce on him at that moment, causing him to try to run and twist that paw! Luckily, they get real quiet when I completely clean their cage and remove all the fleece and the pull out tray.

Michele in Tampa

[mugzeezma]

Above is a picture. It doesn't feel broken, but with the swelling it is hard to tell. It is not misaligned just twice the size of the current one. I heard I can give metacam to reduce the swelling. We give 0.06mls to cats after their spay sx for pain at work. What is the dosage for a baby squirrel? I can get exact weight tomorrow. Thanks.
1-2mg/kg
For Metacam. Need the weight and drug concentration mg/ml.
Can you get this baby to a vet?

[scintally]

I can try tomorrow. Only one in town who will see wildlife. Although it is legal to keep squirrels in FL without a permit, vets are not fond of it.

The one I use is not keen on squirrels, just uses large domestic mammal knowledge and reduces the size for squirrels.

I just joined this site and have read almost every thread and now feel like my first squirrel baby of the season was mis-diagnosed and euthanized wrongfully...

[4skwerlz]

With that much swelling, probably broken.

[scintally]

Cannot see vet today, but did get metacam, supplies and a walkthrough on splinting. Metacam is 1.5mg liquid. Mac's weight is 0.1kg. Vet tech at work said proper dosage would be 0.03ml. Correct? He is also being given 1/2 a gram of Probiocin Oral gel twice a day, already had some on hand from last problem baby.

Here are pics of him today and pics of his teeth.

QUESTION: Does he also have malclusion!?! His teeth are different from his sisters, his top teeth are long and sister's just have stubs. My first baby of the season had malclusion, but her teeth were growing sideways into her cheek. She was euthanized according to vet advice and no treatment available.

I will also post pics of sisters and their teeth.
Thanks!
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[scintally]

This is sister, Joy.
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[scintally]

And sister, Harmony. This is his actual litter mate, she has a fluffy tail, is chewing and eating on her own and just has tiny stubs for top teeth. Mac's are long and are exposed when his mouth is closed. He also has begun to dribble lots of formula down his chin.

Also cage I just moved them to is 2ft. x 2ft. x 2ft., I thought that was a good intermediate size before I move them to their outside larger habitat when they are 3 months.

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[scintally]

Hello?....

[Jackie in Tampa]

yes, top teeth are overgrown already...:shakehead

I would add some fresh 5 inch green oak branches as big as your pinky for chewing, deer antler, wood baby blocks...
His teeth will need trimming, sometimes they correct themselves. Otherwise he is not releasable.
Hope you can get them undercontrol with clipping and chewing aids.

[Gina]

Glad vet was able to get meds for Mac. His teeth look long and someone will come on to give you some advise. Do you plan on keeping him if he is diagnosed with a malocclusion - I hope he's not going to same vet who euthanized your earlier squirrel?? There is no "cure" so they may not be able survive in the wild. However, they can be trimmed on a regular basis so he can live a very happy and cozy life with a human.

[Gina]

Oh, good ----- Jackie is on. She was a lifesaver for me with Wayne and his teeth issues.

[scintally]

I haven't officially taken him to the vet yet. I am worried about going to the only one who will see wildlife, as he suggested euthanasia as the only solution to my baby Almond. The other vets in town are fast to whisk them away to the wildlife sanctuary in town. I work at the Animal Shelter in town so I have access to meds and people with animal knowledge, but seeing as we don't take squirrels I am looking for help here.

Background on my Almond babe, she was my first squirrel this season and I had her since pinkie, covered in ant bites. She was wonderful and seemed perfectly healthy, hair growing in, eyes opening on time. She lived in a large shoebox on a heating pad and I fed her Esbalac puppy formula (yes, now I know it is terrible but I raised squirrels on it last year just fine).

At 5 weeks old Almond's back legs formed a large, swollen knot close to each knee which eventually formed a yellow spot. I went to the vet who said they were both broken and splinted them. It was impossible she fell, she was in a shoebox, so he said it was nutrition. I learned about Fox Valley formula from his vet tech. The next week I noticed her mouth bleeding and we found where her bottom teeth were cutting into the roof of her mouth. I spent one more night with her then euthanized her the next day, based on vet's advice.

Here she is:
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I feel like I am going through it all over again with Mac but this time I want real help....I don't want to go to the vet again. Please help, with the leg and teeth!!!

[mugzeezma]

Oh, good ----- Jackie is on. She was a lifesaver for me with Wayne and his teeth issues.
tHere have been cases where malocclusion was rectified over time with consistent trimming. At this stage of the game he is very much a non releasable. Please find a vet that has experience trimming teeth. There is a tutorial somewhere on how to do it correctly. At this point you need a professional to do it. With that kind overjet he will need some serious encouragement to chew and start working his mandible forward. I'm wondering if his jaw was broken?

[grinn75]

I looked at a few of my sources for exotic vets in Tallahassee and of course the main one is Los Robles which I know is associated with a rehab center. But two others were recommended, North Florida Animal Hospital and Northwood Animal Hospital. If you mention that this little guy is not being rehabbed for release but is your pet, I have found most vets will not question it much. At least that has been my experience here. If you are still nervous just call them and ask if they treat pet squirrels if they start asking a lot of questions then they would obviously be too much of a hassle. Hope you can find a vet that is helpful. Maybe another member knows of a vet that is good to work with in the area?

[astra]

just checking to see how Mac is doing and if there are any updates...poor little one:grouphug

[scintally]

Okay so was able to make contact with a squirrel vet. Wasn't able to be seen today but vet tech I work with now previously worked with him for 10 years so she was able to call his cell with questions when needed about medication types. She also trimmed his teeth, I almost fainted, but she said she has done it a hundred times.

He is very legargic. I have been giving fluids (injectable) and feeding every 2 hours. He will only accept 3-5mls at a time, wheras the girls down 8-12mls about 3-4 times a day. He is peeing normal, although all over himself because he won't stand up, no bm. He is separated in a small basket with a warm rice buddy.

While changing the bandage today, the swelling in his arm had decreased, although his paw looked the same and there was a large pus-filled pocket on his elbow that felt like a water balloon. The vet recommended an antibiotic that ended in "-cin", Gentamicin, I think, for infection which the vet tech injected.

The leg is unwrapped and but he is so legargic, doing my best to keep him hydrated, warm and fed at this point.... :( This all sprang up so fast....

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[astra]

Oh, poor little Mac!... he does look like he's not well and he knows it...:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug
Teeth trimmed - great! :thumbsup
As for that med - I don't have much experience with squirrel meds, so I won't know if it is squirrel-friendly... once the experienced ppl see this, they will be able to advise. Or, for a fast response, you could start a new thread asking your question in the title... hope, one way or the other he will get the right medication and will start feeling better...

So, I guess, the paw will have to be drained, right?...
yes, it would be great if that vet could see him asap. With these little ones, oftentimes, minutes are of essence.

[astra]

How is he doing today?...

[scintally]

He is still legargic, listless today. Every two hours I check hydration, administer fluids and offer food, between 3-5mls. His is on twice a day antibiotics, Clavamox, a good bacteria gel, Probiocin, and pain killer/swelling reducer in the a.m., Metacam. At this point just trying to keep him stable while the antibiotics try to fight.

Today during a feeding I noticed a strange, hard knot under the skin near his groan, then another and another, like a string of small, hard beads leading to his armpit. The vet said it was his lymph nodes, which are inflammed and swollen while fighting the infection.

Poor guy....I know God will heal him one way or the other but I hope He lets him stay with me :(

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[momma2boo]

Poor baby. He is in my prayers.

[Pierre]

Hold him and love on him! Let him feel your heart beat and your warmth. Snuggle him and let him know he is cherished.

Will be thinking about you two!! Fingers and paws crossed.

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[astra]

Hold him and love on him! Let him feel your heart beat and your warmth. Snuggle him and let him know he is cherished.

Will be thinking about you two!! Fingers and paws crossed.

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon
That's so true! Keep him next to your heart! Literally! Just recently there was a story in the news that a newborn, who was pronounced dead right after birth, was brought back to life after his mother held him next to her heart...

[scintally]

Headed to bed now, but he has been on my chest all night. It is tearing me up watching him with his labored breathing and strange clicking noises, unable to do anything more than wait. Poor thing would get up occasionally get up and crawl to nustle as close as possible before getting too tired and flop down to focus on breathing. :shakehead

The sisters are getting so big and FUN! They have begun to initiate a tag-type game in their cage, running, climbing and jumping this way and that. Crazy little girls. They were able to keep me mildly sane while worrying intensely over this little man.

Have my alarm set for 4am, for a check-up. Stay with me little Mac-man!

[mugzeezma]

I pray that today brings a turn around for little mac.
He looks very down in the pix. He's on the hardcore ABs that hopefully will wipe out what ever ails him. Lymph node involvement...he's fighting the big fight. The vet did not drain it most likely as to not ADD more to the infection. always best to Keep the skin intact. Keep this baby WARM and hydrated. Add hot moist rags to his enclosure so he doesn't loose too much through respiration.
keep up the fight little Mac-man :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

This sq needs baytril and any abcess drained...
he will go septic today if no intervention is done...
he needs baytril a loading dose NOW!:Love_Icon
let's do something...BAYTRIL will kick this bugs ass.
good luck but go somewhere and get baytril now.:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[island rehabber]

:goodpost IMHO, Clavamox is USELESS in rodents unless you want diarrhea. BAYTRIL.....BAYTRIL......or CHLORO, also a great rodent AB.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Bacteremia/SepticemiaAminoglycoside (e.g. gentamicin or amikacin) + a penicillin (e.g.amoxicillin) + metronidazole (Flagyl-do not use when neurological disorder present)
Fluoroquinolones (e.g. enrofloxacin/Baytril) + amoxicillin + metronidazole (Flagyl-do not use when neurological disorder present)
Aminoglycoside (e.g. gentamicin or amikacin) + a fluoroquinolone (e.g. enrofloxacin/Baytril) + metronidazole (Flagyl-do not use when neurological disorder present
Exotic Animal Formulary, 2nd Edition (pp.412-413).

[Jackie in Tampa]

dump the clav and add baytril asap.
keep him hydrated.
Metacam will shut him down if he is not hydrated, so if in doubt...do not give the pain med...renal failure will kill him faster than the gram positive bac...
We need to roll on him TODAY...let's do something that will help him...BAYTRIL

[mugzeezma]

dump the clav and add baytril asap.
keep him hydrated.
Metacam will shut him down if he is not hydrated, so if in doubt...do not give the pain med...renal failure will kill him faster than the gram positive bac...
We need to roll on him TODAY...let's do something that will help him...BAYTRIL
He received an injection of Gentamicin which should do the major work...

[Jackie in Tampa]

He received an injection of Gentamicin which should do the major work...
i can read...i saw that...and i am saying....

[scintally]

Headed to work with little Macdoodle, will get Baytril from nearest vet that will prescribe it ASAP. I may need dosing info, will get weight soon, please keep watch.

My only concern is he has been switched around so much already....First Gentamicin(sp?) the first day, then Clavamox the 2nd day, will it hurt him worse to switch him again or is it worth it? He is having completely normal bowel movements which makes me think something in his little fighting body is working properly. He is keeping hydration pretty good. Only took 2mls of formula this a.m, seems to have to work hard to swallow. It takes a lot for me to not just let him go to rest, but if he has made it this long and if there is any chance of survival, no matter how small, I have to give it to him.

[mugzeezma]

i can read...i saw that...and i am saying....
JIT
Hey, we all miss stuff...without knowing why they chose that combination I am inclined to think twice and again. I'm going to talk to the vet @WWC today and ask about this...see what she has to say. If for no other reason to quell my own curiosity.

Scintally
switching ABs hurts the wallet more than anything. Gut make sure you keep up with hydration and adding BeneBac to his formula while he's on ABs.

[scintally]

Have a vet close by that will sell me Baytril. The dosing I have is 0.05mls SID x 10 days and is injected sub q. Correct? I gave a dose of Clavamox this a.m., how long should I wait to administer new meds?

OH, and just weighed him at 0.17kg, he was only 0.10kg 3 days ago. Good sign!

[Pierre]

I don't think the baytril is sub Q. I believe it is oral.

[some vets with rats will give a loading dose injection of baytril and it does more harm than good. Can cause big ulcers. I wouldn't do it/have it done unless someone here says it is best in squirrels.]

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will hop on to clarify.

Best of luck!! Hold on, and get the baytril in him asap. We're right there with you, pulling for your sweet baby! :Love_Icon

[Jackie in Tampa]

injectable baytril can be dosed orally.
theABs are fine together, however I would drop the clav and opt the baytril, I would give orally and include yogurt or some form of probotics.
B is THE BIG DOG! It is a gut buster...10 days and this kid should be smilin', I would admin BID and at meal times.
I am not a rehabber, but this is the way I would triage at this time.
yes weight gain is oh lala!

[island rehabber]

I am not a rehabber, but this is the way I would triage at this time.
yes weight gain is oh lala!

License, shmicense...you're a rehabber. I got the piece of paper and I agree completely. :thumbsup

[scintally]

got Baytril. Just need a correct dose.... will post in life-threatening help needed. Thanks

[island rehabber]

OK that means he is 170g. The dosage is 0.1ml Baytril, twice a day, per "Wild Mammal Babies...." p. 200.

Good luck!!! :thumbsup

[scintally]

Another question, I have had differing opinions, is it my mouth or injected?

Oh, and give it right away or wait until p.m.?

.....vet said SID, is it really BID?
Thanks!

[scintally]

gave 0.1ml by mouth.....deep breath....still don't know whether to give twice a day or not......:dono

[Jackie in Tampa]

IrR is right, .09ml to.1ml is right on for his weight...SID would be for a real monster . BID is best for a babies tummy!
Let's go and get him better:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :bowdown

[Jackie in Tampa]

gave 0.1ml by mouth.....deep breath....still don't know whether to give twice a day or not......:dono
in 12 hours repeat...all good thank you!

[astra]

How is Mac today?

[scintally]

Mac is still with us. Still limp and seems lifeless, doesn't hold himself up at all. Still keeping hydrated, warm and force-feeding 3-5mls every 2-4hours. He got Baytril twice yesterday and this a.m., I will continue that. Had been giving Probiocin twice daily but will run out soon, so I will add some yogurt to formula. Lymph nodes are much smaller but can still be felt under skin.

His breathing is just sooooo labored and he never opens his eyes more than a squint. I can tell he is in pain, just waiting....:shakehead

[astra]

Mac is still with us. Still limp and seems lifeless, doesn't hold himself up at all. Still keeping hydrated, warm and force-feeding 3-5mls every 2-4hours. He got Baytril twice yesterday and this a.m., I will continue that. Had been giving Probiocin twice daily but will run out soon, so I will add some yogurt to formula. Lymph nodes are much smaller but can still be felt under skin.

His breathing is just sooooo labored and he never opens his eyes more than a squint. I can tell he is in pain, just waiting....:shakehead
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug
...poor, poor little Mac...

[scintally]

Mac just passed. :Squirrel :Cry RIP

I think I will start the three I have at home on the antibiotics I had for Mac just in case. I still don't know what the case of the swelling and infection was. No broken bones, no cuts or bites :dono

I cannot take this again:shakehead

[mugzeezma]

Mac just passed. :Squirrel :Cry RIP

I think I will start the three I have at home on the antibiotics I had for Mac just in case. I still don't know what the case of the swelling and infection was. No broken bones, no cuts or bites :dono

I cannot take this again:shakehead
You did all you could do!!! After a point it's up to him and God. You gave him all the care and love available and It wasn't for nothing it was so you could do it AGAIN and better. Certainly you will see that in time. For now morn him and cherish the others.:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug :Love_Icon

[mugzeezma]

I think I will start the three I have at home on the antibiotics I had for Mac just in case.
Unless there are signs of illness please don't medicate babies. I can't remember what if any issue the others had if there were any. Mac's issues were many. the worst one was an infection in his arm that probably went septic. That's not something the others would catch.

[astra]

...oh, little Mac...:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :sad