Black tooth and probable abcess in jaw

[enchanted247]

Hi everyone! I have a baby about 10-11 weeks old. (Her eyes opened on March 17.) She has started to eat solids, apples, sweet potatoes and pre-cracked nuts. She was doing great, very sweet, docile baby, and very content. A couple of days ago, she started to seem MORE docile and was sleeping more, only coming out for her bottle, which she has started to prefer in a dish now. Yesterday, my daughter commented on her cute double chin. I thought it was cute too as she is getting rather chubby. But today, it was obviously swollen, almost to her ear. At first I thought maybe a molar was giving her trouble, so I looked inside her mouth and found that one of her lower incisors is black. It is also a little bit crooked, not lining up with the other one. If it is broken I can't tell it. There is blood around the gum line and more of the black tooth is exposed than the other one. That might be from swelling though.
Looking at the picture closer, it looks like even her top teeth may not be lining up properly. What can I /should I do? Should I pull the tooth? And if I do, what can I give her for pain that I might have lying around the house. Can you give them penicillin? Aspirin? Willow bark tea?
http://www.northarkwebsites.com/images/black_squirrel_tooth.jpg

[SammysMom]

Well, I'm not an expert and I am sure one will be along soon. Until then I would definitely wait for their advise. Myself, I would say a vet is really a must with the possibility of infection spreading. Pulling that tooth may be very painful an will really need a vet's care Good luck and prayers for the baby! :grouphug

[momma2boo]

Your squirrel needs to see a wildlife vet. It would help if their specialty was dentistry.

Where do you live?

I had a squirrel who had an abscessed incisor (lower left). If you catch it early you should have a real good outcome.

Feel free to PM me with where you live. I might be able to give you a GREAT vet.

[momma2boo]

I tried to PM you with some info but there was no luck. It says you don't accept them so if you want information I will have to email you or put it on the board.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[enchanted247]

The forum won't let me do a lot of things. It says I don't have permission. I live in Northwest to North Central Arkansas. Most of the vets around here only treat farm animals and common pets. There is one vet in the area that treats
"exotics", but I have been unable to reach her.

[4skwerlz]

If the squirrel is lethargic with facial swelling, the infection is very serious. While you search for a vet, you need to get her on antibiotics right away, as in tonight.... She could go septic at any time, if she isn't already.

Look in the yellow pages for "Emergency Vet Clinic"; sometimes these are less picky about what kind of animal they see. Also, look for "wildlife rehabilitators" or even just under "wildlife." You can also google "Arkansas State wildlife rehabilitators"; they might have a list. Also, you could check to see if any universities nearby have vet programs/wildlife clinics. Keep calling that "exotic vet" too of course; don't they have an emergency number? This is an emergency.

If you can't reach anyone today....what kind of human antibiotics do you have on hand?

Hoping you can find help fast.:grouphug

[4skwerlz]

Okay, we have a member, Ryglehart, who is in Arkansas.

Can anyone reach her?

[4skwerlz]

Also, if you're getting help privately via PM, would you let us know so we can stop pursuing other options?

[momma2boo]

Also, if you're getting help privately via PM, would you let us know so we can stop pursuing other options?

You must have missed it.


The forum won't let me do a lot of things. It says I don't have permission. I live in Northwest to North Central Arkansas. Most of the vets around here only treat farm animals and common pets. There is one vet in the area that treats
"exotics", but I have been unable to reach her.

She is unable to receive PMs.

[4skwerlz]

We are standing by with a phone number of TSB rehabber in Arkansas, if needed.

[Jackie in Tampa]

mt home
dr snodgrass
baxter county animal clinic 870-425-4525
he can pull teeth...go tomorrow...
needs ab asap

[momma2boo]

:goodpost :goodpost Thank you, both of you. Teeth problems are near and dear to my heart. :Love_Icon

[Jackie in Tampa]

post your email so you can be contacted...member will not post her phone number on the public board

[Jackie in Tampa]

no asprin no penicillan

[rygel1hardt]

Its sounds like I am in your area and will help you. I am in Flippin Arkansas and have vet access. You are too new to send you a pm with my phone number and I would prefer not to put it out there on a public board. If you can post an email address I will send it to you privately. Stacey

[momma2boo]

Its sounds like I am in your area and will help you. I am in Flippin Arkansas and have vet access. You are too new to send you a pm with my phone number and I would prefer not to put it out there on a public board. If you can post an email address I will send it to you privately. Stacey

Thanks for your quick response, Stacey. I've missed ya, Girl! :wave123

[rygel1hardt]

Also, look for "wildlife rehabilitators" or even just under "wildlife." You can also google "Arkansas State wildlife rehabilitators"; they might have a list. Also, you could check to see if any universities nearby have vet programs/wildlife clinics. Keep calling that "exotic vet" too of course; don't they have an emergency number? This is an emergency.

If you can't reach anyone today....what kind of human antibiotics do you have on hand?

Hoping you can find help fast.:grouphug

http://www.agfc.com/species/Documents/rehabilitators_by_county.pdf

[enchanted247]

email is order@enchantedcostumes.com. I only have penicillin, ivermectin, and other large animal type stuff. (think farm animals: cattle, horses)
I wouldn't say she is lethargic, just not as social or frisky. But the swelling is noticable.
I think I have a neighbor that raises English bull dogs. They are likely to have some pharmaceuticals. I will give them a call.

[4skwerlz]

I have sent your email addy onwards. You should get a response shortly.

Baytril or cipro are good. SMZ-TMP also. Until a vet/rehabber can see her.

[enchanted247]

Also, I also spoke with the AGFC rehabber nearest me. She has a vet in Clarksville, but that is well over an hour away. I am in Newton County. Far, far away from any city. The only emergency vets within 1 hour of here are for large animals. I have already spoken with my usual vet and they said to try the other one that see exotic pets. Still no answer.

[rygel1hardt]

Hello enchanted 247 I sent you an email with my name and phone number. If I can help please dont hesitate to call. Stacey

[enchanted247]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses. I have a vet appointment in the morning. She seems to be doing fine. I will post an update after I get home. I managed to find some expired Baytril, but I think, since she is being seen in the morning, it would be best to just wait.

[momma2boo]

Praying for your girl. I will be stalking your thread waiting for an update.

[momma2boo]

Praying for your girl. I will be stalking your thread waiting for an update.

I've been stalking this thread ... any word on this little girl?

[rygel1hardt]

I talked to this gal last night by phone and she had made an appointment with a vet closer to her that she was referred to by a rehabber in her county. I know the rehabber that gave her the vet referal and she is great. She sent her to the vet she uses for her wildlife. After our telephone conversation I sent her links to fox valley formula and Harlan Teklad rodent block. She is a really nice person and knows this baby may end up non releasable. Not to worry as having a pet squirrel in Arkansas is perfectly legal. I asked her to please keep us updated on this baby and also how the vet visit went so I will possibly know of another vet in Arkansas that is knowledgable in treating wildlife. Hopefully we will hear something soon. Stacey

[momma2boo]

Thanks Stacey.

[m&bs mom]

Any updates on this little one?

[enchanted247]

Hi guys, sorry to keep you waiting. She is doing much better now. Every single time I get logged on and start to write an update, I get interrupted. EV...er...y time. By the time I get to set back down, I've been logged out and have lost everything that I wrote and don't have time to start all over. Oh the joys of a home based business and a large family. I have already been interrupted 3 times, before finishing this paragraph.

Anyway the doctor gave her something - something sulfanomide (spelling?) antibiotics. She did have a slight fever. Doc said the cause appeared to be from an injury. Most likely the felling of the tree by the bulldozer or the "being dragged behind a tractor with a log chain" ride to the wood pile a half mile away. Her two siblings were DOA. In fact, now that the swelling has gone down you can feel that the jaw joint is back farther on one side than the other. I always thought there was something not quite right about the way her head looked, but I could never put my finger on it. The jaw appears to have grown crooked and the teeth will not line up. Her teeth probably just now got long enough to start conflicting with each other.
...4 interruptions...
The doctor did not want to pull the tooth. It is very well rooted and she was afraid that both of the bottoms would come out. She said it almost looked like they were growing together. Doc said let nature take it's course and let it fall out on it's own, if it is going to. So she trimmed all the teeth even and said we would probably have to do that from now on. I guess I need to learn how to trim teeth.
The best part is, we have gotten some really good bonding time. Apparently that bad jaw is very itchy. I've never seen a squirrel set so still for a scratching. :D I was trying really hard before to not get attached to her, but that's right out the window now. Guess I'll have to name her for real. I've been calling her Sweet Pea. Maybe that's not so bad.
Total of 6 interruptions. Fortunately, I wrote this in notepad and saved it several times, while composing it, otherwise you still would not know about her. Make that 7, no 8 the phone is ringing right now.

[Ronda]

Sweet Pea is such a cute name...I hope she does well with the teeth issues. I just had to go look at your website...your work is beautiful!!!! I would love to have some fairy wings for my squirrelly Princess :rotfl

[momma2boo]

Hi guys, sorry to keep you waiting. She is doing much better now. Every single time I get logged on and start to write an update, I get interrupted. EV...er...y time. By the time I get to set back down, I've been logged out and have lost everything that I wrote and don't have time to start all over. Oh the joys of a home based business and a large family. I have already been interrupted 3 times, before finishing this paragraph.

Anyway the doctor gave her something - something sulfanomide (spelling?) antibiotics. She did have a slight fever. Doc said the cause appeared to be from an injury. Most likely the felling of the tree by the bulldozer or the "being dragged behind a tractor with a log chain" ride to the wood pile a half mile away. Her two siblings were DOA. In fact, now that the swelling has gone down you can feel that the jaw joint is back farther on one side than the other. I always thought there was something not quite right about the way her head looked, but I could never put my finger on it. The jaw appears to have grown crooked and the teeth will not line up. Her teeth probably just now got long enough to start conflicting with each other.
...4 interruptions...
The doctor did not want to pull the tooth. It is very well rooted and she was afraid that both of the bottoms would come out. She said it almost looked like they were growing together. Doc said let nature take it's course and let it fall out on it's own, if it is going to. So she trimmed all the teeth even and said we would probably have to do that from now on. I guess I need to learn how to trim teeth.
The best part is, we have gotten some really good bonding time. Apparently that bad jaw is very itchy. I've never seen a squirrel set so still for a scratching. :D I was trying really hard before to not get attached to her, but that's right out the window now. Guess I'll have to name her for real. I've been calling her Sweet Pea. Maybe that's not so bad.
Total of 6 interruptions. Fortunately, I wrote this in notepad and saved it several times, while composing it, otherwise you still would not know about her. Make that 7, no 8 the phone is ringing right now.

Enchanted ... you're funny!
Glad to hear that Sweet Pea is doing well. Looks to me like you have a pet squirrel now. Careful ... they are thieves ... they steal hearts. :D

Please keep us all informed on Sweet Pea's progress. She is a real cutie pie ... and extremely lucky to have you as her new momma.

[SammysMom]

Right you are M2B!!!

[UDoWhat]

Hi guys, sorry to keep you waiting. She is doing much better now. Every single time I get logged on and start to write an update, I get interrupted. EV...er...y time. By the time I get to set back down, I've been logged out and have lost everything that I wrote and don't have time to start all over. Oh the joys of a home based business and a large family. I have already been interrupted 3 times, before finishing this paragraph.

Anyway the doctor gave her something - something sulfanomide (spelling?) antibiotics. She did have a slight fever. Doc said the cause appeared to be from an injury. Most likely the felling of the tree by the bulldozer or the "being dragged behind a tractor with a log chain" ride to the wood pile a half mile away. Her two siblings were DOA. In fact, now that the swelling has gone down you can feel that the jaw joint is back farther on one side than the other. I always thought there was something not quite right about the way her head looked, but I could never put my finger on it. The jaw appears to have grown crooked and the teeth will not line up. Her teeth probably just now got long enough to start conflicting with each other.
...4 interruptions...
The doctor did not want to pull the tooth. It is very well rooted and she was afraid that both of the bottoms would come out. She said it almost looked like they were growing together. Doc said let nature take it's course and let it fall out on it's own, if it is going to. So she trimmed all the teeth even and said we would probably have to do that from now on. I guess I need to learn how to trim teeth.
The best part is, we have gotten some really good bonding time. Apparently that bad jaw is very itchy. I've never seen a squirrel set so still for a scratching. :D I was trying really hard before to not get attached to her, but that's right out the window now. Guess I'll have to name her for real. I've been calling her Sweet Pea. Maybe that's not so bad.
Total of 6 interruptions. Fortunately, I wrote this in notepad and saved it several times, while composing it, otherwise you still would not know about her. Make that 7, no 8 the phone is ringing right now.
So glad (or is it so sad) that this happens to others. Let the dogs out, answer the door, babies need to be fed, oh no let the dogs in. Sound familiar. Can't get 5 minutes in a row sometimes. Now for the real point of this post. So glad to hear that Sweet Pea is doing good. I was worried. You did great with her. :thumbsup Keep us in the loop as you can.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[enchanted247]

Thanks Ronda. Oh gosh, squirrel fairy wings! Then she will fly away with my heart instead of just stealing it. I've been trying to figure out how to keep a diaper on her so she can help me sew. I used to have a chicken that sat on my shoulder. Might have to make a whole suit and put wings on it! hmm, Can squirrels chew through Kevlar?
Thanks so much for the support guys.
Oh and my real name is Tammy.

[Ronda]

I can just imagine having a squirrely sewing helper!. Scrat actually rarely pees outside her cage anymore, and thankfully the pellets are easy cleaning...but there is no way I would let her out and about with the king of beautiful fabrics you are using...not to mention mebbe the customers would be less than enchanted:tilt Let us know if you get a diaper solution figured out and of course PICS!