Charley

[Chickenlegs]

Charley is a storm squirrel. He was found in a puddle during hurricane Irene. I got him the day after he was rescued and noticed he was sneezing and his nose was wet. Next day he was at the vet and come to find out his runny nose was from a wound in the roof of his mouth next to where his teeth are coming in. It was full of maggots. Poor Charley isn't doing well. He eats some but so far I haven't noticed any pee or poop--just a brownish discharge from his anus. The vet didn't give him anything systemic for maggots and I'm freaked he has them inside. I haven't seen them and the vet did check but it's the same brownish discharge as was on his nose. He could also have some serious internal injuries not easily apparent. My heart hurts for poor little Charley. He's fighting so hard but his weight has gone down. Whichever way it goes, he's warm and fed and I do have some infant Motrin if someone can give me the dosage (he's 110 grams)--tho if he's bleeding inside that may not be the best thing. Keep little Charley in your prayers and if you ever notice sneezing, for heaven sake check for a wound in the mouth that may be infested. I would never have noticed. Would have posted earlier but we JUST got power.

[Twi_prime]

Sounds awful. Poor little man! :(

*Don't take the following as treatment advice unless someone experienced says to, okay?*This may sound crazy but, a long time ago, I heard of people-doctors using *bacon* to get maggots to come out of an infested wound on a person. In that case, they put the bacon over the wound but I don't know how that would work with your little guy and his little mouth. Also, there's the possibility that it would be bad for him to accidentally swallow such salty, fatty stuff. I don't know if squirrels get pancreatitis, but I know really fatty stuff can cause dogs to get it. *Again, the bacon is just a thing I've heard of being used on people, but I have no idea if/how such a thing could be applied to a squirrel.*

I really hope Charley does well. Why didn't the vet prescribe anything? :grouphug

[Rhapsody]

YOU NEED some CAPSTAR (1/4 tablet) ASAP!! --Time is very IMPORTANT!!!
.... will KILL the MAGGOTS with in a day or two
.... crush & mix with water - give thru syringe

Link:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/product/1557/capstar.htm

You can give 1 drop of Motrin for PAIN & INFLAMMATION...... no NEED for suffering

[MiriamS]

Oh CL, I can't believe you only just got your power back!!!! That's terrible and I'm sorry Charley isn't doing great. I'm surprised the vet didn't give you anything. I have heard of bacon being used to extract botfly larvae but as of Sunday, I became an expert on maggots and can tell you that Capstar is the way to go.

Sold at Petco and vet offices, and who knows where else, one pill (for small dogs) gets mashed and diluted with one cc of water. You syringe feed at least one cc and squirt some into the infested area. I had to treat the ear canal of one of my storm babies and the maggots came squiggling out as soon as I squirted the Capstar in there. Gross but effective.

You may not be able to get any directly into Charley's nose or mouth wound but one or two doses will kill any that remain and then he needs to be on antibiotics for two weeks. But like you said, whatever the outcome, he's warm and as comfortable as could be given his unfortunate circumstances. I guess the vet isn't quite the squirrel expert that Mrs Skul and UDoWhat are but you can treat on your own if you already have the AB and can find Capstar at Petco, etc. Not cheap unfortunately but worth it. So go beg one off of a 24 hour vet clinic or hit up a pet store at 9am tomorrow. Good luck.

[Rhapsody]

I had to treat the ear canal of one of my storm babies and the maggots came squiggling out as soon as I squirted the Capstar in there. Gross but effective.Yes, sadly (and grossly :/ ) --this is the awful side of having to deal with maggots...... and just to let you know so you will be prepared "just in case" --
there are other places and holes that maggots can come out of IF they are in there - ok. ((( hugs ))) :Love_Icon

[MiriamS]

I think it was more awful to see them in the first place and then have to go digging into the ear to pull them out that night before I could get the Capstar. OMG, what a terrible experience for someone with virtually NO experience. Yuck. I saw what looked like a big yellow maggot coming out of a baby's anus the other day and almost had a heart attack until I realized it was a long soft Fox Valley poop. I'm now prepared for anything. But still YUCK.

[Skul]

If they are external, a small dose of peroxide may help.
External is fairly easy.
When you get to the mouth/internal, it gets tough.

[Twi_prime]

So glad Rhapsody, Miriam and Skul came along. Good luck, Charley and ChickenLegs. :Love_Icon

[Rhapsody]

If they are external, a small dose of peroxide may help.
External is fairly easy.Will that actually KILL them Skul? - if they are only on the outside of the body? and not in the wound or inside.
Never dealt with just a mild case of maggots. I always give CAPSTAR!!

Does the Peroxide DRY them UP?

[Chickenlegs]

Does Capstar come under a different name? Can I get it someplace other than Petco?--say Petsmart or even Walmart (have a visceral dislike of Walmart) I mentioned Capstar to the Vet tech when I called to take him in the second time so she could ask the vet and I could get some Capstar immediately rather than wait for the appt. Yuda thought I'd grown an extra head. I rely on TSB for all things squirrel. Just gotta get the stuff NOW without spinning my wheels looking--or ordering online. I should have had some here. Thanks. Going to check the little man now. I hope it's not too late.

[CritterMom]

Do you by ANY chance have any Revolution? It, too, will kill maggots. One drop between shoulders. It works really fast.

[Chickenlegs]

I used the Revolution as I could treat him NOW rather than going to get Capstar when the store opened. He's so weak. I got another maggot from the wound in his mouth. I'm sure that's what's going on in his other end. While I'm furious at the vet for not listening that he needed something systemic, I know she was doing her best. I knew Capstar was used but had no idea about dosage or if I remembered correctly. That's why I asked HER. Vets are wonderful and she's been a godsend but she isn't nearly as knowledgeable as the folks here at TSB. Unfortunately, power was out everywhere--even the local internet access and stores were shut down all around, including the local PetSmart. The vet office was on generator and only the area where the animals are was air conditioned. It was a mess and folks still don't have power. I feel sick that he's suffered and I didn't insist he get some meds (I CAN make an ass of myself but really don't want to mess up the relationship with this critical care provider. I should have.). I'm sure they have something at the clinic. Doesn't help that I learned from the experience unless a miracle happens and Charley rallies. He needs the loving prayers from the good folks here--for a speedy recovery or a peaceful passing.

[Nancy in New York]

I used the Revolution as I could treat him NOW rather than going to get Capstar when the store opened. He's so weak. I got another maggot from the wound in his mouth. I'm sure that's what's going on in his other end. While I'm furious at the vet for not listening that he needed something systemic, I know she was doing her best. I knew Capstar was used but had no idea about dosage or if I remembered correctly. That's why I asked HER. Vets are wonderful and she's been a godsend but she isn't nearly as knowledgeable as the folks here at TSB. Unfortunately, power was out everywhere--even the local internet access and stores were shut down all around, including the local PetSmart. The vet office was on generator and only the area where the animals are was air conditioned. It was a mess and folks still don't have power. I feel sick that he's suffered and I didn't insist he get some meds (I CAN make an ass of myself but really don't want to mess up the relationship with this critical care provider. I should have.). I'm sure they have something at the clinic. Doesn't help that I learned from the experience unless a miracle happens and Charley rallies. He needs the loving prayers from the good folks here--for a speedy recovery or a peaceful passing.

So sorry that you and Charley are going through this. I will pray for a speedy recovery, or a peaceful passing. I am just glad that Charley found his way to you....:Love_Icon

[MiriamS]

Correction: It DOES help that you learned from the experience regardless of the outcome. You are giving Charley a chance, which is what every orphan deserves. :bowdown

And I think it's very important that you keep a good relationship with that vet. If the stores or vet clinic are open, it might still be worth picking up one Capstar pill to treat the mouth wound topically, by either squirting it through his nose or up into the mouth wound.

[mpetys]

I think it was more awful to see them in the first place and then have to go digging into the ear to pull them out that night before I could get the Capstar. OMG, what a terrible experience for someone with virtually NO experience. Yuck. I saw what looked like a big yellow maggot coming out of a baby's anus the other day and almost had a heart attack until I realized it was a long soft Fox Valley poop. I'm now prepared for anything. But still YUCK.

Oh Miriam, last year when I got Davey, a five week old who had been mauled by a cat, he was full of maggots. Even now, when I am stimulating a baby to poop, when the rectum opens up, I get a sick feeling, expecting to see maggot poking their heads out.

Back on topic now, when Davey had maggots, I got him late at night and had no capstar on hand. Several people told me I could use Revolution. So I treated with Revolution. Next day we went to the vet and they cleaned his wounds out and filled with Silvadene. That night, more maggots surfaced. I removed them and thought I got them all. Three days after he was brought in and after his revolution dosage, he had huge maggots in his rectum. That is when I went and got some capstar. I treated him with the capstar and that seemed to do the trick.

BTW, when I was looking for capstar that first night, I called one of our local emergency vets. They wanted $25 for one tablet. I thought that was outrageous!.

Good luck with Charley.

[mpetys]

I used the Revolution as I could treat him NOW rather than going to get Capstar when the store opened. He's so weak. I got another maggot from the wound in his mouth. I'm sure that's what's going on in his other end. While I'm furious at the vet for not listening that he needed something systemic, I know she was doing her best. I knew Capstar was used but had no idea about dosage or if I remembered correctly. That's why I asked HER. Vets are wonderful and she's been a godsend but she isn't nearly as knowledgeable as the folks here at TSB. Unfortunately, power was out everywhere--even the local internet access and stores were shut down all around, including the local PetSmart. The vet office was on generator and only the area where the animals are was air conditioned. It was a mess and folks still don't have power. I feel sick that he's suffered and I didn't insist he get some meds (I CAN make an ass of myself but really don't want to mess up the relationship with this critical care provider. I should have.). I'm sure they have something at the clinic. Doesn't help that I learned from the experience unless a miracle happens and Charley rallies. He needs the loving prayers from the good folks here--for a speedy recovery or a peaceful passing.

I just posted but want to suggest that you might want to get capstar as you may want to treat with it also. I used both Revolution and Capstar. Revolution did kill maggots but did not get all of them. When I used the Capstar, several days later, that is when it seemed I had won the battle with the maggots.

If you have to buy a six pack of Capstar, I'll bet you could sell any remaining to other TSB members who might want to have one pill on hand. :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Rhapsody]

If you have to buy a six pack of Capstar,
I'll bet you could sell any remaining to other TSB members who might want to have one pill on hand.I agree here...... as CAPSTAR is a MUST for any one that is REHABBING SQUIRRELS!! --when you have to deal with maggots TIME cannot be wasted.

[m&bs mom]

If you can't get the capstar...PM me your address and I will get you some and send it to you USPS next day. We have it right at work. Just let me know, I would be happy to help.

Hope the baby is doing better. Prayers to both of you.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:peace gotta interject before I forget...
the 1/4 tablet capstar dose that rhapsody is advising...came from me...
it was done in a hurry as I had a sq with maggots, in my lap...I had no time to really hard core research...however I did research enough to know it is a hard med to over dose with little to no side effects.,..
that being said, I now have the correct dose if needed...
Capstar is OTC, not Rx and can be bought where pet supplies are sold...it should be in everyones kit, maggot infestation can be deadly.

The sq was fine...the capstar worked well and fast...Jason is still a regular around here, known for being the MOST LAID BACK Sq ever!
Sorry to thread jack...

Sending good vibes to Charley:Love_Icon
:grouphug Chickenlegs:grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

Poor Charley is having trouble breathing. He's propped up in his bed with a cool mist humidifier in the room about 3 feet from him. I'm off to get Capstar NOW. I gave him some ringers subq. It was pretty obvious he was drying up poor boy as he hasn't really eaten much--or taken much in the way of fluids. Anybody know if I can give him more fluids later tonight? Thanks Jackie--and m&b's mom, if our pet store doesn't have Capstar I certainly will take you up on your kind offer but hopefully it'll be there. Seems Charley is moving around more than he has all day so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. There were a couple of dark pellets in his bin that I can only hope is poop and this morning two disgusting maggots (big for such a small baby) exited from the wound in his mouth. More fingers crossed. I'll update later. I've been such a bad Mom to my other babies and they are CUTE--and got another storm baby who is over the top precious--Earl the Squirrel. Now if only Charley can beat the odds.

[m&bs mom]

How is Charlie doing? Were you able to get the capstar? I had to give some to a kitten a few weeks ago that a woman brought in. Poor little one was found in a dumpster covered in maggots.

Prayers for you and Charlie that he pulls through.....come on Charlie be a fighter!

[MiriamS]

Oh Miriam, last year when I got Davey, a five week old who had been mauled by a cat, he was full of maggots. Even now, when I am stimulating a baby to poop, when the rectum opens up, I get a sick feeling, expecting to see maggot poking their heads out.
That sounds awful and exactly what would happen to me if I'd seen it. I really almost had a heart attack when I saw the three long yellow things in there and was SO happy when they were :poop

I went back to the wildlife center today and just after I arrived, a baby came in covered with hatching fly eggs. Itty-bitty maggots were flying everywhere as the tech brushed them off with a toothbrush. It was icky and she totally freaked out once the people left because she felt like they were all over her. Which they actually were.

Chickenlegs, I couldn't believe the size of the worms I pulled out of this baby's ear. They just seemed gigantic. I hope Charley's doing better. He'll need both Capstar and Baytril (AB for three weeks.) Should help his breathing too.

[Chickenlegs]

Charley is at peace now. He left when I went to get the Capstar. He tried SO hard but his little body just couldn't fight anymore. He's with Mira and Boo and Jeffrey and all the sweet little ones who have gone before. Tomorrow I will give him to the earth to complete his circle of life. He'll be beside Tiny. I have Capstar and will NEVER listen to a vet who says a baby doesn't need to be treated for maggots if even one is found on him. For the love and prayers sent Charley's way, thank you dearest friends. He'll take them with him. Sweet sleep little boy. I love you. :Love_Icon

[mpetys]

Oh Chickenlegs, I am so sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace sweet Charley.

:grouphug :grouphug Chickenlegs:grouphug :grouphug

[MiriamS]

:grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug
Charley knew love:grouphug

[Twi_prime]

I'm sorry, ChickenLegs. Rest in Peace, little man. :grouphug

[Rhapsody]

:grouphug :grouphug R.I.P. CHARLEY :Love_Icon :grouphug :grouphug

[jo_schmoe]

RIP sweet Charley.
Chickenlegs...your courage and strength are astounding.
I know you did eveything you could...and Charley felt your love.
Jude will watch over him....:grouphug

[m&bs mom]

So sorry to hear of Charly's passing. You gave him so much in such a short time....for that he can now rest in peace.

[JakesLittlePrincess]

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug RIP Charley