can anyone give me some advice for RTA with head trauma, and blinded in one eye

[ljhpsauce]

I have Just had an RTA ( young adult poss Spring Male) squirrel brought into my rescue, apparently he was found yesterday afternoon (UK) at the side of a road anyway to cut a long story short the people who found him took him home and and kept him in a warm box overnight expecting him to be dead the next day but on finding him alive they have bought him to me to look at, he looks as if he had been hit by the car on the right hand side of his head/face as his right eye is all bloody and he has definitely lost the sight in it, his head is swollen (i fear maybe fluid) & he is very listless but apparently able to move his legs tail etc i didn't want to stress him too much at mo so have put him on a warm heat pad with a blanket in a covered box in a quiet area for the moment. I work at a Vets too so I have access to any drugs needed. Initially my first thought was to PTS but not so sure as have never had to deal with head trauma of this extent in a squirrel b4 and just want to do what is best for him. ANY HELP/ ADVICE WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. THANK U. xx from Lisa (reg : UK Wildlife Rehabber)

[CritterMom]

Can you get him some injections of dexamethazone? It is a steroidal anti-inflammatory and like most steroids is given over several days - one large loading dose followed by daily step down doses. Administered soon enough after trauma, it *may* relieve the inflammation quickly enough to help with head trauma.

[ljhpsauce]

Can you get him some injections of dexamethazone? It is a steroidal anti-inflammatory and like most steroids is given over several days - one large loading dose followed by daily step down doses. Administered soon enough after trauma, it *may* relieve the inflammation quickly enough to help with head trauma.
Well I have actually just given him 0.2ml Metacam and you are Not supposed to give them together. But Yes i have Prednisolone (
which i used 0.1ml to treat a squirrel which was dragging its back legs last season it worked wonders too.)

[lilidukes]

I don't use dex with head trauma anymore! Metacam is good possibly starting an ab wouldn't hurt either. Don't keep him to warm it promotes swelling. Tramadol or Buphanex(sp?) for pain is ok with Metacam.

Good luck to you both :grouphug

[ljhpsauce]

[QUOTE=lilidukes]I don't use dex with head trauma anymore! Metacam is good possibly starting an ab wouldn't hurt either. Don't keep him to warm it promotes swelling. Tramadol or Buphanex(sp?) for pain is ok with Metacam.

Good luck to you both :grouphug Hi Can you tell me what you mean by "possibly starting an ab" means?? sorry but my brains a bit scrambled as I have also got 10 babies to feed as well so a little weary at mo. lol Thank you. By the way he has also had 12mls formula feed as well.

[ljhpsauce]

I have just checked on him since feeding and giving him Metacam about 1hr ago and he is now curled up fast asleep he wouldn't curl up earlier he was just lay down straight on all 4 legs with his head resting in-between his front paws/legs as if trying to keep his head upright, the lady thought his neck was injured at 1st. He is breathing better now as his breathing was a little bit shallow when he came in. :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon Thank you for all your help and advice .

[muffinsquirrel]

Hi Can you tell me what you mean by "possibly starting an ab" means?? sorry but my brains a bit scrambled as I have also got 10 babies to feed as well so a little weary at mo. lol Thank you. By the way he has also had 12mls formula feed as well.

I believe this refers to antibiotic.

muffinsquirrel

[ljhpsauce]

Ahh OK thanks Muffinsquirrel, I feel very stupid now for not realizing that myself !! lol and yes I will give some Baytril. Thank U XX