Allergies or what??

[jlvann]

Hi, I have been lurking a year or so and have learned a lot but now I have a few concerns. I have a 2 1/2 yr old female grey. I found her at about 2 1/2 weeks and up until recently she has done fine. I have learned to trim her teeth and make sure she eats properly. But she has mucus, like a stuffy nose and some times it is better then other days. I was reading a thread and someone mentioned allergies. Can someone give me ideas of what they could be from or any other health issues I may not be aware of. She has teeth issues like the top one curls back and up toward the roof of her mouth and the lower V out. So eating hard food like block I have to softened some for breakfast. then Veggies for dinner time. She always has something to eat but the mucus is clear and literally like a snotty nose. She labors to breath at times and it can be loud, she uses her mouth to breath as well. She is active but not like she use to 6 months ago.

Thanks in advance,
J

[astra]

Hi and welcome,

Could you post some pics of her teeth?

Do you have a vet?... Have you x-rayed her teeth?...
The reason I am asking is that I think I remember reading that sometimes dental problems can lead to other problems, similar to what you are describing.
BUT I am not sure, so please don't panic or anything ;). I might be totally wrong. That's why I said "I think I remember" - I have so much stuff on my mind right now that I can't even think straight.
So, if you could post pics of her teeth that might help.

Also, if you could describe her daily diet. Sounds like she is getting block and if you have been lurking ;), I am sure you've got the right diet, but still - just in case.

Has she ever had MBD?...

What are her daily activities like?

How did the symptoms start?... Sudden, gradual?... was anything changed at the time? (e.g., in her environment, other pets, your perfume etc).

These are just some of the questions that our experts (and I am not one of them) might ask.

[jlvann]

Thanks Astra,
Her symptoms were a gradual thing starting about last November 2011
This response got me to thinking last night. I read a lot more stuff on MBD and food and then thought back to what how much and when she was eating etc. She has been getting better food then when I think I started out with originally. So the possibility of her being boarder line MBD is there. So before bed (which the reading kept me up way pass my bedtime) I gave her some molasses. Then with her breakfast soften rodent block I added some as well. I will be taking a list of the higher calcium foods to the store with me today when I grocery shop.
I found and ordered HENRY'S BLOCK and I soften it with store bought block then I was adding applesauce or banana, which probably isn't what I should have been doing The majority of the veggies have been the lower of the calcium levels, cauliflower carrots, broccoli group that is posted on another thread. and only a few of the better calcium veggies. so that will change today.
I do not have a vet or x-rays as I worry about them reporting me as I am in CA. She has never had paralyses of her hind legs or anything like that but that is why I say boarder line. She starts to improve and then declines slightly. Her daily activities now are mostly out running around a few hours in the evening and mostly all day on the weekends . She loves to cuddle or hang with me but not much wrestle playing like she use to, which I miss.

I hope this will help me to be able to help her better.

:thankyou
J

[CritterMom]

Can you (maybe with help) get a look at the roof of her mouth and make sure her teeth have not punched through it anywhere. Sometimes this sniffle thing is tooth related due to the proximity of the sinuses.

Do I underdtand that she is eating Henry's bites? If she is, I doubt that this is MBD. If she JUST started on them, that is a different thing, but they have plenty of minerals in them.

[jlvann]

It had looked like the upper tooth had gone through the roof of her mouth but when it was trimmed it wasn't as long. Her molar was loose as if the molar stopped it. I will look again. She has only been on Henry's about a 4-5 weeks. I bought them because she hardly ate the store rodent block.but she still doesn't want it. I was going to buy the picky eater one next time.
Janett

[astra]

Can you (maybe with help) get a look at the roof of her mouth and make sure her teeth have not punched through it anywhere. Sometimes this sniffle thing is tooth related due to the proximity of the sinuses.
.
yes, that's what I kind of thought...

I remember from Dr. Emereson's talk that maloccluded squirrels with MBD history can develop those odontoma issues, some symptoms of which include inability to eat hard foods, decreased activity... possibly sinus problems since sinuses are so close to the roots of the uppers...
that's why I was wondering if she had MBD history...

AND AGAIN, this is just some of my guesses, it does not meant that that's what it is. Most likely, it is not. SO, please do not get scared. :grouphug

Just trying to brainstorm...

if you check her roof of the mouth, as CrM suggested, and it's fine, maybe, it is some allergies or something

our experts will have better ideas:grouphug

[jlvann]

Ok, Jangles is not happy with me at all now. But yes I was using my Popsicle stick to explore her mouth. Yes, right smack in the middle exactly the middle is a hole from her tooth. toward the front not back where I have been looking. While in there we trimmed her lower teeth again. (do we need to do this biweekly?). So now what? I took a before picture and it is not real good, but I was alone and trying to hold her and take the picture.
Now how to upload it.

Janett

[jlvann]

here is the picture, hope it works. ok she has forgiven me already, she is such a love.

Will the hole close on it's own or what happens now? I just want her to be able to breath properly again.

Janett

[jlvann]

This is her before all of this.

[CritterMom]

I know that CA is almost as crazy regarding gray squirrels as England is...do you have a vet that will work with you? This little one should probably do a round of antibiotics.

Is there any indication of a piece of tooth being left behind in the hole?

[Scooterzmom]

Just my grain of salt but, if the pic is any indication, I see that her mouth is open slightly... which could indicate congestion but also suggest it may be painful for her to close it if her teeth are too long pain. I agree with Astra however that if there่s a puncture in her palate ABs would be most advisable. Poor little thing....

[jlvann]

Currently I do not have a vet to work with me. And I use to have one for my bird and rabbit but after my experiences with him I will not use him again. Are their certain antibiotics I should use or ones to stay away from. Anybody know a vet in the SF south Bay area, that I could take a short cut and go straight to. Oh Gees my husband just suggest using a q-tip to dap peroxide into the hole as he says it should help . But I hesitate to do that with out asking the S Board first, any thoughts.
J

[island rehabber]

I would not use peroxide -- it damages the tissue. She definitely needs those overgrown teeth clipped as often as possible so this doesn't happen, and may need antibiotics as well. I don't know of any vets in your area but I will put the word out to whatever members we have in the area - -and also will consult the national wildlife rehabbers' directory. The problem is, if it is not a rehabber we know, we can't be guaranteed that this person will cooperate with a "pet" squirrel who needs help. But we'll try!
If you have clavamox or amoxicillin on hand for a dog or cat - -or can get it from a friend -- we can figure out a dosage for you. :thumbsup

[jlvann]

Oh happy dance. I have some Clavamox 250mg tablets for a dog. oh you will need to know how much she weights won't you? shoot.my scale does not go down that low and I do not have a food scale any other ideas.

J

[island rehabber]

she probably weighs about a pound....I will look it up for you and then Jackie in Tampa can check my math :D :thumbsup

[island rehabber]

Here's what I get, but DON'T use it until at least one other person confirms I'm right:

Dissolve one tablet in 4cc's water. Give 0.1cc orally, twice a day.

need a math check here guys --- tinfoiltinfoiltinfoil

[island rehabber]

jlvann check your private messages -- I have two EXCELLENT vets for you!

[Anne]

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

[astra]

jlvann check your private messages -- I have two EXCELLENT vets for you!
:wahoo :wahoo :wahoo :grouphug

[island rehabber]

CORRECTION:
Dissolve one tablet in 5cc's water. Give 0.1cc orally, twice a day.




Thank you, Jackie in Tampa. :D

[jlvann]

ok so now that I have given 3 doses how long do I give it for 5 ,7 10 days??
I am also not sure she is getting the whole dose, any suggestions? she is more active, so I see that as good.
Thanks,
Janett