Wound on front left paw?

[blessedbeingmom]

We just noticed this wound on Miss Suzy's right front paw. It is a little swollen & reddish & she is favoring it. What should we do to treat it? We have Neosporin but can get something else if necessary.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GJa0pNITUc0/T5BN9FNOzQI/AAAAAAAAALo/dgv3ZxTIdww/s640/IMG_0144.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sDyiBnkZhUQ/T5BN9V6XE_I/AAAAAAAAALs/iZwTW_WolK0/s483/IMG_01442.jpg

Thank you!

I have access to oral human antibiotic pills if necessary (by nature of my profession), although I usually prefer to avoid oral antibiotics unless clearly indicated to prevent issues with resistance. ;)

[blessedbeingmom]

Also, I should add that she's been eating and acting fine other than favoring it a bit.

[lilidukes]

I would just put a dab of neo on and keep and eye on it.

Little baby booboo :grouphug :grouphug

[blessedbeingmom]

Thank you! We dabbed Neosporin on it (hoping she doesn't decide to eat it off) and will keep an eye on it and post back if anything changes.

[blessedbeingmom]

Miss Suzy's paw is looking worse. :sanp3

Here are pics. What do you think? Should she be on oral antibiotics for this? I can get cipro, bactrim (smz/tmp) or other human meds if needed. If someone can tell me what she needs, I can see what I can do. I had to compound Cipro into a liquid for one of our guinea pigs sometime last month. The pig had an infected nipple that was cultured & found to be MRSA.

Back to the squirrel, Miss Suzy is still eating well, but still favoring this leg.

Miss Suzy weighs 264 grams.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N3dhYESE9S8/T5SfJtnJRDI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ncvWH1ZudsM/s438/DSC00700.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a84xfoASUzY/T5SfJ975_AI/AAAAAAAAAMU/jYuIQLXOit8/s360/DSC00703.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5gShVe1fFc/T5SfKxvzdlI/AAAAAAAAAMg/dln891GfIXY/s371/DSC00706.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4eYjYZj9qEo/T5SfLnnVReI/AAAAAAAAAMo/oWL7Rry2MqY/s684/DSC00707.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Wr5_JXzi4pw/T5SfMpZPiJI/AAAAAAAAAMw/7PmGMRYqqjg/s561/DSC00708.jpg

[Anne]

That does look nasty. Any of the anti-bionics my mentioned will work. However, since you had MRSA in your household maybe she should get the Cipro for 5 to 7 days. Cipro (Baytril) is a big gun, best for cat attacks and other serious wounds. I would still use the Neo and wash off that crust from the underside of her toe. Very good pictures btw. Good luck catching and clearing this early.

[blessedbeingmom]

How many milligrams of Cipro should she get at her weight?

We used 0.2cc/ml for our guinea pig but she weighs a lot more (about 1500 grams, so about 5.7 times as heavy). This was the dosage calculated by our vet.

I can mix up any concentration to get the proper dose. I think what we used was 50mg/ml but I could be wrong. Okay, I calculated and that was right. We used two of the 500mg tablets, crushed & mixed up with water to a total volume of 20 milliliters. If I were to crush up one 250mg tablet & qs up to 20 mL, it would be 12.5mg per mL. If I were to qs up to 40mL, it would be 6.25mg per mL.

I just don't know what the dose in mg medicine per kilogram (or gram) of squirrel weight, or I could figure it out.

[blessedbeingmom]

I have Cipro & Amoxicillin to give but haven't started it yet. I got it last night but have been calculating doses & out of the house today as well.

She is still eating well & very active, although still favoring this foot as well. Do you think it needs pain medicine/anti-inflammatory? I can get a meloxicam 7.5mg tablet if needed & crush it into a suspension. (I think metacam is the same as meloxicam? I'm not familiar with vet meds but know human meds well. ;) )

We have been putting neosporin on it, but I forgot to mention I also have Bactroban (mupirocin) ointment, but I don't know if that is squirrel-safe. I can probably/possibly get some SSD ointment if needed.

Here are some current pics.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y4tUBd2owcY/T5dymRskUpI/AAAAAAAAANA/KcYh3pFvQo8/s640/DSC00752.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-siUC_2ep_34/T5dypk5iD4I/AAAAAAAAANQ/5-UXiJC3GYU/s563/DSC00753.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jE4hXrNEr3A/T5dyo0UEhJI/AAAAAAAAANI/CL7yYtqjwq4/s419/DSC00755.jpg

My husband says she's flipping the bird here. :D
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A5bjXzyG5JI/T5dyqWQc1ZI/AAAAAAAAANY/7rQs4nOFAQg/s768/DSC00758.jpg

[Nancy in New York]

That looks painful. Do you have infant ibuprofen? I would start an antibiotic too, is that swelling more than it was before?
Yes, metacam is the same as meloxicam.

[blessedbeingmom]

No infant ibuprofen in the house. I have children's ibuprofen 100mg/5mL that expired in February 2011. I haven't had to give any to my kids in a few years, it seems. (My kids take pills now for the most part.)

I can get infant ibuprofen (or children's) or meloxicam tomorrow.

My husband thinks the swelling looks a little less now that some of the pus is starting to come out. Also, her finger is no longer stuck to the other one beside it.

Tricia

ETA I can crush up & dilute an unexpired ibuprofen tablet (200mg). I have a mortar & pestle at home, plus a little 2 oz bottle, and the pharmaceutical knowledge to calculate it all, if I knew what the mg/kg dose for squirrel/rodent would be.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Yes use the metacam 7.5 mg tablet, thats what I use when I don't have the oral liquid, dose is 0.3mg/kg SID for five days if treating the inflammation, longer if needed for pain.
Precaution, renel damage if not hydrated well.
It needs stepped on major..
I use a 7.5mg tab, add 20 cc water.
making the dilution 0.375mg/ml
her dose would be 0.08ml SID @ 263 grams

Heck yeah start the ABs, concurrently.
Cipro is SID, amoxy is BID, you have the doses already:thumbsup
cillans can cause some G/I issues, I have used doxy and amoxy in sqs, without any issues, but all my formula contains yogurt.
Must use/should use a probiotic with ABs in sqs.
Happy to help, keep us in the loop.

She's a cutie patootie!:Love_Icon

[blessedbeingmom]

Okay, I mixed up the Amoxicillin & am about to do the Cipro. We always have yogurt on hand, so I can easily mix some into her formula. What ratio would you suggest? Also, FYI it's usually recommended to give Cipro & other quinolones (similar type drugs) about 2 hours before or 6 hours after dairy products, since the calcium may bind with the cipro & it won't work as well.
Since we are about to feed, I will give the amoxicillin then feed her, but will wait until a bit before her next feeding to give her the Cipro.
I have a whole page & a half full of calculations here. :rotfl

[blessedbeingmom]

Yes use the metacam 7.5 mg tablet, thats what I use when I don't have the oral liquid, dose is 0.3mg/kg SID for five days if treating the inflammation, longer if needed for pain.
Precaution, renel damage if not hydrated well.


Should we step back on the block & increase her formula intake while we are treating her? She does have a water bottle and we have seen her drink from it. She is about 10 to 10.5 weeks old now.
For feeding, we have been crushing rodent block & mixing it with her formula & putting it in a little dish. We have also been giving her 1 to 2 HHB's a day, along with some kale & dandelion, a bit of broccoli, a bit of mushroom, a bit of yogurt now & then.
My DH asked if we should dilute her milk so she can get extra water?
It is also important with the Cipro to drink plenty of fluids.
Also FYI, the SID really confused me until I looked it up. Pharmacists/doctors use QD instead, which has the possibility of being mixed up with QID (four times a day), true, but usually we know what is the ordinary dosing for that medication. ;)

[Jackie in Tampa]

:poke
Okay, I mixed up the Amoxicillin & am about to do the Cipro. We always have yogurt on hand, so I can easily mix some into her formula. What ratio would you suggest? Also, FYI it's usually recommended to give Cipro & other quinolones (similar type drugs) about 2 hours before or 6 hours after dairy products, since the calcium may bind with the cipro & it won't work as well.
Since we are about to feed, I will give the amoxicillin then feed her, but will wait until a bit before her next feeding to give her the Cipro.
I have a whole page & a half full of calculations here. :rotfl
:thumbsup you and I know that ABs kill everything ...good and bad, in the gut..
so by posting that about 2 hours either way helps EVERYONE KNOW!:bowdown
I try to always post/share that when helping others that do not know much about meds..!:thankyou and because it's on the open board...this thread may be read a year from now...good info!:thumbsup

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I dont know if I should say anything here but ....I am a true believer of soaking swollen owies like this, is there any way you can get some warm water on a small piece of flannel and try to "soak it" may help to draw out the infection or open the wound so it can drain, it would help make it feel much better.

[Skul]

I dont know if I should say anything here but ....I am a true believer of soaking swollen owies like this, is there any way you can get some warm water on a small piece of flannel and try to "soak it" may help to draw out the infection or open the wound so it can drain, it would help make it feel much better.
Are you thinking of Epson Salts?
Might be a thought.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

anything so it can open and drain, just don't want to see infection going back into the system.
Hot ( but not too hot)Tea bags work great, draw out infection.

[blessedbeingmom]

Yes use the metacam 7.5 mg tablet, thats what I use when I don't have the oral liquid, dose is 0.3mg/kg SID for five days if treating the inflammation, longer if needed for pain.
Precaution, renel damage if not hydrated well.
It needs stepped on major..
I use a 7.5mg tab, add 20 cc water.
making the dilution 0.375mg/ml
her dose would be 0.08ml SID @ 263 grams

Heck yeah start the ABs, concurrently.
Cipro is SID, amoxy is BID, you have the doses already:thumbsup
cillans can cause some G/I issues, I have used doxy and amoxy in sqs, without any issues, but all my formula contains yogurt.
Must use/should use a probiotic with ABs in sqs.
Happy to help, keep us in the loop.

She's a cutie patootie!:Love_Icon

FYI the 0.08 you calculated is the actual milligram of meloxicam she needs daily (0.0792 actually, but rounded to 0.08). There was one further step of math to calculate the milliliters of meloxicam, which I calculated to be 0.2112 (rounded to 0.2mL). I just wanted to put that out here in case anyone else is looking at this thread in the future. ;)
Thank you so much again for your help!
Will post more pics later. Got some cute ones & a video this evening.
We gave the Amoxicillin earlier today (mixed in her formula, which is okay to do with amoxicillin, as long as she drinks the whole amount of formula, so we only mixed it with 3 mL of FV). Tried to give her the amoxicillin straight & it was a struggle. LOL!
We did manage to wrap her up & get her to take the cipro, as it can *not* be mixed with her formula. We gave her a treat of a small almond (her first) after the cipro. She did well with it and loved her almond. We will now have to wait about 2 hours to feed her her formula.
We are about to mix up & give the meloxicam now.

[blessedbeingmom]

We were able to bundle her up & soak her foot for a few minutes in warm epsom salt & then administer the meloxicam. In about 30 minutes we will give her the amoxicillin & her fox valley & her block for the night.

Here are some pics:

Enjoying a secret treat...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zrkrRhUD2g8/T5i5dn8HX8I/AAAAAAAAANo/Z9r-0icvVjc/s560/image005.jpg

Love the view up here!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l7OpcAXxSyY/T5i5ekvJPrI/AAAAAAAAANw/SR-15f7t90c/s500/image006.jpg

Wow, this is delish!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9ZVi-JYYJ64/T5i_xLY7v7I/AAAAAAAAAPY/aRmc2UE44cY/s473/image007.jpg

Would you stop taking my picture & let me enjoy my nut in peace???
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nifeoUFMdhY/T5i5gZvDZAI/AAAAAAAAAOA/wVld4YbDjN4/s482/image008.jpg

Oh my word, they just won't leave me alone!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I-1YsdiyYj8/T5i5mVTkolI/AAAAAAAAAOw/6NeqtVTPTyM/s459/image009.jpg

I'll show them my butt and maybe that will stop them!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AD_8KA7g9NM/T5i5hlZFkjI/AAAAAAAAAOI/puUL6dB7E8E/s507/image010.jpg

Or maybe not! Sigh!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZlB2Mtw0J0g/T5i5ilDhgeI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ZV8Yqw_Ljsc/s484/image011.jpg

Perhaps if I drop a few crumbs in her hair, they'll leave me alone???
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yakaTJMq_5Q/T5i5jQKpKYI/AAAAAAAAAOY/24HZYwCX55Y/s373/image012.jpg

Okay, I really have had enough of this now!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-84QxRlgeBZM/T5i5lEasnyI/AAAAAAAAAOg/Xo18h40a8B8/s614/image014.jpg

Is this my punishment??? What on earth have I gotten myself into now???
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VDIA7t1FK2E/T5i5mGhfjPI/AAAAAAAAAOo/0pKCtygQVuE/s426/image015.jpg

That's it, I can't bear to look anymore!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N9QbN-zsgJc/T5i5otnyiCI/AAAAAAAAAO4/xJEA07E87H4/s432/image016.jpg

Are they almost done???
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UjZLLN_SjFI/T5i5pPpYBjI/AAAAAAAAAPA/gPz-MJMeSmg/s446/image017.jpg

Done at last!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ggupFM7y66M/T5i5qctYnpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/EX06lLs8Mk8/s445/image018.jpg

[blessedbeingmom]

Should we step back on the block & increase her formula intake while we are treating her? She does have a water bottle and we have seen her drink from it. She is about 10 to 10.5 weeks old now.
For feeding, we have been crushing rodent block & mixing it with her formula & putting it in a little dish. We have also been giving her 1 to 2 HHB's a day, along with some kale & dandelion, a bit of broccoli, a bit of mushroom, a bit of yogurt now & then.
My DH asked if we should dilute her milk so she can get extra water?
It is also important with the Cipro to drink plenty of fluids.


Anyone?

[blessedbeingmom]

:poke :poke :poke

I hope someone is still reading this thread. Besides yogurt, what kind of probiotics are easily available & how would I administer/dose them for a squirrel? Miss Suzy is now having a bit of loose stool. :dono

Help please! :thinking

[Milo's Mom]

:poke :poke :poke

I hope someone is still reading this thread. Besides yogurt, what kind of probiotics are easily available & how would I administer/dose them for a squirrel? Miss Suzy is now having a bit of loose stool. :dono

Help please! :thinking

I read through the thread and I cannot determine what meds you actually have her on and it is not something I want to guess at.

If I were you, I'd send Jackie in Tampa a PM (Private Message) asking the same question.

Do you have her on the yogurt? What kind? How loose is the loose stool?

[blessedbeingmom]

I did send her a PM. Waiting on her to come back to this thread. Miss Suzy is on Amoxil, Cipro & Metacam.

[Milo's Mom]

I did send her a PM. Waiting on her to come back to this thread. Miss Suzy is on Amoxil, Cipro & Metacam.

Good on the PM. Thank you.

By reading, that's what I thought she was on, but was not positive. All of those meds mixed together (meaning being given to the same animal, not actually mixed together) are WAY above my knowledge base. The best probiotic I am aware of that squirrel like is yogurt, which you are already doing.

If you do not get a response, please start a new thread in the Emergency Forum.

Are her stools just loose or is it full blown diarrhea?

I'm sorry this is not much help and I do hope that some of our experts offer their advice/suggestions soon.

Hang on Miss Suzy :Love_Icon

[blessedbeingmom]

Just loose. We have been giving extra fluids due to 2 of the meds requiring plenty of fluids. I am a pharmacist, so I know meds, just don't know pet meds. ;)

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Pet stores carry bene-bac probiotic, either in powder form or gel, the gel is in a syringe and is used mostly for birds, dosage is on the label per weight.

[blessedbeingmom]

BTW, love the name Milo. My sister & I once had hamsters named Milo & Otis (after the movie). I don't recommend hamsters though because they are more likely to bite. We do love our guinea pigs though. We have 3 pigs, 3 cats, 3 toads, 4 hermit crabs, 1 beta & lots of goldfish & tadpoles.

[CritterMom]

If you are a pharmacist, you can snag some of the refrigerated Lactobacillus acidophalus that you probably have and use that. Chain pet stores sell Bene-bac for small mammals in a paste and a powder (I like the powder) which is basically just lactobacillus... It is hard to know how much is actually in each type of yogurt, whereas you can dose pretty precisely with the straight probiotic.

[blessedbeingmom]

I can get Lactinex powder, which comes in packets. Just not sure how much to give a squirrel. She is ten weeks old.

[blessedbeingmom]

Okay, I just cleared it up with my DH & he says it wasn't really diarrhea, just a really soft pellet. We are giving yogurt three times a day, but I will buy the Lactinex tomorrow just in case.

[blessedbeingmom]

I bought the Lactinex, but we've been mixing plain yogurt into all of her Fox Valley, and her stools are actually still pretty normal looking according to what I just saw. :thumbsup So I will hold off for now on using the Lactinex.

[Jackie in Tampa]

I like yogurt best..I usually have someone on ABs here at all times, it has worked well for 10 years..I say why buy MORE STUFF when you are already using something that works and they like!
how's the finger looking?
any new pics?

[blessedbeingmom]

I like yogurt best..I usually have someone on ABs here at all times, it has worked well for 10 years..I say why buy MORE STUFF when you are already using something that works and they like!
how's the finger looking?
any new pics?

It is looking better. I will try to get & post more pics tomorrow. I already bought the Lactinex but decided against adding it since she's still having pellets. :thumbsup
I sent you something for Spicette. Did you get it okay?

[blessedbeingmom]

I like yogurt best..I usually have someone on ABs here at all times, it has worked well for 10 years..I say why buy MORE STUFF when you are already using something that works and they like!
how's the finger looking?
any new pics?

We think it is gradually looking better, though still pretty swollen. There is a big scabby part on the front that we are wondering if that is keeping it from draining. We soaked in Epsom salts & she now hates it and hates us. We only did it for about 10 seconds because she put up a big fuss & was very vocal in her dislike. So then we tried it with just plain warm water (no Epsom salts, thinking maybe they burned) and she was still just as vocal in her dislike of that.

Here are a couple of pics from Monday evening. We got in our set you sewed & it is fabulous! :D :thankyou

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D32M11Y3Y_Q/T5964qO-rCI/AAAAAAAAAPw/LE-LEc-Qc9U/s720/DSC00819.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4SkQ8lciYn0/T5963vSPemI/AAAAAAAAAPo/-y-bsxFkza4/s720/DSC00820.jpg

[Jackie in Tampa]

Finger does look better:bowdown :alright.gif
I love that milk mouth moustache...
Soaking it would relieve some pain, but I see she doesn't believe you:D
no no no!
Glad she likes the gear!:multi
and yes I did get your gift, thank you from Spicette and me!

[blessedbeingmom]

Update:
The swelling has gone down more, it no longer looks infected (except there is still the scab on top of it), the hair is growing back, and she is putting weight on it more than she was before. She is eating well and very active. She is thirteen weeks old now.
However, that finger now appears to be bent to the side and looks funny. Could it be broken? I will post a pic but I can't do it until I get home from work in 13 hours or so, as I am in a hurry to leave now.