*Possum-People* need some meds info!

[djarenspace9]

I have a car struck mama with wee ones in the pouch.
Jaw is either broken or dislocated.
Vet, of course, not available until Tuesday.

Need help with what I can give from what I have and that won't hurt the babies.

I have a little bit of Baytril (mixed from injectable for oral use) which is what the vet prescribed for another broken jaw possum.
The rehabber I work with is out of it until Tuesday when the vet opens.

I have some of the tablets (68?) but of course she would not be able to chew it so I don't know how to dose or give those in her situation.
I do have a little bit of Metacam .5, Tramadol 50mg, Cipro 500's and SMZ.

Anyone with experience on best option for a nursing possum please advise asap!

And to make matters worse I won't be able to get a weight right now cause my scale died, so I'm gonna have to wing it. :sanp3

I'll try and see if I can get a weight by holding her and standing on a people scale.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

you can call Dr E or email her, if you need # or email let me know .

[djarenspace9]

As nice as Dr. E is, in my experience vets won't consult over the phone for an unseen patient.
I understand why, it's a liability.
I'm hoping some of our rehabbers have had to medicate a nursing mother and know what is usable and safe for the babies.
I sent PM's to a few people that rehab possums.
Keeping my fingers crossed she pulls through.
Otherwise I am going to have to raise those babies and I have no idea how big they are.
She got so agitated when I was feeling in there and I did not want to stress her.
She can be seen at the vet that treats for the rehabber on Tuesday.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Poor possie. I would give the mom baytril, since that would be safe for the babies to take. I am not sure about tramadol, but I had a bunny that had head trauma and I didn't know she was pregnant and was giving metacam and then she had one baby. I asked the vet about the meds because the baby had some birth defects and was born early and she said metacam is not good for pregnant or nursing animals :(. Other than that, I'm not sure.

[Rescue04]

i would say call another rehabber. i can give you the number for the one i work under. she might be able to help you. just pm me if you want it.

[Jackie in Tampa]

no metro/flagyl:shakehead
let me do some quickie research..\

www.opossum.org (http://www.opossum.org)

www.opossumsociety.org (http://www.opossumsociety.org)

mandie and I researched this a few years ago and I cannot rember, but I have it writen somewhere..brb
I bet she may remeber, young and sharp!

[Nancy in New York]

no metro/flagyl:shakehead
let me do some quickie research..\

www.opossum.org (http://www.opossum.org)

www.opossumsociety.org (http://www.opossumsociety.org)

Jackie I'm going to scan all of my info in from WIld Mammal Babies and send?

[skippy]

I don't work with possies but the information I have on hand regarding Baytril that you may want to take into consideration is that it says "Not to be used for an extended period of time on animals in rapid growth stage due to cartilage abnormalities. May work better when combined with Clavamox for trauma. Adverse efffects in GI distress and CNS stimulation. Dosages greater than 5mg/kg of body weight per day have been known to cause blindness in cats.

All the best to you. :)

[Jackie in Tampa]

A nursing woman (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21308045/ns/today-today_health/t/taking-antibiotics-safe-while-breast-feeding/#) may be at an increased risk for bladder infections because while lactating, she often is producing less estrogen, the vaginal mucosa is thinner, the vagina's pH changes, and there's an overgrowth of less-than-normal bacteria. To add to this, thanks to the thinned-out mucosa, the bacteria can more easily enter the urethra (the opening to the bladder) and migrate up to the bladder during intercourse. If these bacteria then adhere to the bladder wall and multiply, a full-blown infection occurs and voila! — you have a honeymoon-style infection, though I'm assuming you're not on your honeymoon. The types of antibiotics used to treat this infection, which include sulfa-based antibiotics, Cipro and its derivatives and nitrofurnation, have all been found to be safe to use while breast-feeding.
The only potential side effect in infants whose mothers are breast-feeding and taking antibiotics such as penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and aminoglycosides are changes in their intestinal flora (bacteria that are normally present in the intestines). This may lead to loose stool and diarrhea in the infant, but these side effects are temporary.
You should also note that one of the antibiotics used to treat certain vaginal infectionsassoci, called metronidazole (brand name Flagyl), has been associated with an increased risk of cancer in rodents. However, no studies have found this cancer association in humans, including studies of infants who were exposed to this drug while breast-feeding. The worst-case scenario would be loose stools or yeast overgrowth in infants whose mothers are breast-feeding and taking Flagyl. The American Academy of Pediatrics, while rating Flagyl as safe, suggests that nursing women (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21308045/ns/today-today_health/t/taking-antibiotics-safe-while-breast-feeding/#) discard their milk for 24 hours after taking a dose of the drug, since a large percent of Flagyl ends up in the breast milk.
There is one rarely prescribed antibiotic that should not be given to breast-feeding women — it's called chloramphenicol. This drug is used to treat various serious infections by bacteria that don't like oxygen (called anaerobes). If passed to the infant in breast milk it can cause bone marrow suppression in the baby and induce “gray baby syndrome.” This is a serious disorder in which hepatic liver enzyme function is damaged and as a result the baby can develop low blood pressure, turn blue, and even die. So this antibiotic is absolutely out.
Finally, we've all heard that babies should not be given the antibiotic tetracycline. Indeed, chronic use of this drug (some women use it or its derivatives for acne) can stain the immature teeth of infants. However, short-term use of this antibiotic while breast-feeding, has been guardedly approved.
Here's a list of various drugs considered safe to use while breast-feeding:

Acyclovir (including Zovirax and Valtrex). This drug is used to treat a herpes outbreak or to reduce the secretion of the herpes virus
Cephalosporins, including cefazolin, cefotaxime, and cefoxitin
Ciprofloxacin
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Fluconazole (an anti-yeast drug)
Gentamicin
Kanamycin
Nitrofurantoin
Ofloxacin
Quinidine
Quinine
Streptomycin
Sulbactam
Sulfadiazine
Sulfisoxazole
Trimethoprim/SulfamethoxazoleDr. Reichman’s Bottom Line: If you need to take an antibiotic while breast-feeding, know that in most cases it is safe. At the most, the baby can develop short-term loose stools and diarrhea. But if you have any further questions, of course, check with your doctor.
Dr. Judith Reichman, the TODAY show’s medical contributor on women’s health, has practiced obstetrics and gynecology for more than 20 years. You will find many answers to your questions in her latest book, “Slow Your Clock Down: The Complete Guide to a Healthy, Younger You,” which is now available in paperback. It is published by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins (http://www.harpercollins.com/).
PLEASE NOTE: The information in this column should not be construed as providing specific medical advice, but rather to offer readers information to better understand their lives and health. It is not intended to provide an alternative to professional treatment or to replace the services of a physician.
© 2012 MSNBC Interactive. Reprints (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3303539/ns/today/t/reprint-requests/)



Allow (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/)






What's this? (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46329902)

[djarenspace9]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Since I have Cipro and it's basically the same as Baytril I think I'll go with that.
I wish I could give her something to ease any pain she feels but can't risk hurting the babies.

Let's pray she makes it through the night for now,
and see what's happening in the morning.:grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

For possums Amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice. I think it would be OK for the babies since the National Opossum Society says every possum coming into rehab should get Amoxi.--5-10 mg/lb. every 12 hours. There is a danger of oral, GI or GU yeast infection when taking antibiotics. I give mine probiotics but Nystatin or Clotrimazole are recommended for yeast infections. I'd think by the time you'd have to worry about yeast, it'll be Tuesday. Good luck mama possie. Good luck babies. I didn't see anything specific regarding pain meds for nursing mothers but I think it's likely in the big possum book. I'll go dig.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Acetaminophen is excreted into human milk in small concentrations. One case of a rash has been reported in a nursing infant. Acetaminophen is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tramadol is excreted into human milk in small amounts. The manufacturer suggests that tramadol should not be administered to nursing women. The manufacturer of acetaminophen-tramadol does not recommend its use as obstetrical preoperative medication or for post-delivery analgesia in nursing mothers because its safety in newborn infants has not been studied----------------------------------------------------------------------------




Now the question is can possies have tylenol?:poke
does anyone know?

[Jackie in Tampa]

For possums Amoxicillin is the antibiotic of choice. I think it would be OK for the babies since the National Opossum Society says every possum coming into rehab should get Amoxi.--5-10 mg/lb. every 12 hours. There is a danger of oral, GI or GU yeast infection when taking antibiotics. I give mine probiotics but Nystatin or Clotrimazole are recommended for yeast infections. I'd think by the time you'd have to worry about yeast, it'll be Tuesday. Good luck mama possie. Good luck babies. I didn't see anything specific regarding pain meds for nursing mothers but I think it's likely in the big possum book. I'll go dig.
:thumbsup CL knows possies!
good luck all:grouphug

[djarenspace9]

:wave123 Yes thanks for all the info.
I unfortunately don't have all the meds the NOS recommends.
Trying to see what I can do with what I have until Tuesday.

Good news is she's hanging in there and ate all the food in her bowl! :thumbsup
Definitely a good sign to start the day.

I have her secluded in a bathroom so she can have as much peace and quiet as possible.

[Nancy in New York]

:wave123 Yes thanks for all the info.
I unfortunately don't have all the meds the NOS recommends.
Trying to see what I can do with what I have until Tuesday.

Good news is she's hanging in there and ate all the food in her bowl! :thumbsup
Definitely a good sign to start the day.

I have her secluded in a bathroom so she can have as much peace and quiet as possible.

Awe, so glad that she has an appetite. Why do these thing happen on a holiday weekend?
At least she found her way to you....:Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon

[djarenspace9]

Just peeked in on her and she ate the dish of food I put in this morning.
Otherwise she just lays there groaning and a bit bewildered (I think she may be blind :shakehead her eyes won't focus and she flips her head around like trying to figure out what is happening).

I'm going to be optimistic...since she is eating....I know those babies are getting nutrition and so is she. :thumbsup

[Chickenlegs]

Poor girl. Rescue Remedy for sure. I'm still digging through the NOS book for pain meds. I have Amoxi capsules I can send but it'll be Tuesday before they can get there and pediatric suspension is better. The quiet is keeping her stress levels down and that's really good. I have a call into my sponsor who is a genius with possums. I hope she gets the call. Sometimes it's days before I get a reply. Poor mama may be blind but at least she's getting the best chance to survive and care for her babies. And sometimes they're so nearsighted they look blind even if they're not. Possums are miraculous so she could make it with your loving care. Oh--give her some low/nonfat yogurt (if you're not already)--good for her and since stress sometimes adds to the possibility of yeast infections it's a good nutritious way of helping to head that evil off at the pass.

[djarenspace9]

Anyone who knows me well, can tell you I'm an optimist! :peace

I am supplying a quiet, clean and safe environment where her only job is to
get healthy and take care of her kids. :D

In the 8 years I've been involved in rehab, I have seen probably 6-7 mama possums
with babies in pouch or that have given birth while in care.
Pretty much all of them were car struck and all but one survived the experience.
A few were blind as a result, and lived out the rest of their lives in care.
The babies all were raised beautifully by their doting mothers and released when their time came.

I'm really optimistic right now...but I know it's gonna be a waiting game to see if she has any internal injuries and find out what's going on with the babies. :dono

[Chickenlegs]

Didn't hear from my sponsor and can't find a specific in the NOS book but a doc friend said infant ibuprofen should be OK for all concerned. You said she was groaning. Considering possums are the most stoic critters on the planet, she must be hurting--maybe a little Ibuprofen would be OK. Human pregnant mamas can take it. How big are the babies. The tinier they are the more fragile. I'd think anything over 20 grams would be fine. If they're newborns--who knows.

[djarenspace9]

I agree with you about them being "stoic",
in retrospect I think I mistook her weak attempt to growl at me as a groan.

Mama P is hanging in there, getting stronger.
She was very thin, but having 3 square meals is helping her a lot.
The bowl is licked clean every time.

I have her in a Critter Nation (single unit) and covered so she has a lot of space and privacy.
She keeps mostly on her bed and only gets up to eat or do her business.

When I come do my housekeeping she stays pretty calm unless I touch her
(if I need to mover her over to the other side while cleaning) and then she gets a bit agitated.

I'm pretty sure she is blind because of her mannerism, and one eye is a bit wonky so I know it has damage for sure.

I'm torn between getting her in to the vet or not, because I feel the stress of loading her up and the whole ordeal would be worse for her right now than the benefit of having an exam but limited options to treat anything because of the babies.

I have not tried to feel for babies or check them in any way and since they are all tucked inside I have no idea what is going on.

A rehabber friend is coming by today and I plan to do a quick check with her help.

[djarenspace9]

We did a quick check and she has at least 4 babies.
Didn't want to dig too deep, but there's likely more.
They are TEENY and look like little embryos so 1-2 weeks old at most.
Not a size I could EVER keep alive for sure so Mama P needs to stick around.
They were all squirmy and attached and looked healthy so :thumbsup
I will not be bothering her for a look again, I am satisfied they are doing ok
and will see them in a few weeks when they start hanging out a bit.

[Chickenlegs]

You are a possum angel!!!! BABIES are doin GOOD!!!:wahoo There's a Yahoo chat group specifically for possum people--folks from all over. Bet some of them would have some good advice. Try "yahoo.com/group/opossumrehab". If that doesn't work let me know--loooooots of info. and if mama needs a forever home maybe they can help.

[djarenspace9]

:shakehead Sadly over the course of 24 hours, one by one 5 dead babies fell out of Mama P's pouch. She is still doing well herself. I don't know if there are any survivors. Will do a wellness exam in the next few days when another rehabber can come to help me. She trusts me more to handle her when I need to move her for cage cleaning, but I doubt well enough for a check of the pouch by myself. If she does not have any more babies at least I can take her in for a thorough exam and Xrays to see what other damage can be fixed to be able to release her. Her eyes have healed in appearance (in that they look normal now) but not 100% sure of how good her sight is.