Help with a 1 year old

[rocketjsquirrel]

Hi! I haven't posted much on here, but I sure read alot! Now I need some help with one that I haven't seen anything like. I released a squirrel in April and he has come back every day to get some treats, He got attacked by bot fly larve in August (6) and he still has a couple of them, But today when he came down, his jaws are swolen and when I opened his mouth, it looked like a lot of pus was in there. He had an appitite, but couldn't chew. I caught him and brought him inside so I could hopefully find someone in Alabama who could possibly help him. He's not a mean squirrel and has never even offered to bite, so it wouldn't be nerve wracking to look in his mouth. I've had him since the day he was born and this is breaking my heart to see this happen to him. Any help would be appreciated. I live in Montgomery, but will drive him as far as I need to to get him help. Thanks!

[Milo's Mom]

Please take some pictures of what you are describing and post them for our experts to see.

Is he drinking any fluids?

[rocketjsquirrel]

I will post some pics as soon as my friend gets here. I'll have to hold him and get my friend to be the photographer. It was almost dark when he came down. When I brought him inside, he wasn't very happy, so I left him alone so he could calm down. now he's resting in his nest box. So I don't think he drank anthing before he went in there. I'm not really sure how to post pictures on here, so if you can walk me through it, that would be a big help! And thanks again for your quick response!:thankyou

[astra]

hope experts will be on here soon...

as for driving... I, personally, can't think of any exp. TSBers in AL (sorry if I missed someone)...
but there is one Atlanta, GA and, of course, there are ppl in FL.
Don't know how feasible and doable this can be, but would driving that far be something to consider?...:thinking :dono

[astra]

I'm not really sure how to post pictures on here, so if you can walk me through it, that would be a big help! And thanks again for your quick response!:thankyou
it's really easy:

Start as you would a regular post :click reply and a box will open for you to type a message.

Then, scroll down the browser window and you will see a button Manage Attachments <--- click on it.
After you click on it, another smaller dialogue window will pop up open: Click on Choose File. It will open an option for you to choose a file from your computer. So, if you have pics on your computer (e.g., desktop, documents, pictures etc) - select the photo you want to upload.

Then, click on Upload in that smaller dialogue window.
When it finishes uploading, you will see the uploaded file in there.

You can continue like that Choose File for each photo.
You can upload up to 10 photos at a time, I believe.

When you are done uploading - Close that Window.

Then, you will see your uploaded pic files under Manage Attachments.

Now you can just Submit Reply like you would normally do.

If these instructions are not clear - you can email your pics to me and I will upload them for you: ad_astra81@hotmail.com

[rocketjsquirrel]

thanks Astra! I will try to take some good pictures, so hopefully, someone can help my sweet Freddie.

[djarenspace9]

Fire-eyez is in Montgomery.
She just moved there recently so I'm not sure how well established
she is with squirrel resources, but it's a start to find someone nearby.
Try to PM her.

I know we have a few other AL members but I don't know them myself,
or how experienced they are.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Get well soon Rocket J Squirrel.

Hugs
CSL

[island rehabber]

Pamela Lee and Mountain Mama, but neither is here very often at all.....I will PM them anyway......and try Pam thru Facebook.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Can get you help here if you want to drive over this way, but I know somebody in Columbus, which is a lot closer (30 minutes). I'll PM you her contact info.

Sounds like you need ABX ASAP. If it's an abcess, it will need to be drained, and you'll need to knock the squirrel out for that. That can be arranged here in Atlanta.

[rocketjsquirrel]

Thanks everyone for your quick responses! I tried to post some pics but was told that something didn't work. I think I am going to take him to Columbus in the morning. I checked on him a bit ago and he was sleeping, so hopefully he will be ok to make the trip in the morning. Island Rehabber...funny you mentioned Pamela Lee...She helped me with a release and a sick baby YEARS ago! Thanks again everyone! It sure does feel good to know that there is somewhere I can come and know everyone else feels as passionate about squirrels and all critters as much as I do!:thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

could this be a burn from an electrical cord?
as always, push hydration..
get well Freddie

[rocketjsquirrel]

Good Morning! I coaxed Freddie out of his nest box this morning to feed him and his head is swolen bigger than it was last night. One eye is swelled shut. He looks like a boxer that lost the match. I fed him some pedalite and he took a pecan from me and is nibbling on it. Do y'all think it might be from a fight with another squirrel? It looks like he has bite marks on the sides of his face and under his chin? I'm going to try to post a picture again. Maybe I did something wrong last night.

[jbtartell]

Is he on aAntibiotics? baytril? might be a cat attack..

[Milo's Mom]

E-MAIL THE PICS TO ME AND I'LL POST THEM FOR YOU!

MilosMom041610@gmail.com

[pamela lee]

Hey there RocketJsquirrel...Have you ever used the ARK in Millbrook? I have taken baby or injured squirrels in to get meds for them. They do have to see the squirrel but I have never had any problems using them. I do not have any Baytril on hand...SORRY. Are you wanting info and resources or are you wanting someone to take him?

[rocketjsquirrel]

Hey Pamela! I would like to keep him if I can, but if it's best he go to someone who is an expert, then I'll do that! I want him healthy and happy again! He just took some more pedalite and took a tomato from me, which is odd because he has never liked tomatos. MilosMom is going to post some pictures for me. So maybe everyone can look at those and give me some advice. I'll call the Ark also! :thankyou

[pamela lee]

Well I am FAR from an expert and I really don't have the time or resources to take any in right now. I do have SMZ/TMP 800-160, Clavamox 62.5...neither one is an excellent choice just letting you know what I have here. Wish I could help more.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Is the photo file size too big? Try reducing it and see if it won't load for you

CSL

[rocketjsquirrel]

Just talked to the Ark animal hospital. The Dr. that will see him won't be there until tomorrow, so what to do, what to do! CSL, Milos mom is going to post the pictures for me. I'm kind of dumb when it comes to doing anything other than typing on a computer! :rotfl
Pamela, thanks for suggesting the Ark ! Now I don't have to be afraid of one needing medical attention anymore!:wahoo

[Milo's Mom]

Sorry for the delay, I stepped away and then got sidetracked. Anyway, here are the first 10 pics of Freddie.

182840

182841

182842

182843

182844

182845

182846

182847

182848

182849

[Milo's Mom]

Here are the last 3

182850

182851

182852

[Milo's Mom]

The white tears are a sign that he is in a great deal of pain.

This guy NEEDS professional help ASAP!

[Milo's Mom]

Does he still have all that stuff in his mouth?

[Milo's Mom]

Also, is it just me or do his top teeth look a little too long?

[rocketjsquirrel]

Thanks MilosMom for posting the pictures! The inside of his mouth looks better today, but one of his eyes is swelled shut. The vet won't be able to see him until tomorrow at 8 am. Should I try to find someone else who can take him? Is there anything I can do to relieve his pain until then? He's been living outside for 6 months, so I don't think his teeth are too long. I'll check again when I wake him to feed him more pedialite.

[CritterMom]

In the VERY least, you can get some ibuprophen into him. If you can pick up some INFANT ibuprophen - it is a liquid and actually tastes good so it is easy to administer - and get a weight on him - you can approximate - we can give you a dosage that should help ease a little of the pain.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Did you decide not to go to Columbus? If he needs a vet today, you can come to Atlanta.

[rocketjsquirrel]

Thank you! I'm off to the store right now! Also, would it be ok to put some neosporin on the bot fly spots?

[Milo's Mom]

Here is a close up of the mouth pic...

182853

[CritterMom]

God, that looks awful. Why is it black? Is there any chance you could do some flushing with clear water and a syringe?

[island rehabber]

ok...a very silly question but I gotta ask: do you have black walnuts growing in your area?

[Squirlgirl]

Please get Capstar...its at pet stores, over the counter, no RX needed. Get the one for 2-25 pound animals.

Dissolve 1/4 of one tablet in 1cc of water and give it all to him...make sure he drinks it.

Have you tried swabbing out his mouth?

How does it look now?

With open wounds and the weather he should get the Capstar in case there are internal maggots.

PLEASE DO IT ASAP!

He may just have been eating Black Walnuts, but looking at the pic, it does resemble the fluid seen when maggots are eating necrotic tissue.

Is there an odor?

I am not trying to freak you out and I hope it is something that he was eating, but the Capstar is safe and necessary at this point.

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[pamela lee]

You can also get Capstar at any farm center store, Tractor supply...I have even went to a vets to buy one and they just gave 1 to me. I have some Fox Valley you can have. That way you can get some good nutrition into him cause that looks like it would be painful for him to eat. Lord I wish I had something for pain and inflammation on hand...sooo SORRY!

[Milo's Mom]

I found a picture of dark maggot juice (see below). Minus the white maggots is this what the stuff in his mouth looks like?

182876

EDIT: Here is a side by side of his mouth and of the maggot juice. (I am only posting this so you have a comparison...I really hope it's not this)

182877

[astra]

Did you decide not to go to Columbus? If he needs a vet today, you can come to Atlanta.
rocketjsquirrel,

what about Columbus?
Can you come to Atlanta - atlantasquirrelgirl is offering.

He needs professional help asap.
Not knowing what it is, there is a good chance you are losing precious time/window for recovery/healing

[Milo's Mom]

Rocketjsquirrel -

Did you go to Columbus or Atlanta? Were you able to get the Infant Motrin and the Capstar?

If you are working with someone via PM, that's fine, just please leave us know. Please give us an update.

Hoping for the best!

:grouphug

[rocketjsquirrel]

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! The rehabber Auburn or in Columbus couldn't take him, but Sara in Columbus talked to me on the phone for over an hour, asking questions and getting details. Good news, he does not have maggots in his mouth, or ears. She had me swab the inside of his mouth to make sure! He has puncher wounds on his face and she said that is the cause of the swelling. The vet will know for sure tomorrow morning. I drove around for 2 hours looking for capstar and no one had any.
As for now, he is sitting up, eating, drinking and being like a squirrel. No balance problems, other than his big head.
Thanks to everyone for all your help and advice. I will give an update after we make our vet visit in the morning! :thankyou

[Milo's Mom]

Very happy to hear that it's not maggots.

Also happy to hear that he is sitting up and eating and drinking.

Good luck tomorrow morning at the vet's office.

:grouphug

[rocketjsquirrel]

Freddie did very well at the vets office. They said that he was the calmest release squirrel that they had ever treated. He was put on smz twice a day for 10 days. They also removed 2 of the bot fly maggots. He's got 1 more, but it is still too small to remove. He's been moving around alot today and still has a big appetite. YEA FREDDIE!!! :thumbsup

[Milo's Mom]

SOOOO happy he got the see the vet. I'd give half of my body to have a vet in my area willing to help wildlife.

Did they drain/lance any of the abscesses? I thought his bots had already left.

Please keep us updated on how he's doing.

[Jackie in Tampa]

sorta concerned..
wish the vet would have prescribed something faster.
I know, sit down and shut up JIT..
but SMZ-TMP has to be the slowest of the sq friendly ABs..
dang...those are some wicked abcsesses.
Glad you have him inside and got him to a vet..
what was he eating for his mouth to be dark inside?

[Saverywood]

Oh my, I was holding my breath the whole time I was reading and oh those pictures.. poor little darling! That has got to hurt & hurt bad too. Poor baby. I am so glad you found him and got him help. Nice work. :thumbsup

[rocketjsquirrel]

Update on Freddie! He's well on his way to a full recovery! His antibiotics are working wonderfully and he's getting his appetite back. His abcess opened up and he smells like he should have buzzards flying above him, but his head is a normal size now and he is climbing and exploring his old stomping grounds( the inside of my house). He doesn't care much for the warm cloth baths that I have been giving him. He is a little spoiled on baby food though. He's nuts about the apples and bananas and the sweet potatoes. He doesn't care much for the peas though. I think I had that same problem with my daughter when she was a baby. He still has 2 more bot fly larve under his arm, so I'm going to take him back to the vet when they get big enough to take out, just to make sure that they don't weaken his fragile system anymore!
Again, thank you all for your help and concern! Yea Freddie!!