Sick 5 1/2 year old captive squirrel

[babybleu]

My girl, Chumpy Mumps, seems to be sick. Yesterday, she just wasn't acting herself and wasn't up much but she's done that before. Today, however, she was up early, had a drink and a pee and was not up all day long. I got the flashlight and checked her in the nest tonight and she looks like she doesn't feel well... squinty eyes, dry nose, ... just not herself. She wouldn't come out but I did manage to start on the MBD protocol. I gave her spoonfuls of tums/water dilution and she lapped up the whole thing. The eye that I could see looked squinty but not sure if it was snotty or not. Does this sound like MDB symptoms? or should I see the vet and get some antibiotics. She hasn't been out to eat anything today. I know she has a stash in her nest. Can anyone give me some insight??? Please???

[SammysMom]

:Welcome can you tell us a bit more about chumpa? What does she eat every day? How long ago and how did she get to you? Can you put a heTing pad under her cage set on low in case ahe wants to use it? Why do you suspect mbd? I may be going to aleep, but others will be around. Keep up the tums/water. Give as much water for hydration as possible. Is there any chance she fell and got hurt?

[babybleu]

I got Chumpy as a baby, eyes not open but fully furred. She had fallen (or was pushed) from a tall tree in my yard. I think she had a broken leg when I got her but she uses them all very well. She has malloclussion (?sp) and I have to take her once a month to have her teeth trimmed. She is non-releasable, obviously. She eats avacado, pine nuts, cashews, mushrooms, corn, teddy grahams, lettuce, snap peas, apples, oranges, etc. and a Zupreem Primate Biscuit soaked and drizzled with olive oil. She gets the primate biscuit daily and I was told that they have total nutrition by a rehabber. I am afraid of the MBD and being that she is indoors, I worry about it. She could just have a cold or something but I've heard no sneezing or anything otherwise to say for sure. She has had an ongoing ear problem that I've been dealing with for some time now. The Tums won't hurt, I figured. I'm hoping she's better tomorrow. It's almost 2 am here now and I need to get some sleep. Please advise. I do have some clindamyacin 300mg, cipro 500 mg and prednisone 20 mg if any of these would be advisable.

[SammysMom]

Since you have a vet who ses her, i would have her looked at. You want to be sure it isnt tooth related either. Prayers that tomorrow she feels better.:grouphug
her diet needs work. Its 2am here too so i will see you tomorrow.

[czarina]

Well, I guess I'm the resident night owl! Always Have been.

I agree, since she has a vet that will see her, I would bring her in.

She needs a diet change. Do you know about Henry's Healthy Blocks?

Sorry, I don't know how to post a link. But someone should be up soon, that will.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi babybleu,
As others have stated, I would take Chumpy to the vet.

I wanted to post a link to the healthy diet because the diet does need some work.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

A few of the things that caught my attention in the diet are pine nuts, cashews, corn and of course the Teddy Graham's. I'm sure the Teddy Graham's are a treat (I hope :tilt) because they really have no nutritional value. The pine nuts are so risky for a captive squirrel that I feel they should not be used at all. They have a Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio of 1:36. Ideally, the best food should have a Ca:P ratio of 2:1. You can see that the Pine Nuts are severely imbalanced. It takes a lot of calcium rich foods to balance out even a few pine nuts. The same thing applies to the cashews. They have a ratio of 1:12. Almonds (1:1.8) and hazelnuts (1:1.7) are a much better choice for nuts in the diet. Even with almonds and hazelnuts, they should be treats as opposed to a significant portion of the diet. Squirrels love nuts so much that they will eat them to the complete exclusion of all other healthy options if given that option. Because of this, I would limit the nuts to 1 maybe 2 per day. Corn is another food that is high in Phosphorus and low in Calcium (1:45). These are just a few suggestions related to the diet.

It's great that your friend is 5.5 years old. With some modifications of the diet Chumpy can live many more years. The vet can check those ears that have caused problems and also check the teeth. The ear problem could be caused by the teeth unless it is an external ear issue. At 5.5 years old, I would want an X-ray to rule out odontoma. I hope your baby starts to feel better soon. Is Chumpy the one in your avatar? Very beautiful!! Do you have some pics? We would love to see them.

[CritterMom]

Hi babybleu,
As others have stated, I would take Chumpy to the vet.

I wanted to post a link to the healthy diet because the diet does need some work.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

A few of the things that caught my attention in the diet are pine nuts, cashews, corn and of course the Teddy Graham's. I'm sure the Teddy Graham's are a treat (I hope :tilt) because they really have no nutritional value. The pine nuts are so risky for a captive squirrel that I feel they should not be used at all. They have a Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio of 1:36. Ideally, the best food should have a Ca:P ratio of 2:1. You can see that the Pine Nuts are severely imbalanced. It takes a lot of calcium rich foods to balance out even a few pine nuts. The same thing applies to the cashews. They have a ratio of 1:12. Almonds (1:1.8) and hazelnuts (1:1.7) are a much better choice for nuts in the diet. Even with almonds and hazelnuts, they should be treats as opposed to a significant portion of the diet. Squirrels love nuts so much that they will eat them to the complete exclusion of all other healthy options if given that option. Because of this, I would limit the nuts to 1 maybe 2 per day. Corn is another food that is high in Phosphorus and low in Calcium (1:45). These are just a few suggestions related to the diet.

It's great that your friend is 5.5 years old. With some modifications of the diet Chumpy can live many more years. The vet can check those ears that have caused problems and also check the teeth. The ear problem could be caused by the teeth unless it is an external ear issue. At 5.5 years old, I would want an X-ray to rule out odontoma. I hope your baby starts to feel better soon. Is Chumpy the one in your avatar? Very beautiful!! Do you have some pics? We would love to see them.


Everything she said - the diet is deficient. The primate biscuits are an *adequate* weaning food for baby squirrels that are just a few weeks from release - it has some calcium, and obviously lots of protein, but it isn't not a good block for long term "pet" maintenance. www.henryspets.com - go to squirrel food and I would (and do - just ordered 4 bags yesterday!!) get the "Picky Bites" as the flavor on those is amped up.

Please continue supplementing with the Tums and doing the MBD protocol.

[babybleu]

thankyou all for the replies, it's nice to have a place with others who love squirrels to inquire about these things. I just got up and haven't seen her, nor has my husband who has been up for quite some time. We are going to try to get her out of the nest and get a good look at her soon. Again, thank you all.

[babybleu]

Okay, I just went to her nest and gave her a little bit of the Tums dilution. She doesn't look good. Her right eye is not open all the way and she's moving slowly. Her left eye, didn't get a real good look, but it looks like blood in the corner nearest her nose. She didn't want much to do with the Tums but I did get to stick my hand in and pet her a little. Gonna try a rice buddy for warmth.

[CritterMom]

If you have access to a vet, take her. She needs her diet looked at but that is likely not all that is happening. She likely needs antibiotics - she may have an upper respiratory infection of some kind. You did say you had a vet, right?

[farrelli]

Yes, see a vet ASAP. If you can't get in right away, tell us what antibiotics you have and the weight of the sq (or at least a pic so we can guess) and we would dose for you. Cipro or Baytril are best.

[babybleu]

Yes, she does have a vet, but they're always unsure of dosing. My son said she was out of her nest this morning at 5 am and at her water bottle getting a drink. That's good to know! At least I know she's somewhat ambulatory. I would say she's no more than 1.5 lbs. 234148
I tried to attach a picture but not sure if it worked.

[babybleu]

I have an appointment with the vet at 3:50 today. If someone can give me some medications that work well with squirrels, that would be great. As i said in an earlier post, they are unsure of meds and dosing since she's the only squirrel that comes in there. We are in a non-squirrel friendly state so there's not many who keep them here.

[farrelli]

You have seen the MBD protocol, right?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?34495-Emergency-Treatment-of-Metabolic-Bone-Disease-(MBD)

Follow it. And remember that the idea is to spread out the calcium throughout the day, not all given in one big dose.

If the vet doses the ABs, we can verify the dosage when you get home.

[babybleu]

which meds are good for squirrels??? I have used baytril in the past from the vet but are there any others??? She is not sneezing, wheezing or clicking.

[farrelli]

There are several. Baytril is usually fine. It all depends on what's wrong. Have you made an appointment yet?

[farrelli]

Btw, are her teeth long? That pic seems to maybe have a long tooth. Make sure they're not long and hurting the roof of her mouth.

[babybleu]

I have an appointment but they couldn't get me in until 3:50. It's almost noon now. That is an old picture for size purposes.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Babybleu,
I am going to post some information for your vet. This information is from the Wild Mammal Babies book. This is information about antibiotics that are safe for squirrels and their dosing. He should know what to do with this information.

Baytril: Dosage 2.5-15 mg/kg. SID or BID

Clavamox: Dosage 20 mg/kg. BID

Amoxicillin: Dosage 11-20 mg/kg. BID

Cephalexin: Dosage 10-30 mg/kg. TID

These dosages are dose per day ... in other words ... The total dose per day.

I think I would still continue with the calcium. Tell the vet about this because some antibiotics should not be taken with calcium. He should know about this also. Good luck with Chumpy. I am pulling for her!!!!

[keetz1205]

I'm hoping that's just a funky picture but her teeth look all wrong. The top teeth should be side by side and the picture looks like they're both growing out to the sides.

[Nancy in New York]

I'm hoping that's just a funky picture but her teeth look all wrong. The top teeth should be side by side and the picture looks like they're both growing out to the sides.
I see exactly what you're seeing keetz, I hope we're both wrong. :eek

[babybleu]

She did get up about an hour ago and I examined her. She has green, gross, smelly stuff in her ear and the eye on the same side is swollen and has some bloody mucus in the corner. She refused to eat but did drink a bit of water. She seems to be a little swollen or just retaining fluids. At this point, I believe this to be an infection that has gotten out of hand from her ear.

HRT4SQRLS, thank you for the information for my vet... I'm sure he'll appreciate it. I have a new vet now, as my original vet sold their practice. I still see her on a limited basis, but the new guy is really good too. How do I get the AB into her once I get it??? Eyedropper? Syringe? on food or in water? I have a feeling this is going to be difficult. I have some drops for her ear but don't want to start that until I see the vet this afternoon. I'm such an asshole that I haven't been forcing the issue and putting the damn drops in all along. I feel like such a terrible mom.

Yes, her teeth are funky. I have been dealing with this since her teeth came in. Her two top teeth grow backwards towards the side of her mouth and her bottom tooth from the right side grows up and out the right side of her face. There is only one bottom tooth.

[SammysMom]

Good luck at the vet! I am so glad that you are able to see a vet. It sounds like an antibiotic will be at least a part of the answer for her.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, her teeth are funky. I have been dealing with this since her teeth came in. Her two top teeth grow backwards towards the side of her mouth and her bottom tooth from the right side grows up and out the right side of her face. There is only one bottom tooth.
Do you trim her teeth or do you have someone that can? It is imperative that a squirrel with maloccluded teeth have the teeth trimmed. With only one bottom tooth she can't properly grind her own teeth down. I'm not suggesting that you do it yourself if you've never done it before. It has to be done correctly or serious complications can occur. Teeth problems in a squirrel can cause all types of issues including sinus issues and probably even ear issues.

By the way, Chumpy is beautiful. I'm hoping the vet can get that infection under control. :thumbsup

[babybleu]

Do you trim her teeth or do you have someone that can? It is imperative that a squirrel with maloccluded teeth have the teeth trimmed. With only one bottom tooth she can't properly grind her own teeth down. I'm not suggesting that you do it yourself if you've never done it before. It has to be done correctly or serious complications can occur. Teeth problems in a squirrel can cause all types of issues including sinus issues and probably even ear issues.

By the way, Chumpy is beautiful. I'm hoping the vet can get that infection under control. :thumbsup

Yes, I know all about malocclusion and the problems it can present. I take her to my awesome vet once a month for teeth trimming. Usually, it's about 4 weeks but I have gone 6 weeks before they present a problem. No, she cannot grind down her own teeth because they do not meet at all. She cannot crack a nut by herself, or even a sunflower seed.... that's my job now.

[Duckman]

She did get up about an hour ago and I examined her. She has green, gross, smelly stuff in her ear and the eye on the same side is swollen and has some bloody mucus in the corner. She refused to eat but did drink a bit of water. She seems to be a little swollen or just retaining fluids. At this point, I believe this to be an infection that has gotten out of hand from her ear.



Any infection that is migrating from the ear to the eye is very serious because it can also be going into the brain. Hopefully your Vet uses some big AB's for this. You might even ask for Metacam for pain. Just be sure not to use too much as it is a narcotic and very strong (but needed in this case!). She is beautiful and I hope she gets over this infection soon! What a sweetie she is!

Edit - Can you tell me what part of the country you are in? If you are close, I can probably help get supplies for her. Myself, I am in the Pacific Northwest.

[babybleu]

Got home from the vet about a hour ago. I have one awesome vet, I tell you. Chumpy was so good today, too, but that's because she isn't feeling well at all. He seems to think that it's either a bad infection that has gone from her ears to her eyes and that side of her face or an abcess behind her eye. He did a very thorough exam and said she's a sick little girl. Of course, she is somewhat dehydrated but retaining fluids and she is drinking some. He said to push the fluids on her whenever I can. Her temp was 105 something, and he said it should be around 100. Gave her a baytril injection, Neopolydex drops in her eye, (he said her cornea was drying?) and Momentamax drops in her ear. Did a culture on her ear goop and for you technical people, it was 4 cocci? He sent me home with instructions and medications and hopefully, she'll be feeling better either later tonight or tomorrow morning.

I just love this little girl so much and am kicking myself for not being more diligent on the ear drops in the past. I'll just have to get someone to hold her for me and I know I can do it. She's really easy right now cuz she's sick.

Thank you all for the help and I'll keep you posted on her recovery. 234175

This picture was taken on Monday... I hope to see her this way again after the weekend!!!

[babybleu]

Any infection that is migrating from the ear to the eye is very serious because it can also be going into the brain. Hopefully your Vet uses some big AB's for this. You might even ask for Metacam for pain. Just be sure not to use too much as it is a narcotic and very strong (but needed in this case!). She is beautiful and I hope she gets over this infection soon! What a sweetie she is!

Edit - Can you tell me what part of the country you are in? If you are close, I can probably help get supplies for her. Myself, I am in the Pacific Northwest.

I"m way across the country from you, Duckman, but thanks for the offer. She is on baytril, neopolydex and momentemax.

[babybleu]

My vet gave me liquid vials of baytril. Does this need to be refrigerated?

[HRT4SQRLS]

babybleu,
I am so happy that you have an awesome vet! That is huge! :thumbsup I'm also glad you know about malocclusion and are on top of it. I'm sure I don't have to tell you but yes, and infection that bad in that location is serious.

When the vet referred to 4 cocci he was referring to the type of bacteria seen and the quantity. He probably said 4+ cocci. I wonder if he did a wet prep or a gram stain. 4+ is as high as we report! In other words the infection is loaded with cocci. Because he didn't specify an orientation of the cocci (clusters or chains) we can only gather that the infection is either a Streptococcus or a Staphylococcus. This is only a guess but based on the location of the infection it is probably a Strep because the respiratory tract, throat and other locations in this area are loaded with Strep.

I am hoping for a rapid turn around for your baby. If you don't see improvement in 2 days you need to go back to the vet. If you have difficulty in administering the meds, I would wrap her in fleece like a burrito so that she is restrained. She MUST get her meds no matter how bad she hates it.

I know that you love your baby because you got the full work up at the vets today and I know that wasn't cheap. :tilt

[HRT4SQRLS]

My vet gave me liquid vials of baytril. Does this need to be refrigerated?

That depends. :) If it is injectable Baytril it is stable at room temperature.
If it is a suspension that he compounded from a tablet, I would refrigerate it.
Is this for giving orally or is it drops for the ear? If it is to be dropped in the ear, don't put cold drops in the ear. I am guessing it is orally???? Is that correct?

[babybleu]

Heart, I think he did a dry swab of her ear. And, yes, this wasn't cheap but she is my baby and it's about the best quality of life I can give her in her situation. Thank you for your concern. The baytril he packaged in individual dosage syringes so there was no measuring for me. It's a clear liquid but on the package it just says baytril (6 tablet).

[HRT4SQRLS]

Heart, I think he did a dry swab of her ear. And, yes, this wasn't cheap but she is my baby and it's about the best quality of life I can give her in her situation. Thank you for your concern. The baytril he packaged in individual dosage syringes so there was no measuring for me. It's a clear liquid but on the package it just says baytril (6 tablet).

That's nice that he predosed the syringes for you. I'm not sure what type of Baytril you have. A clear liquid doesn't sound like a compounded tablet. As a general rule when something has been aliquoted, it should be refrigerated but I think I would call him tomorrow and ask. When they want you to refrigerate a drug they usually emphasize it, so I would call tomorrow. It will be fine for tonight either way.

[Duckman]

I would refrigerate, just in case (it won't hurt it if it doesn't need it). 4+ means she is one sick squirrel and I am happy to hear that she is on the road to recovery.
Your vet was almost right on the temp. Squirrel normal temp is 102. 105 isn't too bad, but it is high. It is definitely the infection that is causing the temp, and it should go down, once the infection is under control.
Give that cutie pie a scritch behind the ear (the good one) from her Uncle Duckman! Hope to hear she is doing well soon!! :grouphug

[babybleu]

Thanks guys, I have it in the fridge and will get ahold of them in the morning. I want to be on the safe side. I just checked on her and shes sleeping. I know that's what she needs is rest, but I miss my little sweetie!!!

[SammysMom]

I am so glad she is on antibiotics and has such a loving squammy!!!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[SugarBugFerret]

Sending out prayers and healing vibes to this sweet girl. Get better soon Chumpy Mumps! :grouphugChumpy:grouphug

[HRT4SQRLS]

How is Chumpy today? I've been concerned about her. :Love_Icon

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hope she is feeling better today.....

[HRT4SQRLS]

Any news about Chumpy?

[SammysMom]

Same question...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[babybleu]

Sorry I haven't been online in the past couple days. Had to go out of town yesterday. Gave Chumpy her meds before I left and as soon as I got home today. She's showing some signs of improvement, drinking water and orange gatorade, took a bite of avacado. My husband says she looks better but I think he's trying to pacify me... I'm so worried about her. My son was here with her overnight and this morning she was on the floor... her nest is only about a foot off the ground but of course, there are obstacles between the two. He gave her water and gatorade and she drank quite a bit.. but she couldn't seem to walk or move for that matter. He watched her for a little while and tried to get her to eat anything but she wouldn't. He put her back into her nest. She moves her head and does try to climb a bit but she's so weak. I did manage to get her to lap up some diluted Tums again today and cuddled and made her feel cared for today. I cleaned out her cage, (which she hasn't used in a looooooong time) and made up a nest as best I could, draped it so she would be isolated and moved her water bottle close to where she is in case she can get to it. Her other nest, (I'm sure) is disgusting and I didn't think it would be a good place for her to be if she's trying to get better, but then worried that I would stress her out. I don't want to clean it all out and have her trying to rebuild while she's sick so, I just left it the way it was and relocated her to inside the cage instead of underneath it. I'm going to shut her in it tonight for her own safety.

I think the swelling has gone down and the vet said if it was an abcess and popped, it could leak through her skin on her neck area. Today when I got home, she did have some liquid around her throat area. It didn't seem like pus but I don't know. I'm hoping it did because I know that would give her some relief.

I'm hoping for improvements tomorrow and I'm sure my vet will be calling. We'll go from here and take the little steps needed to get her back. She's a fighter and I'm hoping that I can save her...again.

[farrelli]

Firstly, no Gatorade. It has stuff in it that's bad, especially the coloring. Sqs have been dissected after being fed this and their poor little kidneys were blue.

This one's being treated for MBD, so are you following the protocol religiously and giving that calcium throughout the day? Also, have you been feeding Henry's blocks yet? Does she have a source of vitamin D? Calcium needs D to be absorbed and is even more rare in the diet then calcium. If not, I would give her a TINY amount of D to get this process better under way. Squirrels need D but human levels can be toxic, so I'd take a scraping of a D3 supplement and give it to her, once. It's fat soluble so it stays on board.

[babybleu]

farelli, we're quite sure that we're not treating MBD but I have been giving a tums/calcium dilution because she's been lapping it up. I've changed to sugar water after I read the sticky about Gatorade and rehydration. Got her out before bed and gave her some water, she peed a puddle and some cuddles. Have court this morning so I'll get her out when I return.

[Madamelipstick]

Sure praying for a fast turn around. hate it when the babies are sick. Come on Chumpy fight this battle.

[babybleu]

Gor my girl out and got all her meds in her. She still can't ambulate and she's still not eating food. Can anyone give me some tips on how or what to get her to eat to build her strength back up?? I've tried avacado, (which she took a couple bites), peanut butter, cashew butter, pears... I just don't know what to give her for some strength. She seems more alert today but only scooting backwards.

Please help!

[lilidukes]

You can try some pecan flavored Ensure. Try it warm
and add a little vanilla yogurt. Lots of good calories
here.

been lurking and wishing you well

[farrelli]

Yes, Ensure is good and so is Nutra-Cal:

http://www.petco.com/product/7708/Tomlyn-Nutri-Cal-for-Dogs.aspx

For both of these some like it, some hate it, it's always a gamble. Both are forms of concentrated nutrition, and NC is used for animals just like yours (elderly, sick, etc.) who isn't eating much and so needs a concentrated source of calories and nutrients. NC can be gotten at many pet stores.

[lilidukes]

Oh I would also offer her a heat source. She is burning
a lot of energy and calories trying to heal. Replacing
some heat might be a real comfort.:grouphug

[babybleu]

the nest I built for her is enclosed so it's pretty warm in there, and she has a fever, or did... she still feels pretty warm but it's warm in this house, around 70. (that's warm to me) I'm gonna try the Ensure and see if I can get some calories in her... I'm really worried about her walking... she seems to kind of scoot backwards but no forward movement.

[farrelli]

Have you talked to the vet again?

[lilidukes]

the nest I built for her is enclosed so it's pretty warm in there, and she has a fever, or did... she still feels pretty warm but it's warm in this house, around 70. (that's warm to me) I'm gonna try the Ensure and see if I can get some calories in her... I'm really worried about her walking... she seems to kind of scoot backwards but no forward movement.

What I'm trying to tell you is squirrels have an amazing
ability to speed up their healing. But it requires them to
burn a lot of energy to do so. So giving them another
heat source helps them. A rice buddy works for older
squirrels when cord chewing is a concern. A sock filled
with dry rice or beans and nuked 15-30 seconds in the
microwave. Squish is around to be sure it's not to hot.

When we have a fever we get the chills too.

:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[babybleu]

I've been putting a rice buddy in her nest with her and I will put the heating pad underneath it so she can have another heat source. Just went and got the butter pecan Ensure and vanilla yogurt. Gonna give it a try. Thank you all!!

[babybleu]

the vets office called today to find out how she's doing and I gave them the status but I haven't heard from the vet himself today. Should I only put the heating pad on half of the nest area so she can get away from it if she wants. Without her moving around, I don't want her to be stuck somewhere that's uncomfortable.

[farrelli]

Yes, half under. That's SOP.

[babybleu]

Yes, half under. That's SOP.

What does SOP mean?

[Milo's Mom]

Standard Operating Procedure

[babybleu]

Chumpy is improving, some. She did eat a little today, is more alert and responsive and is verbally protesting the medication. She is hobbling forward today but I don't know if it's just weakness or if she may have injured her left foot. Phewwww.....I finally feel like she isn't going to Rainbow Bridge anytime soon!!!

[farrelli]

Have you tried the Ensure and/or Nutra-Cal?

[SammysMom]

So glad to hear she is improving. This reminds me of a cat that I have who many years ago woke one morning and would NOT go forward. He would only creep along in reverse. I took him to the vet and the vet told me that when they get a very high temp it makes their joints hurt and for some reason going in reverse is less painful. He had an infection and a high fever. Got rid of that and he started to move forward again.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Chumpy is improving, some. She did eat a little today, is more alert and responsive and is verbally protesting the medication. She is hobbling forward today but I don't know if it's just weakness or if she may have injured her left foot. Phewwww.....I finally feel like she isn't going to Rainbow Bridge anytime soon!!!

This is such good news. I have been so worried about Chumpy! I'm very happy to hear a good report.:thumbsup

[babybleu]

thank you everyone for the prayers and concern. I did try the ensure but she doesn't like it. We did manage to get about 3ml in her by force feeding her. Today, she did scoot around... forward and she's much more alert. She doesn't want to be in her cage but I'm not comfortable with her climbing ability as yet. Again, thanks for the concern.

[PeeWee's Mom]

:Love_Icon

[Tracy]

:bowdown you are an amazing fur momma. God bless.

[farrelli]

Try the Nutra-Cal. Seems that most who don't like the one, like the other.

[babybleu]

Chumpy is doing much better... she's almost back to her old self, running around the house, climbing, being a free range indoor squirrel. She's eating like crazy and acting a lot better. After the 15 days of baytril, (on Tuesday of last week) she was doing very well. Then on Thursday, this bump appeared on her left side of her face. I called the vet and he said that we really need to gas her and take a look in her mouth, maybe do some x rays and find out what's going on. With the weekend upon us, we decided to try some oral clavamox twice a day for a week. She was not eating well with the Clavamox and ran away from us whenever my husband and I were together (fearing we'd cram that down her throat again) I gave her that from Thursday until Tuesday. I have also been doing the neopolydex on her eye and momentemax in her ear. The bump on her face doesn't seem to be causing her any pain as she's eating a lot better than she has been. Either she has managed to scratch the bump and it looks like a cut on her face. I'm sure it's bothering her to some degree but doesn't seem to be in distress if I touch it. I called the vet again today and he won't be in again until Monday. I have an appointment on Monday at 11:30. I'm so glad she's eating and getting back to normal and scared to have her gassed and examined but I guess I have to trust my awesome vet with her care at this point. Not sure what will happen on Monday but I'm trying to get some animax ointment or panalog on the bump to keep infection at bay.

[farrelli]

Glad he's doing better. Please keep us updated.

[babybleu]

Chumpy is on the mend and the scratch on the bump is healed over but this lump on her face is getting very big. She's eating well, peeing and pooping, free roaming and climbing well but this lump doesn't seem to be responding to the clavamox. Can anyone give me advice to give my vet when I see him next week??? We discussed gassing but with it around her mouth, it would be hard to get a look as they come to as soon as a mask is removed. He said another option would be ketamine but that's really risky. Would is be possible to gas and draw some fluid out? I just don't know what to do. The 2 times a day doesn't work well with my husband and my schedule as it takes 2 of us to get medication into her. 236982

[HRT4SQRLS]

I'm glad Chumpy is better but that lump looks awful. What does your vet think? Does he think it's an abscess? Is it soft ... as in fluid filled? Is it hard? Does he think it's a tumor? I would definitely want to know what's in there. If that is an abscess, the antibiotic is NOT working.

I know nothing about sedating squirrels. Hopefully others will sound in on that.

[babybleu]

it feels soft, like a full water balloon. Last time he looked he wasn't sure if it's an abcess or a tumor behind her eye. It's warm to the touch.

[island rehabber]

clindomycin has proven to be effective in facial abcesses on rodents. It is hard on the GI tract, however, so she would need to get acidophilus and maybe some yogurt in between doses of the clindo. I would suggest that the vet lance this thing really well and try clindomycin or another antibiotic -- the clavamox is obviously not working.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just read your post from 5/31. I think you are going to have to get X-rays and examine inside her mouth. Could your vet consult with another vet about sedating rodents?

A member here recently had a wild squirrel that had a tooth so bad it had spiraled back on itself with several loops. All the treatment in the world wouldn't have resolved that problem without surgical removal of the tooth.

[babybleu]

Island Rehabber...the clavamox was to be dosed twice a day and some days, I couldn't do it by myself, so she would only get one. Can clindamyacin be given once a day instead of twice?? She doesn't like yogurt and won't eat the butter pecan ensure... is there anything else that will help her tummy?? What would be the best way to go about lancing it?? My vet said he uses a gas mask over their nose to gas them but that they don't stay asleep long enough to get a good look inside her mouth. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[czarina]

Perhaps someone could get the number of, is it a Dr. Laura(?) from Florida, i don't remember who's squirrel it was, but i think it was a serious dental problem, anyway, it was a female vet and she was quite familiar with anaesthesia and squirrels.
Perhaps the 2 vets could consult.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Chumpy, you hang in there.:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug:Love_Icon:group hug:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

If i am not mistaken, the squirrel can be put into a larhe dog ,ask for gassing. That might be a beter option for access to her face. She is really sweet...:grouphug
saying healing prayers for sure.

[JPlagg]

Rodney my Guinea Pig is put under with gas to grind down his molars. From what I understand she puts the tiny mask over just his nose so she still has access to his mouth. Once the mask is removed he wakes up in a very short amount of time.

[lilidukes]

They usually put the squirrel into a closed container and the
Iso is blown in through a hole. Then they take them out and
use the cone over the nose. Myself or a tech holds it in place
while Dr Laura works inside the mouth. We trim and do
oral surgery like this. She has cut an sewn the roof of the
mouth this way. A smaller rodent cone helps a lot.

Using Iso and a cone can knock them out long enough to
look around inside the mouth.


If this was my squirrel I would get an Xray asap. It does show
the teeth and roots. If this is a teeth issue you will know right
then. If it's a tumor and I pray it's not then it is what it is.

:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[czarina]

:thankyou lillidukes! :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[harimau]

Poor little Chumpy. I'm glad she's showing signs of healing but that lump looks so painful. At least she has a mama who loves her and is doing all she can to get her fixed up. Thinking of you both!

[babybleu]

Over the weekend, the lump on her face opened up and is draining!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! This morning there was a lot of drainage and her face is coming back to normal size! Thank you all for the prayers!

[harimau]

Go Chumpy! That put the biggest smile on my face. I hope she's 100% really soon.

:thumbsup

[czarina]

Oh, that is wondeful news. Yeah Chumpy!!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

But I would think it would be in Chumpy's best intetest, to get an x-ray as soon as the vet thinks she is well enough, to see if this is indeed a teeth problem. Early intervention is always best, and you sure do not want this happeningo:grin3:grin3:grin3 again!

[farrelli]

You might try flushing it out with a dilute Betadine solution.