Care for hurt chipmunk

[Handoff]

Our cat brought in a chipmunk a couple days ago and its been scampering around for 3 days. Today i heard his chirps and found him on the ground not moving. After i noticed he was breathing i scooped him up and put him in a box with with a towel and small fur hat. He did move himself to cuddle into the hat but apart from that, not much movement. I think he drank water i left but is hard to tell. He does have a heating pad i put against the box for extra warmth. Is there anything else i can do for the little guy to help him survive the night? Also do u think he can chew/squeeze thru a cardboard box? Thanks in advance

[SammysMom]

What do you have for antibiotics? Cat's are lethal to rodents. You definitely want to get him into something other than a cardboard box. He will chew out of that in no time. Once he is in a plastic container you should put the heating pad on low and put the container half on and half off of it so he can get away if he gets too warm.
He really does need antibiotics. Just one pill can be broken down into a dose for him. We will need a weight on him or at least a picture of him that includes something like a can of soup or soda for us to get an idea of how big he is.

[island rehabber]

What part of NJ are you in? We may have a rehabber member near you who can help this poor little guy.....

[Handoff]

thanks for the quick reply! I just moved him to a new plastic box. Does it matter if the anti biotics are for humans? If no should i just crush one and mix in his water? He is moving around a bit more now. I will try to post a photo. For now i can tell you he easily fits in the palm of my hand when hes curled up.

[Nancy in New York]

thanks for the quick reply! I just moved him to a new plastic box. Does it matter if the anti biotics are for humans? If no should i just crush one and mix in his water? He is moving around a bit more now. I will try to post a photo. For now i can tell you he easily fits in the palm of my hand when hes curled up.

What antibiotics do you have?
We can dose for you and help you break it down with
the proper amount of water.
Do you have a 1 cc syringe?
We dose the medicine by the weight.
Do you have a weight on the chipmunk?

[SammysMom]

Do NOT give antibiotics without someone helping you to dose it! What human antibiotics do you have and what strength?

[Handoff]

258719

Here he is. That's a tablespoon next to him. I live in south jersey.

[SammysMom]

What meds do you have?

[Handoff]

I dont have the original bottle. Its oval and has 8 and 5 stamped on it. And e on opposite side. Probably shouldnt give it to him unless someone has experience with this particular antibiotic. He seems to be feeling better he just ate all the pecans i left for him.

[SammysMom]

Is this it?

[Handoff]

Yes that it is. I cant get a syringe tonight though.

[SammysMom]

Don't give it without a syringe. Do you have any friends that are diabetic and might have a syringe? This is an emergency.

[Handoff]

Yes i do but do you think he will make it to morning without meds? Or is there a way to do it without a syringe?

[Handoff]

Sorry i just found a syringe if anyone still would like to help us out.

[SammysMom]

What size is the syringe?

[SammysMom]

Is penicillin the only antibiotic you have? Any chance you have cipro? Do NOT give the penicillin without specific instruction from someone with experience.

[Handoff]

Only the one penicillin is what i have got.

[island rehabber]

I would not give penicillin -- let me reach out to a member in SW Jersey and see if she can help -- are you willing to drive a bit for this little one?

[Handoff]

Thanks but there is actually a local rehebilitation center that should take him as soon i get a chance to drop him off. Should be today or tomorrow at the latest.

[SammysMom]

Definitely call the rehabber that Nancy told you about. If nothing else, she will be able to tell you a safe place to take him.:grouphug

[Handoff]

The chipmunk has just passed away. I can only asume that his little body couldnt handle the infection from his wounds and he passed peacefully in his sleep. At least i was able to give a good meal and warm place before he died. If only i could have got those antibiotics in him last night! Thanks everyone for bieng so kind and helping me care for him. I will use the advice from you guys to help other critters who may enter the house this summer.

[Monipenny]

Awe, poor baby, rest in peace tiny one. Handoff, thank you for giving comfort and love to this little guy. I am sorry he didn't make it. :(