Open Wound;Indian Palm Squirrel

[marmot]

Hi, My squirrel is an Indian Palm squirrel. He is about three years old, he had this allergy on his stomach where there was loss of fur, my dad who is a vet treated him with some medicine, and he was getting a little better, but suddenly, i dont what happened, one night my squirrel, just ate his whole skin out, i mean he ate his skin through half the middle area around his belly, near his penis.And from then on , he became so weak, but he just wont let his wound be treated, and palm squirrels are so small, like rats, its very difficult to restrain them, or try to hold him in fear of hurting them, he has been in this condition for a week now.I was not at home when all this happened. But i came home yesterday, and asked my dad to at least try and force feed him. We force feed him some medicine, and some milk, but i dont know, and neither does my dad, i think he has given up hope... but i wont till he breathes. Is there any chance, his skin can grow back. He has become very weak, and stays in his nest all day, and expends all the energy he has in resisting the meds we give him. Ill try to upload a picture later. I was just so desperate so i just posted on any squirrel i could find..

[HRT4SQRLS]

Marmot, :Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I'm sorry about your squirrel. Yes, it is possible that the skin can grow back if he stops chewing it and any infection is controlled.

I don't know for sure if this is the cause of the problem BUT there is a possibility that your squirrel has a condition called Metabolic Bone Disease. It is caused by low calcium in the diet. MBD develops over time due to a diet high in nuts and seeds (high phosphorus and low calcium) It causes pain, hind end paralysis, seizures and death.

MBD can cause pain and tingling nerve sensations on their body. This will cause them to chew on body parts. It sounds like your squirrel is in grave condition but because your dad is a veterinarian it might be possible to save him.
If it was my squirrel I would force fed him calcium. Calcium carbonate is a good source. It must be calcium WITHOUT VITAMIN D. I would also treat for infection with an antibiotic called Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (also called Clavamox or Augmentin). You might also ask your dad to prescribe something for pain. If this is not caused by MBD the calcium will not hurt him. Fluid loss will be a big problem so it might be necessary to give subcutaneous fluids during this critical time.

A pic would help. Has he chewed through the abdominal wall? If he has it is unlikely that he will survive.

I'm sorry this has happened. I hope for healing for your friend. :grouphug




Here is a link regarding Metabolic Bone Disease... http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment

[CritterMom]

And fashioning a small "cone" to go around his neck and physically prevent him from getting to his stomach may also be necessary - like they use on dogs who have had surgery.

A combination of Silver Sulfadiazine cream and insulin is an extremely fast wound healer and is excellent for closing large wounds that cannot be closed by stitches like this.

I would absolutely start boosting the calcium - in a little palm squirrel I would start at 250-300 mg per day, split into multiple doses through the day. Your dad should also do a skin scraping to determine whether there is another reason for the self mutilation.

[marmot]

Hey, thank you for replying, both of you guys. I really appreciate it, you dont know how much. Im just taking comfort from anyone who can just understand. Im trying real hard not to get depressed. My dad is giving him the augmentin and amocicilin for infectin, and some vitamins, and pain killer in a liquid dose. And otherwise we are feeding him a lot of milk, because that is the only food he is ready to take, even with force feeding. He poops a little, and peed once,my dad is worried about his less peeing. I try to give him some juice, cos he refuses water, but takes a bit of juice. i think his abdominal lining is okay cos he is pooping fine?that means he is ingesting allright?
I clicked a picture, so ill try to upload it, but its only a side view, couldnt get one of the underbelly. I dont think there is infection though. i hope the wound heals quick. The cone would be difficult, cos he is too small, so putting one would be hard, and top of that he gets psycho if we try anything with him, so im afraid he will run around and hurt himself if i try to put a cone on him.

[marmot]

I have tried to attach a picture, not sure if its uploaded...

[CritterMom]

Oh my, that is awful.

Just a vitamin supplement won't do it. PLEASE try to get 250mg of calcium oer day into her over a series of several doses - a little bit all day long. You will need to do this for a while. It is called Metabolic Bone Disease and is very common in squirrels - they have very specific dietary requirements. While it affects the bones, sometimes it apparently causes itching or tingling because we sometimes see self mutilation, too.

If you cannot find plain calcium carbonate, you can make your own from chicken eggshells. Wash them well and bake in a low oven (200 degrees F) for about a half hour. Grind them as fine as you can get - about 1/4 teaspoon would be the per day dose.

Speak to your dad about adding an antihistamine - here in the US we use a brand called Benadryl which is diphenhydramine. Anti-histamines can reduce the itching of a healing wound.

Also think about the silver sulfadiazine and insulin - the fluid insulin people inject for diabetes. The combination is quite amazing for quickly and properly healing wounds like this from the wound edges in.

[marmot]

My squirrel passed away a few hours ago. I guess the wound was too big to recover from. I just wanted to thank you both for replying. It bought him a few more days perhaps... And i am glad there are people who are constantly there to help...

[CritterMom]

I am so sorry about your baby. It doesn't matter what kind they are or where in the world they hail from; when we let them into our lives they take our hearts. RIP, Little. :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[stosh2010]

ADIOS Little..................
You were truly loved.... and will be missed...and remembered for all time.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Marmot I am so sorry for your loss :hug just know halfway around the world people are grieving for your sweet baby :boohoo I didn't see his name but I felt your love and concern and I know this sweet little one was loved and well cared for...I just had a loss myself so I understand your pain :sadness we all understand here :Love_Icon you are not alone :grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

So many here feel your squirrel size pain. I've seen palm squirrels. They are beyond precious. You've been blessed with the love of a wild thing. Somehow they seem to lead others to you. Thank you for caring so deeply. The absolute has welcomed him but the love you shared won't ever die. :Love_Icon