Neck is crooked

[MaryNGordon]

Hello, most of you might know little Gertie, a squirrel that was brought to me with paralysis from a cat bite. She got better over the years and seems to be getting along well, with a recent improvement of new tail function. So her life is always showing room for improvement. However recently her neck is kinked, and she can only look with one eye up to the sky and one eye down. It looks really uncomfortable and it's been this way for 5 days now with no sign of change. I'm not sure what happened, I'm going to give it time but I was wondering if anyone has seen this problem before? She used to always look straight ahead. Thoughts?

http://youtu.be/ZAPOmkkGz-I

[HRT4SQRLS]

Have you checked her ears?

Another thought is her teeth. How old is she? Is there any possibility you could get an x-ray of her head.
If she has pain associated with odontoma, it might cause her head to tilt.

Is there any possibility of a new injury?

Just some ideas. :dono

[Mommaluvy]

Ditto to the above..

And could she have fallen ?

[Sara in NW MS]

I'm not an expert by any means but my first guess would be an ear infection. Do you have a vet that can get you some ear drops and some oral ABs?
I just saw a video online about a squirrel with an ear infection and it was doing the same exact thing.

[MaryNGordon]

she is only about two years old so I dont think its the teeth. Its possible she fell wrong in her cage, and landed wrong, hoping it would clear up soon from that. As far as an ear infection, I am not sure, at this point its possible, will I be able to see clogging/swelling? I dont know of a vet locally that would look at her

[DarkLies212]

Two years old definitely isn't too young for teeth issues.
I'm not sure about the ears, so I'll let others chime in. If she isn't legal in your state and you don't have a VERY good relationship with the vet, be VERY careful with her exposure

[MaryNGordon]

I didn't see any discharge or swelling around the ears or in the ears, but it did seem like she was less desirable for me to touch the ear that is facing downward. It could be just me touching her in general, she's not a fan of being handled. Unless it's brushing her back, or getting tucked in. Lol

[MaryNGordon]

http://youtu.be/w3uP7TjPxYU

If it was your baby what would you do?

[Sara in NW MS]

IF I didn't have vet access and this was my squirrel I would look at the most common ailments that can cause head tilt and go from there.

Head injury... no signs of head injury and you don't think she fell. So that's probably not the reason.

Teeth... has she been sneezing, sniffles, anything like that?

Ears... if there is an inner ear infection going on there aren't always signs of that (drainage and all) but it can cause the equilibrium to be off. They will start crawling and tilt their head (typically the ear that hurts is facing downward). If it gets bad enough they will start to sway back and forth while trying to crawl around.

Treating an ear infection can take about a week (sometimes more) of oral antibiotics and a few weeks of ear drops. A vet can take xrays and check the head and teeth to help diagnose the problem.

These are just my opinions, I'm not an expert by any means. Just saying if it were my squirrel I would find antibiotics and ear drops and start on them to see if that would help. There are lots of smart people here who can help you figure out what's going on with your baby.

Hang tight... they should see your thread soon.

[TubeDriver]

IF I didn't have vet access and this was my squirrel I would look at the most common ailments that can cause head tilt and go from there.

Head injury... no signs of head injury and you don't think she fell. So that's probably not the reason.

Teeth... has she been sneezing, sniffles, anything like that?

Ears... if there is an inner ear infection going on there aren't always signs of that (drainage and all) but it can cause the equilibrium to be off. They will start crawling and tilt their head (typically the ear that hurts is facing downward). If it gets bad enough they will start to sway back and forth while trying to crawl around.

Treating an ear infection can take about a week (sometimes more) of oral antibiotics and a few weeks of ear drops. A vet can take xrays and check the head and teeth to help diagnose the problem.

These are just my opinions, I'm not an expert by any means. Just saying if it were my squirrel I would find antibiotics and ear drops and start on them to see if that would help. There are lots of smart people here who can help you figure out what's going on with your baby.

Hang tight... they should see your thread soon.

:goodpost

[MaryNGordon]

Ok I would like to start antibiotics for an ear infection. She seems to be doing some unbalancing things that sound similar in old threads. could some one tell me what to use? And dose?
Thank you

[MaryNGordon]

All I have is amoxi, if there is something else you recommend I might be able to find some from across the state. Feel free to PM your thoughts.

[Mel1959]

I'm not sure about the dosing but someone should come on here and be able to help you. I hope your baby gets better quickly. :blowkiss

[TubeDriver]

Do you have her weight?

[MaryNGordon]

I have some Amoxicillin [875mg]/ Clavulanate Potassium [125mg]).
which has the same ingredients as Clavamox.

I weighed her a few times (not an easy thing) and she is 1.6 lb - or 25.5 oz.

[TubeDriver]

I'll send you the dose later this afternoon!


I have some Amoxicillin [875mg]/ Clavulanate Potassium [125mg]).
which has the same ingredients as Clavamox.

I weighed her a few times (not an easy thing) and she is 1.6 lb - or 25.5 oz.

[MaryNGordon]

Ok I will await instructions. Any tips of giving meds? Will I be able to lace a slice of avocado? She usually gobble that up so fast she probably wouldn't even know she just ate it LOL

[Nancy in New York]

Ok I will await instructions. Any tips of giving meds? Will I be able to lace a slice of avocado? She usually gobble that up so fast she probably wouldn't even know she just ate it LOL

Did anyone give you dosing instructions yet?
The absolute best way to give meds is to just squirt it in their mouth,
between the cheek and gum, so it doesn't go straight down their throat.

[MaryNGordon]

Still waiting for dose.

[Nancy in New York]

Still waiting for dose.

I will send it through a pm.
You have Clavamox 875/125mg and the squirrels weighs 725 grams, correct?

[MaryNGordon]

Sounds right. I didn't convert her into grams :grin3

[Nancy in New York]

Sounds right. I didn't convert her into grams :grin3

OK any questions, just let me know.
I will be on later, or you can ask on open board. :thumbsup

[TubeDriver]

Darn, sorry about the delay. Thanks Nancy for picking up the ball I dropped!:(



Still waiting for dose.

[Nancy in New York]

Darn, sorry about the delay. Thanks Nancy for picking up the ball I dropped!:(
Not at all. :nono
When we see anything we should all jump in. :thumbsup :hug

[MaryNGordon]

Is there a plan B that would be good incase this doesn't work? I see perhaps a minor improvement so far, but it seems like she has a long way to go to get straight.

[MaryNGordon]

We are on day 5 of antibiotics, was going to reevaluate on day 7. I think she feels better as far as energy, and the probiotics are doing good, healthy intake /out.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Any improvement in the head tilt?

[MaryNGordon]

269061
269062
She has the tilt still, some times is better, she eats level.

[MaryNGordon]

She was on antibiotics for seven days, and it seems like she still has a little bit. It's not completely gone away but it seems her energy and personality has gotten better. Any thoughts on what to do next?

[HRT4SQRLS]

As long as she seems to be OK, you might have to take a 'wait and see' approach on the head tilt. I had a cat that had ONE seizure. It left her with a permanent head tilt for the rest of her life. The vet told me it might be permanent and he was correct.

[MaryNGordon]

Well, I did antibiotics for 7 days. and there was little improvement but not much, she seemed to perk up a little in activity. only a minor change in the head tilt. There was one day maybe 3 days after the antibiotics stopped, she woke up and was much better, almost fixed, then the next day back to tilting her head. She continues to wobble and lose ballance. Her appatitie is small, and she sleeps all day. As soon as shes done eating (out of the cage) she goes right back in to her bed box. She doesnt investigate. Some times she leas against the box and watches me, maybe because shes able to stabilze herself.

Should I start another round of antibiotics again for longer duration? I do not have any ear drops or pain medication.

I did come across this page about rats and their ear infections
http://ratguide.com/health/auricle_ear/otitis_media_otitis_interna_labyrinthitis.php

[HRT4SQRLS]

You could try. Do you have any other antibiotics? Have you considered some of the combo drugs suggested in the rat guide?

I still have concerns that this might be tooth related. If she has tooth associated pain it might cause the head tilt. I did go back to the start of this thread and did notice that you don't have vet access.

I have to sign off tonight. Work comes early. :tilt

[MaryNGordon]

I do keep the teeth on the back of my mind. However she grooms herself frequently with lots of licking and moving the head about. Something that I think a tooth problem would be painful to do. I'll keep searching for a vet

[MaryNGordon]

My English is terrible. Lol some of these posts I make on my phone when I'm out and about and don't notice the errors until I review the post later :gigg

[MaryNGordon]

here is her condition as of today https://youtu.be/n0YcVe7NA5U

[DarkLies212]

I'm not sure how foxers look up close, but is her left jaw slightly swollen?

[MaryNGordon]

i think it looks like that because her head is tilted (gravity?) but both sides have fairly equal cheekyness.

[MaryNGordon]

You could try. Do you have any other antibiotics? Have you considered some of the combo drugs suggested in the rat guide?

I still have concerns that this might be tooth related. If she has tooth associated pain it might cause the head tilt. I did go back to the start of this thread and did notice that you don't have vet access.

I have to sign off tonight. Work comes early. :tilt

I dont have any other antibotics, and I dont think I have any of the other items listed for a combo. I wouldnt mind doing a combo, or drops, or steriod. I just want to get her back to a happy disposition, but limited resources are a problem. I would even be willing to try a pain medication just to see if she straightens out, it may also help rule out any inflamation of the vestibular region as a cause for the problem.

I am understanding that perminance is a possibility here, but atleast I'd like to see her active again and in good spirits, and not falling off things when she climbs. Either get rid of the pain, or the inflamation; something has to change for her.

[MaryNGordon]

Ok now I'm really concerned. I saw a post about Odonata tumors and an indicator is short top teeth with a bulging gum. It appears she may have this condition?

Also I am considering trimming her bottom teeth although I'm not sure how to go about doing it. Advise?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Mary, that's what I have been concerned about. The ONLY way to diagnose it is with an X-ray. I'm at work right now so won't be here long. You might want to send a PM to an Administrator and ask if they know of a vet in your area. I see your location is private and I completely understand. You could give them your location and a search for a vet could begin.

Just as an FYI, antibiotics and an inflammatory would be indicated for this condition. It won't cure it but can can help with symptoms.

[MaryNGordon]

Mary, that's what I have been concerned about. The ONLY way to diagnose it is with an X-ray. I'm at work right now so won't be here long. You might want to send a PM to an Administrator and ask if they know of a vet in your area. I see your location is private and I completely understand. You could give them your location and a search for a vet could begin.

Just as an FYI, antibiotics and an inflammatory would be indicated for this condition. It won't cure it but can can help with symptoms.

Thanks for your help at work :Love_Icon. Ive been searching for a vet in my area that might do rats, and be experienced with this, and approach with caution. I have another rehabber in trainig in my state that lives far, maybe they will know of some one in their connections. I agree with the need of an xray.

how do you feel about the teeth? is a trim necessay on the bottoms? they look huge due to the gums pulled down, but they are significantly large in my opinion. the base half is thick and the distal half is thin. so its half and half thick and thin. should it be mostly thick and tapre to a point? 2:1 thick to thin? it was really hard to get a photo, Im not sure if she is ready to speak to me again.:tap

[TubeDriver]

I am no expert but her lower teeth look a little long and her top teeth look a little short but they look like healthy teeth. You could probably give her bottom teeth a short trim but not much shortening is needed. The only way to confirm odontoma is with an X-ray. You have not mentioned any sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, teary eyes? These symptoms are very common with odontoma.

To me, she looks like she had head trauma (fall) or some other injury to her brain?






Ok now I'm really concerned. I saw a post about Odonata tumors and an indicator is short top teeth with a bulging gum. It appears she may have this condition?

Also I am considering trimming her bottom teeth although I'm not sure how to go about doing it. Advise?

[DarkLies212]

Be careful talking to anyone about her. Unless it's someone you trust, don't give your name, your info, ANYTHING

[MaryNGordon]

I am no expert but her lower teeth look a little long and her top teeth look a little short but they look like healthy teeth. You could probably give her bottom teeth a short trim but not much shortening is needed. The only way to confirm odontoma is with an X-ray. You have not mentioned any sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, teary eyes? These symptoms are very common with odontoma.

To me, she looks like she had head trauma (fall) or some other injury to her brain?

The only time I saw any nasal discharge is a few times when she was fighting getting a bath, I assumed a stressful situation forced out some moisture. I haven't seen it in a while. Generally her nose is normal. I've never heard her sneeze. Eyes are normal.

[MaryNGordon]

Be careful talking to anyone about her. Unless it's someone you trust, don't give your name, your info, ANYTHING
yeah thats what scares me...

[MaryNGordon]

Well I found a vet that's willing to look at her. I asked a friend who worked there if any of the doctors would see a squirrel. And one has a client who gets their squirrels teeth and nails done. This will be a new case for her, are there ideas I can present that your squirrel experience may provide to be a good reference? Such as medication types that have proven most effective on squirrels?


Thanks for all your help.

[HRT4SQRLS]

About the only thing I would add is that a head X-ray would be good to see the condition of the teeth. It would rule out odontoma also. With the head tilt, an X-ray might show some type of physical anomaly in the neck as well.

We have had a lot of success with Clavamox and Clindamycin in head related infections.

Because this is a new vet, I would go in without making a lot of suggestions. You're sorta at their mercy. Here is something to consider. Most vets won't see squirrels for three reasons. Number one is that they aren't wildlife vets and they don't want to get involved. Number two is that it isn't legal for them to treat wildlife brought in by the public. Number three, IMO is a biggie. Because squirrels are not legal to have as pets there is the assumption that most people aren't willing to spend a lot of money on a squirrel. Vets are caregivers but they are also small business owners. The bottom line is the same for all businesses... MONEY.
I was very happy to find a vet that would see my released squirrel. I made a drop in visit to ask questions. I explained what I needed and asked if they could help. After a discussion with the office manager and the vet, they presented an estimate of the charges. I didn't flinch and made the appointment for the following day. Two office visits and $400 later my squirrel was fine, I was happy and they were thrilled to have another paying customer. I even received a welcome letter in the mail from the office. I just subtly let them know that I was willing to pay for their services just the same as for a cat or dog and wasn't looking for a 'deal' because it is wildlife. I really believe it helped.

[MaryNGordon]

The vet put her on dexamethasone and enrofloxacin. She is taking it well and is able to focus on me with both eyes steady. Head tilt has reduced a little, and she's trying to use her back legs more than normal. Her activity has increased as she wants to explore after breakfast instead of going back to bed. :w00t

[HRT4SQRLS]

That's good news MaryNGordon.

[island rehabber]

Very good news -- did the vet have a particular diagnosis?