Very sick baby, please help

[Cesta]

Hi there,
I'm squirrel sitting for another member's squirrels.
The youngest has been sickly since he was found after the hurricane.
He has one or more abscesses around his left eye. It's hard to tell where one starts and the other begins, but they run from the top left side of his head to below the left eye. Following mom's instructions, he's been on SMZ/TMP but I'm not sure when the AB's were started. She also gave me supplies for cleaning and dressing the area- betadine and Terramycin. I've been doing this religiously and was getting some discharge all the way until last night.

I don't remember the exact timeline of all this, but he was fine for a couple days.
Then he bloated, and I talked to his mom and we started with adding probiotics to his formula and using Gas-X. I soaked and massaged and stimulated, and he always ended up pooping on his own in his bed. He looked pretty good each morning, but as soon as I started feeding him he felt bloated again. So we went to a 2:1 formula, again with the probiotics and Gas-X. When he still bloated on that formula, we decided to switch him just to sugar water for 24 hours, and to hold the AB.
This morning when I picked him up for the sugar water and to dress the abscess, he seemed a little lethargic. He half heartedly took the sugar water, but I got about 5ml in him. I put him back to bed (he's on 1/2 heat).
I checked on him every hour or so and he was sleeping peacefully. At the 4 hour mark I noticed he really hadn't moved from where I'd put him earlier. He's usually (literally) climbing the cage at feeding time-- but he was sound asleep.
I picked him up, and was shocked at how sick he seems. Very lethargic. Licked about 4ml of sugar water off the nipple. His eye has swollen shut. Taking him off AB's, even though he only missed 2 doses, caused the abscess to get worse. A lot worse.
I'm afraid he's going to go septic if he hasn't already.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated. He is such a sweet boy, spunky despite all he's been through.
Thank you

[Nancy in New York]

Hi there,
I'm squirrel sitting for another member's squirrels.
The youngest has been sickly since he was found after the hurricane.
He has one or more abscesses around his left eye. It's hard to tell where one starts and the other begins, but they run from the top left side of his head to below the left eye. Following mom's instructions, he's been on SMZ/TMP but I'm not sure when the AB's were started. She also gave me supplies for cleaning and dressing the area- betadine and Terramycin. I've been doing this religiously and was getting some discharge all the way until last night.

I don't remember the exact timeline of all this, but he was fine for a couple days.
Then he bloated, and I talked to his mom and we started with adding probiotics to his formula and using Gas-X. I soaked and massaged and stimulated, and he always ended up pooping on his own in his bed. He looked pretty good each morning, but as soon as I started feeding him he felt bloated again. So we went to a 2:1 formula, again with the probiotics and Gas-X. When he still bloated on that formula, we decided to switch him just to sugar water for 24 hours, and to hold the AB.
This morning when I picked him up for the sugar water and to dress the abscess, he seemed a little lethargic. He half heartedly took the sugar water, but I got about 5ml in him. I put him back to bed (he's on 1/2 heat).
I checked on him every hour or so and he was sleeping peacefully. At the 4 hour mark I noticed he really hadn't moved from where I'd put him earlier. He's usually (literally) climbing the cage at feeding time-- but he was sound asleep.
I picked him up, and was shocked at how sick he seems. Very lethargic. Licked about 4ml of sugar water off the nipple. His eye has swollen shut. Taking him off AB's, even though he only missed 2 doses, caused the abscess to get worse. A lot worse.
I'm afraid he's going to go septic if he hasn't already.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated. He is such a sweet boy, spunky despite all he's been through.
Thank you
I don't want to second guess anyone but I'm surprised for an abcess he was put on SMZ-TMP.
Do you have any Clavamoxor Augmentin and Clindamycin?
Have you been feeding him sugar water right along, and if so is it because he's dehydated or
because he's on antibiotics?
How much sugar are you adding to the water?
When hydrating they still need formula so I would give
hydration IF needed in between formula feedings.
How much does he weigh and what formula are you feeding.
Have you tried the Goat's Milk formula?
What formula are you feeding?
Can you post a picture?

[Cesta]

I know for sure I have good Clavamox. (I have the others but they're expired.
We only put him on sugar water for the bloat.
He weighs 151 grams.
He's on FV for older squirrels.
I've not tried any other formulas.
Sugar water: 1 cup water; 2 TBS + 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt
I will try to post pics but I have to do it from my phone, so I'll try it now.
Thanks so much. Sorry for the bullet point response but I'm afraid to set him down, he's very sick.

[Nancy in New York]

I know for sure I have good Clavamox. (I have the others but they're expired.
We only put him on sugar water for the bloat.
He weighs 151 grams.
He's on FV for older squirrels.
I've not tried any other formulas.
Sugar water: 1 cup water; 2 TBS + 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt
I will try to post pics but I have to do it from my phone, so I'll try it now.
Thanks so much. Sorry for the bullet point response but I'm afraid to set him down, he's very sick.

Give me the strength of the Clavamox and I will write this up and send in a pm.
I will send you my email address and I will post the picture.

Edit: I think you went off line. I will be off board for about a half
hour. There are others that can dose the Clavamox for you, but we need the
strength. I will check in asap.

Edit again: Rub some molasses on his gums.
Is his breathing labored?

[cava]

I don't remember the exact timeline of all this, but he was fine for a couple days.
Then he bloated, and I talked to his mom and we started with adding probiotics to his formula and using Gas-X. I soaked and massaged and stimulated, and he always ended up pooping on his own in his bed. He looked pretty good each morning, but as soon as I started feeding him he felt bloated again. So we went to a 2:1 formula, again with the probiotics and Gas-X. When he still bloated on that formula, we decided to switch him just to sugar water for 24 hours, and to hold the AB.

Can you clarify, in case I'm totally not understanding. What were you feeding before a 2:1 formula/does this mean two parts water, one part formula??

[Nancy in New York]

OK I got the pictures and this is what cesta wrote:

The first 3 are his bad side, the last one his good side.
This is just after I cleaned w/ Betadine and applied Terramysin. In reality it's not gooey looking.

295289295290295291295292

I will be back on in about 15 minutes.
I know I keep adding that, I just don't want you
to think we left you.

[Cesta]

Thank you for posting the pics.
I think I put the Clavamox in a very safe place where I knew I could always find it. I can't find it. :tap
I have a whole gallon ziplok of leftover AB's, but they've been in the car for quite a while, in the FL heat. I'm guessing they aren't safe to use anymore.
I do have cephalexin, cefdinir (which she tried on his brother w/o success), Bactrim DS, and Amoxil

No labored breathing. He perked up some after the last sugar water.

[Cesta]

I don't remember the exact timeline of all this, but he was fine for a couple days.
Then he bloated, and I talked to his mom and we started with adding probiotics to his formula and using Gas-X. I soaked and massaged and stimulated, and he always ended up pooping on his own in his bed. He looked pretty good each morning, but as soon as I started feeding him he felt bloated again. So we went to a 2:1 formula, again with the probiotics and Gas-X. When he still bloated on that formula, we decided to switch him just to sugar water for 24 hours, and to hold the AB.

Can you clarify, in case I'm totally not understanding. What were you feeding before a 2:1 formula/does this mean two parts water, one part formula??

Sorry, that wasn't clear, since 2:1 is always how you mix formula. Duh.
Yes- he was on full strength FV and bloated (same formula as at home, same # of feedings, same amt of formula each feeding. I don't understand why he bloated.
First, to treat the bloat, we went to a 1/2 strength formula and added gas-x and probiotics
Still bloated
Went to sugar water and held AB's starting last night

[Cesta]

OK I got the pictures and this is what cesta wrote:

The first 3 are his bad side, the last one his good side.
This is just after I cleaned w/ Betadine and applied Terramysin. In reality it's not gooey looking.

295289295290295291295292

I will be back on in about 15 minutes.
I know I keep adding that, I just don't want you
to think we left you.

The abscess on the cheek, under the eye, opened in 2 places. Some of the abscess discharge was also coming from his eye. Momma used sterile saline (sterile water? I don't remember) to open the abscess under the eye. She didn't do the one on the top of his head. She thinks they are all part of one abscess, which would be quite large- top of head over eye, around his ear and ending on his cheek just below his eye.

[Nancy in New York]

OK not sure if you have Clavamox that is still good.
What strength is the Clyndamycin or was that in the car?

[Cesta]

Nancy, do you mind if we switch to PM?
I have to pick my daughter up from the Y, and those will come in through my phone.
thank you!

[Nancy in New York]

Nancy, do you mind if we switch to PM?
I have to pick my daughter up from the Y, and those will come in through my phone.
thank you!

Just answered your pm, I am FINE with whichever way honey.:hug

[HRT4SQRLS]

Cesta, I have Clavamox. Do you want me to bring it? When will you be home?

[Cesta]

Cesta, I have Clavamox. Do you want me to bring it? When will you be home?

Thank you, my friend.
Sadly, Timber went downhill incredibly fast and died tucked into my shirt, next to my heart, at about 5:00 on the day I was posting this thread. Together we were trying to save him to the very end. Thank all of you for that! Out of respect for his mama, who was across the country and already feeling awful about how sick Timber was, I asked that this thread be kept up and his death not announced until I was able to talk to her.
The day he died was so sad, heartbreaking, and it felt like everything was happening in fast forward. In the AM, I had no inkling he'd be gone before dinner time. His mom and I talked it through as best we could, since both of us were crying and sniffling. Our best guess is the abscess broke through to his sinuses and since he was already weak and sickly, he might have gotten septic. When she's feeling better we're going to look through pictures I have of his head from each day he was with me. Perhaps she'll be able to discern something I missed, and hopefully I'll learn something from this experience that might help me or someone else in the future.

Rest in Peace, little Timber. Your name came from the fact that you looked like the tree had fallen on you rather than you falling from the tree. You were a lost hurricane baby and your human mama tried so very hard to save you after your brother died. You were loved while you lived, and also as you died-- warm and safe and thankfully you passed very softly and peacefully. You live on in your mama's heart and I'll never forget you, either. Run free, little buddy--together in the trees with your brother forever. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[LR]

My prayers for both you and your friend are for both of you to have a peaceful heart.💝

[island rehabber]

Cesta I amn so sorry to hear this. My experience with these large head abcesses, although not extensive, have all been negative. I had a vet working hand-in-hand with me on the last one and we could not save the squirrel. I know you both did everything you possibly could. :(

When you're ready, I will move this thread to All Squirrels Go to Heaven. :sad

[TubeDriver]

:grouphug

[Mel1959]

So sorry. :grouphug :Love_Icon Timber:Love_Icon

[Jen413]

:grouphug So very sorry to see this! RIP little one! :Love_Icon

[Cesta]

Cesta I amn so sorry to hear this. My experience with these large head abcesses, although not extensive, have all been negative. I had a vet working hand-in-hand with me on the last one and we could not save the squirrel. I know you both did everything you possibly could. :(

When you're ready, I will move this thread to All Squirrels Go to Heaven. :sad


Thank you, IR. I appreciate you sharing your experience, I'm so sorry for your babies who haven't made it-- but I do feel a bit better knowing that I probably did all I could to save him. Have you ever had one go down so quickly? Within a matter of hours?

[Cesta]

And yes, thank you for keeping my thread up this long. I think Timber's ready for Squirrel Heaven. :sniff :Squirrel :sniff

[SammysMom]

Godspeed precious Timber...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Those damned abscesses can go systemic so quickly. I would think especially in the head where there are so many vessels it would be even easier. It is just so close to the brain too... :sad

[cava]

So sorry to hear. Peace.:grouphug

[Cesta]

Godspeed precious Timber...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Those damned abscesses can go systemic so quickly. I would think especially in the head where there are so many vessels it would be even easier. It is just so close to the brain too... :sad

This wasn't my first experience with an abscess, but I've never had one on the head. And this one was really a good bit of the left side of his head. Because of my extremely lucky proximity to the fabulous squirrel ER known as H4S's kitchen this is only the second squirrel I haven't been able to save. (Flyers are a different story...unfortunately those are usually brought in by the dog in the dead of night and I've only managed to keep one alive. :sadness)
I keep repeating this, but he literally seemed under the weather at breakfast and died before dinner. It was a peaceful end for him, I think, but it was a scary- traumatizing- horrific experience for me. When I look back at the timeline of our conversation- Nancy asked me if his breathing was ok, and it was. When I asked Nancy if we could switch to PM, it was because he was dying and I didn't want his mom to find out on TSB. Maybe 2-3 hours? Every new experience, good or bad, is a chance to learn though... now I know to always keep my Clavamox accessible and to treat an abscess as an emergency. And to prepare myself for the worst.
Thank you guys for helping confirm I did the best I could under the circumstances. I really do appreciate it. TSBers are the best. :grouphug