2ish week old orphan, skin condition?? Pls help

[rhianne]

Hi everyone. I’ve got an orphaned baby, I believe it’s an eastern gray. From what I’ve seen online he looks to be no more than two weeks and maybe less. We’ve already graduated from pedialyte to undiluted esbilac, he eats and potties like a champ. He’s more active than I would have thought and is always trying to clamber around when he’s not asleep. My question is about the condition of his skin. He had some scabbed over scratches when I found him, I assumed it was from his own feet since he doesn’t have the best mobility yet. But as time went on I began to notice that he has some strange bumps, they are whitish and almost look to be bluish green in the center...? Will happily take and post photos in the morning, I have to be up in a couple of hours (JUST found you guys), but wanted to go ahead and get this post up in case this happened to be common and if maybe anybody had any answers. Also the bumps are not red, irritated or inflamed. Thank you!

[island rehabber]

Hi everyone. I’ve got an orphaned baby, I believe it’s an eastern gray. From what I’ve seen online he looks to be no more than two weeks and maybe less. We’ve already graduated from pedialyte to undiluted esbilac, he eats and potties like a champ. He’s more active than I would have thought and is always trying to clamber around when he’s not asleep. My question is about the condition of his skin. He had some scabbed over scratches when I found him, I assumed it was from his own feet since he doesn’t have the best mobility yet. But as time went on I began to notice that he has some strange bumps, they are whitish and almost look to be bluish green in the center...? Will happily take and post photos in the morning, I have to be up in a couple of hours (JUST found you guys), but wanted to go ahead and get this post up in case this happened to be common and if maybe anybody had any answers. Also the bumps are not red, irritated or inflamed. Thank you!

Welcome to TSB! This sounds like pyoderma - a staph infection of the skin that is often found on orphaned baby squirrels. Best treatment is a mild solution of Betadyne and warm water, or a mild antibacterial soap. Gently wash the baby twice a day and it should clear up.

[rhianne]

Thank you SO MUCH! Is it communicable to humans?

[rhianne]

Also, some of his fingers look swollen and puffy...could they be broken? How do I find out?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Rhianne, could you post a pic of the little guy? Swollen toes are concerning.

[rhianne]

I am trying really hard and struggling to figure out how, hang on :(

[rhianne]

Oh it worked! Okay so I included photos of all the spots and bumps. Can anyone give me good news? :(

[HRT4SQRLS]

Do you have any antibiotics? A single pill is sufficient.

Often this can be treated topically but with those swollen toes I would treat systemically.
I wanted to rule out pox but it doesn’t look like pox. Pox causes swelling of toe and pox lesion on the body

[HRT4SQRLS]

By the way, your little one is a girl. :)

[rhianne]

Do you have any antibiotics? A single pill is sufficient.

Often this can be treated topically but with those swollen toes I would treat systemically.
I wanted to rule out pox but it doesn’t look like pox. Pox causes swelling of toe.

What kind of antibiotic?? Like people pills? Or dog or cat?? I’m almost certain I have some people ones

[HRT4SQRLS]

People antibiotics OR pet meds. We can dose either one.

[rhianne]

People antibiotics OR pet meds. We can dose either one.

Okay, I’m going to raid my cupboard as soon as I get home!! Will be back shortly to report!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Okay, I’m going to raid my cupboard as soon as I get home!! Will be back shortly to report!!

Thank you... Clavamox (Augmentin), Clindamycin or Septra/Bactrim are some possibilities.

[rhianne]

Thank you... Clavamox (Augmentin), Clindamycin or Septra/Bactrim are some possibilities.

Okay so I have cephalexin and doxycycline, and somethingcalled metronidazole. And about the betadine, how much do I dilute that? Thank you all so much

[HRT4SQRLS]

Okay so I have cephalexin and doxycycline, and somethingcalled metronidazole. And about the betadine, how much do I dilute that? Thank you all so much

We will use the Cephalexin. What is the mg of the tablet? Do you have a kitchen scale to weigh the baby? If not I will estimate the weight.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Dilute the Betadine so that it’s the color of strong tea.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:hello :)

[rhianne]

:hello :)

Sorry! 500mg capsules. Does it matter that they’re expired? Bottle says use before 10/15/17. :(

[rhianne]

Sorry! 500mg capsules. Does it matter that they’re expired? Bottle says use before 10/15/17. :(

And unfortunately no, I don’t have any scales, I’m sorry ! 😩

[HRT4SQRLS]

It doesn’t matter that it’s expired. We will use it. I will estimate the weight at 35 grams. Give me a minute to calculate this and I will send it in a Private Message.

[rhianne]

It doesn’t matter that it’s expired. We will use it. I will estimate the weight at 35 grams. Give me a minute to calculate this and I will send it in a Private Message.

Thank you so so so much

[HRT4SQRLS]

Dosing sent.

[HRT4SQRLS]

By the way, the bumps could either be a Staph infection or ant bites. Out of an abundance of caution it’s safer to treat.

[rhianne]

Hello everyone, back again, treating baby girl with betadine baths and cephalexin 2x a day, but now have noticed in addition to swollen toes, her knee is very swollen. Could not figure out how to attach photo in PM so am posting in the thread again hoping someone can help me :( btw I just weighed her and she is 85g but that was after a feeding. Also- can anyone tell me if these conditions are communicable to humans?

*post was edited to show a better photo

[island rehabber]

TO the best of my knowledge the only skin conditions communicable to humans from squirrels are ringworm, roundworm and mange mites. I don't believe this is any of those things. Is the baby still getting Pedialyte by any chance? Pedialyte longer than 24 hrs will cause joint swelling because of the sodium.

[rhianne]

TO the best of my knowledge the only skin conditions communicable to humans from squirrels are ringworm, roundworm and mange mites. I don't believe this is any of those things. Is the baby still getting Pedialyte by any chance? Pedialyte longer than 24 hrs will cause joint swelling because of the sodium.

Oh my gosh yes she still gets pedialyte! Only once or twice a day but I will stop immediately, I have been concerned that she’s still dehydrated because her skin stays tented when I pinch it gently behind her shoulders

[rhianne]

Oh my gosh yes she still gets pedialyte! Only once or twice a day but I will stop immediately, I have been concerned that she’s still dehydrated because her skin stays tented when I pinch it gently behind her shoulders

Will this cause any lasting damage??

[CritterMom]

She should be okay once the salt flushes from her system. You can give her plain water between feedings - if she fusses because it isn't sweet anymore like the pedialyte is, you can add a pinch of sugar to it.

[island rehabber]

Oh my gosh yes she still gets pedialyte! Only once or twice a day but I will stop immediately, I have been concerned that she’s still dehydrated because her skin stays tented when I pinch it gently behind her shoulders

That explains it then. Stop immediately and she should recover completely.

[Hilbillygirl]

She should be okay once the salt flushes from her system. You can give her plain water between feedings - if she fusses because it isn't sweet anymore like the pedialyte is, you can add a pinch of sugar to it.

Today was a good day. My boy was awake more than usual and he nibbled on his picky block, a piece of sweet potato and a piece of apple. Most of all he LOVES his syringe of honey water masking his calcium.

[rhianne]

Hello everyone. Update on baby girl and another plea for help. The white bumps with blue green centers have not changed in appearance at all. The swelling in her toes has gone down significantly but is still present. She now has swelling in both knees as of just this morning. The newer one is more red and inflamed. She can’t seem to physically eat more than 2ml at a time, and I am also giving water, but still her skin tents as though she’s dehydrated. She has been on cephalexin and receiving betadine baths both 2x daily since Wednesday of last week. I have called multiple vets and am waiting on responses, but it looks like it may be a long drive before I can get her to one, which I of course am willing to do. But first...can anyone help? I’m attaching current photos, if you scroll up the thread you will see the pics from Wednesday/Thursday. I am eternally grateful for any help you may be able to give me as well as the help and advice I have already received. It is worth mentioning that she is pottying and eating normally. She mostly sleeps unless she’s hungry and then becomes quite active and is very strong. What do I do??

[rhianne]

Hello everyone. Update on baby girl and another plea for help. The white bumps with blue green centers have not changed in appearance at all. The swelling in her toes has gone down significantly but is still present. She now has swelling in both knees as of just this morning. The newer one is more red and inflamed. She can’t seem to physically eat more than 2ml at a time, and I am also giving water, but still her skin tents as though she’s dehydrated. She has been on cephalexin and receiving betadine baths both 2x daily since Wednesday of last week. I have called multiple vets and am waiting on responses, but it looks like it may be a long drive before I can get her to one, which I of course am willing to do. But first...can anyone help? I’m attaching current photos, if you scroll up the thread you will see the pics from Wednesday/Thursday. I am eternally grateful for any help you may be able to give me as well as the help and advice I have already received. It is worth mentioning that she is pottying and eating normally. She mostly sleeps unless she’s hungry and then becomes quite active and is very strong. What do I do??

Note: I do not keep her anywhere near that litter box, that’s just the brightest lighting in the house 😅

[rhianne]

Note: I do not keep her anywhere near that litter box, that’s just the brightest lighting in the house 😅

The visible knee is the newer one with the recent swelling. Is her skin splitting with all the swelling? Is there a chance she’s scratching herself that deeply? There’s absolutely nothing that could have caused that new cut on her knee where that swelling is...or is it not a cut but another skin bump of some kind??

[HRT4SQRLS]

Sorry, I didn’t see these posts before I answered your PM. You have included everything that I requested as questions.

When you said the other knee was swollen I almost flipped. :eek I thought that meant swelling in the joint which would be very bad. This far down the road it would have nothing to do with Pedialyte as that was discontinued. From the pic, I see a new swollen lesion ON the knee... not joint involvement. That was a relief to see that as joint involvement would indicate a systemic infection. Not good.

In the mean time, remind me of the other antibiotics that you have.
I wanted to see new pics because I wanted to make SURE this isn’t pox. I still agree with my original thought.... this does not look like pox.

[rhianne]

Sorry, I didn’t see these posts before I answered your PM. You have included everything that I requested as questions.

When you said the other knee was swollen I almost flipped. :eek I thought that meant swelling in the joint which would be very bad. This far down the road it would have nothing to do with Pedialyte as that was discontinued. From the pic, I see a new swollen lesion ON the knee... not joint involvement. That was a relief to see that as joint involvement would indicate a systemic infection. Not good.

In the mean time, remind me of the other antibiotics that you have.
I wanted to see new pics because I wanted to make SURE this isn’t pox. I still agree with my original thought.... this does not look like pox.

I also have doxycycline, amoxicillin, and diflucan. ☹️

[Chickenlegs]

Hi. Just saw your precious baby and her poor owies. I’m wondering if she’s on the right antibiotic? I am NOT the expert but there are way smart folks here who can answer that question. I know there are instances of MERSA and staph in squirrels so just wondering if there might be something more going on. No alarm here— just wondering. Oops—just noticed the pro is on it! :Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

Actually the lesions don’t look as bad as I expected. Have some of the lesions started healing?
Can you post a pic of the toes that were swollen. You said they have gone down.

IF this is a Staph infection (we are quessing) it’s not unusual for new lesion to appear like an impetigo type spread just from contact. There don’t have to be scratches or wounds. Continue the dilute betadyne on the lesions. Wipe her entire belly and legs with the betadyne as a disinfectant. I would blot the lesions with Betadyne separately from the belly wipe down. Use a Qtip on the lesions. Don’t re-dip it into to your solution. Keep your solution sterile. I would use a cotton ball to wipe the belly down.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Pat, I also think this looks like a Staph infection but it should have responded by now on Cephalexin. A ‘normal’ Staph would be sensitive to Cephalexin but if it’s MRSA it would be resistant. To cover for the possibility of MRSA we are going to add doxycycline. She has doxycycline. I asked her to check to make sure it isn’t expired. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that shouldn’t be used after the expiration date.

[rhianne]

Pat, I also think this looks like a Staph infection but it should have responded by now on Cephalexin. A ‘normal’ Staph would be sensitive to Cephalexin but if it’s MRSA it would be resistant. To cover for the possibility of MRSA we are going to add doxycycline. She has doxycycline. I asked her to check to make sure it isn’t expired. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that shouldn’t be used after the expiration date.

WE HAVE A WINNER! The doxy expires next year!! And they are 20mg tablets.

[HRT4SQRLS]

WE HAVE A WINNER! The doxy expires next year!! And they are 20mg tablets.

Perfect. Please confirm that the pills are 20mg. That is VERY small. Also, post an updated weight.

[rhianne]

Perfect. Please confirm that the pills are 20mg. That is VERY small. Also, post an updated weight.

Oops, I’m so sorry, I meant 100mg. I was so excited to see the expiration date said 2020 that I must have gotten it stuck in my head. Weight incoming

[rhianne]

Oops, I’m so sorry, I meant 100mg. I was so excited to see the expiration date said 2020 that I must have gotten it stuck in my head. Weight incoming

She looks to be just under 80g but posting here for verification. At last weigh in she was 85 but that was also right after feeding

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oops, I’m so sorry, I meant 100mg. I was so excited to see the expiration date said 2020 that I must have gotten it stuck in my head. Weight incoming

I’m glad I asked. I have never seen a 20mg doxycycline. Doesn’t mean it does exist just that I haven’t seen it. I always like to confirm. :thumbsup

I will send dosing in a PM.

[rhianne]

I’m glad I asked. I have never seen a 20mg doxycycline. Doesn’t mean it does exist just that I haven’t seen it. I always like to confirm. :thumbsup

I will send dosing in a PM.

Quick update on my little girl for anyone following. Her appetite has increased significantly, the white rings seem to be shrinking and drying up, and MOST of the bumps and swelling have gone completely down - though she still has two pretty large swollen spots on each knee (not the joint itself just near it). She has started to sleep without fussing for a few hours at a time. Is this normal/okay?? One more concern is that everywhere she had those bumps, they dried up and scabbed over, and now the scabs seem to be coming off leaving tiny spots of open skin. Normal, or cause for worry?? Still going strong with betadine baths + cephalexin + doxycycline twice daily each. I definitely have to say I am feeling more hopeful with each day!! Thank you to each and every one of you that chimed in to help me! This tiny thing has me wrapped around her little finger. 😍😍😍

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks for the update. I’m so happy to hear this. Everything sounds fine. Baby squirrels sleep most of the time. They get active when it’s time to feed and then they drop off to sleep after feeding. Don’t pick the scabs off. Let them fall off and everything should be fine. When you reach 7 days on the Cephalexin stop giving it. I think that might be today or tomorrow. Continue the doxycycline for 7 days.

They do steal your heart, don’t they! :)