Rapid breathing,looks like infection each corner of eye

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

slight sweling in face. some mange . but i think the mange might be a skin fungus. should i start antibiotic? Any specific kind? Hes gradually getting worse, now ecelerating.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I have Amoxillin. I dont want him to suffer. Hes been acting off for awhile. Hoping he'd work through it. Can I use Ibuprophin or acetamephin?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Usually every years he gets past this type of molting skin loss when its hot. not this year.

[CritterMom]

Hello, stranger - is this Piti?

Can you get us some clearer pics? And the molting on the back end to bare skin - the skin looks thick and leathery - is it? Or is it normal skin, just bare?

Need better pics of the face, too. Have you checked the teeth? Particularly the bottom ones? If they get too long they can pierce the roof of the mouth right behind the top teeth and it can become infected.

To treat for mange you would need the 1.87% equine ivermectin wormer and we can dose for you. A wonderful treatment for fungal issues (I would do this immediately) is simply wiping the area down with DILUTED betadyne (10% povidone iodine) - mix about 25 drops with 1/4 cup water (I warm it up to squirrel body temp) and just wipe the area down with it and leave it wet to dry on it's own. It doesn't burn or sting and dries without any residue so they don't fuss trying t groom it out. You can buy at the drug store in the wound care aisle - get the generic if they have it. If you have every had surgery and when you woke up there was reddish brown stuff all over the skin it was betadyne - they wipe you down with it straight before they start cutting. It is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal so you are covered with it. You can use it on yourself, too!

Can you also get us a weight on Piti?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Hello, stranger - is this Piti?

Can you get us some clearer pics? And the molting on the back end to bare skin - the skin looks thick and leathery - is it? Or is it normal skin, just bare?

Need better pics of the face, too. Have you checked the teeth? Particularly the bottom ones? If they get too long they can pierce the roof of the mouth right behind the top teeth and it can become infected.

To treat for mange you would need the 1.87% equine ivermectin wormer and we can dose for you. A wonderful treatment for fungal issues (I would do this immediately) is simply wiping the area down with DILUTED betadyne (10% povidone iodine) - mix about 25 drops with 1/4 cup water (I warm it up to squirrel body temp) and just wipe the area down with it and leave it wet to dry on it's own. It doesn't burn or sting and dries without any residue so they don't fuss trying t groom it out. You can buy at the drug store in the wound care aisle - get the generic if they have it. If you have every had surgery and when you woke up there was reddish brown stuff all over the skin it was betadyne - they wipe you down with it straight before they start cutting. It is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal so you are covered with it. You can use it on yourself, too!

Can you also get us a weight on Piti? Hi ya doin Lynn?. He seems to be having same sypmtoms that chi chi had. could be that tooth issue that finally took her. Ill go to cvs today and get some betadyne. He doesnt want to be held at all. very whiney. he's 1.3/4 pounds. he drank some water this morning. not eating anymore much. may need some ideas on how to make him more comfortable on this journey. i dont want to drag this out like with other squirrels if its unnesarry. I have hydrocodone/acetamephin. and hydroxizine. he's 7. Lolas 9 and still going strong.

[CritterMom]

Hi ya doin Lynn?. He seems to be having same sypmtoms that chi chi had. could be that tooth issue that finally took her. Ill go to cvs today and get some betadyne. He doesnt want to be held at all. very whiney. he's 1.3/4 pounds. he drank some water this morning. not eating anymore much. may need some ideas on how to make him more comfortable on this journey. i dont want to drag this out like with other squirrels if its unnesarry. I have hydrocodone/acetamephin. and hydroxizine. he's 7. Lolas 9 and still going strong.

Get some infant ibuprophen while you are at the drug store. Let's see if he is hurting. Make sure you get the infant strength - it is a flavored liquid. I will PM you the dosing.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

This is the correct syring to use?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

do you think a perticular type of parisite would cause these symptoms? rapid breathing lethargy. not itching though

[CritterMom]

He lives outside, right? It is possible. Are both sides of his body like that? Both of my boys did/do this at the end of summer - both sides, bare over the haunches, skin looks fine. Winter coat grows in perfectly. It seems to get less and less as they get older and older - P stopped totally when he was about 5 or 6. Zeke is bare right now but way smaller than last year. I honestly think it is related to NOT being able to mate - something hormonal that dissipates with age. There has been TONS of mating in my yard over the past month or so. Parasites don't produce perfect mirror images on both sides of the body.

How is his diet? Does he eat HHBs? Are you comfortable that you aren't looking at MBD?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

He lives outside, right? It is possible. Are both sides of his body like that? Both of my boys did/do this at the end of summer - both sides, bare over the haunches, skin looks fine. Winter coat grows in perfectly. It seems to get less and less as they get older and older - P stopped totally when he was about 5 or 6. Zeke is bare right now but way smaller than last year. I honestly think it is related to NOT being able to mate - something hormonal that dissipates with age. There has been TONS of mating in my yard over the past month or so. Parasites don't produce perfect mirror images on both sides of the body.

How is his diet? Does he eat HHBs? Are you comfortable that you aren't looking at MBD?

MBD is a strong posibility. Probably the culprit. Hadnt been able to veiw his teeth. All the sighns are there though. I was hoping it might be somthing else. Didnt want to acecpt that.Being selfish i guess.:sniff His diet is fine henery block lotts of veggies. He's always been well balanced. Lola's 9 and if anyone should be on shaky ground it's her. Looks like she'll out live him.:dono oh well. giving him Ibuporfen once a day when he come near. Both side have hair loss but doesnt seem to be from mange.he loves outside time but now not so much.

[Diggie's Friend]

Chronic Progressive Kidney Disease' aka (CKD) occurs in all rodents as they age; this due to both the progressive lowering of the absorption of calcium and other key nutrients from the diet; this also concurrent with gradual reduction of the function of the filters in the kidneys to adequately strain out sufficient phosphorus from the diet. In, 'Late stage kidney Disease' 'Metabolic acidosis' MBD, diabetes, kidney stones, excessive hair loss, etc. will occur. This is not to say he may not have mange also; that yet to be determined.

Calcium citrate (not Calcium carbonate) improves kidney function to some degree in rats with (CKD) that haven't reached, 'End Stage Kidney Failure'. Whatever form of calcium you choose to use for treatment of MBD, following up with Calcium citrate is needful to correct the (Ca:P) ratio in the diet and lend support to remaining kidney function. Depending on his present consumption or not of rodent block would be the key factor for determining the estimate of a measure for Calcium citrate to add to his food. If he has as stopped eating most of the block diet and/or the whole foods, there is a food source that is soft that calcium and other nutrients can be added to in support of squirrels that have (MBD) that is easier on the jaw that becomes painful with this condition. Calcium citrate powder from (NOW) bottle noting (600 mg) elemental, is pure source that can be used for this purpose. https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/calcium-citrate-pure-powder

If you are able to get a urine sample, multi-testing strips can be used to test for protein in the urine which is indicative various degrees of the lowering of kidney function; blood sugar (diabetes). Also to test for, "mean urine pH", which is determined by taking 3 readings of the urine an hour after meals the first day, and one reading prior to meals the 2nd day, totaling the readings and dividing the sum by the number of readings taken. Highly alkaline values from high (7) into the (8) range can indicate the presence of an infection. Readings below (6.0) indicate that the diet is too high in the proportion of highly acidic foods, aka: Nuts and seeds; or that Metabolic acidosis has resulted from, 'End stage Kidney Disease'.https://www.amazon.com/Parameter-Urinalysis-Test-Strips-150ct/dp/B00XIKQCJC

Pycnogenol' has been added to the diet of squirrels, as this natural organic produced source has been confirmed in rats to improve both bone density and the immune system and increase the appetite, and energy level. https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Origins-Pycnogenol-Capsules-Count/dp/B00CLYNAUA

Chia oil (food grade organic), highest ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 Fatty Acids of any plant food source, offers strong support to immune health also. These are links to the noted supplemental sources to support your squirrel: https://foodsalive.com/products/organic-chia-oil-foods-alive

Also recommended B complex that lends support to increasing the well absorption of these vital nutrients. 1/64 portion of a capsule daily in wet/moist food. https://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Research-Veterinary-ComplexVET-Comprehensive/dp/B00506WNCC/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Thorne+Research+B+complex+vet&qid=1596305660&s=hpc&sr=1-4

I sincerely hope that these health supplements will also help to improve your squirrel's health and give him comfort. Should you need help with his diet you can contact me by PM.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I want to apologize. When I read Crittermoms comment "MBD" i was thinking " Odontoma". i pretty sure he doesnt have MBD. He's not dragging his hind legs. He can still jump and somewhat.

[CritterMom]

I want to apologize. When I read Crittermoms comment "MBD" i was thinking " Odontoma". i pretty sure he doesnt have MBD. He's not dragging his hind legs. He can still jump and somewhat.

I wondered about that. Does he HAVE top teeth? When is the last time he cracked a nut?

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I wondered about that. Does he HAVE top teeth? When is the last time he cracked a nut?
He does pretty good with the nut cracking. Once a week or so he open a almond and chews a lot on outside wood. He seems to have lost weight but he has always ate more than Lola. Doesn’t make sense.

[Diggie's Friend]

That's ok! :serene

These sources can still be used to slow his progression of end stage kidney disease that results in MBD,

and to better support his bones and immune health going forward. :grin2

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

That's ok! :serene

These sources can still be used to slow his progression of end stage kidney disease that results in MBD,

and to better support his bones and immune health going forward. :grin2. Thank you!

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

This just appeared today on Piti's face. not sure what caused it. any ideas? Could it be some symptom. has anyone seen this before with those symptoms?

[CritterMom]

Look really carefully at it. It could be the track from an abscess, which looks to have drained if that is what it is.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I zoomed in.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

Look really carefully at it. It could be the track from an abscess, which looks to have drained if that is what it is. You've seen many cases. Does your gut think that what it is? I bought some revolution to give him in case its a parisite issuie. Should I give him a dose or would it just add to the pain.

[TubeDriver]

I know there are a lot of things going on with him but that last photo looks like a spider (?) bite? You can see two puncture/entry wounds in the center of that area. Just a possibility.


I zoomed in.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

I know there are a lot of things going on with him but that last photo looks like a spider (?) bite? You can see two puncture/entry wounds in the center of that area. Just a possibility. I was wondering what that was. I thought maybe from the tooth from inside. everthing hitting him at once or just one thing i'm missing.

[TubeDriver]

He is an outdoor squirrel right? If so, I would treat him with Revolution or Ivermectin. It may not solve all underlying issues but he almost certainly has some internal/external parasites since he is out there. It will treat for many of the possible parasites he might have and make him more comfortable and healthy if nothing else.

[HappyLittleSquirrely]

He is an outdoor squirrel right? If so, I would treat him with Revolution or Ivermectin. It may not solve all underlying issues but he almost certainly has some internal/external parasites since he is out there. It will treat for many of the possible parasites he might have and make him more comfortable and healthy if nothing else. Thanks. He's actually having a better day than he has in awhile. Hes alert and went out of his nest to the outside cage and had a snack. I just went to the vet and purchased revolution. going to take a chance on that.