Square Tail has serious Ear Infection - will old Tri-Otic Ointment work?

[Kihoalu]

Hi, it's been a long time since our last serious Squirrel Health problem.

Wild gray squirrel Square Tail had serious tooth and ear infections.

I caught her and and treating her with Cipro for the tooth infection and the swelling in her left cheek area seems to be reducing, but we noticed that she has pus/exude from her left ear as well.

My only ear treatment is Tri-Otic for dogs, as suggested years ago on this board, but the Tri-Otic I have is 2 years past expiration.

I have been keeping it in the Fridge so do you think it would be safe to use??

AND where can I get some more fast?

Remember - Gray Squirrels are considered invasive here in California, so vets do not treat them.

You folks have been extremely helpful in the past (With "Spotina" and "Be-One"), so I am hoping you can help this time.

Thanks So Much...
...Lawrence

[Kihoalu]

I think Square Tail is getting much worse.

I do not think she will last more than another day or two at this point.

She is having momentary "seizures" every few minutes when she is awake, and she has been awake about half the day today.
She seems not to be able to use her left leg and foot, hobbles around in a clockwise motion.

I have put an Arlo Camera on the cage I have her in and she sometimes stumbles around randomly, and sometimes flails.
She will stumble right over the food dishes I have put in the cage and will sometimes stop and stay still while on top of the food dishes.

She seems to be acting delirious and with "seiures" where she stops activity and slumps down.
Then, after a 20-30 second pause she will continue motion.

She seems to be able to eat a little, but very little, and she is drinking water from a dish as well.
(which she pollutes by stepping in the dish)

I am treating her with Ibuprofen about every 6 hours (with Squirrel Board reccommeded dose) and with Cipro every 12 hours (also Squirrel Board recommended dose). Maybe another antibiotic would be better? Cipro is the only one I have that is NOT seriously out of date.

...Lawrence

[Spanky]

I do not know how I overlooked this thread earlier today....

I don't believe the Cipro will be very effective with this type of infection... what else do you have? Ask family, friends and neighbors and post what options there may be...

[Kihoalu]

Hi Spanky...

Sorry for the slow response.

Square Tail died a few hours after your last post at around Midnight Tuesday.

She had been a friend and almost daily visitor to our house for nearly Ten Years,
even though she lived four houses and two streets away from us.

I was too sad and upset to respond for a few days.

For the future, maybe you can point me to a list of which antibiotics to use for tooth problems and ear problems in squirrels.
I need to learn more about these things, I am not in a position to go to Vet school, but I can do a lot of on-line and book reading.

Thanks all for the great team here at The Squirrel Board for all you do for these little creatures.

...Lawrence

[SammysMom]

Godspeed precious Square Tail...:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

Lawrence, I’m so sorry for your loss. :grouphug

Square Tail was blessed to have a human friend like you that cared so much. A ten year relationship with a free, wild squirrel is amazing. I’m sure it was your help that gave her long life in nature. In all those years I’m sure she produced many generations of babies. They carry on her spirit but I know your heart aches right now. I hope that one day you will see her spirit and antics in her offspring and smile because of sweet memories.

Lawrence, many of us use a book called Wild Mammal Babies: the first 48 hours and beyond. It is an excellent book that is an great resource. For tooth issues we usually use Clavamox or Clindamycin. For ears, often topical drops are used. The unique teeth of squirrels can be problematic especially in older squirrels. She was blessed to have you as a friend. :Love_Icon

[Charley Chuckles]

:grouphug Square Tail :Love_Icon Lawrence :grouphug