Injury Question

[Rocky1]

I attached a photo of an injury on the side of a friendly wild squirrel. I believe this was a puncture wound that somehow transformed into this weird brownish smelly appearance. I have an antibiotic on hand, TMZ. Do you think that will be enough? As of yesterday, squirrel seemed as energetic as usual. I will update if that changes.

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[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I attached a photo of an injury on the side of a friendly wild squirrel. I believe this was a puncture wound that somehow transformed into this weird brownish smelly appearance. I have an antibiotic on hand, TMZ. Do you think that will be enough? As of yesterday, squirrel seemed as energetic as usual. I will update if that changes.

Hi Rocky1:
I'm sorry that you haven't received a reply yet! My reply will also "bump" your post back to the forefront so others can notice it! I've had very sporadic visits to TSB during the last few days secondary to work responsibilities but I did notice your post this morning. I know that for a Wild, this really is a pretty good photo of your Squirrel's site of injury but I still can't see a lot of detail when I enlarge it because of the resultant pixelation. From what you describe; the brownish appearance and foul odor is consistent with an abscess (a puss pocket) that is spontaneously draining. Oftentimes, when an abscess begins draining, it is enough in itself to result in resolution of the abscess! The fact that your Squirrel is normally active is a very good sign. Even so, my opinion would be to offer an antibiotic if possible and observe the Squirrel for signs of worsening (swelling, bleeding, increased drainage, decreased activity, etc). What antibiotics might you have on hand beside the "TMZ?" I've not heard of "TMZ" but I was wondering, could it be that you have SMZ-TMP which is a combination of two antibiotics; Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (BRrand names are Bactrim, Co-trimoxazole, Sulfatrim and others)? This would be a good choice. Also Doxycycline and Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (some brands are Augmentin and Clavamox) would also be quite satisfactory options. Also, going back to the "TMZ," if this is actually just plain Trimethoprim (this is still available but rarely used by itself) I would opt for using one of the other antibiotics. Dosing will depend upon the weight of the Squirrel (if it might be possible to obtain a weight) or a very good estimate as to size where an approximate weight might be inferred. Please list the antibiotics you have available and verify what the "TMZ" is and also post the strength of the antibiotics usually expressed in milligrams (mg). One of the Admins or others authorized by TSB will review all of this and send recommendations and based upon their own assessment, will send dosing instructions (if they concur with using antibiotics) to you via a Private Message.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[McCarthy]

VERY important warning: unless you can guarantee that you can get antibiotic meds into the little feller ERVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL THE INFECTION IS COMPLETY GONE, do not provide any!

Since he / she is a wild and not captive, he / she may not come back the next day, or any day.

Skipping day(s) with antibiotic medication can be easily fatal due to a resulting superinfection and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This can happen after the first application, if they are not administered regularly until all bacteria and fungi was killed.

Try to capture the fella, so you can treat with antibiotics properly and make sure he / she gets every dose!

[Mel1959]

VERY important warning: unless you can guarantee that you can get antibiotic meds into the little feller ERVERY SINGLE DAY UNTIL THE INFECTION IS COMPLETY GONE, do not provide any!

Since he / she is a wild and not captive, he / she may not come back the next day, or any day.

Skipping day(s) with antibiotic medication can be easily fatal due to a resulting superinfection and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. This can happen after the first application, if they are not administered regularly until all bacteria and fungi was killed.

Try to capture the fella, so you can treat with antibiotics properly and make sure he / she gets every dose!

Although this is typically the case we have had a member, who was a microbiologist, treat wilds with antibiotics very successfully, even though they didn’t get dosed daily. I believe she tweaked the strength of the meds and also made it more concentrated so a small amount could be put on a nut for dosing. This will not work with a distasteful medicine like Baytril, though.