Hes in so much pain!!

[alana1957]

I am hoping someone can help me or at least give me an idea of what may be going on. We have an 8 yr old non-releaseable Eastern Grey Squirrel named Oliver. He has been with us since about 1 week old. He has never had any problems and has been active and well cared for. About 2 weeks ago we noticed an open sore on the inside of his back leg..up high like in the groin. We watched it and it soon scabbed over. A few days later we noticed another small open sore on the inside..groin area of the opposite leg. Within a few days, it was scabbed over. About 4 days ago, we noticed an open sore on his VERY WELL ENDOWED scrotum. Upon watching this closely..it has gotten bigger and bigger. Now it looks like a large PEELED red grape. It looks horrible and he humps over and makes crying noises while he is cleaning and trying to lick it. He sleeps with his butt in the air and his front end laying in his bed. I am afraid it is going to get infected and I have no idea how I am going to keep it clean. How is it ever going to heal? Could this be testicular cancer? We don't have a vet that cares for exotic pets..Any suggestions?

[CritterMom]

First, get us a picture. Obviously, we need as much of a close up as you can provide that is sharp so we can see it.

Go to the drug store and buy a little bottle of infant ibuprophen. Make sure it is ibuprophen, not acetaminophen, and try to get the infant strength. Children's will work but infant is easier. They are both in liquid form. It isn't going to cure anything but it should take some of the pain away.

While you are there, you want a bottle of Betadyne 10% povidone iodine (actually, once you find that, see if they have a store brand of it - same stuff, less money. Dilute 1/4 teaspoon in 1/4 cup water for wiping and cleaning the area. Excellent for wound care, doesn't burn or sting.

Also, you will need a 1ml (1cc) syringe without needle to dose things, including the infant ibuprophen. If you tell a little lie to the pharmacist - like a baby guinea pig you are trying to feed - they should be able to help. You cannot use a larger syringe.

We will need the weight of your squirrel to determine dosing. If you don't have a scale, you can get ALL of this stuff - the infant ibuprophen, the betadyne, and a scale that weighs in grams (look in the food/cooking stuff - dieters use them and they aren't too pricey) at a Walmart.

The pics are very important. The other things were just little wounds that appeared and then dried up and disappeared? Did you ever see any sign of pus in them? How big were they compared to what he has now?

Does he live inside or outside? Or both? Can you tell us about his diet?

While you are doing this today, do a couple other things. First, contact friends, family, co-workers and find out if anybody has any leftover antibiotics from anyone in the house, and make a list of what it is and the size in milligrams of the pills.

And I would sit down on the computer today and get together every vet that isn't strictly large animal within several hours of where you are.

[Mel1959]

Great advice. Reading about the open sore my first thought was using silvadene topical cream. I have no idea if it can be purchased at a drug store, but I know it is used for raw oozing burns.

As for a vet, look for any vets that specifically treat birds or exotics.

[Tashahaven]

Given the amount of pain he is, is he still able to be handled well? Enough to be able to clean and put the iodine solution on?

Just a thought, but Harbor Freight sells a BIG bag of multiple sized, many have quite a big tip, and long wooden handles, of cotton swabs (like qtips but better). They’re only 6 bucks, and it MIGHT make applying anything to “there” a bit easier… you can saturate the tip, and get plenty of solution on it, without having to burrito him or turn him over…

Good luck!

[alana1957]

I have been able to get a picture of his "boys". Not the best but enough to give you an idea. Since he has developed the condition, we have not been able to handle him. We have not figured out a way to weigh him short of causing mental and physical trauma. He is eating ok now..drinking ok. but to get his ibuprofen into him or an antibiotic seems almost impossible. I have lined his cage with soft fleece material so he doesn't drag his scrotum on the wire cage. I have a very wide array of antibiotics (all expired) I can use if we can figure out a way to give them to him without getting bit. I can't figure out how to get the pictures from my android phone to the squirrel site. can anyone give a quick crash course on how to upload photos to this site? I may be able to have DIL come help me when she gets off work.

[Mel1959]

Sometimes meds can be diluted so they’re pretty potent and can be dosed in very small amounts. Then it can be put in the grooves of a pecan, mixed with some almond butter, peanut butter, avocado or Nutella to dose. List the drugs you have, the strength and when they expired and we can help.

To post a picture, below the reply box is a small box labeled MANAGE ATTACHMENTS. When you click on it it will ask you where you want to download from, make your selection and then click the upload icon.

[alana1957]

The medications I have on hand are:
Clavamox 62.5 mg..expired 09/22/2017
Clindamycin 150 mg..expired 08/04/2016 Clindamycin HCL 300mg CAP. expired..03/15/2018
Cephalexin 500mg..expired 12/23/2020
Cefpodoxime 200GN S expired..06/09/2020
Clavacillin 125mg expired..09/15/2021
SMZ/TMP DS800-160mg expired06/15/2021
I was also able to find Infants Ibuprofen 50mg per 125 ml.

We were able to weigh him on our gram scale. I am not sure if this is right. The reading was a little questionable since he was moving a lot and it kept jumping to several readings. With his cubie and him in it, it read 12.16 grams With just his cubie it read 5.56 grams. So does that make him 6.60 grams? Does that sound right?

Big thanks and appreciation to all of your squirrel angels who help us care for our babies.

[Mel1959]

It doesn’t look like the scale was set on grams and it’s definitely not a weight in pounds….ounces maybe? Calculating ounces to grams (if this was ounces) isn’t correct either. Check your scale for the setting. On the front of the scale where the reading is it should show a little “g” if it’s set to grams.

Is this a gray squirrel?

I’m not sure which of those antibiotics would be best. I’ll defer to others that know better, but a fairly accurate weight or picture is necessary.

[alana1957]

Can anyone see the pictures I posted yesterday? I can't find them now...perhaps I did it wrong..I will try and get another weight..

[CritterMom]

No, and we desperately need to see them.

[alana1957]

No, and we desperately need to see them.


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[alana1957]

I replied but it made another whole thread....he is 716 grams. I have the antibiotics and the Infant Ibuprofen listed below if someone can give me dosing info. I realize if it is cancer it isnt curable unless his testicles are removed but I want to keep him as comfortable as possible. Thanks in advance.

[Mel1959]

Sending you a pm.

Edit: dosing for infant ibuprofen and SMZ-TMP sent in a pm.

[alana1957]

Thank you Mel, I was able to get 1 dose of each IBP and SMZ/TMP down him...It was a hold and force it in situation after multiple failed attempts of trying to be nice...lol I will keep you all posted.

[alana1957]

Thank you Mel, I was able to get 1 dose of each IBP and SMZ/TMP down him...It was a hold and force it in situation after multiple failed attempts of trying to be nice...lol I will keep you all posted.

Just an update. he has had 3 days of meds and is showing improvement. His scrotum is not bleeding like it was...and he is moving around a lot more. He is no longer making crying noises when he cleans his scrotum. We have not been able to put any salve on that area...getting his medication down him is stressful enough. There was no mention as to how long I am to continue the antibiotics. Again thank you so much Mel for helping me help him!

[Mel1959]

I would use the antibiotic for 7-10 days. You can stop the ibuprofen when you think the pain has subsided enough. No pain may help him heal faster and not be inclined to mess with the wound. Maybe if it continues to feel better you’ll be able to put some salve on it to protect it.

You’re welcome. :hug