What are these white things in her mouth?

[Rocky1]

I have a severely injured squirrel. Just noticed white things in her mouth on both sides. I tried swabbing them with a q-tip and they seem hard. Any ideas? Are these more maggot eggs?

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[Rocky1]

Also, what do you think if the following position? I positioned her because she has trouble moving.

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[Mel1959]

Not sure what the white things are but I’d see if they can be removed. Maggots and their eggs are a very big concern.

She looks like she is in very rough shape. Has she taken any fluids? Can you sub q her? Have you provided any infant ibuprofen? What’s her story? How’d you rescue her?

[Rocky1]

Not sure what the white things are but I’d see if they can be removed. Maggots and their eggs are a very big concern.

She looks like she is in very rough shape. Has she taken any fluids? Can you sub q her? Have you provided any infant ibuprofen? What’s her story? How’d you rescue her?

The white things are hard. Might they still be maggots? I am not a rehabilitator and cannot sub-q. I agree that she needs fluids but do not know what to do? I even wonder if she is in shock given her rapid breathing etc.

Story is found in park yesterday next to a tree on the ground. She can move her head, tail, legs and arms, but not well for some reason.

Currently, a wildlife rehabber from 2 hours away plans to pick her up late-afternoonish. I am thinking about getting an uber from boston to graften to take her to tufts wildlife instead or a local vet where the rehabber goes. I just don't know if she can wait until late afternoon without dying.

If not shock, or in addition to, I suspect a spinal column injury with spinal cord still intact.

[Rocky1]

Also, are maggot eggs often in injured squirrels mouths? If so, how do I check her mouth or could the vet do that?

[CritterMom]

Maggot eggs are TINY - like half a grain of rice...

[Rocky1]

Maggot eggs are TINY - like half a grain of rice...

How do I get her to open her mouth? And if they're in there, do you have advice about how to get them out?

[Rocky1]

There is really something wrong with her mouth. Definitely white foam either in addition to or instead of hard white stuff which it appeared to be at first.

[Rocky1]

Perked up a little bit.

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[Rocky1]

She keeps moving her lower jaw and seems to have some mucus in her nose. Does anyone recognize this as a hint to a problem? I wish I could post a video. A very weird looking scenario.

[Rocky1]

Could this (white stuff) just be because she's thirsty?

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[Rocky1]

SOLVED: Strychnine poisoning.

See how all limbs are extended. All muscles tense and have little motion, including but not limited to, jaw muscles, respiratory muscles. (Paralysis or inadequate motion of respiratory muscles can cause foaming at the mouth.)

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[Rocky1]

https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/strychnine/basics/facts.asp

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[Rocky1]

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[Spanky]

I have a severely injured squirrel. Just noticed white things in her mouth on both sides. I tried swabbing them with a q-tip and they seem hard. Any ideas? Are these more maggot eggs?


SOLVED: Strychnine poisoning.

Whatever is in her mouth is a foreign object... wonder if this could be the source of the strychnine? If this squirrel was at the city park, it would seem you could find out if the city is placing strychnine poison around the park or some unauthorized person is laying out poison.

How is she doing? Did she get to a rehabber or vet?!?!

[Rocky1]

Whatever is in her mouth is a foreign object... wonder if this could be the source of the strychnine? If this squirrel was at the city park, it would seem you could find out if the city is placing strychnine poison around the park or some unauthorized person is laying out poison.

How is she doing? Did she get to a rehabber or vet?!?!


She passed away, but probably would not have if I did everything right. Here is what should have been done:

Hold upright in feeding position to help breath. (Like people, squirrels breath best when their head is right side up, not on it's side, not obstructed with nose against the ground.)

Supplemental oxygen. I am ordering either Boost Oxygen or an oxygen tank.

Hydration via either sub-q or intervenious.

Feel the skin temperature and bottom of cage to determine if too hot or too cold if unsure how to adjust temp and patient cannot move.

Patience: Strychnine wears off over time and all symptoms might go away in a couple days. There was improvement after 10 hours which is the half life of the poison.

Possibly medications for muscle tightness.

And of course remove all maggots and maggot eggs with flea brush which I did correctly.

OBJECT IN MOUTH
appeared to be a nut gripped by teeth. Jaw muscles like all muscles were locked in position and could not move due to the poison.

Thanks for your response!!!