Week old grey squirrel with blisters in mouth/thrush? Won't eat. Help!

[sundogdayze]

I'm fostering several baby squirrels who were all doing very well up until today. My only male (the smallest) ate fine this morning, then by afternoon I could hardly get him to let me squeeze a few drops in his mouth. I happened to see something white on the corner of his lip, and thought it was milk curd. I tried gently brushing it off with the tip of the syringe, but it was stuck. I opened his mouth and realized that his whole tongue is covered in white blisters - it looks an awful lot like when human babies get thrush. (See pic)

I used a catheter tip to squeeze a little bit of milk into his throat so he didn't have to use his mouth to suckle - it must hurt! But no one I know has ever heard of a squirrel having thrush and I'm not sure what course to take here. Any advice??

[Nancy in New York]

I'm fostering several baby squirrels who were all doing very well up until today. My only male (the smallest) ate fine this morning, then by afternoon I could hardly get him to let me squeeze a few drops in his mouth. I happened to see something white on the corner of his lip, and thought it was milk curd. I tried gently brushing it off with the tip of the syringe, but it was stuck. I opened his mouth and realized that his whole tongue is covered in white blisters - it looks an awful lot like when human babies get thrush. (See pic)

I used a catheter tip to squeeze a little bit of milk into his throat so he didn't have to use his mouth to suckle - it must hurt! But no one I know has ever heard of a squirrel having thrush and I'm not sure what course to take here. Any advice??

Oh no!
We actually have another member on the board with a little one with suspected thrush.
This poor little baby. I hope this helps.

The treatment for thrush is nystatin. If she rubs her face on the side of the cage could that be enough to get for a microscopic slide for HRT to look under scope? I bet your vet would write a script for it if it is thrush.

Other than that....?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ghlight=Thrush

[sundogdayze]

Are we able to use Nystatin on squirrels? I'd give it a shot if I can get my hands on some and it's safe! I did give him some metronidazole, so if it is thrush, hopefully that will help.

He did eat willingly just now, but not as much as he was this morning. Some of the more experienced rescuers in my area have mentioned squirrel pox being bad this year, but I can't find anywhere that says a symptom is a white tongue. I hope it's just thrush.

[island rehabber]

I have never heard of blisters or white discharge from the mouth in cases of squirrel pox. Thrush is common in all mammals, I believe, so why couldn't a squirrel have it, too. Yes we can use nystatin on squirrels.

[ALittleNutty]

Genetian Violet is available at most pharmacies but you have to ask for it behind the counter. It's what my kid's pediatrician had me use when my son got thrush. Just a drop on a cotton swab is all it takes. It will stain clothing and skin for a while.

[Nancy in New York]

Are we able to use Nystatin on squirrels? I'd give it a shot if I can get my hands on some and it's safe! I did give him some metronidazole, so if it is thrush, hopefully that will help.

If you have a vet, call and ask them to give you a script.

[sundogdayze]

I'll see if I can get the local wildlife rescue group's vet to write it up for me. Thank you!!

[Mommaluvy]

I had Tyke last year .. Massive antibiotics. I think he got thrush . My vet could not confirm but gave nystatin. Tyke died of infection post surgery. So I never knew.

His did peel off his tongue eventually.