5 year old female fox squirrel with balance issues

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Does anyone have ties with a vet in Oregon or Washington? I spoke a while back about my male fox squirrel. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after. Now, his sister is presenting similar respiratory symptoms. I started her on Cipro and did not see any improvements. I also noticed a red sore in her mouth on the upper top part of her teeth. This last week she has rapidly declined. I also started noticing neurological symptoms and balance issues. I immediately started her on MBD treatment, but her symptoms haven’t improved. I started the MBD treatment around 4pm last evening. She’s still struggling to catch her balance. I’m seriously worried about her. Is there any suggestions on what to do? Also, I have another female the same age, (they are sisters), and she has no symptoms whatsoever. Perfectly healthy. They eat the same diet. Henry’s healthy pet blocks, and veggies and sometimes a treat through out the day.
I have not seen her take any falls either to suggest head trauma. Please help.

[Charley Chuckles]

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Any help is greatly appreciated

[Charley Chuckles]

I keep trying to think of what could be going on.
Hang on I know others will be able to help you and your baby ❤️

[squirrelmamaofthree]

I keep trying to think of what could be going on.
Hang on I know others will be able to help you and your baby ❤️

Thank you 🤎🤎 I’m just so worried about her. These girls are my world.

[CritterMom]

I sent you the cell number of a member here who is with the Squirrel Refuge in Vancouver (WA). Hopefully he can help you with a vet.

You implied that this second squirrel appears to have the same symptoms as the first one?

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Yes. My male squirrel had the same respiratory symptoms, however my male squirrel never displayed any mobility issues. I have a third girl, and she is fine. Which is odd to me.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

The male squirrel (Augustus) that had the same symptoms unfortunately passed a month ago. I have been devastated.

[CritterMom]

Are they indoor or outdoor? I am wondering if this could be something other than bacterial? You said you tried Cipro - did you have someone here break it down for you so you could give it, and how long was she on it? It is usually extremely effective against bacterial lung issues.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

They are indoor. They have been indoors since birth. A tree was cut down in my backyard and the tree trimmer saved their nest. Michael from squirrel refuge broke down the dosage for me. I had her On/off of it with breaks in between.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Do you think teeth issues would ever cause these type of symptoms?

[CritterMom]

Usually the first presentation of odontoma is a weepy eye. Everything is very close in their skull so tooth issues will cause what looks like eye issues, and will cause sort of a snotty nose which seems to be respiratory, because they have difficulty breathing. The actual problem is that they are obligate nasal breathers - they really can't breathe well through their mouth like humans and dogs can and it is extremely distressing for them.

Blocked sinuses can certainly cause dizziness - it does in me. How do her upper incisors look? Odontoma normally causes the uppers to become shorter and shorter until they nearly disappear. The teeth are wearing off which is perfectly normal, but the tooth enamel is in the process of forming a large calcium "tumor" at the tooth root instead of growing normal tooth to replace the wear.

Ear issues can REALLY cause dizziness and what looks like motor skill issues, but is actually the inner ear causing them to be unable to really find "up" and "down." I had it once in my 20's and it was the freakiest thing I have ever experienced.

I have never heard of the dizziness and odontoma together but as I said, when you have so many extremely sensitive organs all smashed up together in such a small area (the skull) I couldn't rule it out.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Might be a stretch, but I thought maybe it could be Bordetella?

[squirrelmamaofthree]

Her teeth ln the top are very short, and there is a red bump on one side. Maybe I can get a picture, but she is really not having it right now.

[CritterMom]

Might be a stretch, but I thought maybe it could be Bordetella?

It is certainly possible. I would think the Cipro would have done something though. Other meds for it are doxycycline (no more than two years from prescription date) and SMZ-TMP (Bactrim).

Any dogs with it in their environment?

[Diggie's Friend]

Was your squirrel that past away last month housed with this squirrel?

Have any of the squirrels come into contact with a pet rat perhaps?

[squirrelmamaofthree]

We have no other pets. I am in contact with the squirrel forum. We are trying to locate a different antibiotic.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

No contact with any pets other than a cat that was kept at a distance 2 years ago. The never had face to face contact. It was a roommates.
All three have been kept in the same cage since birth. The second female presents no symptoms despite being housed with her fellow siblings.

[squirrelmamaofthree]

I’ve always had this strange thought…I was hospitalized with a bacterial infection called Actinomyces. Which is extremely rare. It grew into a grape fruit sized abscess which was treated over almost a year of antibiotics. I wonder if this could have spread? I have never heard of such a thing though, but my mind wanders.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hello, I'm reaching here to help.

Having male squirrel and this female squirrel in same house/cage with similar respiratory symptoms must be a clue. Add to it that, the male passed 30 days prior then female gets sick. Hmmmm....

Did you give male the same cipro as the female is getting now ?? Please check expiration date. Is the suspension mix the same ?? Are you sure its mixed correctly and the dose is correct ?? Cipro is a concentration dependent AB and needs to hit the critical level to be effective (different than Clavamox AB). Strange that cipro is having no effect being a broad type AB.