6 wk baby - Lots of questions! Ear Scab/Itching/Vibactra?
Hi guys,
I apologize for all of the questions but I just want to make sure I've got everything right!
Two weeks ago I found an open-eyed baby squirrel who started following me around and was almost purring? at me. He looked as if he was just starting to learn to walk. Due to the fact that it was beginning to get dark and there was a busy road nearby, I waited 20 minutes at somewhat of a distance before deciding it was too dark to leave him. (I live in Florida where it's legal and I plan to release him).
He looks to be about 6 weeks and I've been spoiling him with everything he needs (heating pad, large cage, proper diet, plenty of supervised outside time). I gave him a bath once as a mistake not realizing he could handle it on his own. It's been three days and he still has itching fits from time to time. I'm not sure if his skin is still irritated from the dish soap (not Dawn) or if it's something else. It looks like he injured himself scratching (pictures below). One of his ears is curled up/shorter and thicker feeling than the other. He has a little dark spot on his ear as well. I believe it may be scabbing but I'm not sure if there's anything I can do to help it. Any advice/experiences on this would be super appreciated.
He also sucks formula from the syringe now without help. Because of this he drinks much too fast and it seems to almost always come out of his nose (even though I'm letting him lay on his belly and the syringe faces upwards towards him). I don't own a humidifier so if I get worried and can't get him to sneeze or get any out by leaning him over, I hold him in a little ball near some steam for a little while. I'm very worried he will get pneumonia. I know a nearby exotic vet that I plan to take him to at some point, but because he doesn't have pneumonia yet I'm not sure how to handle it. Can they give you medication before he even gets it?
I also found a preventative organic alternative for antibiotics that is said to help with respiratory infections as well. It's called Vibactra and it has all sorts of animals on the package. I'm wondering if anyone can look at the ingredients and give me advice on whether or not it would be safe for him? Has anyone heard of or tried this on a young squirrel?
He also seems to have grown scared of the outdoors and resorts to hiding even when he's taken outside right as he's jumping/climbing around his cage. Will he grow out of this?
Thanks so much everyone :3
(Additional info if helpful: He eats the new pro/prebiotic Esbilac with a little heavy whipping cream for fat. I have a bowl of solid food in his cage with apples, grapes, rodent block, walnuts, carrots, and dried banana chips.)
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