*ANTIBIOTIC ADVICE PLEASE TAIL LOST NECROSIS INFECTION*

[Rock Monkey]

Do you think with so little tail left she has a low chance?

I had a female that lived in my backyard for years and she had no tail whatsoever and she kicked ass, was dominant and owned it. So, a squirrel can survive and thrive without a tail. It didn't seem to slow her down moving about in my big trees.

[AndraP]

Thanks very much, Rock Monkey! That's really good to hear. I hope our little Buddy will adapt too, once she hopefully heals from the tail injury. I was so depressed when the rehabber on the phone said she couldn't make it without a tail.

I had a female that lived in my backyard for years and she had no tail whatsoever and she kicked ass, was dominant and owned it. So, a squirrel can survive and thrive without a tail. It didn't seem to slow her down moving about in my big trees.

[AndraP]

Thanks, Chucky Charles! That's where I've looked (and eBay too). I found the pomegranate juice (you'd be surprised how limited the options were - I had to get a concentrate). Hopefully that's ok. But there is no infant formula Ibuprofen, just the child version. Says 3 months to 9 years. And it's 100 mg per 5 ml. Not the concentrated version CritterMom was referring to. It's frustrating. I am not sure why it's so hard to find.

AMAZON should have infant formula Ibuprofen, probably pomegranate juice as well👍

[AndraP]

I made up the first yummy nut today with her antibiotic, following CritterMom's instructions (thank you!!). Buddy loved the peanut butter and syrup and didn't suspect a thing about the meds. Fingers crossed she continues to take them and the tail gets better and better. I didn't manage the squirt of Vetericyn on the tail wound today (the sound freaked her out) but will try another method that is soundless tomorrow, with diluted iodine. There was a lighter-coloured spot on her tail today, more reddish (like a lighter-coloured scab), suggesting she's still gnawing at it. She's certainly itchy, I keep seeing her scratch, poor girl. Thank you so much everyone, for your wonderful advice and continued support. I will update you all on how the tail is looking and how Buddy is doing tomorrow. I'm nervous, this is the first time I try to help a wild squirrel like this. But I am glad to be able to do something for her, she's really special and such a sweet soul.

[AndraP]

Hi CritterMom! How close together can I give the antibiotic doses? Does it matter if they're, say, a couple of hours apart? Is that better than just dosing once a day or will it be too hard on her tummy?

Thanks very much for your help!

Info sent by email.

Paracetamol is the same as our acetaminophen (Tylenol). Info is all over the place regarding safety for squirrels so we don't recommend it, especially given that the ibuprophen works so well for them.

If the iodine is for wounds, it sounds like they are basically making the same mixture we mix up. Wow - what a profitable enterprise given how little iodine is needed!

[CritterMom]

Yeah, I would be concerned about that being too close together. The amoxicillin in the drug mix is hard on the stomach and I would be concerned about diarrhea, etc. Twice a day technically means every 12 hours - you can do a little less but not that much.

As I mentioned, my biggest concern is pain and itching causing her to nibble on the wound. I'd rather see you use the second trip to get some of the ibupropen into her.

[AndraP]

Thanks CritterMom. I will stick to once a day if I can't stretch the trips. It's difficult with it being winter and dark so early - it's a little forest, so if my husband can't make it, I don't feel safe going there on my own. Today, she didn't want to come down the second time anyway, since there were dogs around. I saw her relaxing on the little branch stump in front of her drey. Hopefully, she stays away from nibbling on the wound. I'd say it looked better today. The outer skin had moved to cover more of that dark tip of the tail nub (it looked smaller/ more shrunken). There is still that little bit on the side that she nibbled on the other day, but it looks drier/ less red. Fingers crossed!

Quick question about aftercare - do I give her anything to replenish good gut bacteria, if all goes well? And should I aim for the antibiotic to be given for 7 days, or longer?

Yeah, I would be concerned about that being too close together. The amoxicillin in the drug mix is hard on the stomach and I would be concerned about diarrhea, etc. Twice a day technically means every 12 hours - you can do a little less but not that much.

As I mentioned, my biggest concern is pain and itching causing her to nibble on the wound. I'd rather see you use the second trip to get some of the ibupropen into her.

[CritterMom]

Thanks CritterMom. I will stick to once a day if I can't stretch the trips. It's difficult with it being winter and dark so early - it's a little forest, so if my husband can't make it, I don't feel safe going there on my own. Today, she didn't want to come down the second time anyway, since there were dogs around. I saw her relaxing on the little branch stump in front of her drey. Hopefully, she stays away from nibbling on the wound. I'd say it looked better today. The outer skin had moved to cover more of that dark tip of the tail nub (it looked smaller/ more shrunken). There is still that little bit on the side that she nibbled on the other day, but it looks drier/ less red. Fingers crossed!

Quick question about aftercare - do I give her anything to replenish good gut bacteria, if all goes well? And should I aim for the antibiotic to be given for 7 days, or longer?

At least 7 days, especially only taking it once a day.

Yes, you can give her a pinch of probiotic powder from the capsules made for humans and feed the same way you are doing the meds.

[Diggie's Friend]

A source like unto the soil source that tree squirrels consume (geophagy) in the wild by pulling up tufts of grasses they flip over to chew on the soil that surrounds the roots, is "Pet Flora" a "soil based organism" (SBO) produced by "Vitality Science" of NM.

This probiotic is also soil based unlike most all others which have a sugar sourced probiotic; the same that was found to promote the growth of bad bacteria following treatment with AB lab rodents. "Pet Flora" is the exact source used by a fellow member in the daily diet their NR E. gray squirrel.

Vets advice an increased amount from that of daily maintenance be given to squirrels treated with AB to fortify the gut that contains over 70 % of the body's immune system, and is responsible for digestion of nutrients and the degrading of anti -nutrients in the diet that lower calcium availability from their diet.


Take a bit of time to learn about (SBO); it is worth the read.

https://www.amazon.com/Vitality-Scie...005PJN2HO?th=1

[AndraP]

Thanks very much! Will report back on how her tail is doing.

At least 7 days, especially only taking it once a day.

Yes, you can give her a pinch of probiotic powder from the capsules made for humans and feed the same way you are doing the meds.

[AndraP]

Thank you! I think I have heard of this type of probiotic for humans. I used to give my cat FortiFlora. I'll look up the link and some info on this. Re: the calcium, I did once try to get her to chew on a cuttlefish bone, after reading that some supplement with it for calcium, but she was not interested.

A source like unto the soil source that tree squirrels consume (geophagy) in the wild by pulling up tufts of grasses they flip over to chew on the soil that surrounds the roots, is "Pet Flora" a "soil based organism" (SBO) produced by "Vitality Science" of NM.

This probiotic is also soil based unlike most all others which have a sugar sourced probiotic; the same that was found to promote the growth of bad bacteria following treatment with AB lab rodents. "Pet Flora" is the exact source used by a fellow member in the daily diet their NR E. gray squirrel.

Vets advice an increased amount from that of daily maintenance be given to squirrels treated with AB to fortify the gut that contains over 70 % of the body's immune system, and is responsible for digestion of nutrients and the degrading of anti -nutrients in the diet that lower calcium availability from their diet.


Take a bit of time to learn about (SBO); it is worth the read.

https://www.amazon.com/Vitality-Scie...005PJN2HO?th=1

[Diggie's Friend]

Soil based Probiotic with prebiotic reduces both tannins and oxalates that are contained in higher levels in nuts, that supports the greater availability of calcium in nuts. and other plant foods common to the diet of tree squirrels in the wild.

We add, 'Calcium citrate powder', as the citrate calcium compound increases the availability from nuts and other foods. This because the citrate form of calcium keeps calcium soluble, vs. Calcium carbonate, found to readily bond with oxalic acid in nuts in the digestive tract, where it forms into, 'Calcium oxalate', an insoluble form of calcium that the body is not able to utilize in support of the bones.

We begin by adding (1/2 Tsp.) of calcium citrate powder to a fist full of bagged organic English walnut pieces we purchase from, "Trader Joe's" market. Then we mist the nut pieces with pure water and sprinkle on the pure calcium citrate powder; then we finish off the process by scrunching the nuts and powder together to distribute the powder over the pieces.

We used a couple of different brands of calcium citrate powder years ago for this purpose; yet not all of the squirrels liked that powder. Now we use, Calcium citrate powder we get from, "Pure Bulk" that is made in the USA with no additives). Since switching to this source of calcium citrate powder (see link), we haven't observed any of the yard squirrels rejecting the organic calcium citrate treated organic English walnut pieces to date.

https://purebulk.com/products/calcium-citrate-usa

.

[AndraP]

Thanks very much. I will see if I can find the equivalents for sale in the UK. I am having trouble getting hold of the probiotic/prebiotic you suggested, too. Will keep trying and will check here if I find an equivalent I am unsure of.

Soil based Probiotic with prebiotic reduces both tannins and oxalates that are contained in higher levels in nuts, that supports the greater availability of calcium in nuts. and other plant foods common to the diet of tree squirrels in the wild.

We add, 'Calcium citrate powder', as the citrate calcium compound increases the availability from nuts and other foods. This because the citrate form of calcium keeps calcium soluble, vs. Calcium carbonate, found to readily bond with oxalic acid in nuts in the digestive tract, where it forms into, 'Calcium oxalate', an insoluble form of calcium that the body is not able to utilize in support of the bones.

We begin by adding (1/2 Tsp.) of calcium citrate powder to a fist full of bagged organic English walnut pieces we purchase from, "Trader Joe's" market. Then we mist the nut pieces with pure water and sprinkle on the pure calcium citrate powder; then we finish off the process by scrunching the nuts and powder together to distribute the powder over the pieces.

We used a couple of different brands of calcium citrate powder years ago for this purpose; yet not all of the squirrels liked that powder. Now we use, Calcium citrate powder we get from, "Pure Bulk" that is made in the USA with no additives). Since switching to this source of calcium citrate powder (see link), we haven't observed any of the yard squirrels rejecting the organic calcium citrate treated organic English walnut pieces to date.

https://purebulk.com/products/calcium-citrate-usa

.

[AndraP]

Hi CritterMom. I am struggling to get Buddy a second time in the day for her antibiotic or for her Ibuprofen. I call her, she comes out of her drey, looks at me, but then she relaxes in front of her drey, has a scratch and a stretch, and goes back inside. I don't know whether she's pregnant or has babies, but there was similar behaviour around this time last year (more preoccupied).

How close together can the antibiotic and Ibuprofen be given? It seems I can only really catch her once. I will keep trying, but it's proving difficult. I am concerned, because even though the black scab seems to not be there anymore and more skin is covering the exposed nub/wound, I think she has nibbled on it (it's hard to see, but there might be a little nibble spot near the very base of the tail/nub, further down from the wound). Th e wound itself looks better (a lighter-coloured scab on it, rather than that black) and I like that more skin is covering it/ coming down.

Thanks again for all your wonderful help!

Yeah, I would be concerned about that being too close together. The amoxicillin in the drug mix is hard on the stomach and I would be concerned about diarrhea, etc. Twice a day technically means every 12 hours - you can do a little less but not that much.

As I mentioned, my biggest concern is pain and itching causing her to nibble on the wound. I'd rather see you use the second trip to get some of the ibupropen into her.

[AndraP]

Hi Diggie' friend,

I can't find the soil-based probiotic in the UK, any brand. I have a bottle of 'Mega SporeBiotics' for humans. Will a pinch of that do? Or do you have suggestion please for what I could give her, if I cannot find the one you suggested? Many thanks!

Soil based Probiotic with prebiotic reduces both tannins and oxalates that are contained in higher levels in nuts, that supports the greater availability of calcium in nuts. and other plant foods common to the diet of tree squirrels in the wild.

We add, 'Calcium citrate powder', as the citrate calcium compound increases the availability from nuts and other foods. This because the citrate form of calcium keeps calcium soluble, vs. Calcium carbonate, found to readily bond with oxalic acid in nuts in the digestive tract, where it forms into, 'Calcium oxalate', an insoluble form of calcium that the body is not able to utilize in support of the bones.

We begin by adding (1/2 Tsp.) of calcium citrate powder to a fist full of bagged organic English walnut pieces we purchase from, "Trader Joe's" market. Then we mist the nut pieces with pure water and sprinkle on the pure calcium citrate powder; then we finish off the process by scrunching the nuts and powder together to distribute the powder over the pieces.

We used a couple of different brands of calcium citrate powder years ago for this purpose; yet not all of the squirrels liked that powder. Now we use, Calcium citrate powder we get from, "Pure Bulk" that is made in the USA with no additives). Since switching to this source of calcium citrate powder (see link), we haven't observed any of the yard squirrels rejecting the organic calcium citrate treated organic English walnut pieces to date.

https://purebulk.com/products/calcium-citrate-usa

.

[Diggie's Friend]

Ok, I will give that source a look and get back to you.

With human source the reduction needs to be greater. For this reason, using the arbitrary pinch isn't advisable.

Instead, this set of mini measuring teaspoons can support a more appropriate measure for probiotics.

This set of mini measuring Teaspoons is available through Amazon UK.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-S...%2C202&sr=1-19

[Diggie's Friend]

I looked over Amazon. UK, but didn't see a SBO source that would be appropriate. The sources that they offer are primarily dairy, not that which squirrels obtain in the wild. Dairy probiotics are appropriate for nursing young, yet not like that which they consume from their habitat past weaning. Lactobacillus forms are noted by veterinarians to be problematic as they can promote over growth in small intestines. The source you cite has only a few of the good bacteria sources which are included in the, "Pet Flora" formula from Vitality Science.
I will inquire with the company whether they are willing to ship it to you.

[Diggie's Friend]

HI again. I just got off the phone with Vitality Science that produces, "Pet Flora". They said they ship to the UK.
They have various amounts available for their containers for this natural source. questions@vitalityscience.com (575) 758-3985

Keep in mind squirrels will forage for grasses to pull up to chew on the soil that surrounds the roots where they acquire good digestive bacteria.

What a sweet squirrel; thank you for caring for her as you do. DF

[AndraP]

Thank you so much for looking into this, I really appreciate it. This is very helpful info and I will get Buddy Pet Flora, from 'Vitality Science'. The tail is doing well, touch wood. She has started to grow fur around it. The tip still has light pink skin, but it's healing. She's making herself new dreys, so we think she is pregnant. Will update a photo of the tail tomorrow. One quick question: how much should I give her? Do I mix it in the peanut butter? Thanks again for your help!

HI again. I just got off the phone with Vitality Science that produces, "Pet Flora". They said they ship to the UK.
They have various amounts available for their containers for this natural source. questions@vitalityscience.com (575) 758-3985

Keep in mind squirrels will forage for grasses to pull up to chew on the soil that surrounds the roots where they acquire good digestive bacteria.

What a sweet squirrel; thank you for caring for her as you do. DF