Spine turned to right and head title to right

[Woodlandthings]

Hi,
I have a Chipmunk with a cat bite injury which has caused A number of symptoms that I can't quite make out the injury. Some of these symptoms include turning in a circle when on a flat surface, head tilt and body/spine turned to right but can go straight at times. Seemingly favoring no weight on left shoulder but can put weight on it. It seems as though he does have range of motion and can be weight-bearing but looks like he's in pain. I have given him meloxicam and antibiotics. He definitely favors turning to the right with his left paw up.
Any advice would be appreciated as I'm not sure what else to do for him. It's been almost 24 hours since the bite and he has shown slight improvement, but I think that's mostly from the meloxicam.
Please advise. Thank you.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Woodlandthings,

Spinal injuries are best left to the more experienced people at TSB. You'll receive a reply soon.

In the meantime, a cat bite is serious business. Puncture or not, the saliva has bacteria that will kill this chipmunk. If you can possibly do it, it is important that you rinse the chipmunk off with bath-warm water, soap him up with baby shampoo, and rinse him again. An antiseptic should be applied to any puncture, and an antibiotic - probably amoxycillin clavulanate - should be administered orally per the chipmunk's weight. An admin will gladly provide dosing instructions via PM when you are able to provide weight in grams and the strength of your antibiotics. Your chipmunk is likely in considerable pain, and prednisone will go a long way to relieve that pain.

Again, an admin will soon reply to your request for help. While you wait, Bathe the chipmunk (don't skip this,) get antiseptic to the site of any/all punctures, get the chipmunk's weight in grams, and be ready with information about your antibiotic and prednisone. The kid is terrified - quiet, warm, and dark will help.

Jamie

[TubeDriver]

Meloxicam and antibiotics sound good as does the movement with all 4 legs. I would give him more time, the shaking associated with predator attack can cause TBI. Folks here have reported surprisingly good success with prednisone for TBI but don't stack that on top of Meloxicam (too hard on GI tract). I think I would continue your current treatment and remember that recovery from this will take additional time over what is needed for just the puncture/bite wounds.