Young squirrel arrived almost 6 weeks ago with nose trauma/bleeding. Was treated and improved for a few days. Since, has slowly deteriorated. Have been treating for what was showing: one broken off at gum upper incisor, one lower incisor broken in half, broken nose (excessive bleeding on arrival). Though mucus in nose and dyspnea were due to nasal infection and that it was causing a pneumonia type condition, etc.

Took him for X-ray's yesterday. They show he has a broken jaw which is the reason his lower incisors spread when opening his mouth on inspiration. They are together but spread at the ends, not at the roots so much, looking "V" shaped. (I had thought it was due to one upper and one lower incisor having been broken.)

He has a fractured septum.

He has a broken sternum. Vet said he thinks the pain from that may have caused the worst condition which is a perforated ulcer. This has caused his abdomen to bloat with gas. He said it's similar to what might be heard called leaky gut. (I don't know anything of this type of thing so trying to repeat what he told me as best I can. I've been looking up as much as time permits. Most references I've found say bleeding in abdomen but the vet used the term "gas".)

He said there is a threat of peritonitis. That his bowels aren't moving fast enough.

He has no infections. Vet said he doesn't know why there is mucus in nose and mouth.

His lungs are clear. Heart okay.

Yesterday, July 6, after vet visit started him on Nux V 6C, giving two doses, plussed and one dose early this morning. Also gave him 1/2 drop Amoxicillin morning and night. Plus a drop, several times, of Mylicon Infant dose (Simethicone) that was suggested by vet. The changes that have occurred since Nux V, Amoxi and Mylicon over the last 24 hours are in parenthesis after the symptoms ....that I started to try to post yesterday.

Mouth opens to widest possible with each inspiration, click/cluck and air noise as gasps for air, closes mouth, belly "thuds", exhales, longer than inhale, with effort and wheezes exhaling. It is dreadful and has not stopped for over a month. (This has not improved)
Lower incisors fan apart at ends on each inspiration due to broken jaw (no improvement)
Abdomen very distended,vet said was gas accumulation (not improved)
Passes stool, less frequently/less volume than normal, larger in size than normal, softer than normal but normal color. (He had very loose stool once today, new. Only time he passed stool at all.)
Is urinating, less now than normal (but he is eating and drinking far less, too).
He is dehydrated, skin loose on back.
His skin color around mouth is turning dusky, lack of oxygen said vet.
When attempts to eat pureed food, first mouthful causes him hunker over and make loud noise, like air rushing out/hacking as though will vomit but doesn't. These are very bad episodes and each time I think he will not survive. He has only been fed via syringe since arrival. (This has improved. No episodes since Nux V and Mylicon.)
Yesterday mouth full of thick, very white mucus which he was unable to expel. Use a Q-tip to try to swab out. Previously, mucus was only in the nose. (Today, July 6, there is no mucus in mouth.)
Was white mucus visible in nostrils, both sides but does not discharge nor does he seem able to sneeze it out. Made very small Q-tips to swab out his nose. It will come out that way, sticky, thick. When cleaned out with Q-tip, nostril clear behind what was removed. (today, mucus is more bland color and less volume)
Area below nostrils excoriated/corroded.

He has lost a good bit of weight. Is fragile and weak. Face, upper body and over the back are thin. (this is a bit worse today, very weak)

What makes him different from other wild squirrels: He likes to be stroked/comforted by this human. Has never made an attempt to bite or scratch to defend himself which, even if compromised/ill, is VERY unusual in a wild squirrel.

Twice today he began to cry on exhale, looked even more weakened. Gave him Carbo V 30(dilution) which didn't relieve. Gave Carbo V 200, which seemed to a little.
He also got one dose Symph 12X, in water.
Raised Nux V to 30 in water.

This squirrel was on Sil 6X, cell salt then 30C, a while ago and I felt it aggravated him.......before I knew what was really going on with him. Sil, Kali C and Nux V were remedies that I found only using "perforated ulcer". Would anyone have suggestions for other rubrics that might be more helpful? Using "gas, abdomen", Lyc is prominent but I don't know if this is more specific to what I think of as indigestion or could be applied to perforated ulcer. Then there is Rob. Help!

Acon and Cham have helped to relieve some of his anxiety during the attacks and they both antidote Nux V. Can one go back and forth.....in other words, if Acon helps him through a bad spell (and 200 was the potency that did, not lower) can I use that and then return to Nux V? In a situation like this, is the primary action of the remedy (which seems short lived, unfortunately, each dose) used up so that giving what might be an antidote, is less important than if working a chronic case. (I can't think very well any more, sorry. Typing this as fast as I can and not making much sense at it.)

His dyspnea(pain caused by perforated ulcer, said vet) must be relieved soon or he won't make it much longer. No remedy yet has given any improvement. How often would I repeat a plussed dose of a remedy before deciding it wasn't helping? Would lower potencies, 6 to 30 be the best choice or go to the higher immediately?

Any suggestions will be very appreciated.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Dear GPM,
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Here, Dr. Pitcairn presents examples of homeopathic treatment for some of the serious problems facing veterinary practitioners, such as cancer, feline kidney failure and stomach disorders. Based on the literature and his own experience, he offers a new regional repertory for disorders of stomach, appetite and cravings in animals.
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_______________________________________
Snoopy

Dear GPM,

I've given the rubrics below if they could be of any help to you. This is some mdical situation you're handling, the type I'd really enjoy working on if I was onsite!
My advise to you is forget the pathology and possible causes at this point and just tade a homeopathic look at the squirrel and see what are the homeopathic characteristics he's expressing.
The description of the breathing sounds good. BEsides that there will be concomittant expressions and modalities. IT will take a little forgetting and re-observing with fresh eyes.... not easy, I know.

But rather than wade in all the pathology, you'll have your prescription immediately with those observations. IT may be something close to Carbo Veg.

ALl the best,
doctorleela


RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; epigastrium, from oppression in (G654): ars., chin., cocc., guai., lach., laur., nat-m., phos., rhus-t., sulph.

RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; fullness of; abdomen, with: lob.

RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; lung; expand, cannot (K769, G655) (Deep; desire to breathe): asaf., bry., cina, croto-t., laur., prun., syph.

RESPIRATION; DIFFICULT; flatulence, from obstructed (K769, G654) (Impeded; flatulence, from): arg-n., ars., caps., Carb-v., cast., cham., chin., hep., lac-d., lyc., mez., nat-c., nat-s., Nux-v., ol-an., op., osm., phos., Puls., sang., Sulph., verat., zinc.


RESPIRATION; IMPEDED, obstructed; oppression; epigastrium, in (G657): arn., bry., calad., camph., cham., chin., cic., cocc., guai., hell., hyos., ign., mosch., nux-v., olnd., rhus-t., samb.

RESPIRATION; IMPEDED, obstructed; flatulence, from (K773, G657) (Difficult; flatulence, from obstructed): ars., caps., Carb-v., cham., chin., hep., ign., mez., nat-c., Nux-v., ol-an., Op., osm., phos., puls., Sulph., thuj., verat., zinc.

__________________
http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Since the most unusual part of the case is his response to affection, I would try Puls. It also has a lot of ulcers and pain from ulcers.

__________________
Shirley Reischman

Since there wasn't enough stress here already, a thunderstorm caused a power outage and haven't been able to get back till now.

Snoopy, thanks for the info on Pitcairn. I have that taped conference and almost all he's ever made. Would love to get hold of his Advanced Course for vets but they keep a tight lid on it all. Must be a vet. Can't even subscribe to the Academy of Veterinary Homeopaths journal, if not a vet.

Dr. Leela, thank you for such helpful rubrics. I'm going to copy what you posted and go through it thoroughly. Have found Carbo V of great help to him and have given it often during his more difficult periods, of which there are far too many. Three times today, I was sure he wasn't going to come through. Started with 12, then 30 and found 200 had better results. But have only used it one dose during the worst times, thinking of it as more an emergency remedy. Have used Cham and Ant t, the same way and each one will help him through a crisis, returning to the dyspnea but at least without the crying or whimpering. (Cruel aren't I? Every day I decide to put him to "sleep" and don't. The vet, who indicated there was really no chance for him, watched the little guy curl up in my hand and said, "well, maybe you should keep trying.")

Dr. Leela, you're right, I get stuck in the mud once there is a "disease" named. I will check out all your information. So.... you like this kind of case? He'll be in the mail to you tomorrow!

Shirley, thank you very much for your suggestion. Puls is high in the relationship to Carbo V....! I gave him 2 doses of Puls on the 4th of July (how did all of you spend the holiday?) but in 200, plussed with no noticeable improvement. Might have been better lower? I will read Puls again, from a different angle. What I've been doing is giving a remedy a 2 to 4 times, plussing, and if nothing much results, move on to the next. I may not be giving anything enough of a chance. Just feel like there's so little time (yet it's been going on almost 6 weeks) that I have to move on if nothing changes at all after a couple of doses. Not one thing has stopped the wide open mouthed gasping, even when he's asleep. I want that "aha" moment Barb talked about.

A while ago, he was in another episode of increased pain/anxiety (never not but sometimes worse because he will get up and gag or aggravated by being fed) and gave him a couple of drops of Ornithogalum umbellatum, diluted. That enabled him to go to sleep pretty quickly.

gein, I did try the Hyp MT, 2 doses, in water but there was no improvement.

Thank you all so much.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

while searching for a remedy, try Hypericum tincture - for the pain.
One drop in a little water.
Stop if it gives no relief after 2nd dose.

Have a look at Arnica

gien, thank you very much for your help. I will try hyp tincture as suggested.

He has had Arn quite a bit. Started with 200 on arrival with the bloody nose. A couple of days ago I started giving him LM1 for about 5 doses, upping along. Nothing seems to touch the dyspnea......or I haven't stayed with anything long enough. It seems such an emergency situation (for such long a time!) so have repeated doses of one remedy after another, trying to see if any response after 3-4 doses.

Thank you so much. I know it was a lot to wade through and I appreciate your taking the time to do so.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

If you are willing to foot the bill for X-rays, have those teeth pulled.

A good question when and if you do that: can it survive in the wild without them?

Note: WAS causing a pneumonia-like condition, so it is therefore not considered here.

Dyspnea being a likely result of a broken sternum and therefore a common symptom, it is ignored unless you spot a modality or accompanying symptom making it characteristic.

Rocky and Bullwinkle are my buddies, but I got no further than this.

I do not see any uncommon symptoms, so you might as well add dyspnea.

I would suggest that you stop throwing medicines into the creature.

Figure out one that is best and stick with it.

That is not easy to do, but you have an extremely sick organism to repair, and that all the more calls for great similarity.

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STOMACH, Ulcers (K1422): Arg-n, Ars, Calc-ar, calc, caust, Cur, HYDR, KALI-BI, Kali-c, Kreos, LYC, Merc-c, Mez, nat-p, Nit-ac, Nux-v, PHOS, sil, sul-ac, syph, Uran

GENERALITIES, Ulcers, glands (K1410): Amb, ant-c, arn., ARS, asaf, aur, Bell, calc, Canth, carb-an, carb-v, caust, clem, coloc, Con, cupr, dulc, Hep, hyos, ign, kali-c, kali-p, kreos, Lach, lyc, merc, nit-ac, ph-ac, PHOS, Phyt, rhus-t, sars, sep., SIL, spong, squil, sul-ac, Sulph, thuj, zinc.


GENERALITIES, Wounds, Constitutional effects of (K1422): arn, carb-v, con, hep, Iod, Lach, LED, nat-m., Nit-ac, Phos, puls, rhus-t, Staph, Sul-ac, zinc


GENERALITIES, Wounds, crushed and lacerated finger ends (K1422): HYPER, Led


GENERALITIES, Wounds slow to heal (K1422): alum., am-c., Bar-c, Bor, Calc, Carb-v, caust., Cham, chel., con., crot-h., Graph, HEP, kali-c, LACH, lyc, mag-c, mang, Merc-c, Merc, mur-ac, NIT-AC, PETR, ph-ac, phos, plb, puls, Rhus-t, sep, SIL, Staph, SULPH

GENERALITIES, Wounds (K1422): Apis, Arn, bor, carb-v, cic, con, croc, hep, iod, kreos, Lach, LED, merc, mez, nat-c, nat-m, nit-ac, ph-ac, Phos, plb, Puls, rhus-t, ruta, seneg, sil, Staph, Sul-ac, sulph, zinc


GENERALITIES, Slow repair of broken bones (K1402): asaf, CALC-P, CALC, ferr, lyc, merc, mez, nit-ac, Ph-ac, phos, puls, ruta, sep, Sil, staph, sulph, Symph


CHEST, Ulcer over Sternum and Clavicle (K882): Calc-p

CHEST Pain, Sternum (K848): agar, apis, asaf, Bell, bor, Bry, calc-p, calc-s, caps, carb-an, cocc, con, dulc, Ferr-ar, fl-ac, fl-ac, hura, Jug-c, kali-I, kalm, Kreos, lach, led, Manc, morph, mur-ac, nit-ac, ox-ac, Puls, rhus-t, Sulph, tarax, Ter, zing

GENERALITIES, Pain, Sternum, Cartilages (K1385): ARG-M, Rhod, Rhus-t


CHEST, Pain when swallowing (K849): all-c, phos

CHEST, Pain, Heart, breathing almost impossible (K849): arg-n

GENERALITIES, Shocks from injury (K1399): ACON, Am-c, ARN, bell, CAMPH, Caps, Carb-v, Cham, Cic, cocc, Coff, Cupr, Gels, HYPER, Ip, LACH, merc, OP, psor, Ran-b, sec, Staph, stront, sulph, VERAT

Peritonitis

ABDOMEN, Distension (K544): Abrot., acet-ac., acon-c., Acon., aesc., aeth., Agar., all-c., Aloe., alum., alumn., am-c., am-m., ambr., anac., anan., ant-c., ant-t., apis., apoc., arg-m., Arg-n., arn., ars-i., Ars., asaf., asar., aur-m., aur., bapt., bar-c., bar-i., bar-m., bell., berb., bism., bor., bov., brom., bry., bufo., cact., cahin., calad., calc-p., calc-s., Calc., canth., caps., carb-ac., carb-an., Carb-s., Carb-v., card-m., carl., cast., caust., cedr., cham., chel., chin-a., chin-s., Chin., Cic., cimic., cina., cinnb., cist., clem., coc-c., Cocc., coff., Colch., coll., Coloc., con., cop., corn., croc., crot-h., crot-t., cupr., cycl., dig., dulc., eup-per., fago., ferr-ar., ferr-i., ferr-p., ferr., gamb., gins., gran., Graph., grat., hell., Hep., hyos., hyper., ign., iod., ip., jatr., jug-r., kali-ar., kali-bi., Kali-c., kali-chl., kali-i., kali-n., kali-p., kali-s., kreos., lac-c., Lach., lact., laur., led., lil-t., lob., Lyc., Mag-c., mag-m., mag-s., manc., mang., meny., merc-c., merc-d., Merc., mez., mosch., mur-ac., murx., nat-a., Nat-c., Nat-m., Nat-p., nat-s., nicc., nit-ac., nux-m., nux-v., ol-an., op., ox-ac., pall., petr., Ph-ac., Phos., plat., plb., podo., poth., prun-s., psor., ptel., puls., pyrog., Raph., rheum., rhod., rhus-t., rhus-v., rob., sabin., samb., sang., sars., sec., sep., sil., spig., spong., squil., stann., staph., stram., stront., sul-ac., Sulph., sumb., tab., tarent., Ter., thuj., til., uran., valer., verat., verb., vip., zinc., zing.

ABDOMEN, Dropsy ascites (K546): acet-ac, acon, Agn, APIS, APOC, Arg-n, ARS, asaf, aur-m-n, Aur-m, Aur, Bry, Calc, cann-s, Canth, carb-s, Card-m, caust, Chel, Chim, Chin-a, Chin, Colch, coloc, crot-h, cur, Dig, Dulc, ferr-ar, Fl-ac, Graph, Hell, helon, hep, iris, kali-ar, kali-br, Kali-c, Kali-chl, kali-p, kali-s, kalm, lact, Led, LYC, mag-m, med, Merc, mill, nux-v, Phos, Prun-s, puls, sabin, senec, sep, sil, spong, squil, Sulph, TER
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I do not know why Calc-ph. is listed alone in ulcers over sternum and clavicle, but I would advise it read in Hering anyway; for it comes up in problems with bones and connective tissues and is famous for them.

It might be that you have matches with the other symptoms too.

As equally famous is Symphytum.

Also Sul-ac in smashed bones.

Read that section of my analysis of the cat’s case near the end for those references.

The only reliable symptoms you seem to have that I discerned are the gastric ulcer and smashed up bones.

As far as I know, Symph. and Sul-ac. are the only two really famous drugs listed in stomach ulcers also known for bone problems, but read them all if you do not feel satisfied with either of them.

Have you read Hahnemann on veterinary homeopathy?

Good luck!

__________________
Albert, also<br />Hahnemannian444<br />#5904

Hi GPM,

Saw this post on lyghtforce and minutus...did you see the reposting of Joy Lucas' Symphytum case?

If you get a chance, read that reposting over. Symphytum sounds like an excellent remedy for this poor squirrel. Do you know the cause of his/her injuries?

Good luck with this creature...try to remember that even though you feel pressured to cure miraculously, the squirrel is still "hanging in there" 6 weeks after the fact...so resist the urge to just keep trying remedies until you find the "aha" result. Sometimes the nurturing and support that come with treatment are the best medicine going! Do consider the symphytum if its not yet been given.

__________________
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.<br />C.G.Jung

Thank you, Albert, for your concern and assistance. You are right about throwing too many remedies into him. This has been going on for 6 weeks.

His teeth were trimmed while at the vet's. Those front teeth are what their little lives revolve around and would make every attempt to save them. He would not be releasable without front teeth. Their front teeth, like other rodents, are maintained a certain length by daily gnawing, which he hasn't been able to do. If the lower incisors grow too long, it can cause a nasal abscess and prevent eating.

The reason I was thinking pneumonia is it is very common with injured squirrels. His type of respiration/dyspnea is how it manifests. Mostly, I think, it is a result of aspiration. Or having been left to the elements too long before rescue. With his nose injury, the discharge not expelling, I thought it may have been filling his lungs. He did not have dyspnea when he first came, so my thought was he had developed an infection from the broken/damaged teeth that was draining to his lungs. Ant T helped some.

He was found on the side of the road. Imagine his impact was with a car wheel.

Yes, x-rays for a squirrel. It gets tough. It's the reason, not an excuse, for holding off as long as possible before going that route. There are close to 200 squirrels coming in some years and costs (even without vet bills) are pretty substantial. The vets give no sway on their fees......just lucky to find one who will even look at one. Rehabbers are volunteers, meaning the state wildlife division gives no financial support......at all. Smart rehabbers develop non profit organizations, which can then take donations. That takes time to file for legally and time to cater to the public.

Will certainly read over all the information in your rubrics.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.