Tucker....

[Kathy56]

I got him yesterday. Vet tech dropped him off at my house. I was at work and Kayla was home. Vet tech told her that he was haveing a hard time maintaining heat even on a heating pad. She also told Kayla that he had only taken 1cc of formula. He has his 2 bottom teeth and looks as if his eyes will open very soon. He weighs 54 grams. Kayla put him in her bra and kept him warm while she warmed up a rice buddy for him. Then she put him in with Reed. Normally I would not have told her to put him in with such a little one but Reed has the best heating pad. I got home and he was chilly to my touch. Kayla put him back in her bra and kept him warm while I feed the other 6 that I have. When I took over his care, Kayla got my car and left.Tucker did not have the movement of other squirrels that age. He acted like he was trying to die but not actually dieing. He does not startle or have that frantic movement like they have when they are getting feed. Anyway I got some fluids in him and put him back near the rice buddy. Checked on him every 15 minutes and 3 times he had crawled on top of the blanket. Kept putting him back under blanket and near rice buddy. Next feeding time I was going to give him a little Karo but didn't have any and couldn't go get any because Kayla was still not back. So I gave him a little sugar water. He seemed to do better after that. Next feeding I gave him formula and he moved better and took 3cc's. Checked him at 3:00am and he was doing good. Feed him again. Overslept this morning but when I checked he was doing good and actually yawned. Moved around a little. Went to breakfast with my brother and snagged some maple syrup so I would have it if he needed it. Got home and went to feed him and he was chilled again. Got him warmed and feed him. He was not moving again but the longer I held him the better he got. He has been eating better but still kind of sluggish. I took a piece of fleece and made him a little squirrel sized blanket and wrapped him Indian style in it. He still doesn't move and startle like other babies his age. Any ideas why he is having a problem staying warm even though he is on a heating pad and why he is sluggish. He wasn't peeing very much last night but is making up for lost time now. He has pooped a little but not much.Pee is clear. Gotta go check on him and feed some of my other babies. Be back in a few minutes.

[Kathy56]

Need some advice here.

[foxsquirrels]

I have only had this happen one time and I still don't know what caused it. I thought maybe he had a sluggish metabolism. I couldn't keep him warm no matter what I did. When I seemed to get him warm enough it seemed like he was sweaty. I'll look through some of my notes and see if I can find anything else.

[Loopy Squirrel]

Are you sure that he isn't coming down w/ aspiration pneumonia. Did anyone at the clinic feed him? Are his poops o.k.? I have had many that have slowly come down w/ it. They don't always come in clicking, but they will be very lethargic and slow. I would watch him carefully. I am not one to jump on the antibiotic train but it might not be a bad idea to start him. Something is going wrong and I'd rather be safe and start than wait and try to catch up later. They can also develope pneumonia from exposure too. I have one right now that has pneumonia and she does the same thing w/ coming up on top and getting cold. I have to watch her like a hawk.

[Loopy Squirrel]

Sorry, reread post and yes someone else did try to feed him. Maybe if he was already sick he may have been aspirated if he was too lethargic to nurse.

[Kathy56]

His pee is clear and he has no problem there. Can't get any medicine until tomorrow. My Batryil has expired. He has not pooped that much even though he had it smeared over his legs when he got here. Dark brown poop. He is still taking about 4cc's every 2 hours.

[Kathy56]

Forgot to add this. We had really bad rains here Friday night from Hannah. I don't know if he was by himself during the storm or not. Don't know if he was found Saturday or if he had been with someone before. Vet tech did not give any info on how or when he was found. Will have to call her tomorrow and see if she knows anything.

[Loopy Squirrel]

Don't ya love the no info thing and your supposed to figure it all out? How old is the baytril? I have used out of date before. Doc says most meds can go as long as two years past the date and still work. Things like amoxi, clavamox, etc. don't go more than 14 days once mixed up, but many of the injectables can. The hospital gives me a lot of their expired meds because they can still be used. I hope he does better.

[foxsquirrels]

Is your Baytril still in pill form or has it been put in water? My vet told me to use it anyway even if it is expired, if you feel that there is a problem instead of waiting to get a new RX.
Don't let me influence what you do, you know your situation and I'm sure you have a gut feeling. My mentor advises me to go with my gut feeling! And I do.

[Kathy56]

Its been mixed and it looks bad and its been in the frig since Jan.

[Kathy56]

Just feed Tucker. He took 3cc's and he peed and finally pooped for me. Still dark brown but firm.He was chilly when I went to feed him. Warmed up the rice buddy and let him warm up while I fed the other 3. Going to bed now. Have to work tomorrow.

[foxsquirrels]

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon Bless your heart!
Please keep us posted. I'm finished feeding now too and I'm going to bed. I hope getting some Baytril tomorrow does the trick.

[TexanSquirrel]

Good luck!!!

[skye]

In my thoughts hope for good news sending best wishes your way good luck with sweet Tucker:grouphug