Range of Sub-Q fluids

[StringTheory]

Bucky is still hanging in, but very weak. He's still been eating, but slowing down. He isn't getting enough fluids, which is probably attributing to weakness.

I have Ringer's, large syringes and butterfly infusion needles. (I've used them on other animals).

For those who have administered Sub-Q fluids to adult squirrels: What is the range (amount) of Ringers that you administered, and how often? I'm concerned about stressing him, but also about dehydration.

He's an adult, approx 1 lb.

[PBluejay2]

Bucky is still hanging in, but very weak. He's still been eating, but slowing down. He isn't getting enough fluids, which is probably attributing to weakness.

I have Ringer's, large syringes and butterfly infusion needles. (I've used them on other animals).

For those who have administered Sub-Q fluids to adult squirrels: What is the range (amount) of Ringers that you administered, and how often? I'm concerned about stressing him, but also about dehydration.

He's an adult, approx 1 lb.

I'm fairly certain it's 5% of bodyweight for maintenance and up to 10% over that for replenishment (depending on the degree of dehydration). Make sure the LRS is fresh. Any cloudiness at all and don't use it. Also, use as small a needle as possible so the fluid doesn't seep right back out of the hole(s). I'd give about half of this amount twice a day and not all at one injection site (behind the shoulders is good (but make certain you keep the needle just under the skin) and under the skin on the hips).

[Tori]

I usually give 10 to 12 cc twice daily depending upon their tolerance for the handling. Sometimes the flank works as well as the shoulder and then the bitey end can be covered with a towel....

[StringTheory]

I usually give 10 to 12 cc twice daily depending upon their tolerance for the handling. Sometimes the flank works as well as the shoulder and then the bitey end can be covered with a towel....

Thanks for both replies. If only he had the energy to be bitey. I've administered Ringer's Sub-Q only about 20 or 30 times, but mostly for reptiles. I wasn't sure about ratios for squirrels.

This is the poor guy that is going through vaccine treatment for melanoma. He had been doing OK before a very rapid downturn over the past day or two.

I heard back from my vet, who confirms 12cc. He's about 1 lb (453 gm).
Presuming that Ringer's is close to the mass of water (1000g/liter = 1gm/ml), then 12cc would be about 12gm. That's 2.5% of body weight, which seemed low (presuming I haven't overlooked something).

I've been trying to keep him warm, using handwarmer packets under a couple layers of blankets. And syringe-feeding, but at this point he doesn't have much energy to even swallow, so I'm trying to just keep him hydrated.

This is sad, especially as I had thought that the tumor was responding. If anyone has ideas for how to perk him up, please let me know.

[JLM27]

A prayer for Bucky: Dear Lord please hold Bucky in your loving hands and if it is your will, let him recover and stay with us without pain and with the joy of life. Amen.

[foxsquirrels]

I am so sorry Bucky is so ill! I understand how hard this is for you too! You can give him a little boost with a little karo syrup or pancake syrup mixed with a little real warm water. I use 1 part syrup to 5 parts water. Bless you for trying to hard to help him. :grouphug :grouphug

[PBluejay2]

[QUOTE I've been trying to keep him warm, using handwarmer packets under a couple layers of blankets. And syringe-feeding, but at this point he doesn't have much energy to even swallow, so I'm trying to just keep him hydrated.

This is sad, especially as I had thought that the tumor was responding. If anyone has ideas for how to perk him up, please let me know.[/QUOTE]

Try to get a heating pad so the heat can be consistent. I referenced some sources, and 5% is enough for maintenance (fluids), but if he's dyhydrated, you'll want to increase the amount some. I haven't tried this stuff before, but there's something out there called Vital HN (I think) and you can get it from Chris's Squirrels and More (I have some just in case but haven't actually used it before). It's a high-protein formula for failure to thrive babies. If the squirrel won't take anything else orally, at least give it something with dextrose (readily absorbable calories), such as Pedialyte.

We're all pullingfor him (and you)!