aspiration

[kerri]

i found a baby squirrel, had it looked over by a vet. Did a TON of internet research on how to handle it. I got the whole esbilac thing and feeding techniques. I am very careful with her but it is so hard to keep her still while feeding. She has gone into seizures and has aspirated fairly badly 1 time about 3 days ago. I have had her for 2 weeks and she is now 4.5-5 weeks in age according to my research in the development of baby squirrels.
here is my problem. she is wheezing. I know something is wrong....so what next??
I have been to two vets who have given me wrong info and are very inexperienced in this sort of thing. Since they do not seem to know what to do, i thought i could find help here. maybe someone could tell me what to tell the vet? I am thinking it is developing into pneumonia. please respond quickly!

[Ardilla]

Is there a clicking sound when she breathes?

[Legomom]

What county are you in? Here's a link to a few MS Wildlife Rehab centers:

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/rehabilitators/missouri-rehabilitators.html

How is she acting? Is she eating, peeing/pooping normally? Is she cold at all?

If it is pneumonia, I believe the medicine of choice is baytril. BUT, I am not a rehabber, so I'm not sure what exactly needs to be done. Hang in there. Someone will be here soon to help. :grouphug

[kerri]

mostly just sounds pretty much like a wheezing noise similar to a human.... especially when she move around. she is currently silent and asleep, butit continues when she stirs

[kerri]

eating and urinating/ pooping is fine. warm on a heating pad set to low

[FallensMommie]

If she only aspirated once 3 weeks ago I would say allergies...pneumonia would have shown up sooner than this unless she has aspirated more than once.

Are you washing her bedding in scented soaps/detergent. Is she in a smoky environment, etc. When washing things she comes into contact wash with hypoallergenic non-scented soaps/detergent.

[kerri]

no. it was 3 DAYS ago. had some trouble getting her to snap out of it

[FallensMommie]

Is her eyes open...

A new sound they make when they open their eyes and experiencing their new surround is piggy like noises...can this be the sound?

[kerri]

hmmm. a possibility. she opened her eyes around 5 days ago

[FallensMommie]

When you say seizures is she having a true seizure or is she going into a trance when eating and gapping her mouth like a fish breathing out of water? If this happens stop feeding, stroke her on top of the head...it normally brings them back to and then you can start feeding again.


Are you using a syringe with nipple for feedings?

[kerri]

I already know about the proper bedding/feeding etc etc. all that is fine. but if she has fluid in her lungs i need to act quickly

[Legomom]

What are you feeding & how much/how often?

[kerri]

a trance, mouth open.... and i am feedind her according to a downloaded california rehabber manual....esbilac, every few hours.... approx 4 cc

[FallensMommie]

a trance, mouth open.... and i am feedind her according to a downloaded california rehabber manual....esbilac, every few hours.... approx 4 cc


You need to be doing it by weight to feed appropriate amount ....do you have a scale that weighs in grams?

If she is 4.5 to 5 weeks..I would think she needs more like 5 cc maybe a little more but we need weight to be sure.

[kerri]

sory for mispells. typing with one hand. but i am glad to take a bit more advice but then i am heading out to the animal er

[Legomom]

Kerri, what county are you in?

[Legomom]

Call the ER first...make sure that they will treat & return not euthanize the squirrel.
MS is an illegal state.

[kerri]

i am not giving out location info. i know about everything everyone is telling me (not to sound smug) and have found a wildlife reahabber not TOO far. I just need some help until i can make the drive. but thanks anyway guys. going to the vet

[Legomom]

does it sound like this?


.......A feeding seizure is when the baby stops swallowing and is in an epileptic-like seizure. Immediately stop feeding and gently pull the syringe out of the mouth. Gently tapping the chin or top of the head with syringe end usually brings the baby out of the seizure. He/She may look like they are in pain with the mouth dropped open, but not so. This occurs in maybe one of every four baby squirrels and usually goes away by the time they are 8 weeks old. It is very important to watch his/hers throat when you are feeding to make sure they are swallowing and have not gone into a seizure. Usually if you slow down how fast you are giving the formula, this lessens the chance of feeding seizures. You never want formula snorting back through the nose. This increases the chance of aspiration ( formula in the lungs ).....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjzxVyjduw

If you are going to the vet, keep her warm and dark and quiet until you get her there.

[Jackie in Tampa]

fingers crossed :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

Have we heard anything?tinfoil