Orphaned squirrel help!!

[Zipper322]

Yesterday I rescued a young squirrel. He isn't injured and I would guess he's about 5-6 weeks old. Not quite sure. Will post pictures if needed. Anyway, I bought kitten lac for him before i knew puppy lac was better. So the past 24 hours he's been on the kitty lac. I also was using a little bottle and I some of the formula came out of his nose several times. I tried to wipe it off quickly and give him some time to recover but I think he might have some in his nose. This afternoon he started breathing more rapidly and heavily. He's also making clicking noises. But I don't know if it's because I'm holding him or if it's actually his lungs. I just bought some puppy lac and a syringe. But I'm afraid to feed him more and make him worse. What should I do? He has heat from a reptile lamp that I borrowed from my leopard gecko. Oh, and earlier today he was licking and mouthing some grapes. He seemed VERY interested in them. He definitely still has an appetite but the breathing and noises are worrying me. What else should I look for? He is not sneezing and doesn't have a runny nose. His poop looks normal and he peed earlier. Please help!

1:00 A.M. - Right now I have "Zipper" in the bathroom because I read that if you run a steamy shower it can help with his lungs.

[MsOakley]

I sent you a private message.

[Loopy Squirrel]

It sounds like the baby aspirated the formula and it is turning into pneumonia. Where in Florida are you? Do you have any access to a vet or antibiotics?

[Zipper322]

Orlando. I have a vet across the street that I was planning on going to tomorrow morning if I need to. What can I do before tomorrow that might help? What do I get at the vet?

[Zipper322]

Ok he just ran up the side of the cage and is now peeing. Lol. Is that a good sign? Still clicking though.

[Jackie in Tampa]

This baby should be on heat from below, not above. Can you make a rice buddy for him or put a heating pad under him? This squirrel should get on antibiotics right away; hopefully you can get him to the vet first thing tomorrow morning.

[Zipper322]

how do i make a rice buddy?

[Zipper322]

Nevermind. Found how to make one online. Can someone please tell me what I should get at the vets office and how much to give the little guy? I will be going tomorrow morning.

[MsOakley]

Have you read over this info?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11782

Do you have any kind of small scale, like for weighing food? If I knew his weight I could advise on how much to feed. I wouldn't stop feeding him as long as he's not dehydrated. You'll need to go very slowly though. Tell me what kind of puppy formula you're using, how you mixed it, how much, how often? As far as meds go, an effective one is baytril. The vet, if they know anything about wildlife, should know how to dose it. I'll see if I can find the name of a rehabber for you as well.

[MsOakley]

I read about this center in the Sentinal so I think they're still active:

Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge
18515 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida 32820
407-568-5138
www.btn-wildlife.org

[MsOakley]

Okay, I found a member who lives in Orlando and works at a vet's office. What could be more perfect? I sent her a PM and suggested she contact you. I'll call her Monday if you don't hear from her. Let me know.

[MsOakley]

Would love to hear an update. Tori, the Orlando rehabber, said she pm'd you this a.m. Please let us know how Zipper is doing.

[Sarabi]

anyone heard anything?

[Zipper322]

Ok, so I haven't gone to the vet yet. He was active this morning eating his formula and munching on grapes. Right now he's sleeping all curled up and he isn't making the strange noises and his breathing looks better. Should I still get some baytril and give him some anyway, just in case? Or would that not be a good idea?

[Zipper322]

I gave him a mix of kitten and puppy formula earlier today because I didn't want to switch him over to the puppy so fast. He ate well and didn't blow any out of his nose. I fed him extremely slowly, he was getting very impatient, haha.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hello Zipper:Welcome
good idea on the slow switching over of formula, how are his poops now and how have they been? A dab of yogurt will help the switch as far as gut flora. Dannon All natural is choice, no artificial yuck, I use vanilla, but plain is fine also.
I am still concerned about his aspiration. Baby sqs do make mouth noises that are very similar to pnuemonia click, but knowing baby has aspirated is knowing that bacteria may be developing. Can you get sq to north Tampa around 6pm today? I can take a look at and can have vet see also if necessary. I also have meds. If I can help, I will. I have to pick up baby sq pick up near I-275 and Busch this afternoon, couple hours later if need be.
Thank you for the update!

[Zipper322]

I work tonight at 5, so unfortunately I can't. How do I tell if the clicking sounds he's making is just him being a squirrel or a symptom of pnemonia? What other symptoms are there?

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Hi Zipper. Thanks for taking this baby under your wing, and providing him care and a warm home. He really should be looked at by an experienced rehabber who can spot the signs of pnemonia and provide immediate treatment. They can seem fine today, and turn downhill very quickly overnight. Jackie is one of our top-notch rehabbers, and it would be wise to take her up on the offer to assist. All of us wants a good outcome for their little ones.

[Jackie in Tampa]

because they corespond with each breath, if random ...it's not . Can you be a wee bit late, I can drive towrard you if youcan come a little ways. IF it is pnuemonia, an eight hour shift can be detremental.

[Zipper322]

His clicking is definitely random. Sometimes he doesn't click at all and sometimes he clicks like crazy. It isn't with every breath. So that's a good sign. What about breathing? Right now he's all snuggled up next to his rice buddy. He loves that thing. He's also obsessed with grapes. He runs around with them. He's pretty active and doesn't show signs of being lethargic. I can't make it down to tampa. But there is a rehabilitation center on the other side of orlando that I am prepared to take him to if necessary.

[Zipper322]

I am a dog trainer and have classes tonight, so unfortunately I can't call in or be a little late. I have crazy puppies waiting on me. Luckly I only have a few classes, so I think Mr. Zipper will be fine for a few hours until I return home.

[Zipper322]

He also pooped some nice dark brown/black little poops. Good?

[MsOakley]

I think you should try and hook up with Tori, a board member who lives in Orlando. Did you ever get her private message? I'm assuming she's willing to help. Please get him checked out so you can be sure he's healthy. If this is your first squirrel you'll need some pointers on feeding,caging and releasing.

[Tori]

I am in East Orlando you can reach me at East Orlando Animal Hosp 407-277-3497
how bizarre I train dogs too lol