Possible Development of Pneumonia

[Kallah2B]

I recently posted about one of three baby squirrels (from the same litter) I am rehabbing with a swollen arm of unknown cause.

Tonight I heard sneezing and faint clicking sounds from all three. From other postings on TSB, it seems like they all may have the earlier signs of pneumonia due to aspirated formula. I've tried to clear their nasal passages whenever I saw bubbling from their nose, but I guess it is still possible to aspirate even a little bit.

I cannot take them to a vet since I'm in Virginia. Would someone be able to help me with getting the proper medication and what to do to treat them?

Also, would Bene-bac help to boost their immune system naturally?

Thanks for anyone who can help these three little squirrels.

[island rehabber]

Kallah, hold each baby up to your ear and carefully listen for actual clicking/popping that comes with each inhale and exhale. If you do not hear this, and if you only hear an occasional "pffft!" or sneezy noise, these are normal for baby squirrels especially after they've eaten too eagerly. .
However if you do hear a regular clicking then you'll need Baytril for them....we'll go to plan B.

[Kallah2B]

Ok, I guess it's just first-time rehabber nervousness. I just checked on them now (it's been 2 hours since their last feeding) and all three sound normal. Right after the last meal they were sneezing a bit. And I do have one who sucks very hard on the tip of the syringe.

Is there anything that can further help prevent aspiration of formula? A certain type of nipple or syringe?

Thanks for the help IslandRehabber.

[island rehabber]

Is there anything that can further help prevent aspiration of formula? A certain type of nipple or syringe?

Thanks for the help IslandRehabber.
I like the Four Paws nipple attachments, which Chris Clark sells: www.squirrelsandmore.com (http://www.squirellsandmore.com).
I was taught to use the "push - wait" method of feeding. (Shirley Casey) YOU control the syringe, not the squirrel. You tap gently on the plunger, then wait for the squirrel to swallow. Then tap, then wait. After a feeding or two they get to know your rhythm, and you know theirs. :thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

Are you using the 1 cc syringe? If not I will send you some.

[Jackie in Tampa]

adding to IRs post...cause we all do this...
if they are aggressive eaters and they do have formula sneeze from their nose, hold them nose toward floor for a few seconds ..so formula can run out and wipe off so they don't re-inhale it!
Some are just noisey/sloppy fast eaters...and just get milk in their nasal cavity without really aspirating...if they are 'eyes closed' be very careful, as the little ones do not have the strength to sneeze enough to get fluid out of nose and will inhale it all the way into lungs...this IS BAD...and WILL cause aspiration pnuemonia.
:poke KEY is go slow, and as IR said...YOU MUST CONTROL FLOW,... FOREVER, never let them suck the plunger down when they get older/stronger.
I use silicon nipples from Chris's...and I love love love them! so do the sqs...when they get older...they will latch on and pull nipple of syringe...when this happens, I remove nipple and although they get mad...they do not swallow OR destroy nipple...
Glad they are fine!:thumbsup
they do make alot mouth noises.
enjoy!

[squirrelwhirler]

Hi,
I am new at posting. I am a rehabber in the Staunton Virginia area.
I too use Chris's advice from her online site [url]www.squirrelsandmore.com. I use the white mothering nipples attached to a 1cc "O-ring" syringe that I get from Chris. The O-ring syringes do not stick like a regular syringe. They last longer and are perfect for squirrels. The mothering nipple needs to be pushed up over the end and the actual syringe to keep it inplace. Use this nipple until your little ones are over 100 grams. Switch to a 3cc O-ring syringe with a Zoologic elongated nipple pushed up over the end of the syringe. I use a canula inside of this nipple when I first start them on it. The canula isn't needed once they are nursing well at this level. Don't switch from 1cc to 3cc too early just because it is easier for you. You may need 5 refills but you won't have aspirations. Control is key to any nursing system. You should be able to hold back the flow, you are in control. The most dangerous time is just before they empty the syringe, be sure you keep control until it is completely empty. I am trying to include pictures of the syringes with nipples.

[TimTimMom]

Have you considered that the swollen limb may be the beginning of fibramatosis (squirrel pox)? TimTim presented with what we thought was just a swollen foot when I first found him 3 weeks ago- at what I assume was about 5-8 weeks old based on his eyes open, full fur coat, tail, and size, etc (he had been abandoned- and maybe it's because of the disease that his mom kicked him out?). Over these past three weeks he has developed many more lumps and swells that from what I've read and seen pix of is definetely the pox. There seems to be some info on the web that if treated early enough there can be improvement (echinacea, vit A, anti-virals, atibiotics, wound washing in betadine, etc are all treatments I have seen discussed online- and also you might want to consider separating this squirrel from the others possibly????) I hope this is NOT what the swollen limb is, but be sure to continue to check him for other swells and bumps under the fur on the rest of his body to be sure. Good luck :)

[Kallah2B]

After sending pics to Chris and looking at all the possible conditions, it seems more likely that he has a joint infection. There is only one swelling (just around his arm) and it is rather a broad swelling of the whole arm and not a postule forming. Thank you for the suggestion, though. I researched every possible malady related to squirrels to see what could be the trouble; from bot fly to pox to a dislocated shoulder. It definitely seems to be some kind of infection, but the strange circumstance is how he has the infection and his two brothers who I'm also rehabbing do not. Chris did say that she encountered something like this before wherein one squirrel from a litter showed signs of a joint infection while the others were healthy. But whatever the cause may be of this swelling, I just hope that I can get the right medication for him. I'm sure he will make a full recovery.