Sneezing getting worse [Archive]

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 09:04 PM

Hi I originally posted this under non life threatening but now I am panicking. I have a Grey who was housed in the same room as a rat who had sneezing and died, I believe it was an upper respiratory infection. The rat died, and now my squirrel has contracted it. I brought him to the vet on Tuesday and he game me Baytril to give him, .1 mL 2x a day. I have been, but he seems to be getting worse. The sneezing is more frequent and now his nose is very very runny. My vet is not open until Monday and I am scared he is going to die, please help

gs1

03-11-2011, 09:16 PM

so the squirrel got the same virus the rat had, the rat died.

where are you (aprx) in new york ... i'd like to know if we have a rehabber near you that can help or at least give you a referal to another vet... just in case....

:grouphug

JLM27

03-11-2011, 09:20 PM

Isn't there a rat respiratory infection that is very dangerous to squirrels? Is it a virus or is it a fungus or is it a bacterium?

Rehabbers, please chime in or we are gonna lose Puck! Is this one that we need to throw everything at?

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 09:20 PM

gs1

03-11-2011, 09:25 PM

quoting island rehabber re: the explanation of medication.....

maybe there is another medication ... i've bolded it below ..but you'll need a squirrel experienced vet......

***********************************

from this thread .....

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27089

Medications on hand

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure

Rx:
Baytril -- broad spectrum antibiotic. the BEST for pneumonia and cat-caught, hands down
Chloro (chloropalmitate sp?) - an 'old school rodent antibiotic' that was out of favor for years, but now is valuable again for killing new bugs that are immune to Baytril Flagyl - kicks giardia's butt
metacam - pain relief
Dex - steroid, if used quickly after head trauma (fall from tree), may prevent permanent neuro damage. Reduces swelling.

gs1

03-11-2011, 09:28 PM

I am in upstate near Albany. I have a great vet, he is the vet for most rehabbers in my area. he believes it is caused my mycobacterium which is common in rodents. He mentioned adding another antibiotic on top of the Baytril, I am hoping I can get that in time...

did he give you a prescription for the other medication?

monday is too far off.....

does he have an emergency service ... you should have the other medication on hand ...why did he not just give it to you?

:grouphug

i hope rehabbers come on soon....:grouphug

are you friends with any rehabbers maybe they have that medication?

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 09:34 PM

I am not sure why he didn't give it to me just...I wish he had. He is open 2 hrs tomorrow I am going to call in the morning as soon as they open.

gs1

03-11-2011, 09:43 PM

:grouphug

mrs.skul (our senior member) has success with echinacea capsules in water for her squirrels suffering from squirrel pox.

it is a stretch but i don't think it will harm him to have some ...considering that echinacea is very recommended for people suffering from flu etc...

ofcourse ... discuss with rehabbers/doctor.....

http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2133940

You need to mix 1 capsule to 1 gal of water

question: you don't have a vet emergency service?

I agree about him needing some kind of steam too... it's supposed to help them breath better... but others can advise what is needed....

:grouphug

was what he recommended the medication that was posted above?

chloropalmitate?

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 10:03 PM

I have spoken to a rehabber/vet tech and I was assured Puck will be okay through the night and given some antibiotic names to speak with my vet about. She also mentioned the nebulizer, so I will be speaking to my vet tomorrow morning if possible, if not I have the number to another vet in the area. Thank you everyone for your help and I will let you know what happens tomorrow!:thankyou

island rehabber

03-11-2011, 10:05 PM

chloropalmitate OR SMZ-TMP can be given together with baytril for a 'double whammy' in a case like this. I would urge you to get meds into him asap and see the vet asap....mycotoxins can be quickly deadly.

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 10:15 PM

I am going to try to get ahold of some SMZ-TMZ tonight. If not I will have to wait until the morning. I am crossing my fingers I can get it tonight. Is .1mL enough Baytril to be giving?

UDoWhat

03-11-2011, 10:44 PM

This to me sounds like your Vet suspects a rodent strain of Bordetella bronchiseptica. I'm NOT a Vet but I have had symptoms like this about 4 years ago and they can be deadly fast. Did your Vet mention using Tetracycline as the second antibiotic. You must see any Vet tomorrow. My Vet had me use Baytril and Tetracycline together for 21 days. I lost many babies before we nailed this down. Also you must keep the nasal passages open. My vet had me use infant Afrin. One tiny tiny tiny drop in each nostril every 12 hours for three days. You might want to mention this to your Vet to see if this would be appropriate for this situation. I had 3 necropsies done to confirm the diagnosis. Also culture and sensitivity on all. I got up every hour through the night to wipe and clear my babies noses. They would crust over and cause open mouth breathing and stress. My Vet showed me how to use one of those infant nose suction bulbs but you must be VERY CAREFUL or you can collapse tha babies lungs by sucking all the air out of their lungs. Ask your Vet to instruct you on how to use it if they feel it is appropriate. I'm just relating what my Vet suggested. Your Vet may have other suggestions for you and your situation.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 10:50 PM

Thank you everyone for all of your help.

Marty- yes I am getting some TMZ very shortly, Nancy from New York is delivering me some as soon as she picks it up, what an amazing person she is! Once I start the TMZ with the Baytril, how long until I should expect to see improvement?

UDoWhat

03-11-2011, 11:11 PM

If this is what I mentioned, bordetella bronchiseptica, it will take about 3-5 days before you see enough improvement to make you feel comfortable. This kind of thing takes awhile to see improvement, sorry to say. Keep that nose clear, wipe with klneex with aloe because just like people even soft tissue will make his nose chapped and sore. The sneezing goes on for weeks even though it gets better. If I can help, pm or call me. Also TMZ with Baytril is very good . I see NINY is helping. You are in great hands.

Marty

fatkitty111

03-11-2011, 11:40 PM

Okay thanks Marty. I should add Puck is 7 months, so he is not a tiny baby.

Nancy in New York

03-12-2011, 12:17 AM

Just got home...met Puck and his mom. He has the SMZ-TMP now so fingers crossed he will be fine. By the way......He is adorable, and his tail is just gorgeous! Nice job there mama!!!:Love_Icon

Scooterzmom

03-12-2011, 12:20 AM

Did you weigh Puck? the dosage goes by weight. I believe .1 does sound right for an E. gray of that age (Scooter was an adult and he was prescribed .13). don't want to overdose the Baytril, it can be fatal!!!

Puck is lucky to have you to look after him, you love him and it shows. Just make sure he rests well, that he can drink without aspirating and keep pouring the love his way. I'll keep Puck and you in my prayers. :grouphug

Ahhh I see Nancy took care of that... WTG Nancy & fatkitty!!!

astra

03-12-2011, 12:41 AM

Just got home...met Puck and his mom. He has the SMZ-TMP now so fingers crossed he will be fine. By the way......He is adorable, and his tail is just gorgeous! Nice job there mama!!!:Love_Icon
:thankyou :thumbsup :multi :grouphug :Love_Icon :thankyou

Nancy in New York

03-12-2011, 08:26 AM

How is little Puck this morning?:Love_Icon

island rehabber

03-12-2011, 08:30 AM

:thankyou:thankyou:thankyouNancy for helping this little one!
Hoping for a good morning update.....

CritterMom

03-12-2011, 08:34 AM

Ask your vet if they can get any Nuflor http://www.nuflor.com/nuflor_glance/index.asp

It may be expensive; it is prescribed in livestock, which are large, so is only available in fairly large amounts. It is really, really effective in these upper respiratory things that don't respond to anything else, like the mycobacterium.

It is a new version of an old drug that was quite harmful; this version is not, and if you do some googling, is some good stuff if you can get it.

fatkitty111

03-12-2011, 08:44 AM

How is little Puck this morning?:Love_Icon

Puck is doing fine, he is up bouncing around this morning. He actually loved the medication, he fought me until he had a taste, then he grabbed the syringe and sucked the rest of the medicine out! Thank you so so much for last night, you were a life saver (literally)

fatkitty111

03-12-2011, 08:45 AM

I will be calling my vet as soon as they open, which is in 15 minutes, I will let you all know what he says.

Nancy in New York

03-12-2011, 08:46 AM

Puck is doing fine, he is up bouncing around this morning. He actually loved the medication, he fought me until he had a taste, then he grabbed the syringe and sucked the rest of the medicine out! Thank you so so much for last night, you were a life saver (literally)

Well this just made my day...:alright.gif :Love_Icon I am thrilled that little Puck is doing well, keep up the great work. :Love_Icon If you need anything....you have my number. :grouphug

island rehabber

03-12-2011, 09:15 AM

:alright.gif:wahoo:alright.gif

fatkitty111

03-12-2011, 01:24 PM

I am currently disinfecting Puck's cage and I was also given another antibiotic my my vet this morning. He gave me Vibramycin (Chemical name is doxycycline monohydrate) He said this will kill more then the SMZ will. I was wondering if anyone has heard of it and had success with it. I will be starting him on that this evening. He will also be taking the Baytril as well, but he said to stop the SMZ.

island rehabber

03-12-2011, 01:33 PM

doxy is excellent :alright.gif
great for people, too -- saved me when I had Lyme disease.

gs1

03-12-2011, 01:33 PM

Nancy in New York

03-12-2011, 01:50 PM

i'm so glad he's better....

but i'm puzzled ...if he recovered so well with the smz...then why change....

is he a squirrel vet?

anyway ... again ... i just wanted to say how happy i am for you ... and i'm so sorry about the rat ... i guess this is one of those things that add up to 'experience' ...

:thumbsup :D

edit: just saw that IR approves of the changes in medication ... good enough for me.... :D :thumbsup

I agree, good enough for me also, but to answer the question about the vet. Yes he is an exotics vet and sees many squirrels....but there is only 1 Dr. P...:D
I have gone to him myself with birds and squirrels, but my vet now will make house calls to me which is a lot less stressful....:thumbsup

island rehabber

03-12-2011, 01:57 PM

This is not by any means a scientific statement; it is only an observation based on my limited experience and what I learn from other rehabbers and TSB'ers:

On the continuum of "Heavy Duty Squirrel ABX to Lite Duty Squirrel ABX", i think of Baytril and Chloro as heaviest duty antibiotics......then Doxy, then SMZ-TMP as middle weights, then the 'cillins (Amoxycillin, Clavamox etc) as Lite Duty to possibly not even effective for squirrels.

All are most welcome to disagree. :D

fatkitty111

03-12-2011, 02:13 PM

To answer your question gs1, the vet chose the Doxy because it is 1. broader so it covers more types of bacteria, and 2. like IR said, it is stronger. I didn't even have to ask why he didn't just give me that to begin with when I found out how much it cost!!!!:shakehead

Mrs Skul

03-12-2011, 02:39 PM

:wave123 Hi FatKitty111
Are you giving Puck any king of Yogurt? That will help give back the good gut enzymes for digestion, that the Antibiotic kills off.
I am so glad Puck is feeling better. :wahoo
Keep up the good work! :thumbsup3
Christal
PS
Echinacea capsules
This Will boost his immune system. :thumbsup5

fatkitty111

03-12-2011, 02:47 PM

I am not giving him yogurt because although it is soothing on his stomach, the calcium will interfere with the absorption of the antibiotics. Nancy gave me some benebac (I think that is what it is called anyway) and I am giving him that once a day.

Mrs Skul

03-12-2011, 02:48 PM

UDoWhat

03-13-2011, 10:26 AM

How is Puck this morning? Hope he is getting better and better everyday! :flash3

Marty

fatkitty111

03-13-2011, 04:22 PM

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your concern for Puck. He is doing very well today. I had thrown away his chew branches so my boyfriend and I went for a little walk in the woods today and got him some new ones which are currently baking in the oven to de-germ then! He is still sneezing a bit but not as bed and he is coming out of his bed and playing again so I see no reason why he won't be okay=)

gs1

03-13-2011, 10:24 PM

:D :thumbsup

UDoWhat

03-13-2011, 10:42 PM

:jump So happy to hear he is better! The sneezing will most likely linger for a week or so. Sounds like you are getting great response from the antibiotics. You really did great with him. Responded to his needs lightening fast! :thumbsup

Marty