breathing problems and click noise while eatting

[carob]

hello everyone i become the pround new mom of 5 baby squirrels three days ago after a vehicle was towed into the garage i work at and a reunite with mom wasnt possible. i believe the babys are around 3 weeks old they are dehydrated ive been giving them pedialyte and they seem to be getting better but i am concerned sometimes when they eat they will just stop and act like there gasping for air and make a clicking noise and after a few attempts they dont want to eat at all. i try to feed them just one drop at a time but they still do it. ive been reading and reading about what to do and i believe they have aspiration pnemone but i cant get any of the recommeded antibotics for them. i have some amoxicilen but i am afraid to give it to them since i dont know the dosage or if its toxic. any advice would be appreciated not just to me but also from the little guys

[Jackie in Tampa]

pedialyte is ONLY recommended for 24 hours tops.
Do you have them on a heating pad? set on low, half under their container? allowing them to leave the heat if it gets too hot.
I use a sterlite container with holes in the lid and upper sides for air circulation at three weeks old, I continue heat until they are 7-8 weeks.

Have you done the pinch testy? gently lift the skin between their shoulders, if it tents, they are dehydrated, if it relaxes slowly, they are ready fro formula...
I hope that after three days they have had some formula..
if so what are you feeding them?
If not, You will need to buy goats milk, heavy cream and yogurt and make a formula...
OMgosh, 5 baby sqs...how awesome!
Some one will be here soon to help more...Here is a sticky to help you with some do's and don'ts...
can you post pics?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21626

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

[rozdow]

Are they clicking with every breath they take?
What are you using to feed them? Syringe?
Sometimes while eating, sqs will gape (mouth open in a trance-like state), is this what you are seeing?

[carob]

they were started out on puppy milk replacement formula (i think its called new born? i wanna get some of that esbilc i keep reading about) but they were feed that for the first 2 days i had em.
i do the pinch test everytime i feed them to monitor any changes its deff gotten better but its not normal yet.
i only started the pedialyte yesterday afternoon.
they are in a small animal cage i made a nest out of cloths and have a heat source under it.
thank u for ur reply im falling in love with these guys and i dont want anything to happen to them. ill get some pictures and post them tomorrow :)

[carob]

i wont be trying that esbilac since i got a chance to read those links u forwarded to me...again thank u

[Rhapsody]

If not, You will need to buy goats milk, heavy cream and yogurt and make a formula...
As an FYI (for us)....... Where do you usually get Goats Milk from Jackie? :dono

[carob]

ROZDOW--it seems like they are clicking with every breath and yes it does seem like there in a trance. ive tried tapping on there back lightly thinking it maybe a gas/air problem. but like i said they only do this after i start to feed them.
at first they were bottle fed but i got a syringe yesterday

[SquirrellyMom]

The trance is actually pretty common. Atleast for me when they are eating because they are so focused on eating. I call them pigs in squirrel clothing. It may continue after a feeding for a little bit but usually they snap back to reality in not too long. I use a formula I get offline but sometimes in an emergency have used a store bought puppy formula.Sometimes the clicking is a sound of happiness. They are very vocal while eating and happy.:wave123

[mugzeezma]

Do Jackie's goats milk recipe and order the 32/40 from Fox Valley nutrition and 20/50 for when they are over 4-5 weeks ( or you can buy 3lbs 32/40 and 1 lb ultraboost) you will need AT LEAST 3-6 LBS FORMULA TO GET THESE BABIES THROUGH WEANING PHASE ... I used 3 lbs for 2
order 3 lbs 32/40 , 1 lb ultra boost and 3 lbs 20/50

http://foxvalleynutrition.com/main/home.asp

warm babies and pedialyte first

Goats milk recipe works for pink furless babies then use FV.

Clicking does not always mean aspiration. It's also part of their language, (my 9mt/o clucks in my ear all the time...part of his expressive language) however if you put their chest up to your ear and hear labored breathing or gaping over time you WILL NEED ANTIBIOTICS

Try to get a 1cc or .o5cc syringe @ CVS or other pharmacy for feeding you get better control of how much you feed.

Some babies have trouble figuring out the unnatural method we offer and blow milk out their nose. That does not always mean aspiration.


watch for
lethargy
no appetite for 24 hrs
cool skin temp

that's when you need to worry

please contact a rehabber ASAP when that happens

[rozdow]

Clicking usually indicates pneumonia. I have used amoxicillian in the past (though other meds may have fewer side effects). Infant decongestants can be useful in addition to abs.

Feed slowly with a small syringe & if a baby aspirates, hold it upside down until the fluid exits the nose.

If the sqs do have pneumonia, they need treatment ASAP!

[carob]

that makes me feel a little better i appreciate the offer of checking on them but it looks like ur in florida and im in pa so that wont work out. im still concerned about my one little girl though shes the runt and barely eats...
it does seems like there happy when im feeding them there little tails seem to wag like a dogs

[Jackie in Tampa]

Rhapsody, Publix dairy case..
As Rowdoz has said, aspiration pnuemonia is clicking with every breath whether asleep or awake. Bottles can cause this, syringe is reco'ed...go slow, hold the baby upright, never tilted back.
If aspirates again, hold sq with nose toward floor, do not shake, and allow fluids to run from nose. Wipe.
If pnuemonia, you will need ABs immediately. Baytril, Sulfa trim, SMZ-TMP, are sq friendly...ask friends with children and /or pets.
Pa is illegal stae to take to vet. Don't do it unless you are 100% sure you have a safe vet...etc...
Jackie's Goat Milk Recipe
1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt

sqs like their formula very warm.
do not store GMformula in fridge for more than 72 hours if using canned, do not store opened milk in the can in fridge, use a glass or plastic container
also needs to be diluted if canned...
freeze GMilk in to cubes and thaw as needed

canned GM is found on shelf near evaporated milk..about $4 a can

fresh is found in the dairy near the milk and heavy cream etc...about $5 a quart

please use a 1cc syringe...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24053

:wave123 I have to feed babies...
go slow:)
you are getting great info from others!:thumbsup

[carob]

u guys are awsome thank u so much i will get the babys on the right track and keep u updated on there status

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

that makes me feel a little better i appreciate the offer of checking on them but it looks like ur in florida and im in pa so that wont work out. im still concerned about my one little girl though shes the runt and barely eats...
it does seems like there happy when im feeding them there little tails seem to wag like a dogs

I am a licensed rehabber in Northeast Ohio (about 45 minutes from Erie PA), if you are anywhere near me and would like to bring them to me, I'd be happy to take them on. I have the antibiotics that it sounds like they desperately need. If you do not wish to give them to a rehabber, but are close, I could at least check on them and give you a little formula to last until your order comes in and give you some antibiotics for the little tykes.

I'd highly recommend getting these little tykes to a rehabber, though, because clicking is very serious!

[island rehabber]

:goodpost Those babies would be in the best of hands with SR&B2 -- hope you are close enough to her!

[Milo's Mom]

Carob -
I just sent you a PM with more info, but, if you are not close to SR&BT, you may be close to me. Please leave one of us close to you help you. If your babies are clicking and the smallest is not eating, it could be an extremely serious situation and meds may be needed immediately. I also have formula, heating pads, syringes, and potentially the ability to get meds. I will come to you, just leave us know by posting or by responding to my PM. (DO NOT post your exact location on the thread, send it in a PM)

[mugzeezma]

:goodpost Those babies would be in the best of hands with SR&B2 -- hope you are close enough to her!

Rippie is farther east i think...if needed

[Milo's Mom]

All 5 have been weighed, fed, pottied, & kissed good night.
They are dehydrated and they are hungry.
Going to go eat dinner myself now and then start the process again in a few hours. Going with small amounts at closer intervals with watered down FV.

Upon arrival their weights are as follows:
Baby 1 (boy) 45g
Baby 2 (boy) 48g
Baby 3 (boy) 48g
Baby 4 (girl) 37g
Baby 5 (girl) 38g

I did not hear any clicking as of tonight.

Will keep you all updated.

I am also going to ask Administration if these 2 threads can be combined.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Awesome, those weights are right around what I was guessing they would be :thumbsup. Good luck with them.