rapid breathing - baby red squirrel

[pixelgirl]

Hi!
I'm about to take in a 2-3 week old red squirrel, eyes closed. The public woman had it for a day and was feeding it straight esbilac from a can (she probably just thought she'd keep it herself or something)

It started not doing well and has very rapid breathing. Can anyone tell me what the most obvious cause for rapid breathing is?

Symptoms: Rapid breathing
No visible injuries

When I get her, I'll be starting with pedialyte first (maybe it's dehydrated from all of the undiluted food?)

I'll know more when I see her but any advice about how to stop the rapid breathing would be great.

thank you!!!

[lila01]

I deff could be pnemonia (sp)! If she didn't know what she was doing she could have asparated the baby and in that case Antibiotics would be a must ASAP!! Someone who knows more should be on shortly!

[pappy1264]

yes, could be aspiration pneumonia. Where are you located? Do you have a vet that would give you meds? Did she mention if she hears any clicking sounds with the rapid breathing?

[pixelgirl]

Thanks!

I just got her in, and she seems a bit "full" like maybe she was overfed? I do think I have antibiotics (sulfatrimeth from 4/2011 - is it still good? it's been in the fridge) (i'm a licensed rehabber) How do I know it's pneumonia? She doesn't have any clicking sounds as far as I can tell but I've only had her for 5 minutes! Will it hurt her to give it to her if she doesn't have pneumonia?

She's the same age as my other baby and she seems much "rounder" overall.

Advice? I can post a pic if that would help!

[CritterMom]

Yes, please, a pic. Is she bloated?

[pixelgirl]

Looking at the pics it's really hard to tell...

do you think I should just do the sulfate stuff to err on the safe side?

[pappy1264]

Can you take a pic of her showing her underbelly (hold her up with her tummy facing towards you). Baytril would be the drug of choice for pneumonia. Do you work with a vet who would give you meds? What is her weight? Umm, you will need to clean her face really good, all that dried formula will give her milk scald. Poor baby. Make sure you don't get her too wet and careful no fluid gets in her nose. Baby wipes will work, but be careful near her nose/eyes/mouth.

[pixelgirl]

Unfortunately the way my organization works, I get the drugs they give me and the sulfa stuff is what I have (isn't that an antibiotic?)

I might be able to get baytril but it's 10:30 pm on friday night and I think it might be too late to get anything until morning. It's frustrating because the lady fed her wrong for two full days before giving her to me!

[pixelgirl]

Here are more pics (thanks for your attentive help!!)

[pixelgirl]

also, as a side note, I tried giving her pedialyte and she won't take it and starts aspirating right away.

[Pierre]

Yes, give her the sulfa antibiotic. It's a good pneumonia drug since you don't have baytril. The straight up Esbilac might have dehydrated the baby, so keep trying to rehydrate her. Can you sub-Q?

[pixelgirl]

I wish I knew how to do that - the woman who can is out of town (our organization is really understaffed and underfunded if you can't tell:-(

I have her antibiotics and I'll just keep trying the pedialyte - thanks for the help!

[Pierre]

Good luck and keep the board posted!! :thumbsup :grouphug

[island rehabber]

I agree that this baby appears dehydrated and may have the beginnings of aspiration pneumonia. I would feed her VERY slowly and alternate warm Pedialyte with good formula -- Fox Valley of course -- as soon as you can get it. Dehydration will cause lethargy and rapid breathing. Start the sulfatrim ASAP as well....it works slowly and not nearly as well as Baytril but you don't want to wait on this one. :thumbsup

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123
Don't forget SulfaTrim needs to be given at least 10 to 15 days.:thumbsup3