View Full Version : Baby 4-5 week squirrel. Question on pneumonia.
NJsquirrel7
09-11-2011, 11:02 AM
Hello and good morning,
I am new to the forum and have seen there is great information and assistance available and I think it is wonderfull to know there are people that are helpfull in rescuing squirrels.
On Monday Labor day, which was a very rainy day I had stepped out of my home for an errand I had to do, thanks to God I saw something moving on top of the wet lawn, and at first I was fearfull to what it was and realized it was a baby squirrel. I rushed the Squirrel to my home and dried it and gave it heat. I bought some puppy baby formula and it has been eating well and it is very healthy at this point. The baby is a 4-5 week old that has not opened its eyes yet. It has fur and its tail is getting bushier, it is also getting active.
The thing is that I have been hearing the squirrel do some clicking noises and I am fearfull it could be some Pneumonia starting but I am not sure if it could have been because it was on the wet grass for who knows how long or if it could be because of how I had no idea ( first time doing all this) that it is better to use a syringe for feeding than a pet baby bottle. Before the syringe feeding when I used the pet baby bottle, it would drink and aspirate and i would also hear some clicking noises. When it is sleeping I dont hear any clicking noises but there some times when it does sneeze but not very often.
Like I said it is looking and moving very healthy and I think it should open its eyes soon, but I would not like the squirrel to have pneumonia. I would appreciate it, if I could get the assistance I need in finding what I could give her to alleviate any symptoms. I would not mind taking her to the vet, but I honestly would just like to know what antibiotic I can purchase a dose of and administrate to her at home.
I appreciate the help, thank you very much.
:grouphug if there's clicking coming from it's lungs it could easily have pneumonia no matter how it got it.....
i see you're in nj ...could you be a little bit more specific ... we may have some rehabbers/members close to you that could check this little guy out and also have meds....
if he does have pneumonia he'll die without meds....:grouphug
also i'm not sure if you are a rehabber but i think in nj it's illegal for someone other than a rehabber to have a squirrel ..what this means for you is it's going to be almost impossible for you to find a vet that will help and not take the baby....
if you do have a vet that will help you the medicine of choice is baytril ....
please let us know as soon as possible where you are so that we can help him ... we will not take him from you if you are afraid of that... the choice is yours but you do need to act quickly.....
ps:i'm also assuming he's being kept warm ...?
:grouphug
regarding formula.....
fox valley is the best ....
esbilac changed it's formula 2 years back and is not recommended for baby squirrels... it doesn't digest properly ...and for some reason especially after they open their eyes...
we have a temporary goats milk formula which is excellent for a very short time... (they need the minerals found in formula)
depending on how soon you can get the fox valley i wouldn't recommend switching to goats milk for one or two days...
just waiting to hear where you are.....:grouphug
NJsquirrel7
09-11-2011, 01:51 PM
Thank you for the replies. Well I am located in Bergen county NJ near garfield. If there is someone that is nearby who could donate or sell me the antibiotic I would appreciate it. I would not mind in giving it to a rehabber but if it is not illegal to keep a squirrel in NJ which I think i research and it said no; I would not mind keeping and caring for it. Yes the squirrel is maintained warm and is pooping normal poop drops. I am feeding it a mix from petsmart called GNC puppy replacement milk which is all that have I don't know what else and where to buy it.
Thank you very much.
hi: am waiting on info for someone in your area that could be willing to share info and formula....:grouphug
have emailed this person.... maybe you could do same in case i miss him....
thanks...
his name is nutmegspj
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/member.php?u=8387
have also started a new thread.....
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30343
need to figure out if your squirrel has pneumonia....
could you please give symptoms.....
thanks....
NJsquirrel7
09-11-2011, 03:54 PM
Thank you very much. I just bought a syringe with a long nipple like I have seen on YouTube feedings and the squirrel is drinking well without clicking and without breathing it but I still hear sometimes the clicking sound like now that it is sleeping but once in a while. I would really like to know what I can give her and where I can buy it and how to give it to her. Also can someone tell me if it's legal to own them in NJ/NY. I really want the best for the baby squirrel and appreciate the help. Thank you.
first of all i think it's illegal unless you are a rehabber...
the only legal states i know are florida, quebec, and i think south carolina... most of the states are illegal.
that said ... do you have a good relationship with a vet?
maybe you don't need one now but you might later....
you'll need to order some fox valley and until that arrives you can give him the temporary goats milk formula ...
when you order from nick ... tell him you need it asap ... overnight if possible... ofcourse ask for prices etc....
the formula you'll need is 'day one formula 20/50' it's for squirrels over 4 weeks old... i don't think there's much to worry about if you get the younger one from a member though....
he also sells something called 'ultra boost' and it's good for getting extra weight on them.....
the phone number is....
Nicholas P. Vlamis, President
P.O. Box 146
Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047
Sales / Technical Service: (800) 679-4666 Fax: (815) 578-4240
Outside US: (815) 385-6404
will come back with info on temp formula etc....
08-25-2011, 08:27 AM
island rehabber
Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: City Island, Bronx, NY
Posts: 23,477
Do NOT USE ESBILAC! **TEMPORARY Goat's Milk Formula***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...
Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula
Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.
One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.
Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.
Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.
Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.
Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.
It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.
*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.
When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.
__________________
Island Rehabber
NY State Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator
CritterMom
09-11-2011, 04:37 PM
I strongly suggest changing formula to the Fox Valley as prviously mentioned.
Squirrels make all sorts of noises, snuffling, blowing air out their nost in a little pfft! sound, etc. Pneumonia is usually clicking all the time.
Ask your family and friends if anyone has any leftover Cipro. It is commonly prescribed to humans and is the ideal for pneumonia. Then, if there IS a problem, you will have the meds, and someone on here can help you break it down and dose it. You do NOT want to give meds unless they are actually ill though.
nj squirrel you're still too new to get emails and private messages.....
could you email me at ... (no spaces, spaces just for security) silvana2065 @ hotmail.com
i've got a little bit of information for you
but one thing to know is that they're illegal in nj .... it's better to be careful ...so unless the laws have changed.... we're assuming they're illegal and you have to be careful .....:grouphug
NJsquirrel7
09-12-2011, 11:12 AM
Thank you for the reply. I will email you in a few, I did want to ask can someone please tell me what I can buy and where exactly the antibiotic I need for the baby squirrel? Or is there a home made recipe or something I can make or buy to take out pneumonia? The squirrel us doing well but I think I can hear some clicking sounds sometimes.
Thank you very much
CritterMom
09-12-2011, 11:17 AM
Antibiotics are not available over the counter.
If you believe this baby has pneumonia and have no vet, your best bet will be through the medicine cabinet of you and family and friends and see what antibiotics you come up with. If you are VERY lucky, you have some cipro. List everything you find.
i have no personal experience with pneumonia ....
it's good for you to be prepared as far as medication is concerned....
ofcourse you wont' be using them until you're sure it's necessary and you've been advised....
:grouphug
I Love Lucy
09-12-2011, 08:09 PM
Sorry if I have been MIA. I'm overwhelmed with babies and other life stuff. Anyway, it is illegal to have a squirrel in NJ unless you are a licensed rehabber. It is difficult to get a vet to help even if you are licensed. The antibiotics of choice for pneumonia is SMZ/TMP (aka Sulfatrim or Bactrim) or Baytril. Both require a prescription from a vet. Unfortunately I am unable to take in any more babies right now due to a family emergency. There is an excellent rehab center in Blairstown, NJ called Wild Baby Rescue and I'm sure they would accept this baby.
NutMegsPJ
09-13-2011, 03:58 PM
Repeating the above it is illegal to keep ANY wildlife in NJ. Even rehhabers are not allowed to keep them once they are releasable or confirmed non releasable unless they have a special permit for education etc. If you are caught with this squirrel even as an adult outside in a cage it will be given to a rehabber or depending on who confiscates it euthanized. Wild baby rescue is indeed a great place however its about an hour and a half from you. If this baby is clicking and doesn't receive medication more then likely it will die. You also need to switch formula as well or this baby will go down hill. Your best hope right now would be giving it to a rehabber. Please contact me at PumpkinSeedTreasures@gmail.com and I will help you find someone close who will take it in. Unfortunately as cute as they are and as much as you want to keep it I do not know of anyone who will sell you prescriptions.
island rehabber
09-13-2011, 04:25 PM
:thankyou Jean, Meg & PJ:thankyou
pictures are worth a thousand words ....:D
first of all Hope & Wildbaby rescue center sounds wonderful!!!
then google ...
google maps with satelite and look at what you see.....:D
they're surrounded by forest!!! no cars.... :bowdown
:jump wonderful place for a squirrel....:thumbsup
:thankyou
NutMegsPJ
09-13-2011, 10:42 PM
NJSquirrel you think you can give us an update please? People on this board have worked hard to make contact to those who can help you. Its been over 24 hours since you have posted here and curious minds want to know how the baby is and what you are doing if anything to help it???
Thanks
NJSquirrel you think you can give us an update please? People on this board have worked hard to make contact to those who can help you. Its been over 24 hours since you have posted here and curious minds want to know how the baby is and what you are doing if anything to help it???
Thanks
i've had some contact with him.....
i think he still wants to decide whether he wants to raise the baby to release himself or to give it to a rehabber....
i did tell him how wonderful i think Hopes wildbaby rescue is .... and how hard it is to raise a baby in an illegal state like new jersey....
i've told him about fox valley and he'll try to get some as soon as possible....
it's possible that the baby didn't have pneumonia because he hasn't mentioned its breathing getting worse....
but i have told him of the many dangers ...aspiration/bloat/constipation/diarrhea/mbd etc...
i've asked him to search/read as much as possible....
at this point i think it's 50/50 that he will keep or give up....
i did recommend that he try to get a friend for it to have company but the odds of that are low in nj ...
thank you all so much for your help.... :)
cls.
NutMegsPJ
09-14-2011, 02:11 AM
I appreciate your update at least gs1. I think its obvious there was some concern the baby was sick since he/she came to post to begin with. Its completely irresponsible to choose not to get this baby into experience hands and to make sure there is no aspiration and it is not in need of proper medication.
He/she doesn't seem interested in getting proper help otherwise they would have contacted someone by now.
I hope that this doesn't turn into another person killing a squirrel out of greed wanting to keep it. Wild animals should not be kept as pets. I cannot stress that enough. :shakehead
no nutmeg... i don't think it's anything like that at all.....
he has been asking me lots of questions....
and if i can't answer i ask here....
i have encouraged him to start new threads but i guess he's busy reading right now....
one of his reasons for not giving up the baby is that he knows that most rehabbers are really busy with irene babies and i guess he wants to give his little one a little bit more personalized attention.....
i can understand how he's feeling ... it does feel impossible to give up a baby knowing that you'll never see it again and always wondering how it is and if it's happy .....
as well ... just to trust that a rehabber is as kind and caring as we'd hope is hard ...especially since he hasn't the years of experience i have had with this board....
as far as i know he's not intending on keeping it as a pet.....
and while i understand your frustration and sadness at those that keep the babies and then unfortunately the babies die because they don't have experience to deal with them (or sometimes they die for unknown reasons ) i really don't like the term killing a squirrel out of greed....that is unkind and uncalled for.... although ... i have also had another friend that was so frustrated this week because the finders tried to take care of the babies and in the end handed over to her 3 dying babies....
personally i would like to see more people train under rehabbers (good rehabbers) so that they can help more squirrels...
thanks ... cls. :)
one thing ... if he does give the squirrel to a rehabber could he get updates? and poss... visits ... depending on the rehabber?
astra
09-14-2011, 10:23 AM
no nutmeg... i don't think it's anything like that at all.....
he has been asking me lots of questions....
and if i can't answer i ask here....
i have encouraged him to start new threads but i guess he's busy reading right now....
one of his reasons for not giving up the baby is that he knows that most rehabbers are really busy with irene babies and i guess he wants to give his little one a little bit more personalized attention.....
i can understand how he's feeling ... it does feel impossible to give up a baby knowing that you'll never see it again and always wondering how it is and if it's happy .....
as well ... just to trust that a rehabber is as kind and caring as we'd hope is hard ...especially since he hasn't the years of experience i have had with this board....
as far as i know he's not intending on keeping it as a pet.....
and while i understand your frustration and sadness at those that keep the babies and then unfortunately the babies die because they don't have experience to deal with them (or sometimes they die for unknown reasons ) i really don't like the term killing a squirrel out of greed....that is unkind and uncalled for.... although ... i have also had another friend that was so frustrated this week because the finders tried to take care of the babies and in the end handed over to her 3 dying babies....
personally i would like to see more people train under rehabbers (good rehabbers) so that they can help more squirrels...
thanks ... cls. :)
one thing ... if he does give the squirrel to a rehabber could he get updates? and poss... visits ... depending on the rehabber?
I agree with you, gs1.
I completely understand NJ's hesitation...
All of my personal experienced with wildlife centres and rehabbers have been rather negative. Aside from a few ppl on this board, I have yet to meet a truly caring and sensitive rehabber.
I, too, would be hesitant giving a baby away to some rehabbers/centres. A lot of them have "besmirched" their own reputation by putting down babies that appear weaker, or require too much personal attention etc etc etc.
Unfortunately, "rehabber" does not equal automatically "quality loving care".
Quite a few of them turn out rather ignorant about many aspects of animal care, even something as basic as choice of formula.
There are a lot of ppl who come to this board with all sorts of misconceptions and misleading information that they received from so-called "rehabbers".
There are quite a few ppl who came here and were helped either with shared meds, or even experienced rehabber's help without having to surrender the baby. I understand, that it depends on the area, what's available and who's available...
I guess, I am saying all this just to explain that I completely understand NJ, and would not judge him at all.:peace
I do hope that everything works out for the baby's best... :grouphug
Jester
09-14-2011, 11:39 AM
Your squirrel wouldn't happen to be a red squirrel would it? Red squirrels are quite uncommon in most areas of the state but there are loopholes and exceptions to the not keeping squirrels laws... and technically you can keep a red squirrel, a flying squirrel, and a chipmunk without even needing a permit.. but technically this applies to an animal you purchased, not a wild animal. If by some chance the squirrel happens to be a red squirrel, you may be able to find a loophole into those exceptions though.. when I got my flyer, I purchased him legally, F&W said just to hold on to the receipt to prove I bought him and everything would be fine. That's how I'm able to own a flyer.
Another thing I found before was that if you read carefully through the state laws regarding wildlife, they encourage you that if you find baby wildlife, before taking it in, to leave it there for its mother to find it. They never specify what to do if its mother never comes for it though.. simply said to do that before taking it in.. potential loophole.. I can see if I can find the page that said that so that I can quote it word for word..
I don't know if this would make it any easier getting a vet to see him, probably not, I'm still having difficulty trying to find a vet that treats flyers when I purchased him legally from an exotic petshop, but it could potentially help if you did have to raise him yourself.. Just thought I'd share what I know with you.. hope all works out..
Edit: Here is the list of species exempt from requiring a possession permit. Don't ask me why you need a permit for a little corn snake but not a boa constrictor, or why you don't need a permit for an osrich.. the laws amaze me sometimes...
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/xemptspp.htm
i know astra... you've had the most bad luck with rehabbers and centers:grouphug ...except for squirrelfriend...:D
it is so hard to just give a baby over, it's just so final.....
even with me ... it's the third time i've given squirrelfriend my mice...and it's so hard!!! even with her assurance that i can have them back if i change my mind... and i know her ...and still it's hard... and i don't even form that bond with the mice that i would with a baby squirrel... (cause they're scared of me...)
on the other hand i can imagine....the frustration and sadness that rehabbers like nutmegpj feel when dying baby after dying baby is brought into them for them to perform miracles.
but apart from that i totally love the wild baby sanctuary ... she sounds really good and i love her website..... heck i'd love to be a squirrel in those surroundings....
:)
NutMegsPJ
09-14-2011, 02:33 PM
Sorry but it was not unkind or uncalled for , its the truth and I have seen many on this forum die simply because of greed in wanting to keep it. If he/she had suspicion it was sick, they shouldn't be hesitant about anything.
Being hesitant to trust one will be as caring as you is one thing, doing the right thing and getting the squirrel PROPER care is another. Many rehabbers are indeed negative and seem cold hearted. I have experienced this first hand, trust you me!, however the animals they release are also the most likely to survive. My first squirrel ever I raised and loved to pieces and had to make the heart tearing decision to give her up because she deserved a chance at freedom. It broke my heart and I knew this place wouldn't care for her like I did, but its not a persons job to do so when they need to learn survival skills and have their freedom like a normal squirrel.
"one of his reasons for not giving up the baby is that he knows that most rehabbers are really busy with irene babies and i guess he wants to give his little one a little bit more personalized attention....."
I hate to say this but this should NOT be done if the squirrel is to be released. It should be raised with others, not humans. Humans are one of the many enemy's in nature. The longer he keeps it the harder it will be to give it up and feel bad and want to over winter it when its not needed and etc etc.
The right thing to do would be to surrender it to someone who could help it for real and not just hope love will cure it.
NutMegsPJ
09-14-2011, 02:40 PM
P.s. I know Hope from wild baby rescue personally as well as many of her rehabbers and permittees. I am good friends with many. Her property is to die for, her love of animals is incredible, and the people who work with her are very passionate about them. All you have to do is call her and talk to her and she will be glad to reassure you the squirrel would be cared for and safe.
The first time I met her I went into the basement area where she has the nursery set up. She was sitting in a rocking chair with a baby wrapped in fleece feeding it ever so carefully. This is her life and passion. She has a license and a good name for a reason. If you can't trust that I don't know who you can trust but realistically its not his choice. I am sure the squirrel would rather get proper medication and care and live , second its state law. So many die because the people who find them don't want to listen. Or they wait to long and they end up dying regardless because there is nothing we can do! I've had this happen way too many times which is why I personally go and meet someone at 2 am if I need to. Time is crucial. Making the right decision is crucial.
well i love hope and her sanctuary too.....
and nutmeg i agree with you about the many dangers of newbies raising babies....
i am so sad to hear of several babies this week that did not survive or were placed in danger due to the inexperience of their finders....
it seems even if we tell them 50 things they must do ...there's always going to be one deadly thing that they don't do and the baby dies.... so even 49 out of 50 ... it's that one thing that kills the baby.....
i really don't know the solution
:grouphug
and yes i see too how even a cold hearted rehabber can still be doing their job of getting them to release....
NJsquirrel7
09-14-2011, 04:36 PM
I am sorry I have just been watchful of the baby and trying to see iv I just go ahead and take it to the location of the rehabber or if to keep it and care for it if the rehabbers are full, but other than that it has been doing fine. I will take a video later and upload pictures. Can someone tell me the fastest way to do this? thank you
NutMegsPJ
09-14-2011, 04:39 PM
NJSquirrel you should really consider getting this baby to a professional , letting it be raised correctly on a good formula, get meds if needed and be raised with other squirrels so it has a good chance of survival when its ready to be released. I know its cute and you care about it but its the right thing to do.
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