Can a fullgrown have pneumonia?

[vampwhisper]

My Richardson's Flickertail GROUND squirrel hasn't really been eating for a few days. He's been sleeping a lot and when he does come out it's for a brief cuddle before he wants back in. He's having trouble regulating his temperature, and I'm going to go put a heating pad in his cage.

I've been listening to his breathing and it is very raspy. It's gotten worse today and is with every breath now. He isn't breathing with his mouth open though.

His nose does seem a bit runny.

Is this pneumonia? If it is what can I give him and how much? I've read sufatrim and Baytrol but not how much... I need something that I can get cheap and at a pet or feed store :(

Also, he's a few months old. I'd say 3 to 4. I'd assume from the numerous amounts of GS where I live he is full grown. He does NOT drink milk. He refused that the day after he could eat solids easily.

[vampwhisper]

By rasping/raspy breathing I meant a fluting noise.

I did try to put the heating pad in his cage but there were a lot of complications. I gave him an old t-shirt rolled into a nest shape for him and he cuddled/burrowed into that and seems to be doing better. He's warmer now and more active. I'll continue to check on him.

[pappy1264]

If not for the breathing issues, I would think he was entering into hibernation (which they do, but this is a little early...although they will def. be sleeping more at this point....when they are not eating...) Do you have a vet you can take him too? They need to get a good listen to his lungs, will most likely need baytril. Is your house on the cool side? I would offer him the heating pad, put it under his cage, not in it. (does he have a 'nest' he sleeps in made from hay/fleece? They will make their own if you give them the stuff to make it out of.)

Ok, just reread your post (need to wear my glasses!) He needs a vet. When they hibernate, they will drop body temp, and sleep much of the time, but the breathing is not part of that.

[vampwhisper]

Thanks, but I can't take him to the vet. I have no money and my mother says no.

He's in a plastic cage with a plastic bottom. I had a lot of trouble with the pad so I didn't use it. Instead I put a t-shirt in there in a nest shape and he cuddled into that. He's a little warmer today and more active. Enough to try to bite my toe playfully when I changed his cage. Is it still possible to use a pad with a solid plastic bottom? Under it I mean?

His breathing is better, but still there a bit.

He actually has two cages connected by a tunnel BTW XD SO it's not as little room as it sounds.

[pappy1264]

Yes, you can use a heating pad on low under a plastic cage. Only put it under half, so he can move away if he gets too hot.

[Adventurista]

Thanks, but I can't take him to the vet. I have no money and my mother says no.

He's in a plastic cage with a plastic bottom. I had a lot of trouble with the pad so I didn't use it. Instead I put a t-shirt in there in a nest shape and he cuddled into that. He's a little warmer today and more active. Enough to try to bite my toe playfully when I changed his cage. Is it still possible to use a pad with a solid plastic bottom? Under it I mean?

His breathing is better, but still there a bit.

He actually has two cages connected by a tunnel BTW XD SO it's not as little room as it sounds.

Does anyone know if there is a rehabber or someone else nearby who can help?

[pappy1264]

I don't know, this is a 'pet' but maybe with meds (or help with a vet. He should really be checked. But if anyone is in the area that can help....)

[Adventurista]

I don't know, this is a 'pet' but maybe with meds (or help with a vet. He should really be checked. But if anyone is in the area that can help....)


True, but it sounds like the owner is unable to take him to a vet. Very unfortunate situation.

Perhaps the owner could make a call to the local humane society? I hate to see an animal die because of inability/unwillingness on the part of the parent! :dono

[vampwhisper]

I live in Buckeye, Arizona. ^^; And like I said, parents. Even if someone could come over they might not be able to.

My father said that putting a heating pad under plastic wasn't a good idea.. has anyone actually put them under plastic before? I don't believe it would be directly on it because the cage in question is raised, but it'd still be pretty close.

[Adventurista]

I live in Buckeye, Arizona. ^^; And like I said, parents. Even if someone could come over they might not be able to.

My father said that putting a heating pad under plastic wasn't a good idea.. has anyone actually put them under plastic before? I don't believe it would be directly on it because the cage in question is raised, but it'd still be pretty close.

My baby has been in a plasic bin for almost three weeks, with the heating pad under it. No problems. The heating pad is on low. You want the heating pad to only be under half the cage, so they can move off it if they overheat. I think it's really important to keep them warm and hydrated if they're sick (I'm totally new at this, so I'm just learning). How old are you? Is there a relative who might be able to help? I think it would be a really terrible way to go for your little one. If I were closer, I'd help you!

[vampwhisper]

My baby has been in a plasic bin for almost three weeks, with the heating pad under it. No problems. The heating pad is on low. You want the heating pad to only be under half the cage, so they can move off it if they overheat. I think it's really important to keep them warm and hydrated if they're sick (I'm totally new at this, so I'm just learning). How old are you? Is there a relative who might be able to help? I think it would be a really terrible way to go for your little one. If I were closer, I'd help you!

I live in the middle of nowhere. My relatives couldn't be bothered really -_-;; They wouldn't drive out just to take me to the vets much like pay for it. That and the only ones that live out here that are still talking to my family are my grandparents. (not our fault though). My sister-in-law and brother might if I asked but I don't have the money and neither do they.

It seems like I'm the only one in the family that treats my pets like family and don't just get them because they're interesting. Most of my family's thought is that if they get sick it's pretty much "Oh well." They'll get medicine and something will be done, but it won't be a vet visit. It's mostly do to how we view vets though, they'll charge 66$ just to glance at the pet and use their stethoscope to tell us pretty much nothing. And then try to coerce you into scans, shots, and anything else they can make apply that'll get them money -_-

The only pets that rate vet visits (but not regularly) are the cat, because she is a persian (expensive/delicate) and my father is attached to her, and the stupid inside dog also because it is expensive (chinese pug and mother's dog). We do have several other pets.

They'll buy the meds for my squirrel if I know what I need, how much, and how to give it to him however. Which is what I need.

Y'know it's funny because when I wanted a cat I asked for an alley cat, an orange tom or a black cat, something that could take care of itself and was low maintenance. Instead I got a Himalayan persian cat that had so many problems the vet said he wouldn't live past a year. My mother got sick of paying for meds for him and then refused to take him to the vet for checkups or simple things because every time she went she had to pay more and more for meds she hadn't planned on getting, then he ended up dying at three years old from a urinary problem. My dad had gotten attached so he got another persian from an old man who clearly fed him a sob story and this cat doesn't even appear to be full blooded, given that she is pure white save for a grey spot on her head that my dad had thought was grease from his fingers when petting her. She has a few gray hairs also visible in her coat if you comb through it.She was also half the price of a persian, probably thought it to meant they wanted her to go to a good home.

Sorry for the rant -_-;; It just seems like some people are blaming me for not being able to take him to the vet and/or telling me I'm not doing enough. Which I think I never am...

Anyway, I put a heating pad under his cage on medium (to actually make it warm). Half under and it has an air flow due to it being raised. It is making the bottom warm.

The squirrel is more active and I've gotten him to eat more, by coating his rodent blocks with peanut butter. He will only really eat things that are mostly bad for him though... He's warmer too. This is before the heating pad.

His breathing still has the fluting sound, but it sounds better. Could he just have a cold?

[Adventurista]

Hopefully a rehabber or someone who is experienced will be able to tell you what he needs, or what is wrong. I'm not experienced with squirrels yet! :D

I do have a lot of experience with other animals, though. I know you didn't as for my advice on the subject, but I would encourage you to wait until you get another pet. You obviously love and intend to care for your animal, but your circumstances aren't making that possible right now. When you are on your own and have a job and can afford the kind of treatment your animal need yourself, I think you will feel much more satisfied about having your pet. I imagine you must be feeling a lot of frustration right now about this--anyone would. I would feel really helpless, but you're reaching out and doing the best you can in your situation.

Like I said, hopefully a rehabber will be able to answer the questions as to what you need for your squirrel. You also sound like someone who might make a great vet or vet tech as a career choice. I can tell how much you love this guy!

[vampwhisper]

Hopefully a rehabber or someone who is experienced will be able to tell you what he needs, or what is wrong. I'm not experienced with squirrels yet! :D

I do have a lot of experience with other animals, though. I know you didn't as for my advice on the subject, but I would encourage you to wait until you get another pet. You obviously love and intend to care for your animal, but your circumstances aren't making that possible right now. When you are on your own and have a job and can afford the kind of treatment your animal need yourself, I think you will feel much more satisfied about having your pet. I imagine you must be feeling a lot of frustration right now about this--anyone would. I would feel really helpless, but you're reaching out and doing the best you can in your situation.

Like I said, hopefully a rehabber will be able to answer the questions as to what you need for your squirrel. You also sound like someone who might make a great vet or vet tech as a career choice. I can tell how much you love this guy!


Thanks for the last part but it wouldn't be a good career choice for me because I can't handle scaly things for one (respect the lizards and hate fish), and I'd be poor because I couldn't possibly charge to help save a life. XD

I pretty much said in my rant that I don't take animals lightly or get one "just because". Please don't assume that, it does kind of offend me ^^; People BRING me animals. I don't get a choice in the matter. I'd be fine if I had a regular, and not fancy, dog or cat, because my parents did have a farm and do know how to administer shots and take care of basic ailments. Unfortunately that makes them think they know everything about all animals which is where my frustration comes in.

[Adventurista]

I pretty much said in my rant that I don't take animals lightly or get one "just because". Please don't assume that, it does kind of offend me ^^; People BRING me animals. I don't get a choice in the matter.[/QUOTE]

:peace Apologies! Didn't mean to imply that you were getting animals just because---truly. I work with a rescue for dogs (I have two, one of whom was a rescue) and they ask me all the time to take animals in. I know my personal limitations, though. As much as I want to take every furry butt that walks through the shelter, and as much as I cry almost every week when I see dogs PTS, I know that I have to have the resources to provide for the animal, or I'm not doing it any favors. Does that make sense?

I know you're trying your best to do the right thing! Maybe it's time to start a new thread, requesting an emergency dosing and meds for your guy. I've seen other threads where people have some antibiotics at home from a prior condition, and an expert rehabber has been able to provide instructions. Good luck!
:grouphug

[vampwhisper]

I pretty much said in my rant that I don't take animals lightly or get one "just because". Please don't assume that, it does kind of offend me ^^; People BRING me animals. I don't get a choice in the matter.

:peace Apologies! Didn't mean to imply that you were getting animals just because---truly. I work with a rescue for dogs (I have two, one of whom was a rescue) and they ask me all the time to take animals in. I know my personal limitations, though. As much as I want to take every furry butt that walks through the shelter, and as much as I cry almost every week when I see dogs PTS, I know that I have to have the resources to provide for the animal, or I'm not doing it any favors. Does that make sense?

I know you're trying your best to do the right thing! Maybe it's time to start a new thread, requesting an emergency dosing and meds for your guy. I've seen other threads where people have some antibiotics at home from a prior condition, and an expert rehabber has been able to provide instructions. Good luck!
:grouphug[/QUOTE]

I understand what you mean, but you're still assuming things. I personally only own two animals. None of the others are my responsibility. ^^;

Thank you for the concern! I was contacted by a rehabber earlier.:thankyou