Help pnuemonia

[Pennyorf]

I have a baby squirrel approx 5-6wks old who is ticking and very lethargic all of a sudden. I have Orbax 68mg for my dog in pill form. Can I give this to the baby? How and how much? Do I crush it. Please help soon.

[gs1]

hi:

hopefully someone experienced will be on soon....

meanwhile...

please keep her on heating pad under half the container...

i'm sorry but where are you? ...whats the nearest main city/state...i'm canadian... and trying to figure out if there's a rehabber near you....

:grouphug

[Second Chance Wildlife]

I do not know what orbax is and what it is used for. Do you have any sulfatrim/bactrim?

[Rhapsody]

Orbax - is also known as Orbifloxacin / class of drugs known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics........ a pill used for bacterial infection in dogs and cats.

What tablet do you have? 22.7mg (or) 68mg

[CritterMom]

Yup - got this off their site:

Orbax Tablets Dosage And Administration
For routine out-patient treatment of infection caused by a susceptible organism, in an otherwise healthy dog or cat, the dose of ORBAX® (orbifloxacin) Tablets is 2.5 to 7.5 mg/kg of body weight administered once daily. (See DRUG INTERACTIONS and TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY.) The determination of dosage for any particular patient must take into consideration such factors as the severity and nature of the infection, the susceptibility of the causative organism, and the integrity of the patient's host-defense mechanisms. Antibiotic susceptibility of the pathogenic organism(s) should be determined prior to use of this preparation. Therapy with ORBAX® (orbifloxacin) Tablets may be initiated before results of these tests are known. Once results become available, continue with appropriate therapy.
For the treatment of skin and associated soft tissue infections, ORBAX® Tablets should be given for two (2) to three (3) days beyond the cessation of clinical signs to a maximum of 30 days. For the treatment of urinary tract infections, ORBAX® Tablets should be administered for at least 10 consecutive days. If no improvement is seen within five (5) days, the diagnosis should be re-evaluated and a different course of therapy considered.

[island rehabber]

Orbax is ok to use for rodents...we need a weight on the baby, though, and the exact strength of the drug you have.

[astra]

Orbax - is also known as Orbifloxacin / class of drugs known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics........ a pill used for bacterial infection in dogs and cats.

What tablet do you have? 22.7mg (or) 68mg
they have 68mg tablet

[Rhapsody]

KEWL!! ----- IR , Can you DOSE it?

[astra]

Orbax is ok to use for rodents...we need a weight on the baby, though, and the exact strength of the drug you have.
they say it's 68mg tablet. Is that enough info about the strength?

[UDoWhat]

Not sure how to dose it. Some sites say 1mg/lb another says 5mg/lb in rodents. Any one know ?? I'll keep looking.

Martyu

[astra]

Nancy from 2ndHand forwarded this link http://www.1800petmeds.com/Orbax-prod10198.html- some info about Orbax, in case it might be helpful

Pennyorf - we still need the weight of your squirrel for correct dose.
Besides 68mg per tablet, is there any other info on your packaging that might be useful in dosing?

[Nancy in New York]

Nancy from 2ndHand forwarded this link http://www.1800petmeds.com/Orbax-prod10198.html- some info about Orbax, in case it might be helpful

Pennyorf - we still need the weight of your squirrel for correct dose.
Besides 68mg per tablet, is there any other info on your packaging that might be useful in dosing?


Try this...:dono
http://www.1800petmeds.com/Orbax-prod10198.html

[Pennyorf]

He weighs just over 3oz according to a postal scale. Not sure how accurate it is.

[Pennyorf]

The pill bottle says Orbax 68mg #14. the pill itself is blue with the #11 on one half or side and the # 74 on the other. Can I crush half the pill and dissolve it with a large amount of pedialite or water and give a small dose?

[Pennyorf]

I live in fort myers Florida

[Nancy in New York]

I live in fort myers Florida

Hold off giving any abs. Lets see if there is a member closer to you that has the right stuff. How is your little one this morning?

[Pennyorf]

I stayed up with him all night making sure that he slept in an upright position so that fluids wouldn't pool in his lungs. I also stood in steamy shower with him last night and this morning for about 20 minutes. He ate like a bear this morning but is still breathing hard but not through his mouth. He was somewhat active earlier but faded fast. His clicking is fainter but his breathing hasn't changed. It is still labored. He is on a heating pad.

[Nancy in New York]

I stayed up with him all night making sure that he slept in an upright position so that fluids wouldn't pool in his lungs. I also stood in steamy shower with him last night and this morning for about 20 minutes. He ate like a bear this morning but is still breathing hard but not through his mouth. He was somewhat active earlier but faded fast. His clicking is fainter but his breathing hasn't changed. It is still labored. He is on a heating pad.


Awe you are such a good squammy. I put out some feelers for members near Ft. Meyer. I think your little one would do well on Sulfatrim or baytril. Hopefully a member near by can share some with you.

[Pennyorf]

Anyone in fort myers

[Tickle's Mom]

Anyone in fort myers

Jackie in Tampa is closest to you it looks like and she is actively on the board right now. I will send her a message. She should have meds too to give you. :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Jackie in Tampa is closest to you it looks like and she is actively on the board right now. I will send her a message. She should have meds too to give you. :grouphug

I notified JIT....:thumbsup :Love_Icon

[mpetys]

Here is some info. I can not vouch for any involved but this seems like it is getting to be a desperate situation. I called Respecting All Wildlife , Inc.
which is located in Ft. Myers. I asked them for help finding help for this baby. The lady referred me to:

CROW, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife
3883 Sanibel Captiva Road
Sanibel, FL 33957

(239) 472-3644

She said they have volunteers that will come pick up native wildlife. She said that she highly recommends them and when I asked about the possibility of euthanasia, she said they would only do it if the animal was so sick it would not survive.

I just called Crow, and spoke to a woman who said they have vets on staff and will do everything they can to help the squirrel so it could eventually be released. The squirrel would, I believe, have to be turned over to them. Here is their website: http://www.crowclinic.org/about/contact.php

[Pennyorf]

Any other options besides CROW?

[mpetys]

Any other options besides CROW?

Like I said, I can't vouch for CROW just what is on their website and my telephone call. If you know something that would make you not trust them or want to take the squirrel there, please let me know so I will have that information in the future.

Other than that, if no rehabbers step up, then what I would do is to get the yellow pages out and call area vets and see if they treat squirrels. Maybe try "exotic" vets. It is legal for vets to treat wildlife here in Florida. I have two vets that I use here in Tampa.

I'm hoping this baby gets help soon. :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Pennyorf]

I will do what is right for the squirrel. I am just hoping that someone near fort myers has some meds so that I continue to raise the squirrel with his sister rather than have to hand them over to CROW.

I never hard back about a dose for the Orbax I have. If anyone is near fort myers, please let me know.

[gs1]

if there was anyone near fort myers then jackie in tampa and michelle (mpetys ) would know...

any chance of you driving to their area to their vets?

:grouphug

[Pennyorf]

Yes. I can drive to their area.

[Nancy in New York]

I will do what is right for the squirrel. I am just hoping that someone near fort myers has some meds so that I continue to raise the squirrel with his sister rather than have to hand them over to CROW.

I never hard back about a dose for the Orbax I have. If anyone is near fort myers, please let me know.

ARE YOU GETTING ANY OF MY MESSAGES?????
At the right hand side of your page on the top, there is a spot that says private messages, click that on, I sent you several....

[mpetys]

I will do what is right for the squirrel. I am just hoping that someone near fort myers has some meds so that I continue to raise the squirrel with his sister rather than have to hand them over to CROW.

I never hard back about a dose for the Orbax I have. If anyone is near fort myers, please let me know.

I am not familiar with the Orbax. Hopefully someone else will come on that is. I wish we had more members down that way but I can't think of any. If you decide to start calling vets, just make sure you ask if they will treat and not confiscate. I know some people have gone to the Banfield clinics when it is for something minor and I doubt they would confiscate but I would still ask first.

:grouphug :grouphug

[gs1]

so what is happening now?

i've heard that kelly brady is in st. petes and might be closer ....

but i'm hoping you're on the highway and on your way to jackies?

:grouphug

[UDoWhat]

I have a dose. I have been trying to get someone to confirm the strength. Give me 1 minute to type instructions.

Marty

[UDoWhat]

I read the info below from a rat meds site. I will try to help with dosing. If anyone knows any better than me about dosing …please help.
I am using the following formula: weight of animal approx. 3 oz.( 84 grms)
Dosage 5mg/lb
Strength of meds 3.4mg/ml ( This is based on : take 1- 68mg pill and divide it in half. Crush the ˝ pill completely. Dissolve in 10 ml of water. This give you a 3.4mg/ml dilution. Make sure the ˝ pill is dissolved completely. Shake, roll, whatever you can to dissolve the ˝ pill. ) Now, after the pill is completely dissolved in the water You will need to draw up only 1cc/or ml from the 10 cc/ml you just dissolved and put it in a spoon or other small container so you can now draw up the tiny bit that is equal to 1 dose for this baby squirrel. I don’t know this drug or how it dissolves or goes into suspension but this is what to do. Time is running out for this baby.

*Give this baby 0.3 ml 1x per day as the info suggests .

The dosages listed below are what some limited vets are using. There is no written documentation regarding dosages for rats. *Dosage is empirical.*
Dosing ranges that have been reported are 1 mg/lb to 5 mg/lb , PO ,q24hrs (5 mg/lb for MSU Veterinary Internal Medicine)
Dose reported being the most effective in rats is 5 mg/lb, this is also empiric.
*NOTE*Toxicity less likely in once daily dosing therapy for aminoglycosides and the fluorinated quinolones.
Reconstituted suspension from tablets should be kept refrigerated and has a 14 day expiration time

[UDoWhat]

Can not believe I missed her. I am sorry. I was waiting for a friend who is more familiar with the drug to call. I did not want to over/under dose this baby and do it harm. So sorry.

Marty

[Nancy in New York]

Can not believe I missed her. I am sorry. I was waiting for a friend who is more familiar with the drug to call. I did not want to over/under dose this baby and do it harm. So sorry.

Marty

Marty, what do you mean you missed her?
What am I missing? I have been trying to get ahold of her all morning long through pm's.

[UDoWhat]

Marty, what do you mean you missed her?
What am I missing? I have been trying to get ahold of her all morning long through pm's.
I thought I saw that she was in the car on the way to Tampa/ St. Pete. I will have to see why and where I thought that.

Marty

[Nancy in New York]

I thought I saw that she was in the car on the way to Tampa/ St. Pete. I will have to see why and where I thought that.

Marty

OK Marty, I see it now....post #9

[UDoWhat]

Have we heard anything about this baby??

Marty

[Jackie in Tampa]

If needed, I am home, have meds, have affordable vet within minutes of my home..
hoping the baby is ok.

[UDoWhat]

Just wondering and praying for this baby one. Please let us know.

Marty

[Pennyorf]

Thank god for the dosing instructions. The baby is doing great. He is better than normal. He is jumping and playing with his sister, eating and crawling all over the place. His clicking is nearly all gone. Only happens once in awhile. His appetite is excellent along with his energy level. I am giving him some plain yogurt just in case the Orbax messes with his stomach.

I am so sorry to keep you guys worried without responding sooner. I ran out to buy a vaporized humidifier and started tending to him all night. The Orbax says that is starts working in hours and it does!

Thank you all for having this board. It is amazingly helpful and all of you work so hard and are all angels.

During their last feeding he literally jumped up onto her head. This was his first jump upwards. I am so lucky to have found you guys. Again my apologies for keeping you worried.

Thank you all for being here for these babies. You dont know what your help has meant to me.

[Nancy in New York]

Oh thank you so much for coming back and telling us this great news. We needed to hear this today, yesterday was a bad day here....:shakehead
This is a fantastic update. Kiss that little one for me!:Love_Icon

[mpetys]

I hope you stick around and keep us updated on these babies. We love pictures also and, you never know when we might be looking for some help in the Ft. Myers area!! :D

I'm glad the babies are both doing well!

[Pennyorf]

Anything you guys need, anytime.

[Pennyorf]

To udowhat: any idea how many days to dose? He is just perfect now. For my dog it said dose for 14 days but I'm thinking four days might do the trick but I just do not know.

To everyone else; thanks again. The babies are teething. Their top teeth must be coming in. What should I give them to chew on?

[UDoWhat]

Anything you guys need, anytime.

Please just keep us posted on his progress. I was so worried all day. Just sick that I might have missed you on your way to CROWS. I have heard wonderful things about CROWS in the past but your baby needed you. I am so thankful he has you to care for him. Bless you.

Marty * I believe it is 7-10 days but I will check on the length of treatment and post as soon as I have that info.

[Nancy in New York]

To udowhat: any idea how many days to dose? He is just perfect now. For my dog it said dose for 14 days but I'm thinking four days might do the trick but I just do not know.

To everyone else; thanks again. The babies are teething. Their top teeth must be coming in. What should I give them to chew on?

You can give them fresh branches to chew on. Just make sure it's from a safe tree, and I usually wash them before giving to any squirrels....:thumbsup

Here is what we believe to be safe:
Trees:
Fruit trees (apple, orange, pear, cherry, etc.)
Hardwood trees (oak, hickory, black walnut, walnut)
Pines (3-needle and 5-needle pines)
Spruce
(Avoid Juniper [evergreens with small scale-like needles] and evergreens with short flattened needles [yew])
Maple
Locust
Bottlebrush
Magnolia
Birch
Aspen
Poplar
Raintree
Dogwood
Mulberry

Plants:
Hibiscus
Natal plum
Lawn grass (untreated with chemicals/fertilizers)
Dandelion greens
Wood Sorrel (looks like a little shamrock)
Red and White Clover

Flowers:
Hibiscus
Roses
Portulaca
Moss rose
Chrysanthemum
Bottlebrush
primroses
petunia
daisies
marigold
torenia
camelia
Tulips/crocus (avoid other bulb flowers, like daffodils)

[UDoWhat]

My friend who said that the instructions were for 5-7 days unless any symptoms were still present... then it should be continued for 10 days. It can be used up to 21 days in some cases under the supervision and care of a Vet.
Also Orbax should NOT be given with food. Before or after feeding. I would continue with the yogurt.

Marty