New to TSB & currently have a four week baby squirrel.. Should I change his diet?

[babysquirrelchip]

He is on 1/3 KMR, 1/3 water, 1/3 whipping cream because his squirrel formula does not arrive until Monday. He has been with a previous person before being put into my hands, and he has been on kitten milk since his discovery (which was around two weeks ago). Here are some pictures of Chip (he is VERY active when you allow him to leave his blanket), we have found out that he might possibly have pneumonia (he is clicking and breathing hard), but we are determining how to treat him as I post. Do you believe he looks around four weeks and that he will survive through his pneumonia since we seemed to have caught it early?

Attached are a few pictures of him.

[Nancy in New York]

Just did a little resizing:

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/baby2.jpg
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/baby1.jpg
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/baby3.jpg
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/baby4.jpg

[SammysMom]

If he is clicking he needs Baytril immediately. Do you have access to Baytril or human Cipro (antibiotic)? Someone here can help with dosing, but it is urgent.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

How do you do that so fast Nancy LOL:D :D :D
I was doing the same thing

The people who had him first, did they say if any formula came up his nose??
I think you may want to give him some pedialyte for a couple of feeding to clean the kitten formula out, it is not good for him and give him some goats milk till you get the FV ( is that what you ordered )

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Is the clicking all the time??
is he doing this
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32290

[babysquirrelchip]

currently his dosage is being measured, I contacted a Squirrel Board member. I only have the 25mg capsules that we have used for my 25 pound cat. he is clicking with his breathing :shakehead
I hope that everything is sorted out so I can go ahead and give him what he needs, I'm very worried about him. I didn't realize he was sick until today, but my sister noticed his clicking yesterday (I was away for the day).
& Thank you Ms. Nancy!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thru the grapevine I have been told you may have baytril..
this would be much better if you do.
Please tell me the info you have on the baytril..
It is best choice for aspiration pnuemonia.
If either of the meds are expired, we should use what is current.

I will try to dose the original med,
do we know how much the baby weighs?

You will need a probotic with either one..
do you have any yogurt? it will help with the tummy ache..
how are his poops?
he may have diarrehea after starting the meds, especially if we use the clavamox...

[Jackie in Tampa]

currently his dosage is being measured, I contacted a Squirrel Board member. I only have the 25mg capsules that we have used for my 25 pound cat. he is clicking with his breathing :shakehead
I hope that everything is sorted out so I can go ahead and give him what he needs, I'm very worried about him. I didn't realize he was sick until today, but my sister noticed his clicking yesterday (I was away for the day).
& Thank you Ms. Nancy!
are you saying you have baytril 25mg?
is it fresh?
am I still needed Ms. Nancy:D or is someone else dosing these meds for her?

[Nancy in New York]

are you saying you have baytril 25mg?
is it fresh?
am I still needed Ms. Nancy:D or is someone else dosing these meds for her?

Nope, you're it Miss Jackie.
And.....you are always needed!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Sweet Simons MOm asked if he is clicking WITH EVERY BREATH?
both inhaling and exhaling, sleeping and awake?

Make sure he stays gently warm, keep him hydrated..
Home made pedialyte
1 quart warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 TEASOON salt
mix and store in fridge for upto 72 hours, then pitch it.
Never mix formula with pedi
never use only pedi for more than 24 hours

probotics should be ideally given two hours before or after the anti biotics.
I use yogurt (dannon All Natural Vanilla) as a probotic, I add it to my formula...we'll get to that after we get the meds dosed..:thumbsup


clicking will be from his chest, NOT HIS NOSE OR MOUTH.

[Jackie in Tampa]

do you have a scale to weigh him in grams with?
I am guessing here...does anyone think 60grams???
ugh, I so seldom weigh...

[babysquirrelchip]

I have no idea how much he weighs, but here are the labels (these were both used for a 25 pound cat, so they are measured for him).

On the Baytril all it says is:
For Max/Feline
Give 1 capsule by mouth ever 12 hours for 10 days.
Enrofloxacin 25mg

The Augmetin;

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0paxuX4U71qjtulno2_500.jpg

He's running around quite a bit.

[babysquirrelchip]

He has a little bit of diarrhea :/
Yes, I have fresh enrofloxacin good until 1/27/13.
it was issued 1/28/12

[Nancy in New York]

do you have a scale to weigh him in grams with?
I am guessing here...does anyone think 60grams???
ugh, I so seldom weigh...

Yes Jackie that weight sounds pretty much right on!!!:thumbsup

[babysquirrelchip]

Sweet Simons MOm asked if he is clicking WITH EVERY BREATH?
both inhaling and exhaling, sleeping and awake?

Make sure he stays gently warm, keep him hydrated..
Home made pedialyte
1 quart warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 TEASOON salt
mix and store in fridge for upto 72 hours, then pitch it.
Never mix formula with pedi
never use only pedi for more than 24 hours

probotics should be ideally given two hours before or after the anti biotics.
I use yogurt (dannon All Natural Vanilla) as a probotic, I add it to my formula...we'll get to that after we get the meds dosed..:thumbsup


clicking will be from his chest, NOT HIS NOSE OR MOUTH.

He is clicking with every breath but it will fade off and be much quieter. He was given some pedialyte yesterday, around 1cc with 2ccs of kmr. I've noticed that sometimes he will stop clicking momentarily, but it starts again. Both awake and asleep.

[Jackie in Tampa]

the manufacturers do not make enrofloxacin in 25mg..
hang on, let me see if it is a flavored variety..
can you post a pic of the enro/baytril?
I would rather use baytril/enro for the tummy issues and possibility of bloody stools with the clavamox...

[Nancy in New York]

the manufacturers do not make enrofloxacin in 25mg..
hang on, let me see if it is a flavored variety..
can you post a pic of the enro/baytril?
I would rather use baytril/enro for the tummy issues and possibility of bloody stools with the clavamox...

Here's a link Jackie, see if this helps.
http://www.petdrugs.com/cats/product/Baytril+Oral+Solution/624/

[babysquirrelchip]

the manufacturers do not make enrofloxacin in 25mg..
hang on, let me see if it is a flavored variety..
can you post a pic of the enro/baytril?
I would rather use baytril/enro for the tummy issues and possibility of bloody stools with the clavamox...

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/tumblr_m0pbxhb3oG1qe9ct2o1_500-1.jpg

Just did a little editing...:D

[babysquirrelchip]

i havent fed him since 7:15. what should I feed him right now? its now 11PM. I was waiting for the dosage of baytril to feed him, but it's taken a little longer than I have expected, and he's used to eating every 2-3 hours?

[Jackie in Tampa]

okay...I use the bayer web site...it's not shown anywhere that I can find...

:thumbsup will dose with info provided...25mg enrofloxacin tablet:thumbsup
brb..gotta do the math

[Nancy in New York]

i havent fed him since 7:15. what should I feed him right now? its now 11PM. I was waiting for the dosage of baytril to feed him, but it's taken a little longer than I have expected, and he's used to eating every 2-3 hours?

Give him whatever you were feeding him before. Do you have the 1 cc syringes? Remember to feed in an upright postiion....slowly.:thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

you will need a 1cc syringe that is legible

using two spoons, crush one tablet in one spoon with the other,
pour powder into a small lidded container (baby food jar works well)
add 2 cc water (cc and ml are the same)
stir well, try not to draw from the bottom {keep swirling fluid so it does not seperate...}
dose will be 0.05ml once a day for 5-7 days
this is less than 1/4 inch on a 1cc syringe
(even if the clicking stops tomorrow, use for 5 days very least)

keep this in the refrdigerator
label container 12.5mg/ml

this solution is good for ten days only, useless after that,

I am not diagnosing your squirrel, I am only dosing what you asked.
Good luck and keep all fluids warm to almost hot, hold him upright, tail to the floor, NOT tilted back like a human baby.
if fluid/bubbles, does come out his nose, gently tip him nose toward floor, allow enough time to drain fluid from lungs and nasal...wipe it off so he does not re inhale it...slow is key...

:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Just one more thing....because I am a worrier. When Jackie gives you the dose, look at your syringe very carefully, and make sure you understand the measurements. I will guarantee that the dose will be no more than a drop or two at the most. Practice first with water if you have to, just to show yourself how little the amount will be, but also make sure that you get it all in him.
When you are dealing with such a tiny amount of medicine, every single drop counts (thank you Jackie)
Once you know you have the right amount, place the syringe right in the side of his mouth and push.

[Jackie in Tampa]

like Ms. Nancy said...
it's very yucky, so give him a wash afterwards...some formula will cut the taste:)

[Nancy in New York]

As I said, I am a worrier, just be glad that you are not my kids....I drive them crazy....:rotfl
This is a 1 cc syringe. You can see the 0.1 written on the syringe and it goes up to 1.0. When Jackie says to dose at 0.05 you go to where I drew the blue line. There are 10 little lines going up to the 0.1 mark, you would go to the fifth line and that will be 0.05...:D
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/IMG_3787.jpg

[SammysMom]

I love your worrying little heart Nancy!!! Prayers for this little...you are in some of the best hands on the board with the combo of Jackie and Nancy in NY! :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I love your worrying little heart Nancy!!! Prayers for this little...you are in some of the best hands on the board with the combo of Jackie and Nancy in NY! :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Awe.....you are too kind....:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[babysquirrelchip]

okay...I use the bayer web site...it's not shown anywhere that I can find...

:thumbsup will dose with info provided...25mg enrofloxacin tablet:thumbsup
brb..gotta do the math

Thank you! I find it unusual that he is not lethargic at all and that he seems to not really have too bad for an affected appetite? He seems to be clicking and breathing a little hard, so that means it must be pneumonia?

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you! I find it unusual that he is not lethargic at all and that he seems to not really have too bad for an affected appetite? He seems to be clicking and breathing a little hard, so that means it must be pneumonia?

You would really be surprised how these little ones can sometimes mask their problems....and then all of a sudden when they take a turn for the worse, they go down so suddenly.
If you are hearing the clicking, treat him....did you give him the meds yet?
Heading off to bed, good luck with him and let us know in the morning how he is doing...:grouphug
Oh, and welcome to the board, glad that you found us. Also happy that you called the right person....:thumbsup :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thank you SammysMom, as NINY always says..it takes a village to raise a squirrel!:)
good luck BSqChip:bowdown good job!
Thanks Leigh:wave123
nite nite Nancy

[Nancy in New York]

Thank you SammysMom, as NINY always says..it takes a village to raise a squirrel!:)
good luck BSqChip:bowdown good job!
Thanks Leigh:wave123
nite nite Nancy

Good night Jackie...:Love_Icon

[babysquirrelchip]

Chip took the medicine like a champ, I did everything according to what was told. The picture of the syringe was also very helpful because mine starts labeling at .5 >.< , ours look very similar in size though. He took the medicine without complaint, and is now back asleep.
Let's hope for a good recovery!
:thumbsup

Thank you everyone for your help. I don't know what I would have done without you!

[Nancy in New York]

Just checking in to see how the little one is doing...:)
:Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

AWESOME teamwork, all of you. babysquirrelchip, all I can add is you must be VERY consistent with his meds over the next 48 hours in order to turn the pneumonia around. Keep him QUITE (no running arund) and ON HEAT. He can get through this, but only with your consistent help.

[Nancy in New York]

What size syringes are you using? You need to have the 1 cc, nothing larger. Are you using a nipple?
If you don't have those, go to the drug store, speak to the pharmacist, and ask them if they have a 1 cc syringe with no needle that you can buy.
Also if you have him on a heating pad, do his container half on the pad and half off, in case he gets too warm, and keep the setting on LOW.
:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Just checking in...How's the patient this morning?

[babysquirrelchip]

I do not notice any clicking, to begin with. Luckily his food comes in tomorrow. I am about to go give him his second dose of Baytril momentarily.
The heating pad is one that the temperature of it can be chosen, so I am able to monitor the temp at all times. Also, half is under the box while the other is not.
I went to CVS today and a very nice gentleman let me have one of their 1 ccs syringes. The one I was using was a 1 cc syringe, but it was labeled a little oddly (such as starting at .5). This one is much better.
:thankyou

[Nancy in New York]

I do not notice any clicking, to begin with. Luckily his food comes in tomorrow. I am about to go give him his second dose of Baytril momentarily.
The heating pad is one that the temperature of it can be chosen, so I am able to monitor the temp at all times. Also, half is under the box while the other is not.
I went to CVS today and a very nice gentleman let me have one of their 1 ccs syringes. The one I was using was a 1 cc syringe, but it was labeled a little oddly (such as starting at .5). This one is much better.
:thankyou

Sounds like you have everything under control....:thumbsup
You're doing great! :grouphug :grouphug
More syringes and nipples being shipped tomorrow....:D
:grouphug

[Skul]

Might mention.
It's well worth the time to continue dosing for a couple days.
Too often, folks stop when when symptoms dissappear, only to have a recurrence.

Just an after thought.
Jackie, IR, Nancy.
Would addition of pro-biotics or natural yogurt be a benefit at this time?