Please advise!

[Taffy]

We have two babies that are now approx 6-7 weeks old (found on 8-3-12). Apparently they fell from a tree, but we were unable to find a nest anywhere. One, the male, is doing great. Putting on weight, beginning to eat proper foods, and energetic. The other, it has been a roller coaster ride with. She had a broken leg when we found her. It did not break through the skin, but was a few days old by the time we found her, bruised and swollen. We treated that, and the swelling has gone down and she has now started using the leg without any problems. However, she seems to have other issues, and one day is great, up and running, the next, doesnt want to eat and is lethargic. That is how she is at this moment. I noticed some bloating of her stomach, so I took her off her milk and started her on water and pedialyte only. She just doesnt look right to me tonight. Her eyes are bulging more, and her mouth seems drawn. After doing just great yesterday, I just dont know. She remains sleeping, and insists on me holding her as she doesnt feel good at all. She is also only about half her brothers size. Suggestions? I've aided and released 5 squirrels in the past few years, but never had one with injuries or problems like this poor baby has.

[Itchiku's dad]

o.k I'm not a rehabber, so I can't answer you questions directly. but will get you to post some additional information. that will be asked.What formula are you feeding have you got a picture of the little girl. Were they given to you or did you find them. In the meantime I'll see if one of the rehabbers is online.

[Taffy]

Yes, I do have a picture, I'll send it in one moment.

[Taffy]

We found the babies. And the formula is the same that we've used many times in the past, Hartz Precision Nutrition Milk Replacement for Kittens.

[Itchiku's dad]

You will be advised to not feed kitten milk, but for now I forgot to ask is she peeing and pooping o.k.

[Taffy]

peeing, pooping is good.
she just now started gasping.

[Taffy]

Maybe pneomonia?! It looks like a possibility. I've just never had this happen before, and feel really lost. This poor little one has been through so much already. Where can I get an antiobotic, and figure a dosage?

[Taffy]

I don't know what to do with her right now, this late. I've been holding her, giving sips of pedialyte for 5 hours now...

[Itchiku's dad]

is she clicking when she breathes. Just checked up on that formula and from the little i could find it's got hardly any protein or fat in it. What time is it there and do you have 24 hour drug store nearby.

[Taffy]

I honestly can't tell if she is "clicking" when she breaths, or if it is noise from her nose, as she isn't doing it all the time.

It is 3am here...I just am afraid to put her down. Not that I am helping her much here. And, I live about 20 miles from a 24 hour pharmacy, which is in a bad section of town, unfortunately.

I did go to the site they recommend here, and ordered some of the formula.

[Itchiku's dad]

just PMed a rehabber who's online now hopefully they will come to this thread soon in the meantime what medications do you have handy and how much does the squirrel weigh. Don't suppose you're anything like ensure in the house.

[Taffy]

I don't have Ensure at the moment, but do have heavy cream? She is actually bloated at the moment, too, and is refusing to take milk. I figured she would do better missing a meal of milk, and just going with the pedialyte because of the bloating?

[Itchiku's dad]

if shes bloated then no milk. pedialyte only till one of the rehabbers says otherwise and keep her warm, down your T-shirt if you don't have a heating pad.

[Taffy]

Drugs in the house, not really sure. What might work, and I can see if I have it? And, I'm hoping the heating pad will help her. I will set my alarm for 2 hours and check on her, as my heating pad goes off then. I've been up since 9am, and its now 3am again. I pray she makes it through the night, and I will keep you posted. Thank you so much. If you have more suggestions for me, please advise. I will check again in 2 hours.

[Itchiku's dad]

If she does have pneumonia antibiotics but will need a weight of the squirrel to dose.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Is she breathing at a normal pace? Or slow breaths where she goes a while then opens her mouth and takes a deep breath? If she is breathing at a normal pace just opens her mouth to breath, then it's likely pneumonia and she needs antibiotics ASAP, Baytril or sulfa-trim. If it is slow breathing and she opens her mouth each time that is not good and you should check on her often and make sure she is staying warm to the touch. Is she staying on heat and snuggling? Or trying to crawl off?

Hartz is not good :(. It causes bloat and doesn't have enough protein and fat for the little tykes. Something definitely looks wrong with her head, I don't know if she has swelling or if that's like a Hartz look. Can you post a picture of her next to her brother who is doing good. As long as she is peeing and pooping, I'd start her on goats milk mixed with heavy whipping cream (make sure the heavy whipping cream does NOT contain skim milk, it should just be cream, which is milk fat).

Which limb was broken? Can you take a picture of it now.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome
Hi, sorry you are having problems, it sounds as if you need to make a few changes to start HARTZ is CRAP and kills animals..
HARTZ is inferior and is now hiding behind a sister company name because the public knows of their neglegence..They also call them selves L&M farms..:shakehead bad news HARTZ.
..but for now we can address the pnuemonia...
aspiration pnuemonia does require ABs..
there is no other way to help her...
do you have any human Anti biotics or pet meds?
the clicking will come from her chest and be with every breath whether she is asleep or awake, sq do make alot of mouth sounds..
if you have a stethoscope you will know for sure.
where are you in Georgia, maybe we have some member help close enough...

[Jackie in Tampa]

it's a little boy in the pic BTW:D

[Itchiku's dad]

I thought that too but was so busy trying to find someone experienced I didn't mention it. Thanks to all that responded to the PM's I think they're offline for 2 hours and will check in again then, so fingers crossed.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I'm not sure its male. Could be swollen female, doesn't it look low for a penis? Are you sure she's peeing? And does she have soft poop at all? I've seen girls that were really swollen like that (only greys not foxers, but she's a grey) when they couldn't urinate, usually due to spinal trauma, reds will swell up like that as well.

[Taffy]

The little girl is doing slightly better. (Definitely a girl, btw.) She is not gasping at the moment, either.

Last night I found some Bactrim in the house, broke one in half and saturated it with pedialyte. I mixed it well, and gave her just a few drops. (Someone know a dose?) And, I can go to the store today, so please advise me on the correct type of antibiotic to get for her?

She is peeing, but only when I stimulate her. And, this is a bit of mucous in her stool that appears to contain small amount of blood, as I am now seeing a red tinge of color that wasn't there before.

Locally I can get a puppy milk replacer that has 40% fat content, and 33% protein. Is that a better ratio?

Her broken leg has healed, and is no longer swollen or red, but she has remained wobbly, even front end. The spinal injury does seem a possibility. I also noted that today she seems to be moving her head up to the right. This is new, and worries me too.

I've started feeding her smaller doses every two hours, and rubbing her down afterwards again, as I did at 3 weeks of age. And, keeping her warm. I think the clicking noise I hear is more from her nose, to be honest, but am not sure.

I'll try to get a pic of her beside her brother and post it.

[Taffy]

Forgot to say, I'm right outside of Augusta, Ga. She won't let me put her in her little warm box, just wants to be held. The box is just warm, not hot, filled with t-shirt material. But, she wants my warm hands.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Is it possible for you to get a video of her walking? I know her eyes are still closed (right?) so she's gonna be wobbly, but if she has spinal trauma, she'll probably have a weird walk that might be noticeable. Does she drag a leg? How does her tail move?

[Taffy]

I want to thank you all for attempting to help me with this poor little baby squirrel. Most of my typing was done with one hand, so it was done poorly, as I was holding the little baby in the other.

After all my true attempts to help her, she passed away about an hour ago. I really do believe that she had something else that was damaged internally from her fall. Your question about how she walked: when I could get her to walk, she did stumble alot, and didn't seem to have much coordination. I had also noticed several time blotchy darker patches on her belly after she would feed, like perhaps there was some internal bleeding. She tried, we tried, and now I feel I have lost a small piece of my heart. Amazing how these little precious creatures can envelop you so quickly...I will always remember and cherish the time I had with her.

On a brighter and thankful note, her brother seems to be doing very well. He is maturing great, and loves to climb the tree branches we installed in the little sactuary we set up temporarily for them. I did switch his formula to one with a higher fat/protein content, just to be sure that he is getting the neccessary nutrition he needs, and will be adding foods slowly in the future. I'll share a pic with him, as well, when he gets up.

Again, thank you so very much. What you guys do here is so comforting, and just knowing that someone else out there cares for these little precious gifts from God, makes it all worthwhile. Living in the middle of the woods, like I do, it just is never an easy thing to deal with when it ends up like this. But, thank you thank you, thank you...so very much. HUGS to each of you.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

So sorry to hear that she passed :sad. Thanks for trying to help her out. She probably had spinal trauma or other internal injuries. I hope the little boy does well :grouphug

[Itchiku's dad]

sorry she didn't make it.

[SammysMom]

Homemade Goats Milk Recipe -

1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)

[Squirrelis]

So sorry Taffy:grouphug rip little squirrel