Possible Pneumonia What can I do until I get meds?

[ALittleNutty]

Chandy is sick. Very lethargic, poor appetite and what seems to be labored breathing. No definite clicking sound. Yes, I watched the video.

Have put a call out to everyone close to try and get some meds. One friend thinks she may have something and is going to check when she gets home in just a bit. This is not in a good state for vet help. We do have a Petsmart close by if there is anything there that would work.

My main question is what can I do in the meantime to help her? She is resting on my chest right now under a blanket. Her cage mate wouldn't quit pouncing on top of her so I thought isolation would be best so she could rest.

This is my little squirrel that had the hematoma, and was fed the Pet milk, kaopectate and water formula before I got her. She has kitten fur, a rounded head, and poor co-ordination skills. She was gaining pretty steady for a while but then her growth started to slow down. She may have been pushed out of the nest by her mom originally. So she didn't get a good start in life but I am hoping to make what she does have the best it can be.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Jackie in Tampa]

let us know what you find AB wise, someone will help you dose it if needed..
preference, baytril/ciprofloxacin, amoxicillan, keflex,

smz-tmp/bactrim/sulfatrim/septra is too slow, but worth a try..

look for animal or human meds..
good luck:grouphug :grouphug

[ALittleNutty]

Thanks Jackie! I will update as soon as I locate something. I took her outside and she perked up a bit. I also got her to eat a little more FV. Not much but right now every drop counts. Going to try and get her to take some of the homemade pedialyte in between feedings.

I have her back in her cage since everyone else was asleep and the heating pad on. I also wrapped the cage up pretty good to keep any drafts out.

:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[ALittleNutty]

A friend just dropped off some meds that were for her dog. I know this is going to be have to cut way down but it's all I have been able to get.

The pill is a 960mg SMZ TMP. Please let me know how much water to mix with this in order to get her started as soon as possible. She's not looking really good right now and I sure don't want to lose this special girl.

Her weight is 150 grams.

[I Love Lucy]

Quarter the tablet, crush it and mix with 5 ml of water. The dosage is .02 ml per 50 mg of body weight twice a day. For 150 grams you would give .06 ml. You should double the first dose.

To entice her drink more you can a little vanilla Pediasure to her formula.

[ALittleNutty]

:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

I will keep you posted on how she does.

[I Love Lucy]

Sorry I forgot to say tor 10 days.

[ALittleNutty]

Got the double dose in her so now I guess it's just a wait and see. Is there anything else I should be doing in the meantime?

Also, should I store the meds in the fridge? Thanks!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Got the double dose in her so now I guess it's just a wait and see. Is there anything else I should be doing in the meantime?

Also, should I store the meds in the fridge? Thanks!
yes in the fridge..

[I Love Lucy]

Yes, put the meds in fridge. I would separate her and put her on heat until she is feeling a little better. Try feeding her smaller meals more frequently with a little Pediasure added (they love the sweetness).

[ALittleNutty]

Thanks for the info. Going to put her next to the bed where I can keep a close eye on her. Most of the time right now I have her wrapped in her fleece and resting on my chest if I am not busy doing anything.

Just to double check, she needs dosing every 12 hours?

Well off to feed the other two fuzz tails.

[I Love Lucy]

Yes, every 12 hours.

[ALittleNutty]

Will have to get some Pediasure tomorrow. She is eating a little better. I have her next to my bed so I can keep a check throughout the night. Just hoping the meds kick in soon.

[ALittleNutty]

Well she made it through the night. I put a little Vick's on the lid of her container hoping the menthol would help her. Last night she took 3cc of the homemade hydration solution.

This morning I managed to get her to take a second dose of medicine and 5cc of formula. She's not wanting to suck but she does lick the nipple so we just take it very slow.

Her breathing is still very rapid. My friend that brought me the medicine asked this morning if a breathing treatment would help. She has albuterol and a nebulizer. I told her I would ask and see.

Chandy's heart rate still seems pretty rapid but her breathing sounds better.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:nono nebulizing with albuterol raises heart rate... please do research first...
I would NOT!!!!
maybe a saline treatment in the nebulizer...:thumbsup
vics is good, when I tent and vaporize I always use vics..it really does open airways and help breathing:bowdown
glad to hear he is still with us...:thankyou :Love_Icon

[ALittleNutty]

:thankyou

I think I will just stick with the Vick's and keeping her in her in isolation in the sterlite container so she doesn't have to contend with drafts. I am also covering it with a towel so the house noise and light doesn't bother her too much.

Thanks for all the advice and help in this situation. Chandy and I will take all we can get. :grouphug

[ALittleNutty]

Chandy is doing MUCH better now. Still keeping her isolated from the others just so she can rest but she is up and playing again. Her appetite is back and it looks like we got the meds in her just in time.

:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

wonderful update!:)

[I Love Lucy]

That is wonderful news.

[ALittleNutty]

Chandy is up and feeling good this morning. Her appetite is back up to what it was although I have to sneak her medicine in her formula she seems back to normal. I am going to continue the AB's for the remaining days so we won't have a stronger relapse.

I think she was getting a little down being away from her cage mates so I placed her back in with them today. I think all of them were happy to be back together.

At least I have AB's on hand now just in case! Thanks everyone for all the help! This board rocks!!!!