GAINESVILLE FL: Help Needed! 4y Gray with Respiratory distress - mouth breathing

[SquirrelRefuge]

I received a call from a woman near Gainesville, Florida in Alachua county who has a four year old eastern gray squirrel (Opie) since pinkiehood who has always been healthy. A few days ago he became lethargic and is not having respiratory problems. His nose is stuffed up but not running. He is mouth breathing and making squirrel moaning sounds while laying on his mom's chest. Follow the link to view the youtube video.

http://youtu.be/67KpQ3s9uGM

She is very concerned that if she seeks help her squirrel will be taken from her. I told her that I thought its legal in Florida to hold a squirrel so that she should take him to the vet but wanted to get a recommendation from someone on the board who could recommend one who is knowledgeable with squirrels; however, she says she cannot afford one at this time.

She has been feeding zupreem monkey biscuits with a variety of fruits, veggies and nuts (we discussed diet correction and calcium). She checked his teeth and the upper incisors are normal.

So, any thoughts on what is wrong with this squirrel? Is there a rehabilitator nearby who can look at Opie and provide Baytril or other antibiotic (Squirrel refuge will reimburse), and/or recommend a veterinarian that she could take him to? Is that legal in Florida?

[Scooterzmom]

I received a call from a woman near Gainesville, Florida in Alachua county who has a four year old eastern gray squirrel (Opie) since pinkiehood who has always been healthy. A few days ago he became lethargic and is not having respiratory problems. His nose is stuffed up but not running. He is mouth breathing and making squirrel moaning sounds while laying on his mom's chest. Follow the link to view the youtube video.

http://youtu.be/67KpQ3s9uGM

She is very concerned that if she seeks help her squirrel will be taken from her. I told her that I thought its legal in Florida to hold a squirrel so that she should take him to the vet but wanted to get a recommendation from someone on the board who could recommend one who is knowledgeable with squirrels; however, she says she cannot afford one at this time.

She has been feeding zupreem monkey biscuits with a variety of fruits, veggies and nuts (we discussed diet correction and calcium). She checked his teeth and the upper incisors are normal.

So, any thoughts on what is wrong with this squirrel? Is there a rehabilitator nearby who can look at Opie and provide Baytril or other antibiotic (Squirrel refuge will reimburse), and/or recommend a veterinarian that she could take him to? Is that legal in Florida?

My 1st thought for vet reference would be Jackie. :dono

As for the stuffiness... what about blankets recently washed? Change of detergent, change of bedding... any changes at all? Did she by chance feed it brazil nuts?

I would definitely set up a vaporizer to help this little one and certainly would have him seen by a vet. :thinking

[island rehabber]

I changed your title to get immediate attention from members in your area. Hopefully someone will reply soon, as the squirrel obviously needs immediate help.

This may be pneumonia; Baytril would be the best thing.

[sage4dylan]

it is legal, I dont know a vet but someone else will. I couldnt even watch all of that video, the sounds he was making were so sad. She needs to get him to a vet quick.

[djarenspace9]

It is ok in Florida, the problem is finding a vet that is experienced.
An experienced rehabber can also evaluate and help until you can get him to a vet on Monday.
Going to check to see who is up near there.
Are they able and willing to drive a few hours if needed?

[SquirrelRefuge]

Yeah. I mad me sad to hear the poor thing also. I

And thanks for changing the title to help me get attention. I didnt think of that!

So who is Jackie in Florida, how might I contact her? Is she a vet?

I agree that Baytril is probably what is needed but I am located on the other side of the country in Washington State.

[djarenspace9]

Squirrel Refuge, can you PM me their number.
I'd be happy to talk to them a bit and see what we can do to help him be more comfortable tonight.

[Uno's Mom]

Squirrel Refuge, can you PM me their number.
I'd be happy to talk to them a bit and see what we can do to help him be more comfortable tonight.

Thank you Karen...poor baby sounds terrible:thankyou

[SquirrelRefuge]

My 1st thought for vet reference would be Jackie. :dono

As for the stuffiness... what about blankets recently washed? Change of detergent, change of bedding... any changes at all? Did she by chance feed it brazil nuts?

I would definitely set up a vaporizer to help this little one and certainly would have him seen by a vet. :thinking

She said just 1 about a month ago. So I know they are high in phosphorus so not recommended for squirrels, but what other nasty things do Brazil nuts do? Just curious.

[djarenspace9]

I know we have a few members in the area, so will PM them to see if anyone has ABs.

[Skul]

This is one time I might consider MBD as a cause.
For some reason, it's just throwing flags.

[Scooterzmom]

She said just 1 about a month ago. So I know they are high in phosphorus so not recommended for squirrels, but what other nasty things do Brazil nuts do? Just curious.

We've had a few instances where some squirrels reacting very badly to them, exhibiting respiratory problems and such, like some kind of very bad allergy.

[Scooterzmom]

Yeah. I mad me sad to hear the poor thing also. I

And thanks for changing the title to help me get attention. I didnt think of that!

So who is Jackie in Florida, how might I contact her? Is she a vet?

I agree that Baytril is probably what is needed but I am located on the other side of the country in Washington State.

I mean Jackie in Tampa; you could PM her. She has a good vet - or vets - and has lots of experience with this. I know that Florida is the best place for them.


Squirrel Refuge, can you PM me their number.
I'd be happy to talk to them a bit and see what we can do to help him be more comfortable tonight.


I would set up a vaporizer for him, it might help his breathing, but he does need the ABs, for sure! Poor little peanut :(

[djarenspace9]

Please pass this info along to them:

Here's a few other things that can help with suffiness....

Take him into the bathroom and run the hot shower so it gets nice and steamy.
That should help loosen things up.
Also dab some Vicks on the bridge of his nose (make sure not to get it in the eyes though).
You can also soak a washcloth in very warm water, wring it out and then use that to wipe the nasal area and moisten it.

Sometimes they sound horrible and look so distressed when they can't breathe through their nostrils.

[SquirrelRefuge]

This is one time I might consider MBD as a cause.
For some reason, it's just throwing flags.

You know, It did me too but so I told her to get tums into him. He's outside several hours a day so he wont have problems with D and we talked about foods high in magnisium to give also. I told her I would send her links to get on Harlan Teklad.

[SquirrelRefuge]

She just called me and told me that she checked his teeth again and found his bottom teeth very long and the top one's she cant see at all. I suspect they are somewhere round about his sinuses by now. It told he to call the local rehabilitator at Florida Wildlife Care Inc. and have them cut the teeth and remove them from the roof of his mouth. Hopefully its not too far gone.

She said the teeth were fine so I ruled that out when I talked to her earlier but now she is FREAKING.

[djarenspace9]

I've spoken with Opie's mom and she is willing to do whatever necessary to help him.
I am trying to arrange for a squirrel train to get him down to me tomorrow.

[Uno's Mom]

Karen, I can go where ever is needed after six p.m. tomorrow. Just let me know.

[djarenspace9]

Karen, I can go where ever is needed after six p.m. tomorrow. Just let me know.
I may be taking you up on that unless an offer to get him to me sooner arises.
He is getting treated with antibiotic right now and fed some soft foods and yogurt.
I encouraged Opie's mom to join the board so we should be seeing her around soon.

[stepnstone]

,as the squirrel obviously needs immediate help.
This may be pneumonia; Baytril would be the best thing.
[/FONT]

I had the same thought from the video but could very well be a combination one resulting from the other.

AB's needed for sure but do you think a dose of infant IB would give him some releif?

Sure hope things can pull together for this little boy to get into some experenced hands, he's hurting... :(

[Kristin Ward]

Hope this little one will be o.k.:grouphug
Thank you all for being ready to help.:thankyou I wish I was closer.

[SquirrelRefuge]

If you can get a train together that would be great. I called the local rehabilitator in Gainesville at the Florida Wildlife Care center and she said she would cut the teeth as part of showing her how to do it but cannot treat him because he is a pet and only a veterinarian can treat a pet, and she doesnt want to get in trouble for practicing veterinary medicine. The law is perplexing sometimes! She said she could give him Baytril if he needed it, which seems like a sure thing to me.

Anyway, he is sleeping peacefully right now. If you cant get him up to you, please let me know so she can take him to the local rehabiitator. I hope you can get him because I think he needs to be in expert hands right now or she could lose him.

She told me how wonderful you've been and how helpful. I dont know how many times I have been grateful to the members of TSB.

I lost my first squirrel to odontoma years and years ago before I started SquirrelRefuge and became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Since then I have cared for hundreds of squirrels and its the love of one amazing animal that lived - and was important - that still drives it all.

If I had known about TSB then, it might have made a difference in how long I was blessed to have him. There is simply no love like squirrely love and I think the world would not have so many problems if everyone just had a squirrel to help them keep it all in perspective :)

Again, Thanks!!!!



Jackie

[weedot]

West End Animal Hospital - 352.472.7626 will see pet SQ, there are 2 SQ vet Moose goes there. Call them Monday morning and they will get the SQ in. They are great there. They are in the Jonesville area of Gainesville, We also have UF Small Animal Clinic ( new) but pricey. West End is cheaper.

[Uno's Mom]

Any word on this sweetie?

[djarenspace9]

Any word on this sweetie?
Noone else has offered, so you are the lucky winner ---the Chief Conductor of the Squirrel Choo Choo Train! :poke
I will PM you the info I have.

[Uno's Mom]

Am I driving to Gainesville to get him, or will she meet me part way. Better get out my navigator. Did she get any abs for him?
Also, did anything come of the vet Weedot mentioned?

[djarenspace9]

She did start him on ABs last night.
Ask her about meeting partway when you call to work out the details.
She may have access to a car today (she didn't last night).
I can meet you in Orlando on your way back, just let me know where and when. :thumbsup

[djarenspace9]

Opie slept much better last night, no funky sounds! :thumbsup
His mama is driving him down to visit his new Auntie Karen in a little bit. :wave123

[Uno's Mom]

What a good Squammy she is to let someone else help her baby. It is so hard is to give your squirrel to someone you do not know who is so far away. She is giving him the best chance she can...hope Dr. E is in this week. The tooth wizard!

Thank you djar for helping Opie and his mom. Please keep us posted.

:jump

[djarenspace9]

I am so sorry to report that Opie passed away during the night.
His mama thought he was sleeping in and just realized he had slipped away.
There are no words to make her feel better but to know he was loved and cared for all these years.
She is so heartbroken...:sad

[Uno's Mom]

Oh how heart breaking. Please offer her my deepest sympathy.
Sleep tight sweet Opie. Your Momma loved you so much.


:sad :sad :sad :sad

[sage4dylan]

West End Animal Hospital - 352.472.7626 will see pet SQ, there are 2 SQ vet Moose goes there. Call them Monday morning and they will get the SQ in. They are great there. They are in the Jonesville area of Gainesville, We also have UF Small Animal Clinic ( new) but pricey. West End is cheaper.

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon .... it would be great if they could see that baby!

oh, so sorry .... just read the rest of the thread :( makes me sad too

[Jackie in Tampa]

:(
Rest in Peace Opie:Love_Icon

[weedot]

Oh no. sad sad sad so sad rip lil one,
But for future there are 2 GREAT vet clinics that take SQ here in Gainesville Florida, For Wilds or Pets. Univ. of Florida Small animal clinic http://smallanimal.vethospital.ufl.edu/
and West End http://www.westendanimal.com/

If anyone needs a vet for SQ those 2 places will get you in asap.

[stepnstone]

Opie :grouphug
Be at peace little one...

[SammysMom]

Godspeed Opie...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[MJS]

:grouphug RIP OPIE :grouphug

[SquirrelRefuge]

I know there are no words to help with the pain of losing a beloved squirrel but I will say one thing I have learned. I was just a clueless, squirrel-less human that went about my day to day until a little gift dropped right in front of me while mowing the lawn. He was disabled and I probably am responsible for that with the diet I fed him. He died at six after being diagnosed with Odontoma that I let progress because I was afraid to find a vet for fear they would take him from me. But out of that one little squirrel's sacrifice at the alter of my stupidity I learned to love and appreciate wildlife in a way I would never have understood, studied and volunteered countless hours to become a licensed rehabilitator, spend thousands of dollars to found and thousands more to run a wildlife rescue just for squirrels that has been responsible for releasing back into the wild hundreds of able bodied orphans (and finding good placements for those who were not) all for the love of one, fat little squirrel. We have all been there and without this, TSB would never have come to be.