Young Squirrel Clicking and hard time breathing

[TammyG]

I've been caring for an orphaned squirrel for 3 days. Not sure of the age but her eyes are open and her tail has some hair on the sides. I believe she's a red squirrel. I hydrated her the first day and she really perked up, yesterday she was doing great on her Esbilac puppy formula. She didn't aspirate that I could see, no bubbles coming out of her nose but she developed a clicking and open mouth gasping. She is eating ok but the gasping is making it difficult. She has a runny nose. I looked for a Wildlife rehabilitator but there is none in my area that was listed. I've been reading and reading, I have no antibiotic except fish tetracycline which I'm sure isn't of much use. I do have a nebulizer is that would help. Please any suggestions would be appreciated. She's such a sweet little baby.

[farrelli]

What city are you in?

Please call around to see if you can get some antibiotics. Cipro is very commonly prescribed to people, especially women for UTIs. Baytril is often prescribed for animals and can sometimes be gotten from pet stores without a script and is given to reptiles and birds. You might want ot start there because it they;re not closed yet, they will be soon. Antibiotics of some kind are critical. Someone might be able to dose the ones you have if they are appropriate, so hang on. Someone will answer. Just get on the phone for now.

Thanks for caring for this one.

Esbilac isn't good either, you should switch to the goat's milk formula for now. Here are a few links you should read:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29903

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36777

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11782

I've got to run but others will be here. Now get calling....

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I have a list of all the wildlife rehabbers in the state, if you let me know what county you are in I can find someone who can help.

[TammyG]

I'm in Belmont Co Ohio. I've seen so much debate on the web about which formula to use. It's insane! Scalded milk, puppy formula, cat, goat...don't use this, don't use that. What is a person to believe?

[TammyG]

I called both of my local pet stores and neither have antibiotic. :(

[stepnstone]

I have a list of all the wildlife rehabbers in the state, if you let me know what county you are in I can find someone who can help.
If this baby is in trouble as it sounds, time is of the essence!
They can crash and expire so very fast! Please get in touch with S&B.

[TammyG]

How do I get in touch with S&B?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I am about a 2 and a half hour drive from you, so can't help too much. There is someone in Muskingum that might be able to help. Still far away, but closer than I am. their name is Nicole and their number is (740)297-0455

[TammyG]

Thank you. I'm also on the WV border but the site I was on said WV didn't have habilitator's listed.

[CritterMom]

I have a question for you. Is the "gasping" ALL the time, or just when you are feeding?

I ask because many babies display a behavior we call "guppy mouth" for good reason - they start "phantom feeding" even when the syringe is taken away - it is kind of a feeding seizure for lack of a better word.

If this baby is doing the gasping ONLY while eating, it isn't pneumonia...

[TammyG]

Unfortunately it's all the time. Maybe something was already wrong with her. She had two other siblings, one got hit by a car and the other was seen jumping around in the trees. She was on a tree in the same place for two days. I don't understand the huge difference in the two. When I got her she was barely moving and cold. Once hydrated and warm she perked up wonderfully. I'm so sad this has happened. I've never raised a squirrel. I've raised many orphaned baby birds and they eat every 30 mins to an hour and also require a lot of care. I thought I could dedicate myself to this baby. I feel I should have left things alone but it's so hard when you think they're suffering.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Sorry Tammy about the little one.
I have to throw this out there for the rehabbers for consideration.

I think we all recognize that this is a serious situation. The only antibiotic available is tetracycline. Although not ideal, tetracycline IS a broad spectrum antibiotic. Doxycycline is used for squirrels and it is in the tetracycline class. If this was all that I had I would not hesitate to use it. In the wild mammal babies book doxycycline is dosed at 10 mg/kg. I would think that tetracycline would be similar. What do you guys think? Shouldn't the tetracycline be dosed and given? Of course, my lack of experience will always step back and not get in the way of the experts BUT in this case it may be the only hope available.

Sorry, I just had to throw this out there.

[Nancy in New York]

Have you exhausted all of your friends to see if they have any sort of antibiotic? Cipro would be the first choice, but we can try to work with whatever you may have.
Please think of people that you know that have children or pets, it might surprise you that someone has an antibiotic.
Is there any chance that this squirrel has aspirated?
Not sure if that was asked, I haven't had time to completely read the thread.

[Nancy in New York]

Sorry Tammy about the little one.
I have to throw this out there for the rehabbers for consideration.

I think we all recognize that this is a serious situation. The only antibiotic available is tetracycline. Although not ideal, tetracycline IS a broad spectrum antibiotic. Doxycycline is used for squirrels and it is in the tetracycline class. If this was all that I had I would not hesitate to use it. In the wild mammal babies book doxycycline is dosed at 10 mg/kg. I would think that tetracycline would be similar. What do you guys think? Shouldn't the tetracycline be dosed and given? Of course, my lack of experience will always step back and not get in the way of the experts BUT in this case it may be the only hope available.

Sorry, I just had to throw this out there.

IF this was given it would have to be gotten to the strength of 5mg/ml.
I wonder what the strength is that she has?
I guess if every possible person has been contacted about abs. this would be the only option. Not sure I can dose it though.:dono
What is the strength on the tetracycline that you have?

[Monipenny]

Tammy, I am south of Akron and I have baytril, formula and supplies, do you want to meet me half way to take the baby?

[TammyG]

It may have aspirated though I didn't see any bubbling out of the nose or anything to indicate it. It started with the clicking then the mouth opening and gasping. I have called friends and family and posted on my facebook seeking antibiotics. The only thing close was a very expired cow antibiotic.

[Nancy in New York]

Tammy, I am south of Akron and I have baytril, formula and supplies, do you want to meet me half way to take the baby?


OMG what a wonderful offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

[TammyG]

Monipenny you're so sweet but I can't make the trip. I have a broken leg and can't drive and everyone else will be working BUT my daughter's friend is going to take the baby to the local petting zoo and they also rehabilitate. The antibiotic that I have is for fish and it's measured by one packet per 10 gallons. I don't know how this would work.

[farrelli]

Check out the zoo first. Many vets, zoos, rehabers, etc. will euthanize without any real reason. You must be certain before you hand it over.

[TammyG]

Just an update. To my surprise the squirrel is doing wonderfully! I found the most helpful advice on the breathing treatment and the antibiotic. No more gasping or clicking, she's eating like she's starved and is active. She'll be leaving for the zoon soon. Thanks for everyone's concern and generous offers to help.

[farrelli]

Could you please share the info you found? Thanks.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Ask a lot of questions at the zoo as they are not listed in the wildlife book, meaning that they are non licensed rehabilitators. That doesn't mean they aren't good, but it could mean that they have no intentions of rehabbing or have no idea what they are doing. Just be sure they are going to actually care for the little guy and do a good job. Just because people know about animals or care for animals, does not mean they will be good rehabilitators. I'm finding that out more and more in vet school. 99% of the people in vet schools are totally and completely clueless when it comes to wildlife. So, just be cautious!