Pneumonia baby hanging in there but hasn't peed or pooped in days - help!

[zoeetal]

I have a baby (~5-6 weeks) suffering from pneumonia. She's really handing in there but I can't get her to pee or poop. I don't think she's passed anything in 2 days. I'm only feeding her sugar water because she's so weak and compromised. She's quite dehydrated but will drink fluids well. I'm feeding her about 2mls every 1-2 hours. Any ideas on how I can get her to pass some pee or poop? Her little belly looks distended.

Thanks!

[farrelli]

Is she on antibiotics? Is she bloated? Is her belly hard and round? Have you treated for bloat if so?

[pappy1264]

What is she on for abs? She needs calories, she will die w/o them. Could you try giving some formula, and then fluids in between meals? Goats milk is easily digestible, you can add full fat yogurt to it (which helps the tummy because the abs can be pretty tough on their bellies.)

[zoeetal]

She's on Tribrissen and Baytril. Her belly is mushy, just round.

Sugar water not enough calories? I can get goat's milk and mix it with yoghurt. I also have 20/50 fox valley that I can give her. Which is better? I also have acidophilius which I can add to her food.

[farrelli]

Two days is too long to go without formula. I would go with the GM right now given the problems with FV of late. I assume that you're stimulating a lot but still getting nothing? Have you submerged the lower half in warm water and gently massaged the sides and belly? Tried a drop or two of veg oil and infant simethicone? Is breathing labored? In what city are you? perhaps we have someone more experienced available to help.

[farrelli]

Btw, that pic is very tiny. Can you post a bigger one, showing the belly?

[zoeetal]

Yes, breathing is laboured. Belly is soft but round. Been stimulating but getting nothing. 3.8% goats milk good? Mixed with full fat yoghurt or just a little acidophilus?

Thx all!

Is this pic bigger? I'm on my cell.

[stepnstone]

No second picture?? :dono
Used the 1st turned & magnified.
Not clear, still speaks volumes.
212631
5 - 6 weeks?? Poor baby... :shakehead

[pappy1264]

Can you sub-q this baby and try feeding ensure? It is a little more extreme, but her gut is a mess from the abs and everything and she needs calories, but also needs fluids. It worked when all else would not with Bean, Frank and Furter and I am thinking it might be worth a try. That poor little bug.

[farrelli]

I think this guy is really in trouble. What city are you in? Hopefully we have someone who can help.

If he's bloated, food should be stopped, but two days is a long time. Have you tried the water massages, Gas-X, and oil drops? These guys go down VERY quickly. He needs immediate care.

[zoeetal]

Her belly is mushy, just round. Likely not bloat, just not passing anything.

[farrelli]

Well, then you've got to get him moving. AGAIN, have you tried anything? Massages, oil, canned pumpkin (not pie filling)? Anything? Time really is of the essence with these guys. Also, are you resistant to getting help? If so, why? someone with experience may be near you that could lend a hand.

[zoeetal]

Thank you pappy1264, yes I can sub q and will. Her hydration is not holding great but she's got a strong will to live and is hanging in there.

Never used Gas-x before. Do I administer as per instructions on box? Thanks!

[farrelli]

Just one or two drops of INFANT Gas-X.

[farrelli]

HAve you tried the water massage? Intestines work through a series of muscular contractions, you're trying ot get those going again. Also, if squirrels are like many mammals, they have a muscular pelvic floor which is basically a mesh through which two tubes pass (urine, feces), when that floor relaxes, both tend to go. That's why when you poop, you almost always have the urge to pee as well. The warmth, water, and massaging helps relax the floor.

[UDoWhat]

If she has only had sugar water for 2 days, she may not have much to move out. Also sugar can / will dehydrate the cells. Please sub-q lactated ringers or sodium chloride 9%. She really does need nourishment not just sugar. Try Ensure or the goats milk formula and use a transition schedule so as not to cause more GI distress. Goats milk is easily digested. Please no more sugar water for now.

What a sweet litle one. :Love_Icon

[zoeetal]

Have given the gas-x. Have done a warm water massage. Have massaged with peppermint oil. Her belly is firm now so bloat has set in :( She had a little goat's milk earlier. She's resting now. Will massage again in about 20min. She's such a littler trooper. My poor baby.

FYI I'm in Ottawa.

[zoeetal]

Does olive oil work for moving things along? If not I'll go out and get vegetable oil. Thx!

[zoeetal]

We have bladder expression! Yay! Lots of it! Her belly feels so much better. No more hardness. She just had 2 mls of half strength goat's milk with acidophilius and is now peacefully resting. I'm reducing her feed amounts and giving them more frequently so as not to overload her little system.

Are IM and SQ meds still hard on the stomach and intestines? Also, should I be concerned there's still no poop?

[farrelli]

Olive oil is fine. Do you think that there's anything in there to poop? Were you feeding her for awhile when she stopped? As long as there's no more bloat, you should be feeding.

[UDoWhat]

I would not be...yet. As I said earlier with only sugar water for 2 days she may not have much or any urgency to poo now. We usually give fluids for 12 or more hours to babies with bad diarrhea to let their guts rest. So essentially you have been letting her gut rest for 2 days. After 12 or so hours on the GM formula then I would begin to have a little concern. That is, unless her tummy begins to have a hard bloat.
Rest and get well little baby. :Love_Icon

[Starfish]

I'm just catching up; I'm in Gatineau.

So you've managed to get him to bass urine. How does he look in terms of bowel movements? Does he look full.

What kind of yogurt are you using in your Goat's Milk formula? Does it have probiotics? ...like Activia (the green container with the tv ads of belly dancing).

[farrelli]

Yes, probiotics would be great. Antibiotics really mess up the gut. Can you get some? Maybe some Activia if not?

[Starfish]

1-Pneumonia. Do you have the little guy on a heating pad? Extra t-shirts, flannel sheets.

2-Try contacting the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
http://www.rideauwildlife.org/contact.html
P.O. Box 266, North Gower, ON K0A 2T0
Tel: 613-258-9480
Fax: 613-258-2601
Email: info@rideauwildlife.org

3-International School for Earth Studies (a.k.a. Cushings Wildlife) in Ladysmith,Qc might have tips or possibly be able to take him.
(819) 647-3226
Office Hours: 9a-5p EST

I'll PM you as well...

I already sent you my number, feel free to call me.

I work in Ottawa so if you're in the downtown/centretown area (travel there by bus so I can't venture out very far too easily ), I'd be willing to meet you during the day and hand over my frozen goat's milk to you. Just froze it a couple of weeks ago. No longer need it (the boys are off it at this point).

[Starfish]

FYI: One personal sized portion of Activia yogurt (the little cups) comes out to exactly 1/3 of a cup. :) So easy for measuring.

[Starfish]

Years ago, my aunt mixed mineral oil into the formula for her orphan kittens. It worked. Would that (or olive oil) be an option now? A drop or two in the formula?

Have pictures been posted yet?

I'm curious for up-to-date pics as I also fear overdoing it. ...Which I did with my kittens years ago, going from possible constipation to diarrhea. Luckily in their case, I could mix double-boiled riced into their wet food to clog them up again. Not an option here.

[Starfish]

Is this the squirrel that had diarrhea a couple of days ago?

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?41936-Bloated-baby-with-horrible-diarrhea-too-weak-to-eat&highlight=

If so, I'm really starting to lean in the direction of probiotics. Its system is out of whack.

Can you get yoru hands on probiotics? not to be given at the same moment as anitibiotics; leave time in between. If not, I can hook you up.

[Starfish]

I see the pucs; cute little guy. i guess they didn't load on my computer yesterday (my comp has issues). I'm leaving for work in 30 min.


If you see this in time, please let me know if you need anything- would like to meet up.