Possible Pneumonia

[jenniferharrison]

Can Cephlexin/Keflex be given instead of Baytril?

[farrelli]

I think so as it treats gram-positive infections, and most pneumonia is that. If yours has pneumonia, immediate treatment is necessary. We can tell you how to dose if you tell us how much it weighs. Why are you thinking it has this?

[jenniferharrison]

He has been cold, refused to feed and i noticed a slight clicking when he breathes. I mixed a small amount with some water and he took it. That was 5 hours ago. An hour ago he drank almost 2cc of water. The clicking seems to have stopped. He is also keeping warm now. I dont know his history, i got him approx. 12 hours ago. He was cold and very dehydrated. He has fur, eyes closed. Im guessing he is about 3-4 weeks old.

[jenniferharrison]

Meant to say i mixed a small amount of the keflex with water and gave it to him 5 hours ago.

[farrelli]

Proper dosing is important. Too much can cause damage, too little creates resistant bacteria. And this drug should be given twice a day. Do you have a weight?

[jenniferharrison]

No, i dont have a way to weigh him. I was thinking of taking him to a vet tomorrow. I watched one die from pneumonia and it was so sad. I just dont have a way of getting him there any sooner. I just hope he makes it through the night.

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a picture of him?
I can guesstimate, and I am usually pretty close.
I know this is not the ideal way to dose, but this
seems like it could be an emergency.

[Nancy in New York]

Do you have him on a heating pad set on low? Make sure that you have lots of fleece available for him to curl up in, or old t shirts where he can't catch his nails.
Do you have a 1 cc syringe?
Warmth is extremely important when they are small.
Do you know the proper feeding technique?
Do you have formula?
Have you hydrated him yet?
I will just read a little slower, I just came on.

[Nancy in New York]

One more thing, what mg of Keflex do you have?

[jenniferharrison]

I cant seem to figure out how to post a pic.

[Nancy in New York]

I cant seem to figure out how to post a pic.

I will send you my email address send it to me.

[jenniferharrison]

Its a 500mg capsule. He's in a blanket, in a box thats sitting on the heating pad. He has been hydrated very little. He was refusing it most of this evening. After he had a small pinch of keflex mixed in a 1ml syringe of water, he drank 2 more syringes of hydrating solution ( sugar, salt and water). This is only my 7th squirrel ive rehabbed in past 3 years. One did die from pneumonia but i didnt know she was sick until it was too late.

[farrelli]

Try a little molassas on his gums to perk him up a little. You might have to try fluids drop by drop.

[Nancy in New York]

Here's this precious little peanut. :grin2


http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-jXLTTcD/0/M/i-jXLTTcD-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/28182094_d4nbWs#!i=2843389981&k=jXLTTcD&lb=1&s=A)

I have given the finder instructions how to break the 500 mg down.
and how to dose for a 50 gram squirrel.
If you have any questions that go unanswered, I will be up around 5:00
and I will be happy to help you.

[Nancy in New York]

How's the precious little peanut this morning?

[jenniferharrison]

He is much better, thank you for the keflex help, it saved him!

[Nancy in New York]

He is much better, thank you for the keflex help, it saved him!

YOU saved him my dear. :Love_Icon

[farrelli]

Can you tell us what you're feeding? Also, has anyone covered proper feeding technique so as to avoid pneumonia? Here's a vid:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!