My squirrel has a sneeze

[pmapage]

I have 2 baby squirrels (one male, one female) I raised from infants. They actually are about 4 months old and I have already released them into my yard. they have always been healthy, but the girl is considerably smaller like a runt kind of (always seemed healthy, ate good, but was cold intolerant often). For the past week when I check on them and give them their treats (pecans, and they still come to me when I go outside) I have noticed the girl has a constant sneeze. she also has right-sided only eye and nasal drainage (very mild, never crusty). the boy is absolutely fine, growing like a weed and very lively. the girl is growing but still a good bit smaller than he is and not lethargic but less active. I wonder if she could have allergies? they are eastern grey squirrels.

[lilidukes]

You need to catch her and check her teeth.

[farrelli]

Yes, a common cause is a tooth overgrowing and causing problems, which could easily be life threatening if so.

[pmapage]

I have a baby female grey about 8 weeks old. I noticed sneezing 2 days ago, I would say it was constant but not with every breath. yesterday I was down for the count sick as well and did not check her like I should have. this morning i checked on her, and she is coughing with every breath and breathing very hard and wheezing. I have some amoxicillin capsules 500 mg. I opened one and put the powder in 10 mL and gave her 0.075 mL twice today. is there anything else I can do for her? I am giving her Pedialite 1 mL at a time. she's so pitiful it's breaking my heart, but she is not completely inactive. she gets up and moves around here and there. is there anything I should be doing for her comfort?

[pmapage]

by the way, her weight is 181.5 grams

[Nancy in New York]

I have a baby female grey about 8 weeks old. I noticed sneezing 2 days ago, I would say it was constant but not with every breath. yesterday I was down for the count sick as well and did not check her like I should have. this morning i checked on her, and she is coughing with every breath and breathing very hard and wheezing. I have some amoxicillin capsules 500 mg. I opened one and put the powder in 10 mL and gave her 0.075 mL twice today. is there anything else I can do for her? I am giving her Pedialite 1 mL at a time. she's so pitiful it's breaking my heart, but she is not completely inactive. she gets up and moves around here and there. is there anything I should be doing for her comfort?
So this seemed to come on all of a sudden?
Could she have aspirated? Is she still on formula?
I know you said you were down for the count yesterday, but
did you feed her? What is her diet?
Could she have taken a fall.
Is she still sneezing?
She is wheezing now right?
Do you have her on low heat?

[pmapage]

So this seemed to come on all of a sudden? Yes but she has never been as stealthy as her brother, like a runt, and she did aspirate often when she was on formula and she is actually 12 weeks, not 8.
Could she have aspirated? Is she still on formula? She is not on formula anymore but possibly aspirated on water.
I know you said you were down for the count yesterday, but
did you feed her? What is her diet? she has a dish in her cage with nuts, bananas, raisins, dried cranberries, avocado, apples. they eat on their own.
Could she have taken a fall. no
Is she still sneezing? definitely coughing and wheezing, could be sneezing.
She is wheezing now right? yes
Do you have her on low heat? yes, a heating pad half on and half off.

[stepnstone]

When on formula, what was the formula you fed?

That (solid) diet is so wrong for any real nutritional
benefit and opens the door to mbd. Unfortunately
@ 3 months she's at the prime age for it too...

[pmapage]

esbilac puppy milk. she does not act like it pains her to move. the only symptom that is obvious is cough, wheeze, labored breathing, and her right eye is watery but not her left. when she does get up she moves around like normal, gets winded, and then tries to settle back down.

[island rehabber]

She needs antibiotics. Do you have access to any Baytril, Amoxicilolin, or doxycycline? Even Cipro, a human med, would work....

[pmapage]

amoxicillin capsules 500 mg. I opened one and put the powder in 10 mL and gave her 0.075 mL twice today. her weight is 181.5 grams

[Nancy in New York]

amoxicillin capsules 500 mg. I opened one and put the powder in 10 mL and gave her 0.075 mL twice today. her weight is 181.5 grams

Remember to give a probiotic two hours before or two hours after giving an antibiotic.
Keep us posted on your little one. :grouphug

[pmapage]

Yes, I am giving her yogurt, which she absolutely loves! And BTW I have several of the 500 mg capsules. I live in middle Georgia, and if you get a situation where someone needs one or two you can email me. pmapage@icloud.com

[Nancy in New York]

Yes, I am giving her yogurt, which she absolutely loves!

Excellent!
Did you see the post about her diet, how it needs
correction. We will cross that bridge when she is feeling
better though. :grouphug

[pmapage]

Yes, and thanks for that. I have a full human sized Rx of amoxicillin 500s if you run into a situation where someone needs one or two. I live in middle GA. Email me at pmapage@icloud.com

[stepnstone]

Is she housed with the brother?
Just wondering if "In the past two days" if anything
was changed in her environment she could possibly
be having a reaction to?

[pmapage]

The only changes were first I have been putting them outside getting ready to release them, and when I realized she was sick I separated them. Brother is doing great still. He is a good bit bigger than her and solid. He does not feel fragile at all when I hold him as she always has. He's quite lively and playful.

[stepnstone]

The only changes were first I have been putting them outside getting ready to release them, and when I realized she was sick I separated them. Brother is doing great still. He is a good bit bigger than her and solid. He does not feel fragile at all when I hold him as she always has. He's quite lively and playful.

They are still too young for release... IMO
I'm just trying to dissect and process everything here.
Even with having antibiotcs it can be hard to treat something
when you don't know what's going on.
Even for a runt, there is something about her weight vs. being
12 weeks that's not sitting right with me??
Does she drink enough to keep herself hydrated? What does
her hydration look like now if you do the pinch test?
How about her "output," what are her p's and poo's like?

Can you post a picture of her so we can get a look at her overall
appearance? That can be very helpful sometimes...

[SammysMom]

I just came back to ask for a pic because of her weight also. I have 8 week olds who are almost 300g so her low weight seem extreme to me.

[Nancy in New York]

stepnstone I agree the weight is awfully light for a 3 month old squirrel.
Also agree about being too young even to prepare for release.
Can we get them a little healthier too, nutritionally speaking,
before we think about sending them out?
Thanks for the offer of the abs. IF you need anything too, we
are always happy to share.

[pmapage]

Honestly I don't monitor urine output. Fecal output is solid, medium brown, and pretty much.... i don't know... constantly! :) I have to keep a napkin handy when I hold her! I'm not 100% on the age. I weighed her myself so I am sure about that. I got them on March 3. I was not the finder so I can't vouch with certainty on their age. I'm only going by what was told to me. However, I was surprised they were supposed to be 4 weeks. They didn't look it, but this is my first experience with squirrels. Their hands and feet were pinkish white. They had very little hair. Eyes closed.

[Nancy in New York]

Honestly I don't monitor urine output. Fecal output is solid, medium brown, and pretty much.... i don't know... constantly! :) I have to keep a napkin handy when I hold her! I'm not 100% on the age. I weighed her myself so I am sure about that. I got them on March 3. I was not the finder so I can't vouch with certainty on their age. I'm only going by what was told to me. However, I was surprised they were supposed to be 4 weeks. They didn't look it, but this is my first experience with squirrels. Their hands and feet were pinkish white. They had very little hair. Eyes closed.

Eyes typically open at 5 weeks.

[pmapage]

file:///C:/Users/Michelle/Pictures/00001.jpg

[pmapage]

sorry about the size of those!! anyway, these were taken 04/18/2014, so 2 weeks ago.

[pmapage]

taken April 18, 2 weeks ago. Chris, the boy, is in front. Chrystal, my sick one, is behind him. I imagine age could be judged more accurately by looking at him. I do think she is a runt.

[pmapage]

I do not want to get ahead of myself, but I just checked on her and her breathing looks less labored. she still is coughing but I do not hear as much of a wheeze, and she looks like it is less of a struggle to breathe. I hope this means she will improve and recover!!

[stepnstone]

Honestly I don't monitor urine output. Fecal output is solid, medium brown, and pretty much.... i don't know... constantly! :) I have to keep a napkin handy when I hold her! I'm not 100% on the age. I weighed her myself so I am sure about that. I got them on March 3. I was not the finder so I can't vouch with certainty on their age. I'm only going by what was told to me. However, I was surprised they were supposed to be 4 weeks. They didn't look it, but this is my first experience with squirrels. Their hands and feet were pinkish white. They had very little hair. Eyes closed.

Doubtful they were 4 weeks. Do you remember how soon after you got them
their eyes opened or how long since it's been they opened eyes?

Do you understand the "pinch test" to check for hydration?
That's where you gently pull up on the skin between their
shoulders and observe how fast (or slow) it goes down.

Could not agree more on improving their nutrition....
A good quality rodent block should have been the first solid food introduced,
it contains all the essential nutrition that squirrels require in their daily diet.

What about that picture? Can you post a few please...

Edit: Sorry, slow to type, I see the pics..

[stepnstone]

Can you take and post recent pictures?
Neither one's fur looks good especially her.
Her fur is very spiky and points to being
under hydrated. Diet can also be the culprit.
If she looked like that 2 weeks ago, I have to
wonder what she looks like now.

I hope the AB's are helping her but it will
only be a temporary fix if we don't fix the
problem.

Edit... What kind/type is the shavings I see on bottom of cage?

[pmapage]

They opened their eyes on March 19 and 20 (boy first). Here is a pic of her I took tonight. Her hydration is not great, but it is better than it was. I am giving her Pedialyte 1.5 mL every hour. Do you think I should give her more?233423

[pmapage]

It was pine shavings but has been changed to pine straw.

[farrelli]

HOw long have you been giving Pedialyte? It should only be given for 24hrs because the salt then begins to dehydrate. After that, change to plain water, or water flavored with a bit of sugar or juice. And give as much as wanted.

[farrelli]

Pine straw is their bedding? If so, they need flannel or t-shirt material to snuggle in.

[pmapage]

they have water in the cage that I have to fill regularly, but honestly, it may have been the boy doing most of the drinking.

[pmapage]

pedialyte since about 5:00 pm yesterday; before that strictly water. right now she is separated from her brother and she is in flannel, but brother is still in the pine straw.

[farrelli]

Then help the other one. One of our members has to personally hold a water bottle for hers and gently squeeze as he drinks. Totally spoiled, but it takes what it takes.

[pmapage]

BTW, yesterday is Friday not Thursday, just to avoid confusion since it is after midnight for me. So it has been less than 12 hours.

[pmapage]

so assuming they opened their eyes at 5 weeks, they would be 11.5 weeks old because I am certain of the date of March 19 (boy) and 20 (girl).

[farrelli]

That pic is very small for 11-12 weeks. You will really need to pay attention to diet to try to get them up to speed. At this age they should be only a bit smaller than an adult. That last pic looks almost like a little guy I grabbed this Monday who was 7-8 weeks.

[farrelli]

Oh, and part of why hydration is so important is that full nutrition isn't absorbed if dehydrated.

[pmapage]

That pic is very small for 11-12 weeks. You will really need to pay attention to diet to try to get them up to speed. At this age they should be only a bit smaller than an adult. That last pic looks almost like a little guy I grabbed this Monday who was 7-8 weeks.

Okay, I'm not too proud to ask advice. I just want them to be healthy. What do you suggest? I am a nurse. I know about medicine. However, for squirrel dietary needs, I've been going off resources on the internet on formula through transition to food, and to sum it up I got nuts, fruit, and veggies, which makes sense since those are healthy items. But please do let me know what I need to give them, so I can keep the boy from having to go into ICU as well.

[farrelli]

Has no one pointed you to our healthy diet thread???? This would be a tremendous oversight!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

Nuts and fruit should be treats only.

I'm petering out right now but the way we roll is formula until they will take it no more, introduction of blocks at 6 weeks, and nothing else (formula and blocks) until they are consistently eating blocks, then veggies, then fruit and nut treats. Introduce the tastier bits first, and they won't want to eat what;s good for them.

Nuts are bad as a staple because they're high in phosphorous, which blocks calcium absorption, which causes metabolic bone disease, to which squirrels are prone with a human provided diet.

Great that you're a nurse because you can do sub-q for hydration, right? It's easy, but most civilians have a hard time getting their hands on sterile equipment and water/rl/lr.

[pmapage]

Well, probably could get it home. That solution would be ok for a squirrel?

[stepnstone]

It was pine shavings but has been changed to pine straw.

Scrap the pine anything, it is not good for them and can become toxic to them.
Pine, walnut, cedar all have volatile oils in them that could damage lungs, skin
and eyes. Straw type substances can be dusty and irritate their respiratory systems
as well as cause allergies.
Aspen is ok to use as well as the litter like reprocessed paper type. Both can be found
at many pet supplies.

You do realize that among other things one of the important factors about being
fully hydrated is so they can properly process their food. They can not do so
otherwise.
Separating them was a good idea especially with the girl being so compromised but
both are going to need changes to bring them up to the nutritional levels they need
to be at.

[farrelli]

Well, probably could get it home. That solution would be ok for a squirrel?

Sterile water or lactated ringers for sub-q? Yes. Can;t think of a mammal for which it wouldn;t be.

[pmapage]

Has no one pointed you to our healthy diet thread???? This would be a tremendous oversight!

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

Nuts and fruit should be treats only.

I'm petering out right now but the way we roll is formula until they will take it no more, introduction of blocks at 6 weeks, and nothing else (formula and blocks) until they are consistently eating blocks, then veggies, then fruit and nut treats. Introduce the tastier bits first, and they won't want to eat what;s good for them.

Nuts are bad as a staple because they're high in phosphorous, which blocks calcium absorption, which causes metabolic bone disease, to which squirrels are prone with a human provided diet.

Great that you're a nurse because you can do sub-q for hydration, right? It's easy, but most civilians have a hard time getting their hands on sterile equipment and water/rl/lr.

I think I could get a bag and certainly a syringe but Ringers will be ok to administer to a squirrel, and it's, not like I'm at work right now. Don't go back until Sunday. Would I even need to do that by then? And thank you for the food info. I will be starting the new regimen asap.

[farrelli]

Again, hydration is key. I assume you know that sub-q is more efficient than oral? But keep pushing oral if you have no other option. Just get the fluids in so that the diet will be effective.

Btw, I work at a variety of hospitals and medical school too. Seems to be a club.

[pmapage]

Sorry I guess we were typing at the same time or something. I know they use it for dogs, etc, but squirrels are just so small. I didn't realize...

[farrelli]

Btw, what kind of blocs are you using? Hate to go through the whole thread again.

[stepnstone]

Another thing I'd like to point out about diet is the fact that in the wild
squirrels know what to eat and how to eat to balance their nutritional levels.
They eat such a verity of things one can not even imagine. Bark, bugs, dirt,
rock, are just a few. In captivity we are the one's that have to balance that diet.
Since we can not duplicate all that they eat in the wild we have to do it by a
manufactured process that has been proven to provide their essential needs.
Block is the most essential part of a captive's diet.

I am going to have to hit the sack, got a 2 hour drive come day break
I'm not looking forward to but will check back with this forum soon.
Keep us updated, ask any and all questions, we are here to help you in
every way we possibly can.

[farrelli]

Sorry I guess we were typing at the same time or something. I know they use it for dogs, etc, but squirrels are just so small. I didn't realize...

Size really has nothing to do with it. We all come from the sea, evolutionarily. Same water reserves, same salt content, etc. You and that squirrel share well over 90% of your genes. We're just one big, happy family.

[pmapage]

Yes, the body absorbs it as it needs it directly to the cells rather than through the digestive process. Oral is pretty much the least effective way to take anything. It's just easiest. Once had a patient who had to take her synthoid dose by cutting her .1 in half because she was allergic to the coating on the .05. Made her mouth swell up.
Or so she said anyway.

[pmapage]

Btw, what kind of blocs are you using? Hate to go through the whole thread again.

No blocks. I've been feeding them fruit and veggies and nuts

[farrelli]

So there you go. Give your sq a bump and watch how quickly it's absorbed. You might have to do it a few times, but with a fine gauge, it shouldn't be a problem. With that and proper diet, you should be good.

Btw, how'd you get dosing on the ABs? Did someone tell you or did you just get the dosing by weight and do the math? (I assume that Nancy checked your dosing as proper, so I didn't. Pretty safe assumption. She's totally top notch.)

[farrelli]

No blocks. I've been feeding them fruit and veggies and nuts

Then go out tomorrow an get some Kaytee Forti-Diet for rats (blue bag) which can be gotten at many pet stores cheaply, and offer them until you can order some Henry's. These guys need a nutritional turn around. You might also offer them some antler or cuttle bone (also at pet stores) fo a calcium pick me up.

[pmapage]

So there you go. Give your sq a bump and watch how quickly it's absorbed. You might have to do it a few times, but with a fine gauge, it shouldn't be a problem. With that and proper diet, you should be good.

Btw, how'd you get dosing on the ABs? Did someone tell you or did you just get the dosing by weight and do the math? (I assume that Nancy checked your dosing as proper, so I didn't. Pretty safe assumption. She's totally top notch.)

Dosing by weight and did the math. I think she checked it. She did mention the probiotics, so I assumed the dosing was good.

[farrelli]

Btw, they will HATE you!!! You're switching children from a diet of cupcakes and pie to one of veggies and tofu. You may need our tips to get you to help them eat properly, but it MUST be done.

[pmapage]

Then go out tomorrow an get some Kaytee Forti-Diet for rats (blue bag) which can be gotten at many pet stores cheaply, and offer them until you can order some Henry's. These guys need a nutritional turn around. You might also offer them some antler or cuttle bone (also at pet stores) fo a calcium pick me up.

Cuttle bone like you provide to caged birds?

[msriri]

How long since you stopped formula? Did they wean on their own slowly? Personally, I think they could be put back on formula as well as blocks.

[pmapage]

Btw, they will HATE you!!! You're switching children from a diet of cupcakes and pie to one of veggies and tofu. You may need our tips to get you to help them eat properly, but it MUST be done.

No wonder they love me so much right now!! :) I thought it was because I'm so sweet!!

[farrelli]

Yes, the same cuttle bone. Its almost pure calcium, like antlers. Some will chew on it, some not. All sqs are different and it's all about trying to find which thing they like.

And yes, formula would be given for as long as they will take it. The sooner they wean, the greater the need for calcium.

[farrelli]

No wonder they love me so much right now!! :) I thought it was because I'm so sweet!!

Well, you are a sucker!

[pmapage]

Well, you are a sucker!

Yeah, well. I have a 6-yr-old and I'm a sucker for her too. At least I know what I'm doing with her nutrition though.

[sqrlmum]

I have noticed the girl has a constant sneeze. she also has right-sided only eye and nasal drainage (very mild, never crusty). the boy is absolutely fine, growing like a weed and very lively. the girl is growing but still a good bit smaller than he is and not lethargic but less active. I wonder if she could have allergies? they are eastern grey squirrels.

I have a boy, Wentworth, that was my 17th kid (and also the smallest) of the last big squirrel season. Went's sniffles started at about four or five weeks. Now that he's released, he's 100% sniffly/sneezy - to the point where it's obvious he's breathing heavily and fast. I gave him antibiotics the one time he had copious amounts of clear drainage coming out of his nose, but outside of that one time there's no drainage from either nose or eyes. I check his teeth and a few times of week give him a Henry's growth block. He's 8 months old now, and still climbs on us to get a block/treats, so it's easy to get a good look in his mouth. He's a big boy, an Eastern Grey, and fast and healthy - beautiful coat and not skinny in the slightest. I think that perhaps his head/nasal cavities were injured in the fall when his nest was cut down, but I just keep an eye on him (so does The Husband, who feeds him treats almost daily). It's awful to hear the snuffling/sniffling/sneezing sound, but I checked with the rehabber and the consensus is that it's either genetic or an early injury and as long as he's got a good appetite & not looking skinny/sickly he'll be fine. I do worry about his constant snuffling, but it doesn't slow him (or his appetite) down at all.

[island rehabber]

I'm going with "check her teeth" as well; sniffles in an otherwise healthy squirrel is almost always tooth-related. If her lowers are too long and have grown upward far enough to reach the roof of her mouth and her sinuses, she will sneeze constantly until they are trimmed.

[pmapage]

** UPDATE. **

THANKS!!! to all who sat up with me until 4 am this morning. I'm happy to say Chrystal is doing very well today! Her breathing is still mildly labored and she still has a slight cough, but she is eating well and taking her meds and as much water as I can force get her to drink (after taking strawberry flavored Pedialyte yesterday she's not real happy to be back on plain ol' water!) and she is much more active and without getting into respiratory distress for being active. All is progressing nicely!! Again thank you and I am getting their diet squared away!

Btw, any suggestions on when is a good age to release them? I live in the country and the ONLY traffic at my house is our family or visitors. No thru traffic. Plenty of trees, bird bath, pond, a few cats that mind their own business, and one dog I would figure is way to slow to catch a squirrel.

[SammysMom]

Age to release is dependent upon their overall health. As you are just now getting the diet on track, I wouldn't be in a rush to release them any time soon. You want to be sure their bones are good and strong before they are 50 feet in the air leafing tree to tree...:eek
You have gotten great advice here and it is refreshing to see how readily you are turning things around. Keep up the good work and you will have outdoor squirrels before you know it!:thumbsup

[farrelli]

Yes, I think they will be with you for quite some while. They appear stunted so they need to catch up and rebuild their bones.