Something is wrong!!

[m.love1008]

I have a squirrel that I guess to be around 8-9 weeks old. I have had her for a couple weeks now and today she seems to not be herself. She has a very rapid heartbeat/breathing. She doesn't want to move. Seems to be weak. Does not want liquids or solids. I tried to give her fruit pedylite and tums. Would not take that either.

Her diet consists of pet ag formula with whipping cream twice daily. Broccoli, carrots, apples, rodent blocks and water. Some nuts on occasion.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Do you have molasses, if not maple syrup or karo syrup .....if so rub some on her gums......this may perk her up ....hopefully help is on the way:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Which PetAg milk? If you hold her up to your ear do you hear a click with EVERY breath? How much does she weigh in grams?

[m.love1008]

Which PetAg milk? If you hold her up to your ear do you hear a click with EVERY breath? How much does she weigh in grams?

I'm not sure which one. I'm at work and can not look at the container. She does not click. And I do not have a scale to weigh her. I'll see if I can borrow from someone.

[SammysMom]

Okay, the formula you need is the Esbilac Puppy (powdered) that says "Now with probiotics and prebiotics..." along the top edge of the can. You need to know her weight in order to know how much she needs to eat as well as what dose to use if she does need antibiotics. Walmart carries kitchen scales that weigh in grams for a reasonable price.
Is it possible for you to post a picture of her? If you can get a can of soda or soup or ruler in the picture it will give us a good perspective. If you can't post, you can email pictures to me at vfwpost7666@sbcglobal.net

[m.love1008]

I will try to weigh her ASAP. I scared she won't make it through the night. :(

[m.love1008]

I'm just wondering what I'm possibly dealing with. Is she dehydrated, overheated, or does she have beginning of mbd? Or something else.

[Duckman]

You can do a simple test for Dehydration. Pinch the skin on the back of the neck and see if it stays tented or relaxes back down. If it stays up, she is dehydrated. If she is severely dehydrated, her fur will be very spiky. If the formula isn't correct, she could be having the onset of MBD. Do you have any tums without Vitamin D? If she will chew it, you might offer her half of one to start. If not, you might have to make a paste by breaking up the Tums and adding water.

Edit - If you can take pictures and post them, it will help many here to help diagnose her problem.

[SammysMom]

Giving her sugar water cannot hurt and may help. Drop by drop in her mouth if she won't take it willingly.

[m.love1008]

Did the pinch thing. She must not be dehydrated because the skin goes back down right away. And no spiky fur. I have just regular extra strength fruit tums. I tried to mix with pedylite. She didn't take it. I'll try to get her to eat it. How can I make her drink fluids if she isn't taking them willingly? I don't want to hurt her or make her choke on the stuff.

[SammysMom]

You emailed me pics? She is Hazelnut?

[m.love1008]

You emailed me pics? She is Hazelnut?

Yes that's me.

[SammysMom]

Pics...what a cutie!!!

[grampyngramy]

Are you feeding with a syringe? Remember head down syringe up.

[m.love1008]

Is it a possibility that the symptoms are signs of pneumonia?

[m.love1008]

Are you feeding with a syringe? Remember head down syringe up.

Yes I was. But she started to bite when she wasn't drinking fast enough. She has a jar lid with a tiny amount of water in it. She doesn't quite get the water bottle yet.

[SammysMom]

It is always possible. Asperation pneumonia is very common. That is why i asked about clicking. Dehydration is also common though. Give her water or sugat wayer just to be sure. I got one a few months ago who had tight skin, but was almost dead from dehydration. How are her poops. Pellets or soft? Does her urine have an odor to it or a lot of color? How much and how often do you feed?
Although i may have to go to bed, the answers to these questions will help others to help you too.

[sid'smommy]

Apple seed ??

[m.love1008]

It is always possible. Asperation pneumonia is very common. That is why i asked about clicking. Dehydration is also common though. Give her water or sugat wayer just to be sure. I got one a few months ago who had tight skin, but was almost dead from dehydration. How are her poops. Pellets or soft? Does her urine have an odor to it or a lot of color? How much and how often do you feed?
Although i may have to go to bed, the answers to these questions will help others to help you too.

So I checked on her when I got home. She does have a small amount of clicking. A rapid heartbeat as well. I tried more pedylite. No go. Her poops are light brown and semi-hard. A couple days ago her pee was light with no odor. Yesterday she was in her cage so I don't know. I think her bathroom habits may have dropped as well. I'll try sugar water tomorrow. How much sugar to how much water?

[farrelli]

I have to go to bed, but clicking is very bad and can kill quickly. You will NEED to get a hold of some antibiotics immediately and tell us what you have. Call around and ask people if necessary. Cipro and Baytril are best and very common for people to have. Some others can work too. Some pet stores will sell antibiotics for fish and reptiles that will work too. Fish Flox is great Fish Mox is also good. We will also need a weight on the sq in order to dose them, or at the very least a picture with a size reference. Just tell us what you can get.

For tonight, give fluids, drop by drop if necessary. Molasses on the gums can help bring her round. Other syrups or even jam can also work in a pinch. Maple syrup is pretty good. Also, keep her warm. Half on a heating pad set on low half under the container so that she can get off if necessary. Failing that, a sock filled with rice or beans, nuked for a bit, and then squished around to avoid hot spots will also stay warm for awhile.

Good luck. I hope she makes it through the night.

[Scooterzmom]

Is it my eyes or does her tummy seem large and round on the pic? Is her tummy hard? If so, I might suspect bloat and that can be fatal. If it is bloat that would explain why she refuses all food and water. If that is the case - I mean bloat - you'll want to massage her tummy gently, pressing downward to help the air out. Soaking her rear end in warm water while you massage her tummy would also help. Just sayin', in case. Did she poop a lot or just a few pellets? When was the last time she pooped? She would also love some heat on her tummy if it's bloat. Sort of like babies who have colic… the warmth helps to soothe it. With bloat you have to be persistent and not give up until it goes away. You leave it be and risks getting worse… and worse...

[farrelli]

Yes, tummy should feel soft and squishy, like a partially filled water balloon.

[Scooterzmom]

Like a small water ballon, softly/partly inflated… not hard.
When was the last time she pooped and how much did she eat at her last feedings?

If it's pneumonia clicking it should go on all the time, with every breath. If she clicks for awhile while you hold her or stroke her and stops clicking when left alone it's a different kind of click. The pneumonia one comes from deep inside, the chest… you can hear it by pressing your hear on her back of chest. If it comes more from the mouth, agaian that would be a different kind of clicking, one of appreciation… of enjoying what you do.

[m.love1008]

Her tummy isn't hard. But I have not seen her go potty yet.

[Scooterzmom]

You may want to try and help her potty.

You gently rub her tummy, sliding your finger or thumb downward from just above the hip towards the anus. ou can use both thumbs to massage also from left to right and right to left on her tummy. Be gentle but see if you can feel something in her belly. Very often when they are constipated you can feel a few of the poopies inside their tummy, and it helps guide you for bringing them downwards. Warmth on the ummy again helps feel better.

How much did she eat/drink yesterday and did she poop after that or since then?

If she has not peed, it may be that she is dehydrated. You should be able to tell in her cage if blankies or papers are wet… depending on the set-up she has.

Did you re-check on her breathing? Does she still click?

[m.love1008]

You may want to try and help her potty.

You gently rub her tummy, sliding your finger or thumb downward from just above the hip towards the anus. ou can use both thumbs to massage also from left to right and right to left on her tummy. Be gentle but see if you can feel something in her belly. Very often when they are constipated you can feel a few of the poopies inside their tummy, and it helps guide you for bringing them downwards. Warmth on the ummy again helps feel better.

How much did she eat/drink yesterday and did she poop after that or since then?

If she has not peed, it may be that she is dehydrated. You should be able to tell in her cage if blankies or papers are wet… depending on the set-up she has.

Did you re-check on her breathing? Does she still click?

She wasn't clicking unless I touched her. I just gave her the rice buddie all warmed up. She crawled up to it to snuggle. Yesterday I'm not sure what she did potty wise. I was not home to see. But this morning I did not see her go.

[Madamelipstick]

Do we have an update? How is this little squirrel doing? Please let us know.

[m.love1008]

She passed away at 7:44 am.

[SammysMom]

Godspeed little one...:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

I am so very sorry for your loss. These little ones get into your heart and stay there...:grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

Sweet sleep baby :Love_Icon no more feeling bad. You're home with so many who have gone before.

[Saverywood]

Awwww. ...I am so sorry.
:grouphug Rest in peace little one.:grouphug

[czarina]

I am so very sorry for your loss.
You we're so lucky to have had her in your life.
Godspeed little angel.:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Madamelipstick]

We are all so very sorry for your loss. Many have loss our little friends, we understand your pain. I pray you find comfort in knowing that you were owned by a squirrel.Not many can say this, you have been blessed. Smile knowing they touched your very soul.

[m.love1008]

Thank you everyone. I miss her already. :(

[grampyngramy]

Aww. So sorry. It is always hard when one passes. But we have go remember they are pain free once they are gone. Suffering is their pain . Their passing is our pain.

[Shewhosweptforest]

:Cry :shakehead :grouphug