Help need in SC possible aspiration pneumonia

[RoxySquirrel]

Help!My pet squirrel named roxy(male : red ; 2-3 weeks)eyes not open)) I didn't realize that he was suckling to the bottle of mother's milk replacer,the fluid was running out his nose!(I've had two pet squirrels before but this never happened with it).Roxy has started gasping for air and making clicking sounds. I really don't know what to do,the Vets and animal hospitals near me are all closed for tonight, I don't think he well make it its been about 9 mins and he is still gasping for air.i tried wiping the milk replacer off his nose but i don't think it did any better for the little guy. :( please reply someone!I cant stand for roxy to be hurting or if he has Pneumonia! :(

[farrelli]

Turn him upside down if the milk is still coming out so it can drain.

How long has the clicking been going on? Is he lethargic?

If the clicking has been going on for a hours or more, you will absolutely need an antibiotic. Tell us what you have and we can dose if you have a weight. Some work, some don't. Cipro, Baytril, Amoxicillin are all good.

[farrelli]

I've also asked that this be made its own thread in Emergency.

[farrelli]

I think some people also will VERY, VERY GENTLY try to suck any formula out of the nostrils, not using even a closed suction point so as to not injure the lungs.

[farrelli]

While upside down, a gentle motion with the arm to try to pull the fluid out via centrifugal force can also help. I would try that before the suction, seeing that you're new to this.

[farrelli]

Also, please, no bottles. Syringes only. Please follow proper feeding technique, head pointed down, syringe pointed up:

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

[Mommaluvy]

Yes Far is right . Upside down to drain the lungs. If I read your post right it sounds more like drowning. But if he pulls through this .. Then like Far said he will likely need antibiotics.

[Mommaluvy]

Far .. Could be maybe try to suction one nostril at a time with a bulb syri g ?? Is the hat you mean by "non closed"?

[RoxySquirrel]

Turn him upside down if the milk is still coming out so it can drain.

How long has the clicking been going on? Is he lethargic?

If the clicking has been going on for a hours or more, you will absolutely need an antibiotic. Tell us what you have and we can dose if you have a weight. Some work, some don't. Cipro, Baytril, Amoxicillin are all good.

I do have antibiotic, Also clicking has been only going on for about 30 minutes now.So he has always been hyper and very active but roxy has stopped moving for a bid, the struggles to get farther into the soft sock i have him in to keep him warm have slowed. Weight,about or less than half a pound,im guessing(my scale just brings up 0 when i try to weight him). Only a little milk came out when i held roxy upside down for 10 seconds,any more advice? thank you for replying so fast too)

[farrelli]

What kind of ABs do you have? You can't just give any old one, or too much.

Can you provide some pics with a size reference so weight can be judged?

[farrelli]

Video of clicking would be good too. Can't upload vids here. Must upload to Youtube or somewhere and post a link. If no account, I can put it up for you if you want.

[RoxySquirrel]

What kind of ABs do you have? You can't just give any old one, or too much.

Can you provide some pics with a size reference so weight can be judged?

Roxy only had a little fur down his back if you cant see it good in the picture. 240952240952240952
He is about the size of a computer mouse.Checked my ABs date, to old to use,should I go get some,I live only a couple blocks away from a drug store.
If you want to know i feed him with a seringe/nippled, and I use puppies replacer milk(is that ok?) I know goat milk and cows milk would kill him so I wont use that.

(roxy has been eating and 1/2ing daily,he has been fine until now.)

[RoxySquirrel]

Roxy only had a little fur down his back if you cant see it good in the picture. 240952240952240952
He is about the size of a computer mouse.Checked my ABs date, to old to use,should I go get some,I live only a couple blocks away from a drug store.
If you want to know i feed him with a seringe/nippled, and I use puppies replacer milk(is that ok?) I know goat milk and cows milk would kill him so I wont use that.

(roxy has been eating and 1/2ing daily,he has been fine until now.)

Sorry I didn't know it would copy the picture three times.)

[farrelli]

Btw, goats milk is great, but you have to mix it with yogurt and cream. We have directions. But Esbilac is best. Cow's milk is poison.

[farrelli]

Also, where are you in SC? I think we have members there who might have some drugs if they're near you.

Please be quick about this. I'm going to go away soon.

[RoxySquirrel]

I have someone who's going to estimate weight for us. How out of date are the ABs? If clicking is still happening and consistent, YES, you will need ABs and there is no time to waste. Cipro and Baytril are great. You should also get a scale. It tells you how much to feed and how to dose drugs.

You should be feeding Esbilac puppy powder with probiotics, available at many pet stores.

240953


I'm hoping what i'm using is ok? 240954 The clicking has slowed down, maybe its stopping?Though roxy is breathing better,he is jerking a little. The dates are expired long over due,2 months ago.(Couple years ago i had another squirrel and i had that just incase something happened,but i never used it so.. )

[SammysMom]

Could you post a picture of the baby for a weight guess?

[RoxySquirrel]

Also, where are you in SC? I think we have members there who might have some drugs if they're near you.

Please be quick about this. I'm going to go away soon.


Conway.

[farrelli]

Not good stuff. Get the powder. I'll PM Jbartell and Uni, who I think are SC people.

[SammysMom]

The formula is a no. You need to get Esbilac puppy with probiotics. What antibiotics do you have on hand?

[RoxySquirrel]

Not good stuff. Get the powder. I'll PM Jbartell and Uni, who I think are SC people.

Ok thanks alot for your help! :thankyou Roxy is breathing just fine now, and Ill make sure to go and get some AB, also Ill try to find the milk powder replacer in your photo! What if this happens again?Just clean his nose and hold roxy upside told for couple seconds?(hope Ill do it right, have any good videos showing something like how to do that?)

[farrelli]

Is he clicking at all? It's SUPER important. Routinely hold him to your ear and listen VERY closely.

[RoxySquirrel]

Is he clicking at all? It's SUPER important. Routinely hold him to your ear and listen VERY closely.

No clicking,just him breathing.

[SammysMom]

I am really not sure on weight. Maybe 35g?

[farrelli]

You definately need a scale!!!! Please get one tomorrow.

You should feed 5-7% of body weight every 3-4 hours, using the proper technique. Syringes can be gotten from pharmacies. Better syringes and nipples can be gotten from the following. People love the Miracle Nipple. You might also order some Henry's blocks now because the shipping will be the same. Put them in the freezer.

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

[RoxySquirrel]

You definitely need a scale!!!! Please get one tomorrow.

You should feed 5-7% of body weight every 3-4 hours, using the proper technique. Syringes can be gotten from pharmacies. Better syringes and nipples can be gotten from the following. People love the Miracle Nipple. You might also order some Henry's blocks now because the shipping will be the same. Put them in the freezer.

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/


Actually the nipple I have for the syringe is a Miracle nipple,And Ill check out the link! :grin2

[jbtartell]

Hi roxy I sent u my number, I am in sc if u ever need anything... also tank you farrelli, I just got up and seen this.. :grin3

[jbtartell]

hows baby today

[pjjere]

We are in the lowcountry of SC (about 20 miles N of Savannah, Ga) and can help if needed. We would love to rehab another squirrel and also could take a NR. PM me if we can help.

[Nancy in New York]

Is this bruising on his tummy?
What are these dark areas?

http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-4FmfZf3/0/L/i-4FmfZf3-L.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing-2/n-GmzqZ/i-4FmfZf3/A)

[jbtartell]

I am in sc too sent pm with my number... did you get it??

[anniedancer]

Please.......be VERY careful with antibiotics. They are NOT created equal. They work in different ways, and some would be extremely dangerous to give a small animal. Plus, the dosing has to be carefully done, and by someone who knows what they are doing.
Before you "go get some", find out the name of an antibiotic recommended by the experts here, and exactly what dose to give...and this, I believe, is done based in part on the baby's weight.
Annie