Lethargic, clicking, help!

[Fyreflii7]

Orphaned baby flying squirrel, eyes just starting to open and doing great for the past week.

He is suddenly lethargic, bubbling formula out his nose, has a decreased appetite. Is this pneumonia? How do I treat it? Looks like he won't make it without something.

I have SMZ pills. The vet is closed until Monday.

[Chickenlegs]

So did the formula JUST come out of his nose or has it happened before? When you hold him to your ear do you hear "clicking" when he breathes? That's aspiration Pneumonia. SMZ is good but takes awhile to kick in. I am NOT the dosing queen--that's Nancy's department. If you have Cipro, it's faster acting but hard on little tummys. Hopefully Nancy will check in soon. Hang in there little guy! Mrs Skul is the flyer queen. Normally I'd never post a number on the open Board but this is a quote from another post so I guess it's OK. There's been some rough times at the Skul house lately but they are always ready to help a flyer.
"Mrs Skul (Christal) wanted me to let everyone know that if there are squirrel emergencies, she is still happy to pitch in her knowledge. Please feel free to PM her or call her at 832-401-1084."

Good luck with your baby. Smarter folks than I should respond soon.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Orphaned baby flying squirrel, eyes just starting to open and doing great for the past week.

He is suddenly lethargic, bubbling formula out his nose, has a decreased appetite. Is this pneumonia? How do I treat it? Looks like he won't make it without something.

I have SMZ pills. The vet is closed until Monday.

This does sound like pneumonia. Lethargy and decreased appetite are definitely associated with pneumonia. The click won't always be heard on a baby flyer. I would treat for pneumonia. Is there anyway you could get a Ciprofloxacin or Baytril pill from a friend. It is very fast acting.

If the SMZ is all that you have access to, it can be used. I just fear it is too 'slow acting' BUT with that said it is definitely better than nothing.
Send a PM to Nancy in New York. She will help you dose it. She will need a weight of your baby in grams and the concentration of the pill (mg) that you have.

Good luck with this little one.

[Fyreflii7]

Thank you for the responses. He started clicking yesterday but acted normal until his midnight feeding. I am at work, SMZ is all I have access to. He weighs 7/8 oz on a kitchen scale. The pills are human sized, how do I measure a dose and how often? I can't check in here regularly so anyone that can help, please call or text. 850-774-5388

[California Squirrel Lover]

Fyreflii7, hang on for someone to come on with the correct info for you

[California Squirrel Lover]

So did the formula JUST come out of his nose or has it happened before? When you hold him to your ear do you hear "clicking" when he breathes? That's aspiration Pneumonia. SMZ is good but takes awhile to kick in. I am NOT the dosing queen--that's Nancy's department. If you have Cipro, it's faster acting but hard on little tummys. Hopefully Nancy will check in soon. Hang in there little guy! Mrs Skul is the flyer queen. Normally I'd never post a number on the open Board but this is a quote from another post so I guess it's OK. There's been some rough times at the Skul house lately but they are always ready to help a flyer.
"Mrs Skul (Christal) wanted me to let everyone know that if there are squirrel emergencies, she is still happy to pitch in her knowledge. Please feel free to PM her or call her at 832-401-1084."

Good luck with your baby. Smarter folks than I should respond soon.




Fyreflii7, did you see the info in the above post?

[Fyreflii7]

Fyreflii7, did you see the info in the above post?
I just got off the phone with Christal. I need to get Baytril ASAP. Located on the Oregon Coast, anyone in the area have some? In the meantime, I need help with dosage for SMZ. He weighs 24.8 grams and the pills I have are 800mg. Thank you for any help!

[California Squirrel Lover]

Hi Fyreflii7, I don't know dosing, so we need someone with proper experience to help you with that. I wonder if maybe you should put up a new emergency thread, stating your needs?

[CritterMom]

Baytril is basically the same as the human drug Cipro.

Call aquarium shops and see if anyone has the medicine "Fish Flox." If they do, it is HUMAN CIPRO which has been labeled for aquarium use and is legal to sell without a prescription. Same drug.

[California Squirrel Lover]

I just got off the phone with Christal. I need to get Baytril ASAP. Located on the Oregon Coast, anyone in the area have some? In the meantime, I need help with dosage for SMZ. He weighs 24.8 grams and the pills I have are 800mg. Thank you for any help!


Baytril is basically the same as the human drug Cipro.

Call aquarium shops and see if anyone has the medicine "Fish Flox." If they do, it is HUMAN CIPRO which has been labeled for aquarium use and is legal to sell without a prescription. Same drug.



Fyreflii7, in the meantime, while you're waiting to get other meds, do you still need help dosing the SMZ that you do have?

[Nancy in New York]

I can dose the SMZ-TMP. I need the strength of the drug in mg.
Nobody has pm'd me with any info. and I was off board most of the day, and will be on and off
tonight.

[Nancy in New York]

I can dose the SMZ-TMP. I need the strength of the drug in mg.
Nobody has pm'd me with any info. and I was off board most of the day, and will be on and off
tonight.

Ignore this post, an extremely helpful member just pm'd me. Seems it was right in front of my nose the whole time.
:grin2 Thank you RobinTN.
I will pm you the dosing instructions, and the dose you need for this little one.

[RobinTN]

Fyreflii7 I have PMd Nancy with babys weight, she should PM you the dose shortly :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Fyreflii7 I have PMd Nancy with babys weight, she should PM you the dose shortly :grouphug


Thank you Robin, dosing was send, now prayers are being sent. :grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

Love and prayers for that little guy. Get better baby :Love_Icon

[Fyreflii7]

I received the dosing instructions and he got a dose immediately. Thank you everyone for the help! Fingers crossed.

[Nancy in New York]

I received the dosing instructions and he got a dose immediately. Thank you everyone for the help! Fingers crossed.

:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[SammysMom]

:Love_Icon

[SQUIRRELSAREME]

Where is Oregon are you? I can over night you cipro if it would be better.

[Fyreflii7]

Where is Oregon are you? I can over night you cipro if it would be better.

Southern Coast. I really appreciate the offer! I called around today for Fish Flox, all pet stores are closed but living in a small town, the owners still answer the phone because it's their home line too! One told me where I can get it tomorrow.

If he makes it through the night (had his SMZs and now giving a few drops of formula/cream/yogurt every hour) I'll take you up on that.

[RobinTN]

:grouphug:Love_Iconfight hard, sweet baby:Love_Icon:grouphug

[Fyreflii7]

He's hanging in there. Strength and appetite have increased with each feeding.

If the SMZs are working, should I still get Fish Flox, Cipro, Baytril?

[CritterMom]

Yes, if you believe this is pneumonia, I absolutely would. SMZ-TMP is a good med but it is not fast-acting, and the infection often works faster that the meds. Cipro and Baytril are VERY fast acting, and they are well tolerated meds, too.

[Chickenlegs]

So glad the little guy is still with us. You can do it baby :Love_Icon

[SQUIRRELSAREME]

Glad we made it thought the night PM me your address if you want me to send this overnight. Fight hard little one. :Love_Icon

[California Squirrel Lover]

:grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[Fyreflii7]

Thanks to the helpful folks on this board, antibiotics, a few good friends, and Squirrely's strong will ... he's doing GREAT! I thought for sure he would pass away any minute a week ago. He was limp, clicking, had to be force-fed his anti-biotics and wouldn't take anything by mouth for a while. Now he has an endless appetite and crawls around with vigor.

Who knew a 25 gram little guy would have an army of humans teaming up to keep him alive.

Hard to get a good photo when he's crawling all over the place (mostly up my arm), but here he is trying to escape the daily weigh-in.

244605

[SammysMom]

Yeah!!! :fireworks:Love_Icon:fireworks

[Nancy in New York]

Well this is the best news I have read ALL day.
What an adorable little rag a muffin you have there.
Seriously CUTE!!!!!!!!!!! :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[RobinTN]

Awww how cute! That's great news to wake up to, thank you for the wonderful update!:dance