3 week old with pneumonia? Help!

[agora1031]

One week ago I found a baby squirrel and have been caring for it every since. My mom used to rehabilitate squirrels and based on her guidance, old supplies, and my knowledge/experience from helping her I've been caring for him. He was doing great at first, but I've accidentally aspirated him two or three times and he seems to have pneumonia. Snotty nose, sneezing a lot, a tiny bit of milk (or snot?) coming out of his nose (NOT when I'm feeding him, but when he sneezes), and breathing through his mouth. I think I hear a very faint clicking when I put his mouth up to my ear. He is still really active and eating a lot, but I'm afraid it's just going to get worse.

I got Baytril 22.7mg Taste Tabs and the vet told me to feed him 1/4 tab daily. I mashed up 1/4 tab, mixed it in warm water and fed him a little, but not all of it. He weighs 1 ounce (28.35 grams) as of today. Please send me antibiotic instructions!!!! I think he is really strong and can survive this if I just properly feed him some antibiotics. Thank you in advance.

[farrelli]

I think that's way too much. I'll send you instructions in a PM.

[farrelli]

Sent.

Always follow proper feeding technique - head pointed down, 1cc syringe pointed up:

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

[agora1031]

Thank you so much! I got your PM and will follow those instructions. I also had a hunch that 1/4 tab was way too much, but I wasn't sure. After I feed him the medicine just feed him 5% of his body weight in formula per usual, correct? Thanks again! Will keep you posted.

[farrelli]

The rule is 5-7%. Formula shouldn't be given at the same time as ABs, maybe a couple hours before or after.

[Nancy in New York]

ALWAYS give probiotics when giving antibiotics, give those either two hours prior to or two hours after giving abs.

[farrelli]

Have that in my usual dosing spiel! :thumbsup

[agora1031]

Ok thanks. Now he seems really dehydrated. Could I just give him Pedialyte or homemade mixture (with sugar and salt) every few hours? And then antibiotics per your instructions with probiotics 2 hrs before? What type of probiotics is best? A pill mixed in water or a drink?

[farrelli]

You can give hydration any time you like, other than with formula. Water or slightly sweetened water is best. Salt can become counterproductive.

Probiotics can be gotten at any drug store. The capsules that you can pull apart and just sprinkle the powder seem to be good.

[CritterMom]

Do watch his hydration while he is taking antibiotics. :thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Definitely give water or water with a bit of sugar to keep him hydrated. Meds are hard on their organs and hydration will really help that. Do you have a heating pad that doesn't have auto shut-off under half of his container? Is his container plastic? Cardboard can be very dehydrating and plastic holds humidity.

[agora1031]

Definitely give water or water with a bit of sugar to keep him hydrated. Meds are hard on their organs and hydration will really help that. Do you have a heating pad that doesn't have auto shut-off under half of his container? Is his container plastic? Cardboard can be very dehydrating and plastic holds humidity.

Yes, I have a heating pad that doesn't shut off and half is off of it so he can get away from the heat. It is a cardboard box, but I don't have any plastic containers big enough for him and space to get away from the heating pad. I will get that tomorrow.

He seems to be getting worse (harder for him to breath, seems very wrinkly (dehydrated?)). I fed him about 1 mL of water and after tolieting him, around .5 mL of formula. I will feed him probiotics w more formula in 2 hours and then his antibiotics 2 hours after that. Do you think I should just feed him water tonight so he can get fully hydrated? I'm so worried. Thanks for all your suggestions so far!

[CritterMom]

I would do both - give him hydration every hour in between the feedings - small amounts but constant.

[farrelli]

I would do both but really push the water. Even giving him a few drops on a consistent basis would be good. It doesn;t have to be all in one shot, and you dont really have to worry about it in conjunction with ABs or food.

[farrelli]

If he gets lethargic, molasses, maple syrup, or other syrups if necessary can work well.

[agora1031]

Will do. Thanks for all the advice. It's going to be a long night... But he ate really well just now with the probiotics in it. Will keep you all posted. Thanks again.

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a picture of him.
Sometimes pictures can tell us so much.

[agora1031]

244202 He is doing MUCH better! Thank you all for your advice. I fed him every 3 hours w water in between feedings and gave him the probiotics with his food 2 hours before the midnight antibiotics round. He is still a little thin/dehydrated looking, but I think he is over the worst of it thanks to the baytril. Thank you again!!! PS. His name is Shaq the Warrior because he survived a fall out of his nest onto the pavement. And now this! Woo hoo!

[Mommaluvy]

He is cute. Glad he is feeling better

[agora1031]

He is cute. Glad he is feeling better

Do you think he looks underweight? He weighs about 29 grams and is 3 weeks old (I think).

[Mommaluvy]

Meh.. He looks thin.. And he is under weight I think.. But resist the urge to feed more than 5-7 % body weight.

You "could" try giving 7 % for the first and last feeds of the day.. And 5% for the others..

He has been sick .. So I doubt his weight is your fault. Just keep in truckin. But take it slow with him . The last thing your gonna wanna do is give him over feeding diarrhea .. Which causes stress and that can cause the Coccidia to rear it's ugly head.

So slow and steady. He will gain on 5%. Your going what.. 3- 3.5 hours between feeding ? And he is on a good formula?

He will gain.. Slow and steady. Has his weight changed since he started feeling better?

[Mommaluvy]

He is just now starting meds.. Yeah hold off on bumping him up ! Wait for him to be well.

And was he cat caught ? What's the red mark on his shoulder ?

He could be fighting two issues..


So hydrate with the barely sugared water.. Like you have been doing.. And keep up with feeds 5%.

It will get easier.

Do you have a miracle nipple and a good syringe?

[agora1031]

Meh.. He looks thin.. And he is under weight I think.. But resist the urge to feed more than 5-7 % body weight.

You "could" try giving 7 % for the first and last feeds of the day.. And 5% for the others..

He has been sick .. So I doubt his weight is your fault. Just keep in truckin. But take it slow with him . The last thing your gonna wanna do is give him over feeding diarrhea .. Which causes stress and that can cause the Coccidia to rear it's ugly head.

So slow and steady. He will gain on 5%. Your going what.. 3- 3.5 hours between feeding ? And he is on a good formula?

He will gain.. Slow and steady. Has his weight changed since he started feeling better?

Yes, he definitely looks more filled out and hydrated since the second round of antibiotics and the continuous hydration between feedings. I agree with you. I think he's better off with me being constant every 3-3.5 hours with 5% than too much.

[agora1031]

He is just now starting meds.. Yeah hold off on bumping him up ! Wait for him to be well.

And was he cat caught ? What's the red mark on his shoulder ?

He could be fighting two issues..


So hydrate with the barely sugared water.. Like you have been doing.. And keep up with feeds 5%.

It will get easier.

Do you have a miracle nipple and a good syringe?

I don't know if he was caught by a cat - I don't think so because directly above where I found him is the nest. Red marks are scabs healing from a few scraps he had.

Now he hasn't pooped in nearly 6 hours. Does Baytril and or probiotics cause constipation? Where can I buy a miracle nipple? I have a nipple and good syringe, but the nipple could be better. Thanks!

[agora1031]

I just ordered the miracle nipple and fox valley formula.

[farrelli]

What kind of formula are you using now? FV itself can cause constipation. Best bet is 50/50 FV and Esbilac.

Dehydration can cause constipation, pretty much every time. Keep hydrating. ABs can also cause GI upset and constipation. Keeping him well hydrated and keeping the probiotocs going is key. You could also give some apple juice with the water, or AJ undiluted if really bad. Sugar draws water into the gut, and so does the sorbitol in it, which is actually used as a drug for animals and humans as a mild laxative. Be sure not to go crazy and cause the opposite problem.

[farrelli]

Btw, I assume you're stimulating to poop?

[agora1031]

Btw, I assume you're stimulating to poop?

Yes, I've been stimulating him to poop and he's been pooping a lot pretty regularly. Just today starting around 6 am he stopped pooping. I will keep hydrating him and try warm water and massage tonight. I don't want to try AJ and water option until tomorrow if he still hasn't gone. I ordered Fox Valley 20/50 formula today and have been feeding him kitten formula this past week. Can get that specific pre and probiotics form of Ebsilac tomorrow. Is it bad to not just feed him 100% Fox Valley formula? Thanks!

[farrelli]

FV is currently frowned on because it's caused digestive problems in a lot of sqs. Esbilac powder with probiotics is problem free. many thing that 50/50 mix of FV and Esbilac is ideal. Kitten formula is bad.

[Milo's Mom]

Esbilac powder with pre/pro-biotics is NOT problem free after they've reached about 5 weeks old (approx.). Personally, I'd mix it 50/50 with FV 20/50 or go with straight FV. Since your baby is still eyes closed (for the next week or so) I'd do the mix of the two and then when eyes are open I'd slowly transition to straight FV.

There have been several cases on the board lately regarding unexplained runny poop and coincidently they were all on Esbilac and they were between 4 and 8 weeks old.

[agora1031]

Esbilac powder with pre/pro-biotics is NOT problem free after they've reached about 5 weeks old (approx.). Personally, I'd mix it 50/50 with FV 20/50 or go with straight FV. Since your baby is still eyes closed (for the next week or so) I'd do the mix of the two and then when eyes are open I'd slowly transition to straight FV.

There have been several cases on the board lately regarding unexplained runny poop and coincidently they were all on Esbilac and they were between 4 and 8 weeks old.

Thanks for all the info!

[Mommaluvy]

I just ordered the miracle nipple and fox valley formula.

Good. The miracle nipple will help greatly !

If you can't get the esbilac to mix it 50/50 ... then I would just go with what you ordered.

[agora1031]

Thanks for all your help everyone! He took a huge poop after a little massage with his butt in warm water. The hydration between meals has helped a lot too, I think. Thanks again!