7 week old squirrel need HELP

[Lharley]

My 7 week old squirrel was thriving until yesterday. Now he will only eat about 2 droppers of formula (was eating 6-8), lethargic, eyes half closed and recent poop soft. The only thing I changed was the brand of whipping cream I was using to add to his formula...I made more with no cream added.. He usually sleeps well and eats about every 6 hours..... He is also shaking a little.... Help???

[farrelli]

What kind of formula? If you listen closely, put him to your ear, do you hear any clicking? How much and how often are you feeding? Do you think he could have aspirated? What is his background?

[farrelli]

The fact that you're using a dropper makes me very concerned that he might have aspirated and has pneumonia. Common symptoms are clicking, lack of appetite, and loss of energy.

[stepnstone]

:tinfoilHopefully the baby's still here and this person comes
back on with some answers...

[TubeDriver]

The fact that you're using a dropper makes me very concerned that he might have aspirated and has pneumonia. Common symptoms are clicking, lack of appetite, and loss of energy.

This^^^ If it is aspiration pneumonia, it can be easily treated and we can help you with that. It does have to be addressed ASAP, little ones can go downhill and pass in 48 hours if this is what has happened.

[Lharley]

What kind of formula? If you listen closely, put him to your ear, do you hear any clicking? How much and how often are you feeding? Do you think he could have aspirated? What is his background?

I am using Petlac formula I think.... I got the info from here. I was adding 2 small scoops of the whipping cream as suggested. He has been doing fantastic for the last 2 weeks, eating about every 5-6 hours now, was sucking down about 6-8 droppersfull. I do not squeeze it all. He sucks it out. He is not making any clicking sounds. After I changed whipping cream he ate about 2-3 times and then suddenly got very lethargic and wont eat much. He was pooping and peeing great. Now he just had his first soft poop. I dont think he aspirated. Ive seen him do that when he was youger and it would bubble out his nose. He hasnt done that in a long time. He isnt sucking very hard now either.
He fell out of his nest and I couldnt get him back there. Ive been caring for him since.

Could he have gotten too cold maybe and sick from that?

[farrelli]

Where on here did anyone recommend Petlac? We prefer Esbilac powder with probiotics or Fox Valley for older sqs.

The symptoms really do sound like pneumonia. The clicking isn't necessary. You don't have to squeeze, they can aspirate themselves. This is part of why we recommend using syringes, so that you can control the flow if they try to suck it out too fast. You should get yourself some 3cc syringes and follow the proper feeding technique guide - head pointed down, syringe pointed up:

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

If I were you, I'd start antibiotics. Cipro and Baytril are very common and are best, but others can be used too. Tell us what you have and we'll tell you if it can be used. Then, you'll have to give us the weight of the sq and we'll tell you how to prepare it and how much to give.

[farrelli]

Btw, can you provide some pics or video? It often can tell us a lot.

[farrelli]

Also, yes, cold can contribute to the situation. What is his cage like? Are you using a heat source?

[Lharley]

Also, yes, cold can contribute to the situation. What is his cage like? Are you using a heat source?

I tried to find Esbilac but picked up Petlac. I read somewhere it was ok and I printed off the whole guide. I thought it was from here... He spends the days in a cardboard box with heating pad, pillow covers and towels. The heating pad does turn off though. About 10 days ago I set him up at night in a large dog crate with heating pad, blankets, etc. Again it does turn off. I dont have any antibiotics.... My vet doesnt see squirrels.

[Lharley]

I am trying to upload 2 videos but cant get it to work...

[farrelli]

First things first, you need to get antibiotics. Call around. Your friends or family probably do. Cipro is common, especially with women because it's for UTIs. Baytril is common for pets. Really if this is pnumonia, this is very serious and he'll die soon if you don't.

[farrelli]

Does anyone know if we have members in the Austin area?

[Lharley]

[QUOTE=farrelli;1060059]First things first, you need to get antibiotics. Call around. Your friends or family probably do. Cipro is common, especially with women because it's for UTIs. Baytril is common for pets. Really if this is pnumonia, this is very serious and he'll die soon if you don't.[/QUOTE

Can I get liquid? I bet I can get some from my vet.

[farrelli]

Liquid is fine too, but we would still need to know the strength (mg/ml) of the liquid in order to tell you how much to give.

Btw, if a pill, a single pill would cover the entire course, and then some.

[Lharley]

Good news I found a rehab here that will take him and give antibiotics and raise him until he can be released...They have other squirrels also...thanks for your help!!!!!

[island rehabber]

Thank Goodness! Good decision, lharley. Raising a squirrel is difficult AND expensive and without the proper equipment, as you have seen, bad things can happen. Good move!

[stepnstone]

Thank Goodness! Good decision, lharley. Raising a squirrel is difficult AND expensive and without the proper equipment, as you have seen, bad things can happen. Good move!

:yeahthat Always good to see when someone does the right thing
in the best interest for the squirrel's benefit.
Thank you Iharley! :grouphug