Urgent help needed for our little guy, Smidge...

[Omunity]

He's an orphaned baby squirrel about 8 weeks old.
Everything has been going fine until now...
He's been in me and my girlfriend's care since he was around 5 weeks old.
We've fed him the necessary amount of food (esbilac powder + water) every 4 hours (not at night) for his weight since he was at the age where he could consume it healthily.
We're almost positive he's had multiple seizures.
We went out today and came back and he was outside of the usual place he sleeps.
He seems as though he might be gasping for air.
We're not entirely sure.
We're not squirrel experts.
We just really want this little guy to pull through.
There aren't any vets that would even accept this little guy around us.
We think it might be a calcium deficiency caused from the lack of nutrients from solid foods as we haven't given him a whole lot of it yet. Just strawberries here and there over the past week or so.
If anyone has any input whatsoever, please let me know immediately.
I don't know if he has too much longer...
Also, he "could" be constipated.
And he will not eat... im sure he wants to. I just dont think hes able to. We've been giving him nothing but warmth ever since we saw him...
I apologize in advance if this post breaks any forum rules or anything... I'm just in desperate need for some quick answers.

Thank you.
Best regards,
Austin

[HRT4SQRLS]

Please listen to his chest. Do you hear clicking when he breaths? This is very important as it is indicative of aspiration pneumonia.

This is NOT calcium deficiency if he is on formula.

[HRT4SQRLS]

When you say he went out ... do you mean outside? He is way too young to be going outside.

Edit.. Sorry YOU went out. :)

[Omunity]

There's no clicking in his chest.

[Omunity]

Not outside- just outside of the area he sleeps within his cage.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You said constipated. Is he bloated? Is his abdomen large and hard?

[Omunity]

I only say constipated because I haven't "seen" him defecate for about a week and the last time he did he seemed as though he was having some trouble so we had to help him a bit.

[HRT4SQRLS]

So there have been no poops in his bin for a week?

[Omunity]

I'm getting afraid he's paralyzed from the neck down... the only time he seems to move any part of his body below his neck is when he has seizured.

[pixiepoo]

What makes you think he had had seizures? Does he do it when you're feeding him? Does he move normally otherwise? Any head tilt?

[Omunity]

I'm not entirely sure... there's plenty of poop... I just don't know if he's been going enough as it's simply a possibility, I guess. I guess I just need a "what would one do in these types of situations."

[HRT4SQRLS]

When you found him did he have a head injury of any type? Did he have a bloody nose?

These symptoms are all over the place ... seizure, constipated, can't breath, paralyzed.

Before this ... he was healthy?

[Omunity]

As for the seizures...
He tilts his head back and his arms to the air.
His eyes were going in the back of his head when we saw him.
He was outside of his heat source as I mentioned and he was quite cold.

[pixiepoo]

Can you text me a video of him? I'll pm you my number.

[Omunity]

Before this, yes- he was healthy. Or seemed to be. He did have a fall close to a week to a week and a half ago but he seemed fine after that. I should also add he's holding his mouth open.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Put some molasses, honey or syrup under his tongue. Make sure he is warm. I would wrap him in fleece and hold him near my chest. Let him know you're there.

[pixiepoo]

Sounds like he is having trouble breathing to me if he is holding his mouth open. :/

[CritterMom]

Could he have fallen again in the time you were out?

For now, try getting some sugar into him - you can use pancake syrup, molasses, corn syrup, even mix some table sugar and a drop of water into a thick slurry and put it right in his mouth - you can use a syringe or a q-tip. He doesn't have to swallow as the mucous membranes in the mouth will absorb the sugar.

Seizures deplete the blood sugar, AND squirrels can suffer from low blood sugar from too far spaced feedings which will cause seizures.

[Spanky]

Put some molasses, honey or syrup under his tongue. Make sure he is warm. I would wrap him in fleece and hold him near my chest. Let him know you're there.

:goodpost

Can you share a general area where you are located (City / State).. just in case there may be some help available nearby?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Are you 100% certain that you don't hear clicking ... even faint? The head back and arms in the air sounds like struggling to breath, as does the open mouth breathing.

[Omunity]

We're actually in Michigan.
UPDATE: Luckily, the seizures don't "seem" to have affected his body too bad as he's moving them occasionally...
It really does seem as though he's trying very hard to breathe but I'm clueless as to why.

[Omunity]

Yes we're 100% sure we hear no clicking... but he did sneeze a bit ago if that helps whatsoever

[pixiepoo]

I think he needs baytril. Is he dehydrated? Is there any way to upload the video you sent me?

[Omunity]

ill figure a way to upload the video

[HRT4SQRLS]

When you feed him formula do you hold him upright or tummy down or on his back? Have you seen bubbles come out of his nose when he nurses? What are you using to feed with ... syringe, bottle, eyedropper, etc?

When was the last time he took formula?

[pixiepoo]

Can anyone in Michigan come help? I would subQ him with ringers. Skin is taking a while to go back down after tenting apparently

[Omunity]

We are using a syringe to feed him.
It's been over 5 hours now without formula.
We hold him upright- however, we have noticed some bubbles when nursing.
When this happens, we've held him upside down and waited for the drainage to leak and rubbed his nose a bit to sponge some of the liquid up.

[pixiepoo]

Can you get a nebulizer?

[Omunity]

http://tinypic.com/player.php?v=14masxt%3E&s=8#.VW5MEM9Viko
If this worked correctly-
This is him currently.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Personally, I think it would be safer to go ahead and treat him with antibiotics ... just in case. It certainly won't hurt and it might save his life. Do you have any antibiotics? Preferable Ciprofloxacin or Baytril. One pill is enough.

If he is tenting (dehydrated) I would try to get hydration in him, one drop at a time if necessary. Add a tablespoon of sugar to a cup of water. Warm it like formula.

[Omunity]

I appreciate all the information, friends. Thank you very much for all the helpful options given thus far.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just saw the video. I would definitely start antibiotics. What do you have?

He needs hydration but it is doubtful that he will take it in this condition. He needs a rehabber to subQ him but I know that's probably not an option.

He is a beautiful little black baby!

[Omunity]

UPDATE:
We just tried hydrating him.
He tries very hard to drink it.
He's unable to take it in.
He spit a bit of the water up.
It seeped out of his mouth like drool.
The only time his chest even rises (or in other words, I'm talking "takes a full breath") is when he gasps for air.

[HRT4SQRLS]

He needs antibiotics immediately. It might be too late but I would try.

[pixiepoo]

He needs a nebulizer, baytril and subQ fluids. :( is there anyone on the board in Michigan who can maybe help?

[Omunity]

Thank you.
I'll keep you all updated.
Anything your local meijer might have for antibiotics and in what form?
(sorry, just making sure..)

[HRT4SQRLS]

Can you call friends or family? One pill left over from a script will do.
Any form ... liquid or pill ... we can help you break it down.

He won't last till morning without it. They don't last long with pneumonia.

No, local stores won't have antibiotics.

[Omunity]

UPDATE:

Smidge is still alive.
Unfortunately, we still haven't been able to find any antibiotics and we must go to bed.
Tomorrow is "hopefully" a new day.
We've been making sure he sleeps in a position to where if the fluid can escape his body if that were the problem- it could... We're noticing more breathes than normal and coming from his nose now.
Keep your fingers crossed.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:Love_Icon Smidge :Love_Icon hang on little black beauty. :grouphug

[Spanky]

Can anyone in Michigan come help? I would subQ him with ringers. Skin is taking a while to go back down after tenting apparently

Sjana was a blessing when I was visiting Michigan last fall and came across an HBC Foxer:

Lowell Farm & Wildlife Center
Sjana Gordon, Founding Board Member
12494 Vergennes St. Lowell, MI 49331
#616-885-4223 or #616-897-6471
http://farmwildlife.org/
https://www.facebook.com/farmwildlife

Another highly recommended MI squirrel resource that was sent to me last fall:
Irene Singer at the Parkway Vet Clinic - 586.662.8872

I hope your little one can the help they need....

[Omunity]

I'm afraid our beautiful little baby has passed onto the next world.

Thank you everyone who tried helping us...
Much love to you all and to Smidge for putting up such a hard fight...

[HRT4SQRLS]

I'm so sorry Omunity. :grouphug

Rest in Peace precious Smidge. :Love_Icon You were so beautiful. :boohoo

[SammysMom]

Godspeed sweet Smidge.......:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon
I am so very sorry that you lost your special baby...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug