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AmyBWhitehead
09-28-2015, 10:47 PM
Hi, I have a 5-6 week old fox squirrel that is healthy and happy. The last week I have been having trouble with my syringes and his aggressiveness to eat. He has aspirated several times now and tonight it was quite a bit, 1 to 1.5 ml. Mostly it has been about .5 to 1 ml. He has sneezed a bunch each time it has happen and I have held him with his head pointed down and nothing drained out. I would say about 4 times in the last week and a half maybe. I could just cry :( I have 500mg amoxicillin capsules on hand as well as 100mg doxycycline capsules. His weight is about 190 grams. If I need to start dosing him what is the actual dosage? Also what are the very first signs I need to look out for? Is it possible that he will be just fine? He is growing quickly and moving around a lot. Very active and healthy. His eyes opened about 5 days ago. Thanks in advance!

Amy

Spanky
09-28-2015, 11:12 PM
How him close to your ear and listen for a clicking noise. If there is a clicking noise with every breath that indicates Aspiration Pneumonia. Also, lethargy and lack of appetite.

The "fix" is to use a smaller syringe... the 1ml syringes are best and only experienced folks do well with anything larger than that. A pain to refill that often (or have multiples ready?) but better than pneumonia!

AmyBWhitehead
09-28-2015, 11:18 PM
How him close to your ear and listen for a clicking noise. If there is a clicking noise with every breath that indicates Aspiration Pneumonia. Also, lethargy and lack of appetite.

The "fix" is to use a smaller syringe... the 1ml syringes are best and only experienced folks do well with anything larger than that. A pain to refill that often (or have multiples ready?) but better than pneumonia!

Thanks for your input. I am currently using 3 ml syringes which are working well but after so many uses they start to get harder to push and be consistent. I am use to working with syringes as I work in a hospital but with the esbilac formula being thicker and the syringes sticking, we are having some difficulties. I may be overthinking everything at this point but I am so afraid he will get aspiration pneumonia and want to be prepared with the medicine I have just in case. I have a gram scale coming Wednesday so I can keep up daily with his weight.

AmyBWhitehead
09-28-2015, 11:19 PM
No clicking and he is eating super well and becoming more active each day!

Spanky
09-29-2015, 12:00 AM
Cipro is better for AP, or even Augmentin! :thumbsup (I posted in case you want to be better prepared!)

Here are some syringes that do not stick:
http://www.henryspets.com/miracle-o-ring-slip-tip-syringes/

Rocky1
09-29-2015, 01:43 AM
I saw that you are listed as a junior member, so I just wanted to make sure you saw this, http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?51708-4skwerlz-Baby-Squirrel-Care I found it to be very helpful. Not sure of your level, providing this link just in case it's useful to you.

AmyBWhitehead
09-29-2015, 05:48 AM
Thank you for both links! Very helpful. I do not have any way of getting other antibiotics and happen to have the amoxicillin and doxyclycline on hand. I haven't reached out to any vets yet but being as I do not have a rehab license, I am sure they will not help if needed. Don't get me wrong, if he gets sick I will certainly try but I do not want to risk him getting taken from us. My vet is one of the best in the area but they will not give any meds without seeing one of my dogs first.

Amy

Nancy in New York
09-29-2015, 09:16 AM
I am use to working with syringes as I work in a hospital but with the esbilac formula being thicker and the syringes sticking, we are having some difficulties. I may be overthinking .


How are you mixing the powdered Esbilac formula, it typically isn't thicker.
Since you work in a hospital, it will be easy for you to obtain 1 cc syringes.
I hope they have the ones with the O ring, those are the best!
I will send you dosing instructions for 500 mg Amoxi. for
a 190 gram squirrel just in case.

Spanky
09-29-2015, 09:19 AM
Keep an good ear on the little guy. :thumbsup

Edit: Replacing the post I just made as that was for a different thread! :embar