7-12 week old baby aspirating-possible pneumonia- help!

[Lindy]

I have 2 baby squirrels found in my neighbors garage. A lady I met while buying kitten formula for them said they are anywhere from 7-12 weeks. Eyes open, bushy tales. The bigger one keeps aspirating while feeding, he is frantic to eat and as slow as I try to go, he seems to breath it in. He then makes heaving motions with his mouth open until he can breathe again. He is starting to click while breathing - what do I do? What kind of antibiotics do I need, and where can I get them? I also read that children's Benadryl may help - how so, and how much? I have a vaporizer and eucalyptus oil - should I set that up for him? I'm not sure how much they weigh. Please help - I feel so helpless and don't want him to be uncomfortable! Thanks

[HRT4SQRLS]

I have 2 baby squirrels found in my neighbors garage. A lady I met while buying kitten formula for them said they are anywhere from 7-12 weeks. Eyes open, bushy tales. The bigger one keeps aspirating while feeding, he is frantic to eat and as slow as I try to go, he seems to breath it in. He then makes heaving motions with his mouth open until he can breathe again. He is starting to click while breathing - what do I do? What kind of antibiotics do I need, and where can I get them? I also read that children's Benadryl may help - how so, and how much? I have a vaporizer and eucalyptus oil - should I set that up for him? I'm not sure how much they weigh. Please help - I feel so helpless and don't want him to be uncomfortable! Thanks

What type of antibiotics do you have? Do you have Ciprofloxacin? Ask friends or family if they have any. A single pill is enough. We can help you dose it.

You must use a 1cc syringe to feed or they will aspirate. You have to control the flow. For babies this old a 3cc can be used but a newbie should probably stick with the 1cc until you get the hang of it.

Sorry but the kitten formula is NOT good. You need to get Powdered Esbilac Puppy formula with probiotics and prebiotics.

[HRT4SQRLS]

We have rehabbers in Georgia.
Approximately where is your general area in Georgia?

[HRT4SQRLS]

LINDY... please don't leave! :hello

[Lindy]

I am near Brunswick Ga. The only antibiotics I have are Doxycycline, Levoflaxacin, and Clarithromycine.

[Lindy]

Will get the Esbilac asap.

[Lindy]

Have called around - still no Cipro. Have only come up with the ones mentioned above and Amoxicillin, Clindamycin, Septra, and Prednisone. Will any that I have help?

[HRT4SQRLS]

What is the mg of the doxycycline?

[Lindy]

100mg

[HRT4SQRLS]

Can you post a pic so that we can estimate a weight?

[Lindy]

264285

[HRT4SQRLS]

Sending you a PM.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Lindy, you have to correct the continued aspirating. If you don't have a 1cc syringe you can get one from a pharmacy. Usually they will give you one if you tell them it's for an orphaned animal.

They get very anxious to suck so you have to limit the flow by pulling back on the plunger if necessary.

[HRT4SQRLS]

A couple other things. Do you have a heating pad under the bin? If not, I would put one under half the container on LOW. He doesn't need to get chilled.

One other thing... I hate to mention it but we have had tragedies from towels. The loops can get caught by their claws and injure their paws. A pulled string on a towel is also a strangulation hazard.
If you have fleece or even an old T-shirt, would be better.

[Lindy]

Didn't know about the towels - changing them now for tee shirts. Heating pad is already been set up. Thanks for all your help, I've had them for a week and they really work their way into your heart! The smaller of the two eats beautifully, even waits while I pull more formula into the syringe. But the bigger guy gets so mad when he can't eat quickly that I was feeding him with a bigger syringe and holding it down because that's how he wanted it. Well, for his own good that is over! He'll have to eat the correct way now!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Didn't know about the towels - changing them now for tee shirts. Heating pad is already been set up. Thanks for all your help, I've had them for a week and they really work their way into your heart! The smaller of the two eats beautifully, even waits while I pull more formula into the syringe. But the bigger guy gets so mad when he can't eat quickly that I was feeding him with a bigger syringe and holding it down because that's how he wanted it. Well, for his own good that is over! He'll have to eat the correct way now!

Here is a link for proper feeding technique. The video is on Post#1.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36776-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

The main thing to get from the video is that the baby needs to be upright so that the syringe is pointing up into the mouth. You never want them tilted backwards like a human baby. Gravity will drain formula right into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia. Even in the proper position, the over zealous sucking can cause the same problem so you have to pull back on the syringe.

[Mennome]

Just wondering how things are going this evening? Did you get a antibiotic started?

[Lindy]

Here is a link for proper feeding technique. The video is on Post#1.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36776-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

The main thing to get from the video is that the baby needs to be upright so that the syringe is pointing up into the mouth. You never want them tilted backwards like a human baby. Gravity will drain formula right into the lungs and cause aspiration pneumonia. Even in the proper position, the over zealous sucking can cause the same problem so you have to pull back on the syringe.

Thanks, that's exactly how the little guy eats - now the bigger one will have to get on board!❤️🐾

[Lindy]

Just wondering how things are going this evening? Did you get a antibiotic started?

Yes, gave first dose. They both are all nestled in their new tee shirt nest together. Will give second dose in the morning. Keep fingers crossed, I really don't want to lose this guy - it's amazing how quickly I came to love these little guys!! (They even go to work with me!)

[Mennome]

Keep us posted! :great

[Lindy]

Second dose given this morning. He was very hungry this morning, but finally gave in and ate the correct way when I wouldn't do the old tilt the syringe down deal. He didn't once have to stop and act like he was heaving! Progress!! Thanks for all your advice - I feel very hopeful and will keep you posted!!😊

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hungry is good! Yes, progress. Have you thought about solid foods yet? You can start introducing rodent block at this age. You can buy Mazuri Rodent block at PetSMart or other pet retailer. Most of us order baby squirrel blocks from Henry's Healthy Pets. The Henry Blocks are a supplement so they only eat one per day as babies and two per day when they get older. You can give the 'other' rodent blocks with the Henry's blocks.

[Lindy]

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[Lindy]

Thanks - will get the blocks!