Hopefully save the second 1

[RDeShetler]

Hi all. My children and I found 2 baby squirrels under the camper over the weekend. The one looked really bad, shaking, and timid. The other not so bad. I googled what to do and the suggested Pedialyte and puppys milk. We waited and made sure they were dry and gave them done Pedialyte for the first few feedings. Then we started mixing in the puppys milk. The weak one started to turn around and was getting active. Then within the last day and a half it took a turn for the worse. It wouldn't eat, started laboured breathing and within a few hours passed. :( The other one is doing good or so it seems as of right now. The coat looks good, and it's active. We feed them/it every 3 hours. It tears me up that the one passed and I'm going to make sure the other doesn't. Any suggestion to what might of happened and how to prevent the other one from dying is greatly appreciated.

[crazy4squirrels]

Put the cage half on a heating pad. Get to a rehabber if possible. It sounds like the other baby may have aspirated fluid. Use a syringe to feed not a dropper. Do a pinch test to see if hydrated. If skin tents then baby needs hydration. Is the baby eyes open? fluffy tail?

[RDeShetler]

Yes eyes open, fluffy tail. I had a feeling of aspiration. I've been working the last couple days and my daughter was feeding them. I can't seem to upload a photo

[Spanky]

Yes eyes open, fluffy tail. I had a feeling of aspiration. I've been working the last couple days and my daughter was feeding them. I can't seem to upload a photo

Hold them to your ear and listen: Does the baby "click" with every breath?

Would you like us to try to find help? If so, where area in Michigan are you located?

I sent a PM if you want to send me the pics, I will upload them for you. This may help:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?30-How-do-I-upload-or-post-pictures-on-this-site

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?81-How-do-I-upload-a-picture

[Spanky]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=273905&stc=1http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=273906&stc=1
"The top one is still alive. The bottom one was after we had fed him and warmed him up. These were taken the day after we found them."

[Spanky]

We waited and made sure they were dry and gave them done Pedialyte for the first few feedings. Then we started mixing in the puppys milk.

Do use the Pedialyte to mix up the formula. Pedialyte should not be given for more than 24 hours. If additional hydration is needed, give plain water or water a just a bit of sugar or honey in between feedings. Please do not give any more pedialyte.

You need to have Esbilac puppy formula, the powdered kind, with pre & probiotics, third ingredient will be dried whey protein concentrate:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=273907&stc=1
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CDTTKJg/0/O/i-CDTTKJg.jpg

[RDeShetler]

I had just read your past elsewhere. I will stop Pedialyte immediately and just use water with the formula. I'll have to check the formula tomorrow, I know it's the right brand, nut sure if it had pro biotic in it..

[stepnstone]

]Hold them to your ear and listen: Does the baby "click" with every breath?[/U]

Awe, it's a little red...
How is the survivor's breathing?

[RDeShetler]

She seems to be breathing good. I'll try to listen to her tomorrow. I'm in bed right now trying to learn and sleep lol.

[stepnstone]

She seems to be breathing good. I'll try to listen to her tomorrow. I'm in bed right now trying to learn and sleep lol.

I hope so. Just be aware if baby has aspirated and has aspiration pneumonia there is a short
window to turn them around and only successful with the administering of anti-biotics.
Aspiration pneumonia takes them down (and out) quick without treatment.

[RDeShetler]

The one that passed I assume had aspiration pneumonia. The one I said I'd listen to today seems to be doing just fine. I'm no Dr. but i am assuming you can't catch aspiration pneumonia? I get up at 5 am and had been up all day when I was in bed last night hoping to figure out what to feed the one that is still alive and doing well. Along with that, I'm hoping to learn what to expect while caring for such a young squirrel. I've raised a raccoon before but never a squirrel.

[Spanky]

The one that passed I assume had aspiration pneumonia. The one I said I'd listen to today seems to be doing just fine. I'm no Dr. but i am assuming you can't catch aspiration pneumonia? I get up at 5 am and had been up all day when I was in bed last night hoping to figure out what to feed the one that is still alive and doing well. Along with that, I'm hoping to learn what to expect while caring for such a young squirrel. I've raised a raccoon before but never a squirrel.

No, aspiration pneumonia is not contagious like community acquired pneumonia. It is caused from too much fluid in the lungs causing a breeding ground for bacteria. As Step said it deadly to squirrels and kills quickly.

Basics on squirrel care:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?51708-4skwerlz-Baby-Squirrel-Care

Healthy Squirrel Diet:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

Proper formula feeding to prevent Aspiration Pneumonia:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

Any specific questions can be asked here in your thread... good to keep questions on his squirrel all in the same thread so those helping see the entire history. :thumbsup

:Welcome to TSB & :thankyou for helping this baby!

[Spanky]

She seems to be breathing good. I'll try to listen to her tomorrow. I'm in bed right now trying to learn and sleep lol.


Hold them to your ear and listen: Does the baby "click" with every breath?

Have you held her to your ear (like a cell phone) and listened to her breathing? You are listening for a clicking sound with every breath or crackling in her lungs.

It is worth repeating: Time is of the essence and if she has aspiration pneumonia time is of the essence; we are talking hours (not days) and it has already been at least overnight.

[RDeShetler]

No clicking, breathing great and seems to be doing really good.