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View Full Version : PLEASE HELP!! Dehydrated/Heat Stroke?



bratann617
06-02-2016, 12:14 AM
PLEASE HELP!

I feel extremely guilty and ashamed! Please don't make me feel worse! But I am going to be completely honest about what happened. I have a female 5 month old Southern Flying Squirrel. Long story short, I had an extremely rough day to start, and then was running extremely late for a Dr appt. I babysit a 5 year old boy. On my way to the appt, my flyer decided to wake up. I can't have her running in the car while I am driving. I have a portable cage that stays in my car specifically for these instances. I put her in her cage. When I arrived at the Dr, I had to wake up the boy and rush into the office. I unfortunately accidentally left my baby girl in her cage in the car. She is always just in my shirt wherever I go. Only usually in the cage at night while I drive home. My appt was over about 30 mins later, at which point I realized that she was still in her cage in the car! I absolutely panicked! My car was in the shade, but it was at least 80° out. I got to her just barely in the nick of time. I think she had vomited from the heat. She was basically unresponsive. I ran her inside the Dr office and put some water on her to cool her. I ran back out to my car and had to drive 25 mins to get her to the vet. I had Gatorade with me. I was holding her limp lifeless body in one hand and steering with my knee. I drive a stick shift. Only time I have ever wished I had an automatic. In between shifting and at stop lights I would dip my finger in the Gatorade and put a drop at a time in her mouth. She was swallowing. Barely. I got her to the vet, I broke down crying now that I was somewhere that could hopefully help her and I was no longer driving. They took her straight back and checked her out. The vet came and talked to me and promised me that everything would be ok and that he could help her. He gave her a shot of fluids for hydration and to bring her body temp down. Apparently he also gave her a little shot of pain meds (I don't know what kind), apparently I was too distressed to think about asking what he gave her. I was just trusting his judgement. He went ahead and let me take her home. He said she'll be ok. She had perked up compared to what she was when I got her there. I was so upset that I didn't even think to ask what I should watch for, in case she needed to go back in. A bit after I left the vets office, she ended up having diarrhea. I called the vet to ask if this was normal. They said that it could have been from all of the stress. They said if she wants to eat and drink to go ahead and let her and that is good. If she is still having diarrhea in the morning, they said that I could bring her back in for more fluids so that it doesn't dehydrate her. She so far has not had anymore diarrhea, but about an hour ago she threw up. She has not been interested in eating so far, but she has been EXTREMELY thirsty! I honestly think that she drank too much water way too fast. I was wondering if anybody can tell me how much water I should allow her to have at one time and how often I should give it? I don't want to make the poor baby throw up again, but I want her to get rehydrated and start feeling better. She looks absolutely miserable and it is breaking my heart! I still cannot believe that I let this happen to my baby! I feel so horrible! I feel so guilty and ashamed! This mistake was a huge mistake and I almost feel like I don't deserve to be her momma! I just want to make my baby feel better! Any suggestions? Any help of any kind is greatly appreciated! I need to know what to do to make her better and what I should watch for to know if she has to go to an emergency vet in the middle of the night. I really don't prefer to do that, but I will do whatever I need to do to make her better and to save her life! And should I be giving her just plain water or something else? Thank you!

Shewhosweptforest
06-02-2016, 12:24 AM
:hug What a terrible day...and situation...but...she survived...you remembered in time :Love_Icon could have been a horrible ending if not....as far as fluids....if I were you I'd try and give small amounts more often....maybe use the hydration recipe for tonight to help get her straight...also if you have some molasses, or syrup I'd put a little in her mouth to help with her blood sugar...I've never had to deal with this situation ....but all this would be typical first aid...for shock...and she's been through a lot :grouphug is she acting normal ....or at least responsive to her environment ...not expecting her to be jumping around like nothing happened ...but on the other hand not lethargic :dono I would be keeping her in my shirt and rubbing, stimulating her :Love_Icon good luck....I'm saying a prayer for you both :please

bratann617
06-02-2016, 01:04 AM
Thank you! Yes she is responsive. But still very tired basically. She comes out of my shirt every now and then and wants a drink. She is going to stay on my shirt all night, as long as she is acting sick anyway. I will not be able to sleep knowing that she is this sick. I want to monitor her liquid intake, and hopefully get her to try to eat a little. I'm more worried/concerned about fluids right now though. I'm sure she is tired from what she went through. But I am wondering how much of it is from the pain meds. I wish I knew what they gave her. I think I will call or go in tomorrow and ask.

stepnstone
06-02-2016, 01:16 AM
I would also suggest the homemade hydration.
With heat stroke and dehydration,it's not only important to
replace fluid loss but electrolyte loss as well.
Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.

bratann617
06-02-2016, 01:46 AM
Is this supposed to be cold water? Will it dissolve properly in cold water?

bratann617
06-02-2016, 02:13 AM
I just tasted that concoction to see what I will be giving her, and oh yuck! Too salty tasting for me! Will squirrels actually drink this stuff? I feel bad for giving this nasty stuff to her! If she ends up refusing, is it ok to continue with regular water? I don't want to force it if she doesn't like it. She does like my Gatorade which has electrolytes in it. Also, what shewhosweptforest said about her blood sugar needing to staying up if she is dehydrated, the Gatorade has sugar. Will water and Gatorade work? I will give this hydration formula a try, but just in case she won't take it, I want to know what to do.

stepnstone
06-02-2016, 03:03 AM
I just tasted that concoction to see what I will be giving her, and oh yuck! Too salty tasting for me! Will squirrels actually drink this stuff? I feel bad for giving this nasty stuff to her! If she ends up refusing, is it ok to continue with regular water? I don't want to force it if she doesn't like it. She does like my Gatorade which has electrolytes in it. Also, what shewhosweptforest said about her blood sugar needing to staying up if she is dehydrated, the Gatorade has sugar. Will water and Gatorade work? I will give this hydration formula a try, but just in case she won't take it, I want to know what to do.

No Gatoraide! It is not balanced for squirrels, the dyes in it are not good for a squirrel's kidneys. You can use Pedialyte if you prefer to use a "store brought" product.
FYI: "Electrolytes are salts that become charged molecules, called ions, when they are dissolved in a liquid. Their electrical charges and ability to conduct electricity helps the body to send electrical signals from one cell to another. Electrolytes maintain the electric voltage throughout the cells so that signals can pass easily. Several bodily functions are dependent on this electrical communication that electrolytes help carry. They include regulating nerve and muscle function, acidity levels and fluid levels. An imbalance of electrolytes have dire consequences."


Is this supposed to be cold water? Will it dissolve properly in cold water?
No, you would want to use warm water and no formula or fluids should be given/fed cold.

CritterMom
06-02-2016, 03:37 AM
If it tastes salty you have made it wrong.
1 TEASPOON salt
3 TABLESPOONs sugar
1 quart water

Teaspoon and Tablespoon are very different...

missPixy
06-02-2016, 11:50 AM
this formula WORKS. I've used it on multiple occasions and recommended it to others as well.

I've reduced the amounts since it doesn't last long even with refrigeration; I make a fresh batch if I need to use a 2nd day.

3/4 tbs sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup warm water

mix all together WELL and then take up in an oral syringe. it should taste more or less like tears do.

I've had success administering with a 1.0ml oral syringe, going through the side of the mouth to avoid choking. give .05-.10ml every 5-7 minutes over the course of an hour. but if she's very thirsty and wants more and will take it on her own without the syringe, let her have as much as she wants.

keep in mind it will take a few hours for her body to completely absorb the fluid and hydrate.