Help needed first time for caring.

[Jill]

Yesterday my cats got a hold of a flying squirrel (not sure if he/she is a southern or northern type). I have never cared for a squirrel before let alone one so small and injured. He/she I've been calling Rockafella is not using his back end and one front paw seems hurt but is still using it. I have contacted diffent wildlife rehabilitators and am still waiting to hear from some, one who will help Rockafella can not get him/her till monday. I have bought some arnica tablets and am not should how much to provide to him/her. I am keeping rockafella warm and am happy he/she made it through last night. The little guy has only drink a little sugar water with little salt last night and a little formula (puppy formula and water)today. I have an old shirt some nuts and fruit and a small dish of the formula mix in the cat carrier. Rockafella slept last night, was up pulling him self around this morning but has been sleeping most of the day. I know they are nocturnal but am worried im not doing what the little one needs. Any help is really welcomed and will be greatly appreciated.

[Spanky]

Thank you for helping this little one!

Please share with us what type of puppy formula you are offering the little one, some puppy formula can have bad effects. And it is surprising that he is taking formula unless perhaps it is a juvenile. Can you post a picture? Does his fur seem a little "greasy" (this is typically how juvenile fur appears)?

Since this is a "cat caught" situation antibiotics are a must as cat saliva is deadly to squirrels. Do you happen to have any antibiotics on hand? If not, perhaps some family or friends may have some... a single pill can provide a full course of treatment for a little flyer. But, we'd need to know what antibiotics and if you have any suitable ones we can assist with instructions on how to arrive at the proper dose.

[Jill]

Hello, and thank you for quickly responding. The formula is esbilac, a liquid form. I have some clavamox 62.5 mg/ml. Would that be okay? It was prescribed to my ferret. I have not figured jow to up load a picture still working on that. And what about the arnica incase of swelling im not should how much or if i should give rockafella it.

[Mel1959]

The puppy formula should be the POWDERED Esbilac with the blue banner across the top that says "with pre and probiotics". The liquid Esbilac can cause diarrhea.

The clavamox you have will work for the little guy/girl but I'm not sure of the dosage, which is based on weight. Is there any way you can get a weight on the little one?

Do you think it's a juvenile?

[Jill]

I believe he/she is a juvenile. He/she only weighs roughly 1.5 oz. I'm really getting nervous now i had such hope this morning when he/she drink and was moving. I thought tbe slerping was do to being nocturnal but she/he serms lathargic and has no interest in moving drinking or eating. I was so happy he/she was better then last night but now seems to be going down hill. Did I screw up and do something to hurt it instead of helping?

[Mel1959]

Could the baby have aspirated the formula? If you hold him up to your ear like a phone do you hear a clicking noise with each breath? Being lethargic and showing a disinterest in food are signs of aspiration pneumonia. But the cat saliva is deadly so an antibiotic definitely has to be given. Is your clavamox in liquid form?

[Jill]

No clicking, wheezing, or sneezing. I have no heard a single noise. Breathing is slow but not shallow.

[Jill]

Yes it is in liquid form.

[Mel1959]

Someone should be able to send you the dosing for the clavamox soon. You do need to start an antibiotic because of the cats coming in contact with him. Do you have a 1cc syringe?

[Jill]

Yes just waiting on what to give. I feel so bad poor guy.

[Mel1959]

I tried to send you a private message with dosing but it wouldn't go through. The dose for 1.5 oz (42gr) squirrel is 0.013 two times a day. Probiotics should be given 2 hrs before or after the antibiotic, but if you don't have them right now don't let that stop you from dosing.

[Jill]

Ok thank you very much. It might not have gone through because i just joined. I will start it now. And go out first thing in the morning to get the other stuff i will need.

[Mel1959]

The probiotics come in a capsule form, generic brand is fine. Pull the capsule apart and put this much "0" in something he eats or drinks.

[Jill]

Hello, and thank you for the help last night. Unfortunately I am heart broken today. Early this morning rockafella the little one took a turn for the worst. I rushed to the animal hospital two towns over (the same place that would not see him/her on Thursday) and begegged them to look at rockafella. While there the poor little one crossed over to the big trees in the sky. The vet said it was most likely due to internal injuries caused be the cats. But that seems like little comfort to me who was the one the guy was relying on for help. Thank you once again for the help and all your efforts to help these little creatures.

[UDoWhat]

I am so sorry :Love_Icon. You did everything you could do to help. :Love_Icon Please know that once a little squirrel finds you other always find their way to you too. We don't know why or how this happens but it does. Some day you will need to help another baby. :Love_Icon

Run and glide free in the heavenly trees little rockafella. You will be missed. :sad

[Mel1959]

I am so sorry this little one didn't make it. Run free Rockafella. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Jill]

Thank you all