Immune booster help needed

[marci1111]

So I am new on here. Unfortunately I am an animal lover and live on an acre and a half....well during hurricane Irma, 2 baby squirrels nests totally was blown out of the tree (eyes closed-extremely young) and then in the back yard 2 fell out of their nests in the back yard. I was to slow to get the first one (my beagle brought it in and put it in his cage and started growling, he must of killed it in the transport, but I immediately went out out there and found another on the ground...eyes open, all freezing-experiencing hypothermia. Bottom line...Feeding was difficult and still is...as I don't have oring syringes....I ordered them, they didn't come in yet....its gotten alot better...but in the mean time I have been adding a drop of Echinecea in their feedings to give them an immune booster. Has anyone done this?

No I am not a wildlife rehabber and there are none in my area....or I would of taken them to one....I do have a degree in zoology and worked at zoos and aquariums though.....but have little experience with nursing....they are all healthly....however they did get some milk in their noses and dont' want it to turn into URI so am putting 1 drop of that Echinecea to give their immune system a boost. Please let me know if anyone has used this. All are doing good (Charlie, whom was found the following day, was out in the weather longer, but is twice the others age and is playful and big, the 2 other Henry and Skeeter just opened their eyes on Sunday and Monday are doing well. I am keeping them all together even though they are not from the same litter. All males too. Any advice, please let me know, especially on how much Echinecea I can give them....its 1000mg if you use 28 drops, so I figure 1 drop is fine in each feeding....if anyone knows how many drops I can put it I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Marci

[Nancy in New York]

So I am new on here. Unfortunately I am an animal lover and live on an acre and a half....well during hurricane Irma, 2 baby squirrels nests totally was blown out of the tree (eyes closed-extremely young) and then in the back yard 2 fell out of their nests in the back yard. I was to slow to get the first one (my beagle brought it in and put it in his cage and started growling, he must of killed it in the transport, but I immediately went out out there and found another on the ground...eyes open, all freezing-experiencing hypothermia. Bottom line...Feeding was difficult and still is...as I don't have oring syringes....I ordered them, they didn't come in yet....its gotten alot better...but in the mean time I have been adding a drop of Echinecea in their feedings to give them an immune booster. Has anyone done this?

No I am not a wildlife rehabber and there are none in my area....or I would of taken them to one....I do have a degree in zoology and worked at zoos and aquariums though.....but have little experience with nursing....they are all healthly....however they did get some milk in their noses and dont' want it to turn into URI so am putting 1 drop of that Echinecea to give their immune system a boost. Please let me know if anyone has used this. All are doing good (Charlie, whom was found the following day, was out in the weather longer, but is twice the others age and is playful and big, the 2 other Henry and Skeeter just opened their eyes on Sunday and Monday are doing well. I am keeping them all together even though they are not from the same litter. All males too. Any advice, please let me know, especially on how much Echinecea I can give them....its 1000mg if you use 28 drops, so I figure 1 drop is fine in each feeding....if anyone knows how many drops I can put it I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Marci

I would NOT use the Echinecia. You need antibiotics
if this little one has aspiration pneumonia.
Try to find ONE pill of Baytril,(Animal) Cipro,(Human) Augmentin, or Clavamox.
We can dose this if you give us the strength and the weight of the squirrel in grams.
What are you feeding this little one, and what size syringe are you using.

[marci1111]

I think Nancy titled it wrong. They are not sick...all 3 are putting on weight fast, thriving and have close to doubled their weight since I found them....however during feeding I have seen milk sneeze out of their nose, I immediately blow fast to keep making them sneeze. and tilt them forward....I believe it has worked, however with being out in the cold rainy weather (the babies for 24 hrs) charlie, twice their age for 48 hrs, all I want to do is boost their immune system to be proactive....

I have most of that medication you listed, but they are showing no signs of sickness, and again have gone fro 50 grams to over 100 today (just weighed them).

Again this is a proactive move on my part to boost their immune system so they strong due to what they been through and the change in nipples from their mom to fake and getting some milk in their nose.....

So can anyone tell me, Henry weights 106 grams, Skeeter now weighs 96 grams. The immune support supplement is liquid formula and is 1000mg, with 28 drops. Does anyone know what a safe limit would be to give them to stay on the healthy road?

Also, how can I mark the babies to tell the difference....their all males ;( I tried permanent marker, its gone the next day. Nailpolish won't stay on their little nails....frustrating.

[Nancy in New York]

I think Nancy titled it wrong.

Yeah, I did.
I just changed the title.

[cava]

When I had the bunnies I put a couple of dots of different color sharpie on their inner ear pinna. It stayed for about a week. Definitely mark and don't tie anything on anywhere.

[Spanky]

There are some licensed folks in your area, but they are simply swamped. It seems like you are doing well with them, but always advisable to have antibiotics on hand. If they do develop aspiration pneumonia time is of the essence and their lives depend on us not having to go in search of antibiotics.

If you cannot locate any of those Nancy listed, if you PM me you address I will send you some. I somehow allowed my supply of 1ML O-Rings to get very low but I could send a dozen or more regular BD 1ML syringes that you could use and through away after a few uses and they start to stick at all.

[niapet]

"Immune boosters" are non-sense. There is no scientific evidence of this kind of thing. I worry when people think these kind of things because it delays antibiotics and real medications that might save a life if given in time. Squirrels are so small so they don't have as much time to spare as a human when they need treatment.

P.S. I would also recommend against giving any herbal remedy to a non-human animal. While the contents may be benign to humans, we can not always be sure the same will be so for another species. Squirrels seem to tolerate most of the same foods humans do (in my experience) but it is not worth the risk. I do believe there was a case, here on the squirrel board, of a squirrel dying from a treatment with tea tree oil; So be very careful.

[marci1111]

There are some licensed folks in your area, but they are simply swamped. It seems like you are doing well with them, but always advisable to have antibiotics on hand. If they do develop aspiration pneumonia time is of the essence and their lives depend on us not having to go in search of antibiotics.

If you cannot locate any of those Nancy listed, if you PM me you address I will send you some. I somehow allowed my supply of 1ML O-Rings to get very low but I could send a dozen or more regular BD 1ML syringes that you could use and through away after a few uses and they start to stick at all.




That would be great. I could pay you via paypal. I don't know how to direct message you can you start the private message? I would rather be on the safe side and have it available.

[marci1111]

To: niapet

Re: Immune booster help needed
"Immune boosters" are non-sense. There is no scientific evidence of this kind of thing. I worry when people think these kind of things because it delays antibiotics and real medications that might save a life if given in time. Squirrels are so small so they don't have as much time to spare as a human when they need treatment.

P.S. I would also recommend against giving any herbal remedy to a non-human animal. While the contents may be benign to humans, we can not always be sure the same will be so for another species. Squirrels seem to tolerate most of the same foods humans do (in my experience) but it is not worth the risk.

My Reply:
I would agree with you if the animal was sick and needed medication, however, I worked for 2 years for a women whom dedicated her life to rescuing cats. She bought 3 properties in a row and fenced them all in, tore out all the inside carpeting closed the pools ( this was in Naples). She only believed in homopathic/natural medicine. I've seen very sick animals whom would of died but recovered from hompathic medicine as well a skin backteria infection, where the animal recovered from using organic honey 3 times a day....She also didn't believe in spay and neutering, she paid quadruple the price (1000 dollars) for vasectomy tied tubes. Ok so she was a little out there, but wanted the cats to live the most natural life as possible...bottom line....I have seen colloidal silver save cats from bacteria infections as well...although we live in a western modern world of synthetic antibiotics and medications, don't be close minded... They just had a doctor on tv in another country curing aids all with plants....American doctors are over there now trying to learn how it is working.... this is kinda just fyi info and not to be closed minded.

[marci1111]

When I had the bunnies I put a couple of dots of different color sharpie on their inner ear pinna. It stayed for about a week. Definitely mark and don't tie anything on anywhere.

Thanks...I've been trying permanent marker on the ear but it don't last long and was unsure how safe that was...

[marci1111]

293722293723

Charlie (I believe he is twice the babies age)
Henry & Skeeter (brothers from same litter)

[marci1111]

So I have 3 males (2 small ones from the same litter) 1 twice the age from a different litter. Charlie the oldest, he is ruining everything, chewing the baseboards, window sill drywall, and even the heating pad for the little ones....I'd made a release cage its huge....my thought is to put it in the garage by one of the windows so they all have access to it....will they share a nest box or will I have to make 3 separate ones? Charlie is pushy with the little ones, not sure if that will change...they all sleep together now, but I'm wondering if he will bully them as time goes on and not let them in the nest box.....And also how long do I have to wait for the transition from the inside bedroom to the garage? Their all still on milk.... but should I be putting them out during the day? It is still warm out I'm in GA. Thoughts...commets....

[cava]

I learned my lesson the hard way when I let my overwinters out twice a day and they destroyed everything from window sills, to peeling wall paper to picking the keys off of my laptop in the blink of an eye. They will chew cords and can become electrocuted. It's a danger for him not to be caged unless you are with him and monitoring his chewing.

Meanwhile, you can offer lots of safe stuff for him to chew on in his cage. Look up enrichment toys and you'll find a bunch of stuff you can make at home for him to play with.

I'm not sure about you putting them all together. I'll let someone answer this who has experience. How big is the release cage?

[marci1111]

I learned my lesson the hard way when I let my overwinters out twice a day and they destroyed everything from window sills, to peeling wall paper to picking the keys off of my laptop in the blink of an eye. They will chew cords and can become electrocuted. It's a danger for him not to be caged unless you are with him and monitoring his chewing.

Meanwhile, you can offer lots of safe stuff for him to chew on in his cage. Look up enrichment toys and you'll find a bunch of stuff you can make at home for him to play with.

I'm not sure about you putting them all together. I'll let someone answer this who has experience. How big is the release cage?

Thank you Cava for the reply- the cage is huge, 2 1/2 feet wide 5 ft tall. I'll attach pictures, its their first time outdoors. The weather is beautiful today. All 3 were out climbing and playing at first but now the 2 babies are sleeping at the bottom while Charlie will probably be out all day.

Guys please I need help....Maybe I need a new thread. I am so new to these boards and don't know how to look things up on them. I googled anything safe for a cat is safe to put on them (as far as flea control). Is this true? I use revolution on my cats. Squirrels are rodents, so someone please verify if I can use revolution on them, and if so dosage per gram please. Moderator please provide guidance if no one responds-or maybe start a new thread. I do not want them bringing in ticks and fleas.

[marci1111]

Here is the cage and them outside today.

[cava]

You may use Feline Revolution on them. One to two drops from the pipette, not the whole thing.

[Nancy in New York]

Here is the cage and them outside today.

Is this the cage that can go inside and out.
Are they in this cage permanently?
It's a nice cage, just needs some more fun "stuff" in it.
I would put some natural branches in so they can climb.
Also put a little wooden house in so they have a place to hide.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cocatiel+box
Also make sure that they always have shade that is of the utmost importance
when having squirrels outside. I would cover part of the top so they don't feel so exposed.
Do they have a water bottle in there?
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17785-WARNING!-Squirrels-Can-Overheat-in-Summer!

[marci1111]

Is this the cage that can go inside and out.
Are they in this cage permanently?
It's a nice cage, just needs some more fun "stuff" in it.
I would put some natural branches in so they can climb.
Also put a little wooden house in so they have a place to hide.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cocatiel+box
Also make sure that they always have shade that is of the utmost importance
when having squirrels outside. I would cover part of the top so they don't feel so exposed.
Do they have a water bottle in there?
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17785-WARNING!-Squirrels-Can-Overheat-in-Summer!

Yes its both. I put it on a cart and wheel them outside. This is the only cage they are in. I do put branches in it but they don't last long. They are under a tree have plenty of shade The little ones stay under the blankets all day, Charlie is the only one on the top ledge and crawls around all day. I know I need to go to michaels and get like a wooden birdhouse...will that work? But please read my new post today that I started...I'm thinking Charlie should be released he bit me really bad today while trying to escape out of the cage and go out in the wild.

[marci1111]

You may use Feline Revolution on them. One to two drops from the pipette, not the whole thing.

Hi Nancy,

I 2 dropts enough to protect them? I know on cats and dogs you separate the fur so the chemical gets on the skin, on these guys, that is impossible....I have a feeling when I administer it on their coat, have you had success with 2 drops working, whatever works down to the skin, which I imagine can't be much.

Let me know your experience, and should I still do it over the shoulder blades, they do seem to groom quite a bit.....

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Nancy,

I 2 dropts enough to protect them? I know on cats and dogs you separate the fur so the chemical gets on the skin, on these guys, that is impossible....I have a feeling when I administer it on their coat, have you had success with 2 drops working, whatever works down to the skin, which I imagine can't be much.

Let me know your experience, and should I still do it over the shoulder blades, they do seem to groom quite a bit.....

Yes typically it's ONE or two drops, at the most,
between the shoulder blades, where they can't get to it.
Be very careful if you are using the tube as the dispenser. You need to only get one drop drop.
You may want to use a syringe to make sure you only get a drop.