dawndmcintosh
09-10-2018, 01:50 PM
Hello,
I know this a little lengthy, but I want to disclose all details. For the last 2 weeks, I have been caring for a now almost 4 week old squirrel (eyes closed) that was handed over to me from someone who found her orphaned at his job site. She has been doing wonderfully all this time: getting fully hydrated, gaining weight, eating like a champ... but perhaps too much like a champ. Because of that, I switched her over to using multiple 1cc syringes with a cut IV tube to feed her (a close friend who is a vet gave to me). The IV drip allows for a very slow drip to prevent aspiration.
However, the other night even after what seemed to be the perfect feeding, as I was trying to stimulate her to go potty, she sneezed and formula came out of her nose. Twice. As any rehabber would know, this has to be the most heartbreaking and terrifying sight to see. I am riddled with anxiety. I quickly wiped it away and actually sucked her nose as fast as possible. However, she has still been seemingly doing well, eating, breathing, active, and acting as if nothing is wrong.... however my instincts are beginning to tell me something is wrong, she was much more particular this last feeding today and only ate 1cc for me, which I could also attribute to growing her top incisors (seems a little early, but it does feel like something is there).. but she's also just kind of in a state of deep sleep more so than usual.. but her breathing is normal and her heart rate seems normal. She doesn't seem to have trouble breathing and there are no clicking sounds.
So I spoke to my friend who is the vet (he also does rescue work) and he asked for me to speak to a wildlife rehab about a correct dosage of an antibiotic for her if we take that route. He is going to examine her over tonight, but he would be interested to know what prescription would be best and to also get a better idea as to a dosage, we're going to work together to create the solution. I want to stay ahead of the game before pneumonia is even a threat.. but also don't want my paranoia jumping to conclusions.
Bactrim? Baytril? and I have also read about a human antibiotic, Cipro.
I know Bactrim is used before a case is severe, to help prevent the production of bacteria and Baytril if the case is severe? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated, this is my first time dealing with possible aspiration.
This is my 5th baby I have helped... the 4 before her were integrated back into the wild without a single hitch, I refuse to give up on this one and let anything happen to her.
I've attached a photo for no other reason other than her being super cute stretched out on her back catching some Zzz's.
Thank you,
Dawn
I know this a little lengthy, but I want to disclose all details. For the last 2 weeks, I have been caring for a now almost 4 week old squirrel (eyes closed) that was handed over to me from someone who found her orphaned at his job site. She has been doing wonderfully all this time: getting fully hydrated, gaining weight, eating like a champ... but perhaps too much like a champ. Because of that, I switched her over to using multiple 1cc syringes with a cut IV tube to feed her (a close friend who is a vet gave to me). The IV drip allows for a very slow drip to prevent aspiration.
However, the other night even after what seemed to be the perfect feeding, as I was trying to stimulate her to go potty, she sneezed and formula came out of her nose. Twice. As any rehabber would know, this has to be the most heartbreaking and terrifying sight to see. I am riddled with anxiety. I quickly wiped it away and actually sucked her nose as fast as possible. However, she has still been seemingly doing well, eating, breathing, active, and acting as if nothing is wrong.... however my instincts are beginning to tell me something is wrong, she was much more particular this last feeding today and only ate 1cc for me, which I could also attribute to growing her top incisors (seems a little early, but it does feel like something is there).. but she's also just kind of in a state of deep sleep more so than usual.. but her breathing is normal and her heart rate seems normal. She doesn't seem to have trouble breathing and there are no clicking sounds.
So I spoke to my friend who is the vet (he also does rescue work) and he asked for me to speak to a wildlife rehab about a correct dosage of an antibiotic for her if we take that route. He is going to examine her over tonight, but he would be interested to know what prescription would be best and to also get a better idea as to a dosage, we're going to work together to create the solution. I want to stay ahead of the game before pneumonia is even a threat.. but also don't want my paranoia jumping to conclusions.
Bactrim? Baytril? and I have also read about a human antibiotic, Cipro.
I know Bactrim is used before a case is severe, to help prevent the production of bacteria and Baytril if the case is severe? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated, this is my first time dealing with possible aspiration.
This is my 5th baby I have helped... the 4 before her were integrated back into the wild without a single hitch, I refuse to give up on this one and let anything happen to her.
I've attached a photo for no other reason other than her being super cute stretched out on her back catching some Zzz's.
Thank you,
Dawn