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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

Spanky
09-10-2018, 02:03 PM
Baytril and Cipro are very similar, just the one being the animal form and the other the human form. This is an excellent choice for Aspiration Pneumonia. Baytril is more quick acting on AP.

I will PM you some info you can share with your friend re: Dosing.

:Welcome to TSB and :thankyou for caring for this little one!

Edit: I e-mailed a PDF that I would not attach to a PM.

dawndmcintosh
09-10-2018, 02:09 PM
Thank you, he just isn't familiar with ever having to dose a baby squirrel and wanted me to get advice from professional rehabbers, and to get back with him with any info I find. His rescue work is generally with possums, raccoons and the like. He is AMAZING and I am so very grateful I have always had him there for all of my animals.

I know we shouldn't medicate unless we are sure of aspiration, but I also don't want to the case to worsen if it is there, to the point she might be beyond help. It's a terrible dilemma.

dawndmcintosh
09-10-2018, 03:01 PM
Good news is, I just fed her and she gobbled 4cc's down without a single problem and was BURSTING with energy. (whew)
Now she's snuggled back down into my bra at the office, her favorite place to curl into after a full belly (I bring her with me to work to always keep a close eye on her, thank god the boss is so cool with it)

I think the best course of action is just to keep a closer eye on her.
She's been a more challenging eater than any of the previous squirrels I've had in days past, so she does give me a bit more anxiety LOL.

cava
09-10-2018, 05:42 PM
Glad to hear. The miracle nipple is awesome, fits their mouth perfectly and had a pre made hole that is appropriate. Using 1 ml O ring syringes that don't wear out and get stuck then slip like the disposable ones also decreases aspiration risk.

Here's a site for both:

https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-nipple/

https://www.henryspets.com/miracle-slip-tip-o-ring-syringes/

dawndmcintosh
09-10-2018, 10:21 PM
I still have my fair share of concern... again at 6pm she only would take 1cc... but then at 9pm she wanted 4cc's. She's kinda a mess all over the place to be honest LOL... are there any other key aspiration pneumonia signs I should be hyper aware of outside of the usual: lethargy, refusal to eat, runny nose, clicking, etc to look out for? I'd rather get behind this BEFORE those take effect. The other night she did do something after eating that reminded me of hiccups that last about 15 mins or less.

I finally got her to *want* the elongated nipple (and boy did she LOVE it this time) last time we tried it she had some blood spotting on it, which Spanky above explained could be teething...

it may seem early, but I could swear I feel two top teeth up there coming in. Could that be the cause of some of this behavior?

I know I am brand new here, but boy am I thankful to finally have joined this community for fellow squirrel lovers to bask in the knowledge of one another.

Spanky
09-10-2018, 11:26 PM
Are you stimulating her to potty? Sometimes they get fussy simply because they have to pee or poo and once stimulated and they pee/poo they'll eat normally.

At this age they need to be stimulated to potty with each feeding...

dawndmcintosh
09-13-2018, 03:47 PM
Just wanted to follow up that little Apple is doing swimmingly. She's fuller with life than ever! I do think she was teething, well, I guess I should say I know she was teething, two top little incicsors have now broken through...
Thank you everyone for your help!!!
and also, yes.. she is definitely stimulated after each and every meal.
Thankfully she's always been real good about going potty for me and never an issue with her poop colors or solid state.
:w00t:Love_Icon:
304627

Mel1959
09-13-2018, 06:06 PM
It sounds like you are doing a GREAT job! :great:great.

I have found that it takes several days for them to adjust to ANYTHING. They can also like their formula hotter than what you’d anticipate. Sometimes when they’re that age and it’s too cool they will loose interest.