7 wk old squirrel just stopped breathing...

[horsetopia]

I was given a young squirrel 2 days ago. She is approximatley 7 wks old. She had been found under a tree the same day i received her. She was fairly alert and slightly dehydrated. I warmed her up and attempted to give her pedialight which she adamantly refused. I looked her over and found a small wound on her head and a torn ear. Her voice seemed to be affected as she was very quiet when she cried. She also sneezed a few times during the first day I had her. She was not clicking when she breathed but i decided to put her on baytril to be safe. I dosed her according to her weight. She has taken 3 doses of Baytril and I have been able to feed her a total of about 6 mls of liquid since I got her. She is not getting any better. I was attempting to give her more fluids a moment ago which she refused. While i was holding her she stopped breathing. After attempting to revive her by rubbing her she was still not breathing. I gave her a few breaths through her nose and she started breathing on her own again. She has not regained consciesness yet. It has been about 15 min. The only other thing i can add for info is that when she moves her mouth in a chewing motion she seems to squeek a little. Im wondering if she could have a damaged nasal passage or airway. Possibly from a fall...I cannot take her to a vet as she is considered an invasive species in the state i live in. There are also no rehabbers in this state as well. Any advise welcome..

[HRT4SQRLS]

The lack of consciousness is concerning. Is she breathing now? Are you anywhere near Portland?

[Javarat]

No post after several hours is never a good sign.
Sounds like cat attack and saliva reaction.

[stepnstone]

The only other thing i can add for info is that when she moves her mouth in a chewing motion she seems to squeek a little.
This sounded like agonal breathing to me and she was already starting to cross over.... :(

[horsetopia]

The lack of consciousness is concerning. Is she breathing now? Are you anywhere near Portland?

I appologize for the delay in responding. I am also caring for another infant squirrel as well, different litter. So, after preforming cpr she started breathing again. She finally regained consciousness after about 15-20 min. I believe she may have some facial or head injury/swelling maybe due to a fall. When she is in her tub she continuously walks along the perimiter until she is exhausted then presses her head against the side of the tub. I have now added metacam along with the Baytril. I am offering her pediolite every 30 min. She has only taken about 3 mls today. She seems to be doing a tiny bit better now. Finally asleep and resting comfortably for at least 30 min. Thank you for your concerned reply to my desperate post. I will try to update her condition once a day.

[Javarat]

Absolutely wonderful and GIANT Kudos for going the extra mile with the CPR. :bliss

[SammysMom]

Watch for seizure activity. Baytril has been known to lower the seizure threshold and you may want to consider switching to clavamox if possible.

[island rehabber]

Watch for seizure activity. Baytril has been known to lower the seizure threshold and you may want to consider switching to clavamox if possible.

Totally agree with SammysMom. The pressing her head against the bin worries me -- suggests headache and that's not good.

[HRT4SQRLS]

100% agree. I would change the antibiotic ASAP.
Any neuro issues she has can be complicated by the Baytril.

[Sottinger]

I appologize for the delay in responding. I am also caring for another infant squirrel as well, different litter. So, after preforming cpr she started breathing again. She finally regained consciousness after about 15-20 min. I believe she may have some facial or head injury/swelling maybe due to a fall. When she is in her tub she continuously walks along the perimiter until she is exhausted then presses her head against the side of the tub. I have now added metacam along with the Baytril. I am offering her pediolite every 30 min. She has only taken about 3 mls today. She seems to be doing a tiny bit better now. Finally asleep and resting comfortably for at least 30 min. Thank you for your concerned reply to my desperate post. I will try to update her condition once a day.

Regained consciousness after 15-20 minutes? Does life differ for small mammals as I understand a human would have little to no quality of life at this stage. I am not questioning but trying to understand.

[TubeDriver]

Well, squirrels are different than humans. At this point, we can just keep fingers crossed and see how she does...


Regained consciousness after 15-20 minutes? Does life differ for small mammals as I understand a human would have little to no quality of life at this stage. I am not questioning but trying to understand.

[CritterMom]

Hey, whereabouts in Oregon are you? One of our best, most reliable rehabbers is in Vancouver, WA so if you are in the Portland area, you are in luck.

[horsetopia]

I actually am not very far from Vancouver, Wa. Could you please P.M me the rehabbers info??
She is not getting better, only worse. Will switch to Clavamox effective immediatley but I think this one needs a more experienced helper than myself.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Information sent in a PM.

[CritterMom]

Information sent in a PM.

Me, too!

[Spanky]

Me three... But I got distracted (I saw a squirrel?!?!) and forgot to come back and post it! :embar

I even left a message on his phone...

[Sottinger]

My Papa resuscitated one when I was a kid. He had neurological issues after but still ran the trees during the day. He would come back to his nest box on the porch every evening though so was never fully wild. He still had a great life. =) 15-20 minutes just seemed like past the point to be able to have brain activity I thought. 🙏 for him though.

[Poky]

I know this is late but I am assuming unconscious but breathing.