Plz help...6 week old baby grey Need treatment for possible pneumonia,

[Iamgroot]

I’ve successfully cared for an orphaned very new born squirrel for 6 weeks feeding goats milk formula. He has suddenly become unwell 3 days now. He’s loss appetite, body temp unstable without heating source and is weak although very hydrated. He did occasionally get milk in his nose since he was an aggressive eater. He makes various noises making it hard to hear any constant clicking noise. I do hear an irregular clicking sound this evening. I stayed up all nite slowing feeding him to keep him alive. He was happy an healthy until 3 days ago?? Appreciate any advice or treatment. Thank u!

[Javarat]

We will need to know how much he weighs in grams, and what antibiotics you might have on hand.
Search around for leftover pills, ask any women you know if they have any left over Clavamox pills.
We would also need to know the strength of the pills.

Does he have diarrhea? How quickly after a feeding does his tummy go flat? Alternatively, is his stomach still full and hard at the next feeding?
Is he eating any blocks or vegetables.
Keep him hydrated, with water between meals. Do not dilute his formula to add extra water.

[CritterMom]

We will need to know how much he weighs in grams, and what antibiotics you might have on hand.
Search around for leftover pills, ask any women you know if they have any left over Clavamox pills.
We would also need to know the strength of the pills.

Does he have diarrhea? How quickly after a feeding does his tummy go flat? Alternatively, is his stomach still full and hard at the next feeding?
Is he eating any blocks or vegetables.
Keep him hydrated, with water between meals. Do not dilute his formula to add extra water.

Clavamox will work but I think Javarat meant Cipro. Cipro is used for urinary tract infections which end to happen more to women, and it is a common drug that a friend may have an extra pill or two laying around...

[Iamgroot]

We will need to know how much he weighs in grams, and what antibiotics you might have on hand.
Search around for leftover pills, ask any women you know if they have any left over Clavamox pills.
We would also need to know the strength of the pills.

Does he have diarrhea? How quickly after a feeding does his tummy go flat? Alternatively, is his stomach still full and hard at the next feeding?
Is he eating any blocks or vegetables.
Keep him hydrated, with water between meals. Do not dilute his formula to add extra water.

Thank you for your reply Javarat;)
I do not know his weight, don’t have scale in grams. I do have amoxicillin and penicillin leftover scripts. His belly is now looking full after patience slow feedings past 24 hours. I believe he is constipated. Only a few former droppings since yesterday. His belly is getting larger with each feeding since late yesterday. I gave him 1cc of apple juice between feedings twice. He seems to like the juice but not so interested in milk;( over the earlier 5 weeks he had a huge appetite but not now. I am expecting Fox Valley 20/50 formula today to ensure nutritional balance. This is the 3rd squirrel I’ve rehabilitated with no issues. Think inhaling milk into his nose maybe the issue. Any way to confirm before treating? Can I upload photos to thread? I called local Vet ER but they redirected me to wildlife.

[Iamgroot]

Another symptom he has is sneezing/blowing his nose especially after feedings. So appreciate both the replies;) I am Groot

[redwuff]

I would give antibiotics ASAP. The amoxicillin would work but need the strength of the med and weight of baby. If you can get weight in oz, we can convert it to grams. What are you feeding your baby with? Can you post a picture of the baby?

[Iamgroot]

I have amoxicillin 500mg capsules. I’m working on getting his weight and try uploading photo. Thank you so much!

[Iamgroot]

311717

[redwuff]

Thanks for the pictures. Your baby is very bloated. No more formula until his belly goes down. Give him infant gas x to help. Stimulate his genitals to help him push out stool if possible. Can you tell me how often and how much you are feeding?

Waiting on the weight of the baby.

I wonder if part of the problem is that you are feeding too much. New can help you there.

[CritterMom]

If you can hold him from the armpits down in a bowl of WARM water with one hand and use the other hand to very gently stroke the tummy in a downward stroke, it may stimulate things. Being surrounded by the warmth helps their little muscles relax.

Warm, warm, warm! When done, swaddle him in warm cloths (toss in dryer for a few minutes) and get him back on his heating pad until he is all dry.

[Iamgroot]

Just picked up a scale, he weights 90 grams. Plz advise he’s going downhill again.thank u

[redwuff]

What does that mean? What are his symptoms

[Iamgroot]

I’m sorry Javarat had asked for his weight so he could tell me the dosage of amoxicillin. I have 500mg capsules from a leftover prescription. He is likely bloated from apple juice and constipation. I’m pretty sure the inhaled milk got into lungs. Past 3 days he Has no appetite, weak, blowing his nose and temp non maintained without heat source. I’ve sought help everywhere with no luck. Please advise how to prepare amoxicillin dosage. Thank you

[redwuff]

Dosing sent in a pm

[redwuff]

You said that you stayed up all night feeding him. What do you mean by that? Babies usually take x amount of minutes to feed, then they don’t get formula for another 4 or 5 hours. How many times a day do you feed.

Thanks again for the pictures, they really helped.

[Nancy in New York]

Where in Florida do you live.
We have many members in Florida, and
perhaps one can help you with this baby,
or give you a better antibiotic.
Ask around to family and friends and try to find
one Cipro (Human ab.) or Baytril (Animal)
OR Clavamox (animal ab.or Augmentin (Human)
They can go down hill really fast. Try to locate
one of the above antibiotics asap.

[Iamgroot]

Update on baby Groot... In consideration of all the replies it was best I take her to local Wildlife Refuge of Bradenton where she can get advanced treatment and snuggle with countless other baby squirrels. Wildlife Refuge has also asked me to assist them at local event showcasing rescued wildlife including a Bald Eagle. I’ll be able to visit baby Groot and be informed of her progress. Thank you all for your Support and advice to save baby.

[Iamgroot]

It is worth noting the significant difference in growth and overall appearance of the baby squirrels at the wildlife refuge. Baby Groot was fed only a goats milk formula from 3 days old to 6 week and didnt realize how she was significantly lacking in overall development of light hair color, short hair length, small tail size and delay in eyes opening. The refuge only feeds their squirrels Fox Valley 20/50 formula and WOW!! all their baby squirrels (approx sixty) had an excellent improvement of development . So for all those sites debating over goats milk supplement; the evidence is clear cow/goats milk formulas do not provide essential nutrition squirrels require. Yes it will keep them alive but will lack visibility. The difference of visual appearance made it hard to even believe that my squirrel was the same Eastern Grey species. Simply it was a result of feeding her a goats-milk supplement. Fox Valley makes a very impressive formula that is superior to homemade supplements. Not many squirrels are rescued being only a few days old like mine to truly compare the real effects as I saw today. I Highly recommend Fox Valley 20-50 formula for baby squirrels and wish I had ordered it sooner. Hope this info was helpful to all the squirrel lovers out there.

[redwuff]

I hear what you are saying but 20/50 should not be fed to anyone under 4 weeks. Fox valley makes another formula 32/40 which was good for awhile that was for neonates up to 4 weeks. Several years back it started killing babies by turning to cement in the stomach and large intestine.

[Spanky]

It is worth noting the significant difference in growth and overall appearance of the baby squirrels at the wildlife refuge. Baby Groot was fed only a goats milk formula from 3 days old to 6 week and didnt realize how she was significantly lacking in overall development of light hair color, short hair length, small tail size and delay in eyes opening. The refuge only feeds their squirrels Fox Valley 20/50 formula and WOW!! all their baby squirrels (approx sixty) had an excellent improvement of development . So for all those sites debating over goats milk supplement; the evidence is clear cow/goats milk formulas do not provide essential nutrition squirrels require. Yes it will keep them alive but will lack visibility. The difference of visual appearance made it hard to even believe that my squirrel was the same Eastern Grey species. Simply it was a result of feeding her a goats-milk supplement. Fox Valley makes a very impressive formula that is superior to homemade supplements. Not many squirrels are rescued being only a few days old like mine to truly compare the real effects as I saw today. I Highly recommend Fox Valley 20-50 formula for baby squirrels and wish I had ordered it sooner. Hope this info was helpful to all the squirrel lovers out there.

Were you feeding plain Goat's Milk or the Goat's Milk formulation that includes yogurt and cream (and more recently egg yolk)? Cow's milk is never recommended for squirrels.

I want to note here the Goat's Milk formula is meant for babies only up to 4 weeks old, not 6 weeks. At 4 weeks they should (and we do recommend) making the transition to Fox Valley 20/50.

Also, it is worth mentioning the importance of feeding according to the weight of the squirrel. The lack of development of this squirrel may well be a result of under-feeding... which is entirely possible since he was not being weighed the weeks leading up to his exhibiting issues and becoming sickly. I fear too many people do not fully appreciate how critical feeding according to weight really is critical to proper nourishment and development. It cannot be emphasized enough the absolute necessity of feeding baby's in accordance with their weight: It is the only way to ensure they are being fed the proper amount and not being over or under fed, both of which can result in significant issues.

I believe all this information is important to be included in the thread since it will be read in the future and those folks should have as much info as we can share.

I am very happy your buddy will have buddies to grow up with and experienced folks to get him healthy for release. As a bonus, the center has a new squirrel-loving volunteer! :thumbsup

[Iamgroot]

I don’t consider myself a newbie caring for baby squirrels, successfully cared for 3 others over the years. But not as young as days old. However there are many newbies that find baby squirrels and attempt to nurse these adorable creatures. The search the internet for information and it’s very confusing. I think only those who truly have knowledge about baby squirrels should care for them. My advice is if you are new and found a baby please take it to a qualified wildlife center. If not you risk killing the adorable baby your trying to save. I’m also a mother having raised 4 children but wildlife care is quite different. Moms can easily overcare for these cuties if she has no real knowledge of squirrels. We can’t help those maternal instincts, lol;)

Here are some answers questions;
Groot was fed goats milk, heavy cream and yogurt was recently added to formula. He was thrived until a few days ago. If anything I over fed him since he was always hungry. So definitely not under fed. I believe rehydration steps added another complication. It was confirmed by wildlife rehabber that he did have pneumonia and was dehydrated inspite of my attempts. His bloated gut was also a digestive concern which included constipation. I was advised to fed him 2 cc of apple juice by a another licensed wildlife rehabber. That did not help rather where his gut bloated. The baby gas x did help yesterday a bit.
All the replies confirm there is much to know and learn in caring for baby squirrels, Love is simply not enough. Plus they will not be able to rehabilitate into the wild beyond weaning age approx 12 weeks. The wildlife rehab of Bradenton won’t even take them after 8 weeks old because it’s too late to rehabilitate back in wild. Caring for 1 squirrel is harder than caring for multiple babies as I was able to see yesterday. The rehab puts babies together which aids their care and keeps them social with other squirrels. It was wonderful how the rehabber immediate selected another baby to comfort and play with Groot. Squirrels need lots of interaction that in the long haul we can’t give them individually unless you want to become their living tree. It’s happened to me once before so please let’s give them to those who know what they need. Thanks for all the imput my squirrel loving friends out there!

[Iamgroot]

311725

[Iamgroot]

I would like to comment on the Fox Valley formulas and cementing in 4wk and younger squirrels. I was informed on this thread there is an different fox valley formula for younger ones. But inspite of extensive research I was not made aware of that:(. However I absolutely agree and confirm Esiblilac powders are awful for squirrel babies and do cement in their guts. Having used it for two feeds but stopped after I could see into babies transparent belly sitting like a rock in a 3 day old. Took 24 hours to flush through. Esibliac’s residue is Nearly impossible to clean off feeding dishes and syringes soaking in dawn dish soap. So much harder on baby’s belly.

My personal experience is that all Powdered formulas including human baby formula powders are gritty with residue. Premixed liquids formulas I found are much gut friendlier. However I found that was NOT the case mixing Fox Valley 20/50 powder which blended silky smooth with no grit. I further tested it rubbing onto my skin that felt creamy & light leaving no sticky residue. Fox Valley does have liquid prepared formulas that are made in large quantities for wildlife centers like my local rehab. They showed me these large containers of Fox Valley milk made especially for their baby squirrels.

I had the privilege of speaking with the owner of Fox Valley last week. He’s been doing this 40 plus years and passionately devoted to formulating replacement milk for many species of wildlife. He was extremely kind and supportive and even called me back to check on baby squirrel. So if anyone is uncertain about which Fox Valley formula is age appropriate contact them or their partner/affiliate Henry’s pets directly for reliable direction.

[Spanky]

Plus they will not be able to rehabilitate into the wild beyond weaning age approx 12 weeks. The wildlife rehab of Bradenton won’t even take them after 8 weeks old because it’s too late to rehabilitate back in wild.

I am confident there are a lot of us (and many other rehab facilities as well) that would disagree with this assessment about not being able to rehabilitate back to the wild at 12 weeks; I suspect their policy to turn away 8 week olds is more because at that age it is very unlikely they will integrate with other squirrels... once they reach about 8 weeks old, they will not accept new arrivals into their clan/group/litter. That makes a single 8+ week old (or small group of 8+ week olds) more work then they are willing to take on.... just my opinion.


I would like to comment on the Fox Valley formulas and cementing in 4wk and younger squirrels. I was informed on this thread there is an different fox valley formula for younger ones. But inspite of extensive research I was not made aware of that:(. However I absolutely agree and confirm Esiblilac powders are awful for squirrel babies and do cement in their guts. Having used it for two feeds but stopped after I could see into babies transparent belly sitting like a rock in a 3 day old. Took 24 hours to flush through. Esibliac’s residue is Nearly impossible to clean off feeding dishes and syringes soaking in dawn dish soap. So much harder on baby’s belly.

The issues with the Esbilac being gritty and causing problems is a recent issue, new this season (Fall 2019), though Esbilac also had an issue several years back (2009? 2010?). As a result, PetAg (the manufacturer) has lost our confidence and we can no longer recommend the use of Esbilac... the suffering in the baby squirrel community (and opossum) has been devastating this Fall 2019 season.

Unfortunately there also an issue with the Fox Valley formula that is recommended for 0 - 4 weeks (Fox Valley Day One 32/40) a few years back. As a result, we no longer recommend the FV 32/40.