Pneumonia… I don’t know how to does this medicine.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I found a tiny baby squirrel about a week ago. He’s been doing great. I would guess he’s about two weeks old right now. He weighs 30 Grams. I noticed the clicking sound started last night. Of course I did some research and it said the baby needed some antibiotics quickly. This morning I went to the only vet in my area that sees wildlife animals. Today was his walk in clinic. After waiting 45 minutes for my name to be called… The vet looked at me without ever looking at the squirrel and said he didn’t have time for that today. After waiting 45 minutes I didn’t get any help. I’ve done a lot of reading and it says that I can give the baby amoxicillin. Some say that you can take a 500 mg amoxicillin capsule dissolve it in water… So my question is can you actually do that? And if so what would the appropriate dilution and dosage be?

I’ll also add that he is eating well and moving around. I just don’t want it to get worse and I lose him.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi Ashley, we can help. Is Amoxicillin the only antibiotic you have?

[Mel1959]

Is amoxicillin the only antibiotic you can locate? Could you call family and friends and possibly locate Augmentin (human)/Clavamox (animal) or Ciproflaxin (human)/ Baytril (animal). If not I believe amoxicillin can be used. The weight of the baby and the strength of the medicine will be needed for someone to dose the meds for you.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Yes right now it’s the only one I have. I could possibly get some Ciproflaxin but it would be tomorrow before I could get my hands on it.

[HRT4SQRLS]

That sounds perfect. I will dose the amoxicillin now. I will send you a Private Message with dosing instructions. If you can get Ciprofloxacin tomorrow that would be even better.

Is the pill you have 500mg?

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Thank you so much. Yes it’s 500mg. And I will let you know if I can get the other medication tomorrow. I really appreciate your help, we’ve grown quite attached to this little guy.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Actually, you are so new to the board you haven’t been activated by an Admin. Because of that I can’t send you a Private Message yet. We don’t put dosing on the open board.

Could you reply to my personal email address? I will send dosing to your email.

I will delete my email from this thread in 10 minutes.

*****.******@gmail.com

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Yes doing it now.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Did you send it?

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Yes. It says it sent but just in case you don’t receive it you can also email me at XXX@XXX.com (akfrancis84@gmail.com)

[HRT4SQRLS]

OK, I didn’t receive it but I wrote your email address down.
You can edit your post and delete your email address from the post. Bottom right of post is edit button.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Ashley, do you have syringes and what size?

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I have a 1 mm syringe and a 3 mm syringe

[Spanky]

Ashley has been activated... :thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just sent dosing by email. If you don’t get it I will post it here. It can be deleted later.

Please return to the thread after dosing so we can discuss formula.

Edit... Spanky has activated your account so I will send the same dosing information in a Private Message.
Spanky, could you delete her email from her post. Thanks.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I asked Ashley to return to the thread after dosing so that we can discuss formula, etc.

By the way, the vet sounds like a total jerk. They could have told you to start that they don’t see wildlife and saved you the time.
Just so you know, most vets won’t see wildlife and even fewer will treat wildlife for the general public. Some will actually seize the animal so be careful going to vets.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Ashley found Ciprofloxacin and is on the way to pick it up. :thumbsup

I will send dosing for Ciprofloxacin.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I got the medication mixed it as directed and he took it well. I will give another dose in the morning and I will hopefully see improvements by tomorrow night. This forum is a fantastic place! The vet definitely was not helpful. He does see wildlife and he’s the only one around me that does. I guess he just didn’t have time since he had a clinic full of cats and dogs on his “walk in day”. It was super frustrating because I was there waiting very patiently for a long time and willing to pay whatever he charged.

[RockyPops]

Thank you for helping and loving your baby!

Does he have a name yet?

Think you might get us a picture of him?

[Nancy in New York]

Here's an excellent link to a Baby Squirrel Guide.
It's 6 concise pages long with the next button
in the top right corner.
Please keep us posted on your little one.
https://www.henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/

[Ashleyfrancis84]

We have been calling him chipper... he’s the sweetest baby!!

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Chipper

[HRT4SQRLS]

Precious :serene

[RockyPops]

Thanks for the picture!

Chipper is a pretty little pinkie!:Love_Icon

[Ashleyfrancis84]

With the help of this amazing group… The clicking is gone! I’ve adjusted my feeding technique and He hasn’t had any aspiration issues. I’m so incredibly thankful! But now we have some diarrhea… i’m assuming from the antibiotics. Any tips to help with that? I’m currently feeding the goat milk, heavy whipping cream, and yogurt mix until my formula comes in on Tuesday.

[Nancy in New York]

With the help of this amazing group… The clicking is gone! I’ve adjusted my feeding technique and He hasn’t had any aspiration issues. I’m so incredibly thankful! But now we have some diarrhea… i’m assuming from the antibiotics. Any tips to help with that? I’m currently feeding the goat milk, heavy whipping cream, and yogurt mix until my formula comes in on Tuesday.

I'm so glad to hear the clicking is gone.
Get some probiotic capsules from the drug store.
Pull one apart and give the amount of a capital O two
hours before dosing the abs.
I use these:
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JC2tFpw/0/5652151c/S/i-JC2tFpw-S.jpg

You can also cut back a little on the heavy cream for now
until the diarrhea subsides.
Thank you for the update.
Your boy is just precious.

[Nancy in New York]

Almost forgot.
Order the Fox Valley 20/50 formula now.
https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/
You can start a transition real soon.
The Goat Milk formula is just a temporary fix.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Thank you! That is what I have ordered. I should be getting it tomorrow

[HRT4SQRLS]

I wanted to let you know about the Miracle nipple. It is awesome for feeding baby squirrels. They are much less likely to aspirate when using a good nipple and feeding technique. The Miracle nipple can be purchased at Henry’s Healthy Pets. Also, O-ring syringes are much smoother than the black plunger type. Those get sticky and can cause a blast of formula. Henry’s also sells the O-ring syringes.

The baby is precious and I’m so glad he is doing better. Did I miss the little peanuts name? :grin2

[Ashleyfrancis84]

His name is Chipper 😊

How should I mix this probiotic?

[Mel1959]

Are you referring to the powdered probiotic? You can put it in his formula that’s already in a syringe if you know about how much he takes each time. Or you can mix it with a little water and just put it in his mouth. It doesn’t have much taste, I’ve been told.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I went and got the same probiotic capsules that are in the picture above. I wasn’t sure how to dilute and how much to give. He’s so very little… I don’t want to give too much but I know the antibiotics have upset his belly.

[Spanky]

I went and got the same probiotic capsules that are in the picture above. I wasn’t sure how to dilute and how much to give. He’s so very little… I don’t want to give too much but I know the antibiotics have upset his belly.

Open the capsule and give a tiny "pinch" mixed with warm water... it does not take a lot to help offset the issues caused by the antibiotics and it takes quite a bit to cause any worry. You want to give this an hour before or after administering the anti-biotics.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Open the capsule and give a tiny "pinch" mixed with warm water... it does not take a lot to help offset the issues caused by the antibiotics and it takes quite a bit to cause any worry. You want to give this an hour before or after administering the anti-biotics.


Got it!! Thank you!

[redwuff]

With the help of this amazing group… The clicking is gone! I’ve adjusted my feeding technique and He hasn’t had any aspiration issues. I’m so incredibly thankful! But now we have some diarrhea… i’m assuming from the antibiotics. Any tips to help with that? I’m currently feeding the goat milk, heavy whipping cream, and yogurt mix until my formula comes in on Tuesday.

The probiotic is important and also something I have used with good success is called BRAT. Do both. Take 3 Tablespoons of made formula (whatever you are feeding)
1/2 teaspoon of Gerber rice baby cereal
1/2 teaspoon of banana baby food

Feed this as you would your regular formula. Do not over feed your baby. That would cause diarrhea. Feed at 5% of the baby’s weight.

You have a very beautiful baby!

[Ashleyfrancis84]

He’s the most precious little thing. I’m very great full for all y’all help.

[Nancy in New York]

He's absolutely precious.
He looks a little dehydrated to me.
Try giving him some homemade pedialyte
in between formula feedings.
Does he still have diarrhea?
How much formula are you feeding each time,
and how many times daily do you feed?

Homemade Rehydration fluid:

1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon sugar or molasses
1 pinch salt

[CritterMom]

I went and got the same probiotic capsules that are in the picture above. I wasn’t sure how to dilute and how much to give. He’s so very little… I don’t want to give too much but I know the antibiotics have upset his belly.

So you want just the teeniest pinch of the stuff. Dump a capsule out in something you can cover and store. I would use a toothpic, myself - dampen the tip and use it to "pick up" a little blob of the powder the size of an "o". It isn't dangerous - the digestive system kills lots of the probiotic bacteria before it even gets absorbed. You are basically just "re-seeding" the digestive system. The ANTIbiotics kill the PRObiotics - which is what causes the stomach upset. Put your teeny blob right in his formula - it is usually a little sweet so he won't notice a thing. Add the powder AFTER the formula has cooled to just before you feed it to the baby - last minute. High heat kills the bacteria - you don't want to annihilate them before they can do their thing! Try to have as much time between your probiotic feeding and the drug dosing as you can. For example, if you were giving him the meds at 6AM and 6PM, doing the probiotic feeding at either noon or midnight would be about perfect.

If he has diarrhea right now, you can give him .01 cc of pepto bismol. It will make his poop turn black - don't freak out, it does it to anything that takes it. When you see that color change, you will know the pepto has gone all the way through him. If he is still having diarrhea, try another dose.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I have been giving that mix a few times a day. I’ll add it in some more. I feed him 1.45cc every 2-3 hours of a homemade mix of goat milk, yogurt, and whipping cream. He weights 32 grams. I ordered fox valley and it’s supposed to be delivered today so I’ll start that tonight when I get home.

[CritterMom]

I have been giving that mix a few times a day. I’ll add it in some more. I feed him 1.45cc every 2-3 hours of a homemade mix of goat milk, yogurt, and whipping cream. He weights 32 grams. I ordered fox valley and it’s supposed to be delivered today so I’ll start that tonight when I get home.

You need to do a really slow transition to the new formula. Make up a batch of each of them, then in a third container, mix it so it is 3/4 goats milk formula and 1/4 FV. I would feed him that for several feedings at least before doing a 50/50 mix. And feed that for several feedings before advancing on to 1/4 GM formula and 3/4 FV. This will let you catch tummy issues brought on by changing formulas way before they are critical. Doing a hard swap can make them quite ill.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Just an update:

Chipper is amazing. We slowly switch from the homemade formula to the Foxvalley and he tolerated it very well. He is off his antibiotics for his clicking and sounds great. His diarrhea is gone and his poop is firm. When I got him he weighed 24 g and now he’s coming in at 40grams. I’ve had him two weeks today so I’m estimating him to be about two weeks and five days. When I got him he still had his umbilical stump. His hair is starting to fill in… But he still mostly naked. I’m hoping this new formula will help him thrive and put on a little more weight. He still looks pretty scrawny… I take him everywhere with me to make sure his fed On his normal schedule He eats so good. He’s got his two front bottom teeth in and his ears are starting to pop up and look like actual ears now.

I’ll never be able to say enough how much I appreciated all the help I received from this thread.

The picture I’m going to include was a few days ago. But it sure is precious.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just love a happy story. I remember just a week or so ago, you were so desperate. The vet was a jerk and wouldn’t help.
Just look at little Chipper now. That just makes my heart sing. :serene

The trip you made at night to get the proper antibiotic made all the difference in the world. Great job! :thumbsup

[TomahawkFlyers]

Ashley,

Just as you are grateful for the help you and your squirrel received here, we are grateful for the critical care you provided in order to get your little one through its crisis. Never doubt that Chipper will know and love you for what you did. You are a good soul, and proof that there are angels all around us.

Jamie

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Hello friends, everything is still good over here. The little one is still eating well and his poop looks good. But he just looks a bit scrony to me. He weighed 24g when I got him. I’ve had him for 17 days now and I’m guessing he is about 22ish days old. He weighs 43g as of this morning. He eats 1.5mil every 3 hours. There is a lot of contradicting information on how much to feed and what weight should be. Some say he should be eating a full 2mils but he is not interested in that much and I don’t force it. I know I probably shouldn’t compare him to pictures but I can’t help it. I’ve drowned myself into information and when I look at included photos the little babies always look a little more plump then my guy...

What are y’all a thoughts on his size (for his age) and how much he is being feed? Does he look to skinny to y’all? Would he benefit from fox valley ultra boost?

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Chipper

[HRT4SQRLS]

Precious. :serene

He is a little lean. Just to review, he is on FoxValley 20:50 right?

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Precious. :serene

He is a little lean. Just to review, he is on FoxValley 20:50 right?

Yes, you are correct.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, he would benefit from UltraBoost. If you want to use heavy cream that would also be good.
Either will be fine. I would start the HC now as you can get that today. I would add it very slowly. We don’t want him to get diarrhea. Do you make up single batches.... 2 water to 1 powder? I would add 1/4 teaspoon of HC to a batch. I know this is a tiny amount but I don’t want to do anything to set him back. If he tolerated that well for a day, you can bump it up to 1/2 teaspoon of HC to a batch tomorrow.

You can start this today. I want to put different amounts of FV/HC into the nutrition calculator. I want to find the optimal amount. I will get back with you on that. I know the rehabbers are seeing this and thinking I’m crazy with such a small amount but I would rather be cautious than jump into something that will cause problems. Little Chipper has had a time so let’s keep him moving forward. :tilt

Try going 3.5 hrs. We need to get his intake up. At 42g he should be taking between 2.1-2.95ml per feeding. (5-7% of body weight)

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Yes I make up single batches. What I don’t use at the end of the day I dump and remake to start the next day. I have some heavy whipping cream left from home making his formula so I’ll add it to what I have mixed. I’ll start working on getting him to eat a bigger amount every 3.5 hours and I’m ordering the ultra boost now.

Thank you so much.

[HRT4SQRLS]

The best way to mix the formula is to make it up in the evening so that it sits overnight. For the powder to be completely dissolved in the water, it needs to sit before using. The next morning it is good to use. You can use a batch until the next day... some say longer but you’re mixing such a small amount, one day to the next is fine.

[Ashleyfrancis84]

The best way to mix the formula is to make it up in the evening so that it sits overnight. For the powder to be completely dissolved in the water, it needs to sit before using. The next morning it is good to use. You can use a batch until the next day... some say longer but you’re mixing such a small amount, one day to the next is fine.

Yes that is what I do. When I make it I shake it a little I want it to sit over night so all the bubbles go away. Before I draw it into my syringe I tilt the bottle very gently back and forth not to make bubbles again and make a good draw with my syringe so he is not ingesting bubbles. We don’t want any tummy troubles.

[Nancy in New York]

Yes that is what I do. When I make it I shake it a little I want it to sit over night so all the bubbles go away. Before I draw it into my syringe I tilt the bottle very gently back and forth not to make bubbles again and make a good draw with my syringe so he is not ingesting bubbles. We don’t want any tummy troubles.

Try shaking the bottle really good, and then draw up from the very bottom.
You won't get bubbles that way since they're all at the top.
Give it a try before you're ready to feed. It should work perfectly.
If not, go back to your way.
Your little one is PRECIOUS! :klunk

[Ashleyfrancis84]

I just ordered the ultra boost but it won’t be here until the 24th even with my amazon prime. So I added and will continue to add heavy willing cream until then. I weight him every morning at 6:30am before I feed.

How much weight should be gained in a day?

[HRT4SQRLS]

When they get really going they can gain 3-4 grams a day. Even more when they are older. :grin2

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Ok great! I hope to see that soon. Of course I’ll keep y’all updated! Thank you so much!!

[HRT4SQRLS]

By the way, he isn’t overly thin. We just like little fat babies. When I see emaciated, with ribs and shoulder blades protruding I panic but he isn’t anything like that. Usually when we see little ‘mama squirrel’ babies they are plump little things so I like them plump. :grin2

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Thankful it’s just a little on the thin side. He ate at 6:30am and again at 10. He did take more. Nearly 2cc at 10. We will get to where he needs to be and be plump very soon hopefully.

[Ozzy2019]

Good luck to your baby

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Little guy is doing great. Weighting 54g.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Just look at that perfect little munchkin. :grin2

Thank you for letting us know. Such good news today. :dance

[Nancy in New York]

Simply perfect! :klunk

[Chirps]

Somehow got away from this thread. What a needed boost to see a beautiful, thriving boy! He is just adorable! :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Just look at that perfect little munchkin. :grin2

Thank you for letting us know. Such good news today. :dance

Good morning friends, I had a couple of questions and I wasn’t sure if I should continue to post here or start a new thread. I don’t want to post an emergency thread when it’s not an emergency situation. If I’m doing this wrong please let me know.

Hrt4sqrls I was wondering if you Have a feeding chart that you follow and if so could you please share it with me. As a little guy is getting bigger I want to make sure he’s eating adequately. Today he is weighing in at 63g and I know his food needs to go up each day with his weight. I just want to do my best buy this little guy. I appreciate every single second you’ll spend helping me!

[HRT4SQRLS]

You can start a new thread in the Nursery if you would like. :grin2

This is a feeding chart that one of the members here put together. Keep in mind that it is a guideline. As they get older they will and should receive more than the 7% on the chart. The weight in grams is the Left hand column. The weights have been rounded up for the bigger babies.

314036

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Thank you so much!!

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Just coming to share a pic of this little guy looking more plump ❤️

[Nancy in New York]

Just coming to share a pic of this little guy looking more plump ❤️

Such perfection!
You did a fantastic job with this little one. :w00t

[HRT4SQRLS]

:grin2 Chipper looks awesome. :serene

He is the picture of health. :Love_Icon Thanks for sharing Chipper with us. I needed to see a perfect baby as we have had several heartbreaking losses recently. You did everything right and this perfect little life is the reward. :grouphug

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Hey there friends, just wanted to share an update. We’re doing great over here!. I tried to upload a video but it didn’t work… I’m here are some pictures that will do!

[HRT4SQRLS]

Aww, Chipper. He looks great! :grin2 I bet he is more than a little spoiled laying on that plush blanket. :serene


This is my happy place. :Love_Icon Chipper :Love_Icon

[Ashleyfrancis84]

Hello friends. It’s been awhile since I’ve been here. My chipper is AMAZING. He is roughy 11 weeks old weighing about 340grams. It’s hard to get a good weight because he is sooo dang fast. He is eating well and weaning from formula. He is so active, energetic, and fun. Here are a few pictures... once again it’s hard to get a decent picture because he is so fast.

[Nancy in New York]

So precious. Chipper looks fantastic! :w00t

[island rehabber]

He is adorable! :dance I don't know how anyone weighs their squirrels when they're over about 300grams....too squirmy! :grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

Just look at that big guy. Do you remember when we were trying to put some weight on him? :grin2
It worked! :peace :rotfl Those are great pics. Here is a secret for taking squirrel pics. Sunflower seeds! They will sit right there and eat it while you snap away. If you give them a nut they will usually grab it and run.

Keep in mind seeds, including sunflower seeds are unhealthy and should be very limited but for the occasional photo shoot, they are the bomb.

[Chirps]

How did I miss this thread? Wow, Chipper is such a Handsome Boy! Thanks for posting those pics. Needed a lift today and this was it!

[Renee warren]

I am new to this page. I have a baby squirrel that’s about 5-6 weeks old. We have had it for 3 days and today he is not acting the same. Kinda slow and not as active as it was. This morning he finally was taking to feeding well. Prior I was giving a rehydration mix and trying formula. And he was doing well with the rehydration but not the milk til this morning. Next feeding he got really excited and sucked on the strings and kinda choked and a bit came out of his nose. Which I know is or can be bad. How do I tell if he has pneumonia. I am trying to find the videos for the sound of it. And cannot find them. The only antibiotic I have is Cephalexin. What can I do or give it. Please help. Email is jrjlab6@gmail.com. Thanks

[Mel1959]

Hold the baby up to your ear like a phone. Do you hear a clicking noise with each breath? The lethargy is one indication of pneumonia, and so is a decrease in appetite. Milk coming out the nose does not always result in pneumonia, though.

In order to dose the medicine we would need a weight on the squirrel and the strength of the medicine.

What formula are you feeding? Pedialyte should never be mixed with formula and should only be given for 24 hrs. The salt is hard on their kidneys.