concerned about this baby

[Cindy]

This past Saturday someone brought me this baby squirrel. It is orphaned and they found out that I had raised a couple of babys. They had re-hydrated since Friday. I brought her home and started on esiblac until fox valley came in. The esiblac was the formula for goats and I believe it was the stuff that is no good by the date. I believe this girl is 5 weeks old and weighed 80 g. She took the formula well and poops and pees fine, but is loosing weight. At first she was becoming more and more alert and anxious to feed, but now she has slowed and only weighs 76 g. I had been feeding every 4 hours, but now that I have the fox valley I was going to try every 3 hrs. I also became concerned about the pneumonia, because she breathes differently as far as speed and kinda jerks while sleeping. I haven't noticed any clicking noise, but because of the weight loss and the jerky sleep I was concerned. I have been trying to upload a video of her sleeping, but I cant get anything to work. I also tried to watch the video of the pneumonia case on the forum, but could not get it to work. I clicked the pic but got an error message. I'll keep trying on both, but I wanted to hear what you all thought. I just got the fox valley formula yesterday afternoon, so she has had 5 feedings of the fox valley, the first 3 were mixed with the esiblac formula. Thanks for your help.

[RockyPops]

Someone will chime in with advice.

Thank you for helping this baby!

[Cindy]

I finally got to view the pneumonia video and this little girl jerks like that, but no noise when breathing and her breathing doesn't seem as labored as the video. Still concerned and will try to upload video. If I would need any antibiotics what would I need? I could check with my vet to see if I could get something from him, as I know that there isn't anyone locally to treat wild animals. All that I have on hand is 500mg amoxcillin. Thanks again.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Cindy, I wouldn’t worry about the ‘jerks’ while she sleeps. They all do that to some degree. Hold her up to your ear and listen carefully for clicking. If you hear even a faint clicking she will need treatment with an antibiotic.

How is the appetite? If the appetite is good I don’t think AP is an issue. When they have pneumonia you hear clicking, the appetite disappears and they are lethargic. I would not feed every 3 hours. That is too frequent at this age. She needs time for the formula to move out of the stomach before new formula is given. I would feed every 4-5 hrs. You will notice that the FV satisfies longer than the Esbilac.

The weight loss is probably directly related to the GME. All lots that were tested in the fall were rancid. They were not just slightly rancid, they were extremely rancid based on the peroxide levels. It is unlikely she would thrive on the bad formula.

Now that she is on the FV you should see her start gaining weight.

[HRT4SQRLS]

If you could get Baytril from your vet to have on hand it would be a good idea.
I’m not convinced that it is needed yet. Sometimes you can get an antibiotic from a friend or family. Only one pill is needed. Again, don’t think it’s needed yet.

We could use the amoxicillin as a last resort but it’s not my favorite for AP.

[Cindy]

She has been eating about 5cc each feeding until today. Today she has eaten 3.5 cc each time, but it has been the full FV formula. Today she has peed each time but no poop. I always check her belly and also stimulate before and after feedings. I've added a couple of photos. I held her to my ear and I don't hear anything, definitely no clicking, no wheezing.

[HRT4SQRLS]

How sweet! :grin2 The reduced intake was probably due to the formula switch.

[Nancy in New York]

Your little one is just precious! :klunk
Did you get the Fox Valley 20/50?

[Cindy]

I got the FV 20/50. This last feeding she had 4.4 cc. she was much more alert and active. Her eyes were also brighter. Thank you everyone, I have always been given good advice from others on this site. It is so great being able to count on you all in order to help raise this little one. I ordered some blocks from Henry's and I'll be putting those in her container once they get here. Definitely want to avoid the MBD issue.

[Cindy]

I woke up to feed my girl at 2:30 and she only wanted about 1/2 cc, and since she ate a full 5 cc earlier, I didn't force it. I just got up and tried again(4;30) to see if she was ready to eat, but she wasn't. I held her to my ear and let her go to sleep on my shoulder and I can hear a very faint click, almost a tiny gurgle sound. It isn't every breath, but when laying in a certain position it is somewhat regular. I'm going to check with my vet first thing in the morning when the office opens to see if I can get the Baytril. What would be another choice if that doesn't work? The refusal to eat and the click I heard and the lethargy has me convinced that I need antibiotics for my girl ASAP. I would need help with dosing for her and she is currently 76 g. Thanks everyone.

[Cindy]

The antibiotics that I currently have are amoxicillin 500 mg, and I also found some Cephalexin 250 mg that was prescribed for my dog. I have no idea how to dose either of these, but I was wondering if I should start one of these and then move to the Baytril if I can get a hold of that?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Cindy, give me a minute to dose this.

[Cindy]

I just found a couple of antibiotics that I got a year and a half ago in mexico for some dental work I had done. Cigmadil 300 mg and clindamicina 300mg. i don't know if either of these would be better. The vet opens at 8am I think(at least normally they do) and another one opens at 9am. I will try to still get the Baytril if you think thats best.

[HRT4SQRLS]

The Baytril or SMZ-TMP (Septra) would be better but unless you know the vet well, you probably won’t be successful getting them from a vet. When they hear wildlife they usually shut down.

[Cindy]

Is a humidifier helpful? I will set that up right away if it helps.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Is a humidifier helpful? I will set that up right away if it helps.

Yes

[Cindy]

I used to babysit for one of them when they were young and we are in a small town so Ill see what I can do. The other dr I have been using for years for my dog. He is easy to work with so I'm hoping if I just ask for 1 capsule he might do it. If I can get it can we give this the next dose after giving the amoxicillin?

[HRT4SQRLS]

I sent dosing for the Amoxicillin but if you can get the other, it will be better.

Tell the vet, the rehabbers can dose it for you. I doubt he would know how to dose it.

[HRT4SQRLS]

All you need is ONE 22.7mg Baytril tablet.

We can dose any size but that is a common size in vets offices.

[HRT4SQRLS]

You could start with the Amoxicillin and we can switch to the Baytril.

[Cindy]

I was just practicing a little with the 1 ml syringe and it is literally 1 drop. What about the portion that is in the tip? I doesn't empty completely, the little reduced end of the syringe. That amount is actually another drop. Do I need to get both drops in her? I guess without the nipple would be best, otherwise I need to add just to fill the nipple.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I was just practicing a little with the 1 ml syringe and it is literally 1 drop. What about the portion that is in the tip? I doesn't empty completely, the little reduced end of the syringe. That amount is actually another drop. Do I need to get both drops in her? I guess without the nipple would be best, otherwise I need to add just to fill the nipple.

Just the drop that expels with a push. Not the second drop in the barrel.

Nipple? No nipple, just the syringe.

[Cindy]

OH my, she is such a trooper. She took the meds like a champ! Another question, should I get some probiotics to help her gut flora and add that to the feedings in between the medicine doses? Got the humidifier going and set her box next to it, heating pad on low and soft flannel and sweatshirt scraps for her to cuddle into. As far as feeding, try every 3 hrs? with 3 1/2 ml of food? Stick with the FV formula?

[HRT4SQRLS]

OH my, she is such a trooper. She took the meds like a champ! Another question, should I get some probiotics to help her gut flora and add that to the feedings in between the medicine doses? Got the humidifier going and set her box next to it, heating pad on low and soft flannel and sweatshirt scraps for her to cuddle into. As far as feeding, try every 3 hrs? with 3 1/2 ml of food? Stick with the FV formula?

Yes to probiotic. If you have a capsule probiotic, just a tiny amount in the formula. You can also put a little yogurt in the formula.
I would feed her every 4 hrs.
Yes, 3.5 - 4 ml per feeding. As she improves and grows you can increase the amount to 7% of body weight.
FoxValley 20:50

[Nancy in New York]

OH my, she is such a trooper. She took the meds like a champ! Another question, should I get some probiotics to help her gut flora and add that to the feedings in between the medicine doses? Got the humidifier going and set her box next to it, heating pad on low and soft flannel and sweatshirt scraps for her to cuddle into. As far as feeding, try every 3 hrs? with 3 1/2 ml of food? Stick with the FV formula?

I use a capsule probiotic from CVS.
Pull it apart and dose ~ the size of a capital O 2 hours before or 2 hours after dosing the meds.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-JC2tFpw/0/5652151c/O/i-JC2tFpw.jpg

Edit: I see that HRT beat me to it. :)

[Cindy]

I'm headed to the vets office now. He is going to give me a tablet of Baytril so we can switch to that for the next dose. He said he was happy to help as long as he didn't have to figure out how much to treat her with. I told him about this site and the amount of help I'm getting here and he said he might check it out. Thank you everyone for all the help, I would have no clue with out you!!!

[Cindy]

Just got back from the vet and I got a 22.7 mg tablet of Baytril. If you wouldn't mind figuring the dosage for me, that would be great. How long do we give these antibiotics for? I'm planning on the second dose of meds at 6:30 PM.:thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

Just got back from the vet and I got a 22.7 mg tablet of Baytril. If you wouldn't mind figuring the dosage for me, that would be great. How long do we give these antibiotics for? I'm planning on the second dose of meds at 6:30 PM.:thumbsup

Give me a minute and I will dose it. :thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

Dosing sent.

[Cindy]

Just wanted to send an update. Look who feels good enough that she thinks she can control the TV.314269

[HRT4SQRLS]

I love happy updates. :grin2

She looks great. :thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thank your vet friend for us. He saved the day.

[Cindy]

I love happy updates. :grin2

She looks great. :thumbsup

Special thanks to you for all your help!:serene