View Full Version : Emergency Help Needed, possible aspiration?
All of a sudden baby Marlene started making this clicking sound. We've been very careful feeding with small syringes but now worried she has aspirated. Can anyone watch the video and tell me if I need to start giving meds. The only thing I have on hand is 1cc of smz tmp which was for my pet mouse who has since passed away. I have a friend who I am reaching out to for some additional medicinal help. What should I do?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVl5VO1zkhQ
stepnstone
05-01-2020, 03:04 PM
Can not view video, says its set to private.
If AP the best med is Baytril (animal med) or Cipro (ciprofloxacin) which
is often used and kept on hand by many woman.
Other meds can be used but these two are most effective.
If indeed AP we will need to know weight of baby to dose.
Squirrels are dosed medication by body weight.
i have adjusted the privacy settings so the video can now be viewed. I have a friend who has peniccillin. Is that of any use? She weighs 84 grams.
stepnstone
05-01-2020, 03:19 PM
We can see and hear it now.
Yes, this baby has AP.
stepnstone
05-01-2020, 03:30 PM
Others may advise differently but do not think smz tmp will work for AP.
Check around to family friends and see what anti biotics you can come
up with. We can tell you IF they can be used, how to break down and
dose. You would only need a pill or two.
CritterMom
05-01-2020, 03:31 PM
Try contacting female friends - Cipro is usually used for urinary tract infections which female humans tend to have the patent on.
Do you have any info on the strength of your SMZ-TMP?
[QUOTE=stepnstone;1314805]Others may advise differently but do not think smz tmp will work for AP.
Check around to family friends and see what anti biotics you can come
up with. We can tell you IF they can be used, how to break down and
dose. You would only need a pill or two.[/QUOTE
Someone gave me penicillin vk 500 mg. Is this of any use?
CritterMom
05-01-2020, 04:04 PM
[QUOTE=stepnstone;1314805]Others may advise differently but do not think smz tmp will work for AP.
Check around to family friends and see what anti biotics you can come
up with. We can tell you IF they can be used, how to break down and
dose. You would only need a pill or two.[/QUOTE
Someone gave me penicillin vk 500 mg. Is this of any use?
I am sorry - no to penicillen.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 04:27 PM
We can use the SMZ- TMP. What is the concentration?
We need the weight of the baby also.
The label says smz tmp suspension 1 cc qty: 1.12
Give 1 syringe (0.04) by mouth twice daily for 14 days
It is alo dated: 11/05/2019
We can use the SMZ- TMP. What is the concentration?
We need the weight of the baby also.
The label says smz tmp suspension 1 cc qty: 1.12
Give 1 syringe (0.04) by mouth twice daily for 14 days
It is also dated: 11/05/2019
It was for my pet mouse who has since passed away.
Baby is 84 grams
CritterMom
05-01-2020, 04:50 PM
Is it a pink liquid?
HRT, it is probably sulfatrim 50mg/ml see page 233 WMB 2nd edition
Is it a pink liquid?
HRT, it is probably sulfatrim 50mg/ml see page 233 WMB 2nd edition
Yes, it is pink
Is it a pink liquid?
HRT, it is probably sulfatrim 50mg/ml see page 233 WMB 2nd edition
I only have a dosage at it looks pretty small (.04 cc?)
I have also someone who has doxycycline and more smz/tmp
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 05:40 PM
Sorry I had to step away. Let me calculate the dose.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 05:45 PM
Yes, that is correct. Assuming the SMZ-TMP suspension you have is 50mg/ml... the dose is 0.04ml twice a day. That is approximately ONE drop.
If you could go ahead and get the doxycycline, it would be great. I have had excellent results with it for aspiration pneumonia.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 05:48 PM
The label says smz tmp suspension 1 cc qty: 1.12
Give 1 syringe (0.04) by mouth twice daily for 14 days
It is also dated: 11/05/2019
It was for my pet mouse who has since passed away.
Baby is 84 grams
The part I highlighted is confusing. Give 1 syringe???? What does that mean? I can’t imagine any syringe delivering 0.04ml .
stepnstone
05-01-2020, 05:53 PM
Sorry I had to step away. Let me calculate the dose.
Thanks HRT / CM :grouphug
b33 I too had to step away several times...
I did see your pm's and saw they were answered here.
This is why posting on board is so important to get more eyes
on the subject and more responses. :great
What should the dosage of doxycyclyne be for an 84g squirrel?
The part I highlighted is confusing. Give 1 syringe???? What does that mean? I can’t imagine any syringe delivering 0.04ml .
It's just a tiny amount of pink in the end of a 1 cc syringe
Nancy in New York
05-01-2020, 06:17 PM
What should the dosage of doxycyclyne be for an 84g squirrel?
What is the strength of the doxy?
What is the expiration date. We don't use
Doxy after the expiration, it can be toxic.
Nancy in New York
05-01-2020, 06:20 PM
The label says smz tmp suspension 1 cc qty: 1.12
Give 1 syringe (0.04) by mouth twice daily for 14 days
It is also dated: 11/05/2019
It was for my pet mouse who has since passed away.
Baby is 84 grams
HRT4SQRLS, would the smz-tmp suspension still be good if it's dated 11/05/19?
b33 Does the smz-tmp have a discard date on it?
What is the strength of the doxy?
What is the expiration date. We don't use
Doxy after the expiration, it can be toxic.
It should be here in about 15 minutes. The person who had it used it for their guinea pigs.
314673
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:23 PM
HRT4SQRLS, would the smz-tmp suspension still be good if it's dated 11/05/19?
b33 Does the smz-tmp have a discard date on it?
Yes, it is good. I received the pink suspension from a vet at one time. It is a liquid from the manufacturer and is good for a year.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:24 PM
It's just a tiny amount of pink in the end of a 1 cc syringe
That is correct. It is literally, one drop.
HRT4SQRLS, would the smz-tmp suspension still be good if it's dated 11/05/19?
b33 Does the smz-tmp have a discard date on it?
It does not.
what would be the better choice, smz/tmp or doxycycline? I might be able to get more smz/tmp than the small bit I have.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:42 PM
Either one but if you are low on SMZ we can do the doxycycline.
You need to start soon. They crash very fast.
What is the concentration of the doxycycline?
Is it a pill or liquid?
Is it expired?
What is the strength of the doxy?
What is the expiration date. We don't use
Doxy after the expiration, it can be toxic.
It is well within the expiration date
Either one but if you are low on SMZ we can do the doxycycline.
You need to start soon. They crash very fast.
What is the concentration of the doxycycline?
Is it a pill or liquid?
Is it expired?
liquid, not expired
label says doxycycline suspension 5mg/ml
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:47 PM
liquid, not expired
label says doxycycline suspension 5mg/ml
OK, give me a minute. I will send the dosing in Private Message.
she also has not pooped since we found her on Sunday. We've been stimulating her to no avail. Thought it was maybe because she was deydrated.
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:55 PM
Dosing sent
HRT4SQRLS
05-01-2020, 06:56 PM
What formula are you feeding?
She just pooped a little bit now. We started formula 20/50 yesterday. Going to begin the dosage of doxy? Are there any tricks to administering it? Do I continue to feed or hydrate her tonight? Thank. you all for your help
CritterMom
05-01-2020, 07:16 PM
Doxy best given with food in the tummy, so yes. If she is dehydrated (pick up the skin at the back of her neck and release it - if it snaps back she is okay, if it goes down slowly she is still dehydrated. In that case, continue to feed as normal and in between feedings give a bit of hydration.
This is the lady of the house. We're both using this account. Here are three videos I just took. Is she dehydrated? I can't tell. She clearly still has her appetite and she can still be lively at times, like when there's food or after I just tried to stimulate her (she doesn't care much for it.) Are we absolutely CERTAIN she has AP? We don't want to risk harming her with medicine unless we're 100% sure she needs it! I'm so worried. :'( Here's a link to my uploads. Waiting on coworker to tell me what meds she has, shouldn't be long!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hLQjoG6UqyNu4Lx__EWAA/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0
Haven't given the doxycyclyne yet. A friend just informed us she has ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin. Would any of these be better to use than the doxy? Ciproflaxin did outdate in July 2019. And our friend only has one 500 mg pill of the ciproflaxin
Spanky
05-01-2020, 09:29 PM
The Cipro is the best treatment for AP, but waiting is the worst course of action ... your baby is very, very sick. AP is the number 1 killer of baby squirrels under human care.
Spanky
05-01-2020, 09:36 PM
Dosing info for the Cipro 500mg sent in PM.
It is critical that this squirrel is started on antibiotics immediately. She will not last long in her current condition IMO.
stepnstone
05-01-2020, 10:33 PM
The Cipro is the best treatment for AP, but waiting is the worst course of action ...
your baby is very, very sick. AP is the number 1 killer of baby squirrels under human care.
This is true!
Is she dehydrated? Are we absolutely CERTAIN she has AP?
Yes to the dehydration and yes to AP the video with her breathing confirms it.
We don't want to risk harming her with medicine unless we're 100% sure she needs it! I'm so worried.
We can appreciate that and neither do we. She needs the anti biotic! Her lungs won't clear without it.
TubeDriver
05-01-2020, 10:46 PM
Start one of the ABs immediately (tonight). AP often kills within 48 hours so your little one is running out of time. I am conservative with AB use but in this case it is the only way to save the life of this squirrel.
If you have the Cipro on hand, it would be the best choice since it works faster. Cipro with exp date in the 2019s is fine to use.
HRT4SQRLS
05-02-2020, 06:58 AM
Are we absolutely CERTAIN she has AP? We don't want to risk harming her with medicine unless we're 100% sure she needs it! I'm so worried. :'(
I ‘thought’ you had given the SMZ-TMP but that was no.
I dosed doxycycline and ‘thought’ you had given that but that was a no.
From the first video you posted it sounded 100% like aspiration pneumonia.
This is what I am certain of. Aspiration pneumonia is 100% fatal if not treated in a timely fashion.
I am also 100% certain that antibiotics are not harmful. Of course, there are the very rare individuals that will have an allergy to a particular antibiotic. Among those that are allergic, it is rarely fatal. I think we ‘might’ have seen ONE allergic reaction among thousands of squirrels treated for a multitude of infections. If you want to discuss the immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics, we can do that but my question is WHY?
You said you are worried. These are the facts. IF it is not AP, antibiotics will not harm the baby. IF, this is AP and it is not treated, the baby will die.
I ‘thought’ you had given the SMZ-TMP but that was no.
I dosed doxycycline and ‘thought’ you had given that but that was a no.
From the first video you posted it sounded 100% like aspiration pneumonia.
This is what I am certain of. Aspiration pneumonia is 100% fatal if not treated in a timely fashion.
I am also 100% certain that antibiotics are not harmful. Of course, there are the very rare individuals that will have an allergy to a particular antibiotic. Among those that are allergic, it is rarely fatal. I think we ‘might’ have seen ONE allergic reaction among thousands of squirrels treated for a multitude of infections. If you want to discuss the immunomodulatory effects of antibiotics, we can do that but my question is WHY?
You said you are worried. These are the facts. IF it is not AP, antibiotics will not harm the baby. IF, this is AP and it is not treated, the baby will die.
Gave her first dose of cipro last night and second this morning. She seems a little better, clicking still there but not as noticeable or seemingly as much. She still is eating, although she doesn't want anything beyond 3ml a feeding.
stepnstone
05-02-2020, 03:15 PM
Gave her first dose of cipro last night and second this morning. She seems a little better, clicking still there but not as noticeable or seemingly as much. She still is eating, although she doesn't want anything beyond 3ml a feeding.
Thank you and I thank Leigh for getting through to you, I hope you understand now just how critical AP can be.
As I stated in your other forum the clicking will dissipate but you must complete the entire course.
Her appetite will/should improve as her lungs clear, make sure you are keeping her hydrated.
She has been taking 1cc of water between feedings. Is that enough? Or should I be using pedialyte?
stepnstone
05-02-2020, 04:09 PM
She has been taking 1cc of water between feedings. Is that enough? Or should I be using pedialyte?
Plain water is good, whatever amount she will take. :great
TomahawkFlyers
05-02-2020, 07:11 PM
Doubtless many of us are on the sidelines cheering Marlene and you on. The folks who have been helping you are talented, skilled veterans. Were I a squirrel, I'd trust them with my life; and, if my path led to the Rainbow Bridge instead I'd know that there was nothing that could have been done for me to continue this life. C'mon, Marlene. You can do it!
Jamie
Doubtless many of us are on the sidelines cheering Marlene and you on. The folks who have been helping you are talented, skilled veterans. Were I a squirrel, I'd trust them with my life; and, if my path led to the Rainbow Bridge instead I'd know that there was nothing that could have been done for me to continue this life. C'mon, Marlene. You can do it!
Jamie
Thank you so much for the encouragement! Baby Marlene is noticeable better this morning. Don't really hear much clicking at all. She is more energetic and curling up in sleeping positions rather than just laying flat on her belly. She still isn't eating as much as she should for her weight, but she has gained 8g since yesterday morning. At her last two feedings she produced (on her own) her first good-looking, well-formed poops (four of them.) Will continue dosing cipro for the full 10 days, but all in all, i'd say it looks pretty good for our baby right now :Love_Icon
Doubtless many of us are on the sidelines cheering Marlene and you on. The folks who have been helping you are talented, skilled veterans. Were I a squirrel, I'd trust them with my life; and, if my path led to the Rainbow Bridge instead I'd know that there was nothing that could have been done for me to continue this life. C'mon, Marlene. You can do it!
Jamie
Marlene is up to 100g and has eaten 6ml formula her last three feedings. Thanks again for everyone's help. It is so very appreciated.
TomahawkFlyers
05-03-2020, 10:32 PM
Thank you so much for the encouragement! Baby Marlene is noticeable better this morning. Don't really hear much clicking at all. She is more energetic and curling up in sleeping positions rather than just laying flat on her belly. She still isn't eating as much as she should for her weight, but she has gained 8g since yesterday morning. At her last two feedings she produced (on her own) her first good-looking, well-formed poops (four of them.) Will continue dosing cipro for the full 10 days, but all in all, i'd say it looks pretty good for our baby right now :Love_Icon
Nothing better than a good looking, well-formed poop! Well, maybe with the exception of four of them! Congratulations.
Jamie
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