dosing cipro - ASAP!!!

[Renea]

I have a almost two week old southern gray flying squirrrel. he has been fine up until yesterday i noticed a clicking noise. i seen on here that you can give them cipro, i have the 500mg tablet. I need help with dosing the right amount to him. he weighs 6.5 grams. he is still eating and very active. but i want to start the meds before he gets worst!!! can someone please help me????

[HRT4SQRLS]

Renea, I will help you. Are you sure about the weight? I know flyers are very small but this is Extremely small.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Is the clicking constant with every breath? They do make cute little clicking noises with their mouth when they eat and it is normal. You mention that the baby is active and still eating. When they have aspiration pneumonia, they lose their appetite and are extremely lethargic.

I am reluctant to dose a 6.5g flyer with Cipro unless we KNOW for sure it has pneumonia.
Ciprofloxacin is very harsh on the joints of babies and I fear joint damage with one this small.

Let me know what you think. Has the activity level decreased? Is the baby still taking formula enthusiastically?

[Renea]

Renea, I will help you. Are you sure about the weight? I know flyers are very small but this is Extremely small.

Yes ma’am I’m sure about his weight. I weigh him everyday and sometimes after feedings. I’ve had him since august 31. And I think he might of been a day or two old when I found him. He’s gaining well and very active and eats well. But like now there is no clicking. But when I feed him that’s when it starts.

[Renea]

Is the clicking constant with every breath? They do make cute little clicking noises with their mouth when they eat and it is normal. You mention that the baby is active and still eating. When they have aspiration pneumonia, they lose their appetite and are extremely lethargic.

I am reluctant to dose a 6.5g flyer with Cipro unless we KNOW for sure it has pneumonia.
Ciprofloxacin is very harsh on the joints of babies and I fear joint damage with one this small.

Let me know what you think. Has the activity level decreased? Is the baby still taking formula enthusiastically?

No ma’am he is extremely active. I’m a little worried to, because he is so tiny. But I just don’t want anything to happen to him. But he has a great appetite. Only clicking happens when eating and for about 30 minutes to a hour after then you don’t hear it anymore

[HRT4SQRLS]

No ma’am he is extremely active. I’m a little worried to, because he is so tiny. But I just don’t want anything to happen to him. But he has a great appetite. Only clicking happens when eating and for about 30 minutes to a hour after then you don’t hear it anymore

Renea, I would be hesitant to treat. As long as the appetite is good and the baby is active, he probably does not have aspiration pneumonia. With aspiration pneumonia they STOP eating completely. They are almost dishrag limp with lethargy. The clicking is constant, even while sleeping.

In some cases it seems reasonable to go ahead and treat if there is ANY doubt. This is different. A 6.5g baby is SO fragile I feel the risk of using an antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) with known side effects that effect the bones and joints is too great. This class of antibiotics is also associated with central nervous system and cardiovascular issues. This is a case of risk vs benefit. The risk of serious side effects is great with Ciprofloxacin for a 6 gram baby. It could cause life threatening issues. If we were 100% sure that the baby has AP, it might be worth the risk.

Do you have any other antibiotics? Something like SMZ-TMP (Bactrim... Septra) would be safer if an antibiotic is needed.

What are you feeding the baby? What type of nipple are you using?

[Renea]

Yes ma’am I’m sure about his weight. I weigh him everyday and sometimes after feedings. I’ve had him since august 31. And I think he might of been a day or two old when I found him. He’s gaining well and very active and eats well. But like now there is no clicking. But when I feed him that’s when it starts.


I put up his picture up as my profile picture so you can see him.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I put up his picture up as my profile picture so you can see him.

I just took a look. How precious. :grin2 Are you feeding around the clock? I hate to tell you that but a flyer that small has no reserves and must be feed at least every 2 hours around the clock. It is a daunting task.

[Renea]

Renea, I would be hesitant to treat. As long as the appetite is good and the baby is active, he probably does not have aspiration pneumonia. With aspiration pneumonia they STOP eating completely. They are almost dishrag limp with lethargy. The clicking is constant, even while sleeping.

In some cases it seems reasonable to go ahead and treat if there is ANY doubt. This is different. A 6.5g baby is SO fragile I feel the risk of using an antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin) with known side effects that effect the bones and joints is too great. This class of antibiotics is also associated with central nervous system and cardiovascular issues. This is a case of risk vs benefit. The risk of serious side effects is great with Ciprofloxacin for a 6 gram baby. It could cause life threatening issues. If we were 100% sure that the baby has AP, it might be worth the risk.

Do you have any other antibiotics? Something like SMZ-TMP (Bactrim... Septra) would be safer if an antibiotic is needed.

What are you feeding the baby? What type of nipple are you using?



I am using esbilac goats puppy formula. And the long gated nipple with the 1 cc syringe. He eats 0.6 cc every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. He is peeing and pooping great after every feeding. But yes I’m worried about giving him anything with him being so tiny. I think he might have been the runt. But other then the clicking he’s doing amazing. Thank you very much for giving me your advice. I greatly appreciate you 😊

[Renea]

I just took a look. How precious. :grin2 Are you feeding around the clock? I hate to tell you that but a flyer that small has no reserves and must be feed at least every 2 hours around the clock. It is a daunting task.

Yes ma’am it is tiring, but he is so worth every minute of me being tired. I wouldn’t change that for anything. 🥰🥰
Does he look healthy to you?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Be careful giving that much formula. We feed 5-7% of the body weight per feeding.
For a 6.5g baby that would be 0.3-0.45ml . I’m sure you can see the milk line clearly. Make sure it moves. You don’t want the baby to bloat. That would be very dangerous.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes ma’am it is tiring, but he is so worth every minute of me being tired. I wouldn’t change that for anything. 🥰🥰
Does he look healthy to you?

He does look healthy. :grin2 The smallest flyer I ever saw was 8g. :)
I kept the trio for 24 hrs and nearly died from fatigue. I worked so I couldn’t keep a baby that small.

[Renea]

Be careful giving that much formula. We feed 5-7% of the body weight per feeding.
For a 6.5g baby that would be 0.3-0.45ml . I’m sure you can see the milk line clearly. Make sure it moves. You don’t want the baby to bloat. That would be very dangerous.

Ok so I should I cut back the amount he’s being fed?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Ok so I should I cut back the amount he’s being fed?

Because he has been on the higher amount you could use the higher amount 7% which is 0.4ml.
Of course as the weight increases the amount of formula will increase also.

[Renea]

He does look healthy. :grin2 The smallest flyer I ever saw was 8g. :)
I kept the trio for 24 hrs and nearly died from fatigue. I worked so I couldn’t keep a baby that small.

He only weighed 2 grams when my husband found him. But thankfully I’m a stay at home mom. I thank god I have the time to invest in him😁
I can’t thank you enough for all of the information you have given me. You’re truly a blessing ❤️

[Buddy]

I put up his picture up as my profile picture so you can see him.

OMG! So precious!! :Love_Icon Can you post more pictures when you have a chance? I know you're busy taking care of him (and probably other things) so no hurry, but love to see more photos of that 6.5 grams! :grin2:Love_Icon

[Renea]

OMG! So precious!! :Love_Icon Can you post more pictures when you have a chance? I know you're busy taking care of him (and probably other things) so no hurry, but love to see more photos of that 6.5 grams! :grin2:Love_Icon

Yes I will definitely post more of him. Are next feeding is at 8 so will take a video and some pictures for you. :grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

I thought this would be helpful. It is a presentation by one of our members that is a flyer expert.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4fU88wUkyk1aVg0eGVDWHFRU2VSOHU2Mm9LVTd6QQ/view

[HRT4SQRLS]

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?42825-Baby-Flyer-weights-and-age/page3

[Renea]

Yes I will definitely post more of him. Are next feeding is at 8 so will take a video and some pictures for you. :grin2

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this is the baby crawling around looking for his food:Love_Icon

[Renea]

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this is the baby crawling around looking for his food:Love_Icon

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he was getting comfy after he ate:grin2

[Renea]

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he was getting comfy after he ate:grin2

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all sacked out...with full tummy:Love_Icon

[HRT4SQRLS]

Scooter is precious! Do you have any idea how difficult what you are doing is? :grin2
Babies that size strike fear into the heart of experienced rehabbers. You are doing an awesome job.

Just wanted to ask, does Scooter have a heating pad on LOW under his bin? He is SO tiny he can’t afford to lose a single calorie to maintaining his body heat. Make sure the bin is half on and half off of the heating pad. He needs to be able to crawl off of the heat. Actually, they usually crawl up away from the heat on layers of soft fleece.

[Renea]

Scooter is precious! Do you have any idea how difficult what you are doing is? :grin2
Babies that size strike fear into the heart of experienced rehabbers. You are doing an awesome job.

Just wanted to ask, does Scooter have a heating pad on LOW under his bin? He is SO tiny he can’t afford to lose a single calorie to maintaining his body heat. Make sure the bin is half on and half off of the heating pad. He needs to be able to crawl off of the heat. Actually, they usually crawl up away from the heat on layers of soft fleece.

Awe... thank you. I honestly can say he’s my first baby, so I’m definitely a proud momma over here..!!:grin2 I’m so thankful that he’s thriving so well:Love_Icon Because I know babies this little usually have only a 50% chance of survival without momma or less. He still had part of the umbilical cord scab on his belly button when we found him so I know it was extremely crucial.
But yes ma’am... I have a heating pad on low only on half of his bed. His bedding is about a inch thick, and he has a little baby receiving blanket that he likes to crawl under to stay super warm. And plenty of room for him to move away from blanket and heating pad to cool down if he needs to. I check on him all the time to make sure he is plenty warm. It’s so funny every time I’m by his bed an he smells me he goes bonkers...lol! Also I’ve been saying he’s a little boy... but I’m not a 100% sure. If I take a picture of him, do you think you’ll be able to tell?

And I’m happy to say that the clicking sound I was hearing has stopped. Not sure what it was but thankful it’s not pneumonia. I was worried cause when my husband did find him it was poring down rain...bad!! 😬 But happy to say he doing great:grin2

[HRT4SQRLS]

All I can say is, I’m impressed. I wouldn’t want to raise a day old flyer. It sounds like a feisty little dude. :grin2

Sure, post a pic of the undercarriage and we can determine the gender.

I’m very relieved the clicking stopped. If it was pneumonia it wouldn’t stop without treatment. It didn’t sound like pneumonia to me with the appetite and feisty attitude. I REALLY didn’t want to dose Cipro for a 6.5g baby. I feel certain it would have caused damaging side effects.

Wait til this little one gets bigger and starts running in your clothes. :grin2 They LOVE to shirt dive. He will be so spoiled he will be rotten. :grin2

[Renea]

All I can say is, I’m impressed. I wouldn’t want to raise a day old flyer. It sounds like a feisty little dude. :grin2

Sure, post a pic of the undercarriage and we can determine the gender.

I’m very relieved the clicking stopped. If it was pneumonia it wouldn’t stop without treatment. It didn’t sound like pneumonia to me with the appetite and feisty attitude. I REALLY didn’t want to dose Cipro for a 6.5g baby. I feel certain it would have caused damaging side effects.

Wait til this little one gets bigger and starts running in your clothes. :grin2 They LOVE to shirt dive. He will be so spoiled he will be rotten. :grin2


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thank you so much. OMG....yes he is very feisty!! I can't wait till he gets bigger. I'm not trying to rush him but very excited. It's amazing to watch him go through all of the different changes. He's starting to make little noises...and it's so stinkin CUTE:grin2
Oh he now weighs 8.4 grams. He's gaining about a gram a day! I really appreciate all of the advice with him.:Love_Icon:grouphug

[HRT4SQRLS]

I have to give credit to HazelS. She is an awesome artist. :clap
She posted this flyer gender pic just today. I’m going to post it here and let you decide if petite pinkie is a boy or girl. :grin2

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