I need help now dieing baby squirrel!!!!

[Adam Hodgins]

I found a baby squirrel with a damaged leg ans some infection spots. It has been fine for 4 days now but it's labored breathing and not moving hardly was crying for me but now he's not. I don't know what to do I'm cupping him under my shirt quietly sitting hoping to get some help here

[JLM27]

Is he clicking his breath? If so he should have heavy antibiotics ASAP. And, he could have been cat-caught. Also reason for abx ASAP. Do you have any in your medicine cabinet? What are you feeding him?

[TubeDriver]

We have several experienced members/rehabbers in Fl, hopefully they can help you. In the meantime, can you post up a photo of your baby and the injury, that will help us to help you.

Do you have any antibiotics available?



I found a baby squirrel with a damaged leg ans some infection spots. It has been fine for 4 days now but it's labored breathing and not moving hardly was crying for me but now he's not. I don't know what to do I'm cupping him under my shirt quietly sitting hoping to get some help here

[Adam Hodgins]

I have no idea I think not I can't hear it when I put him up to my ear. He's hurt bad tho I don't know how to send pictures or a video

[Rock Monkey]

I found a baby squirrel with a damaged leg ans some infection spots. It has been fine for 4 days now but it's labored breathing and not moving hardly was crying for me but now he's not. I don't know what to do I'm cupping him under my shirt quietly sitting hoping to get some help here

The labored breathing suggests that he may have aspiration pneumonia. What means have you been using to feed the squirrel? What has the squirrel been fed?

Keeping the squirrel upright and under your shirt is good. This should keep him warm and if their is fluid in the lungs being in an upright posture will allow oxygen to be exchanged from the top portion of the lungs. Young squirrel require supplemental heat. Keeping him between the layers of your clothing mimics the constant snuggling that squirrels undertake with Mom and siblings. Feeling your heartbeat will boost his spirits.

If he does have aspiration pneumonia, he will definitely benefit from antibiotics.

Baytril (animal)/Cipro (human), Clavamox (animal)/Augmentin (human) are drugs that are used frequently for upper respiratory infections.

Baytril: Enrofloxacin, A member of the fluoroquinolone class. Made by Bayer
Cipro (Ciloxan, Neofloxin) Ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone class. Available as a generic.
Clavamox: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium
Augmentin: AMOXICILLIN/CLAVULANIC ACID

[Rock Monkey]

You can call friends and family to see if they any leftover antibiotics. You will only need one or two pills.

Aspiration Pneumonia can progress very quickly. Do not leave the squirrel unattended. Keep the squirrel under your shirt, they will cling to your inner layer of clothing.

The sooner the squirrel gets the antibiotic the better. With this condition in its severe form you don't have days, you have hours to act.

[Rock Monkey]

If you are watching this thread, be sure to remember to hit reload on your browser to see new posts by members.

[Adam Hodgins]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_39AZpNUFYG5yWEhnl9mlq1IyqjTlMqw/view?usp=sharing


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yLUoiolYLsZmgGrKH3J1ruuJNmqLnuZz/view?usp=sharing

[Rock Monkey]

With AP being as nasty as it is, don't worry if you aren't 100% certain of the diagnosis. Treat the squirrel as if it does have it.

[Adam Hodgins]

Yes I am trying to figure it out for the first time with an emergency is crazy I don’t have any I am in Orlando Florida can you recommend any one to help me locally I need it really bad

[Rock Monkey]

How long has the squirrel been struggling to breathe?

[Adam Hodgins]

He was the runt of three when I found the four days ago he had a damaged arm and some small spots not his arm is about to explode and he's very week he has been weak but it's horrible now.

[Adam Hodgins]

This afternoon around 4 I found him week now he's went down hill I have had to really baby him.

[Rock Monkey]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/121844804652779/

This is supposed to be a Facebook group for rehabbers in the Orlando area.

[Adam Hodgins]

I don't have Facebook can I use it anyway

[Adam Hodgins]

Has any one looked at the photos

[Rock Monkey]

Try to PM Mel1959 I believe she is located in central Florida and may know some members that are close to you.

[Rock Monkey]

I don't have Facebook can I use it anyway

Don't know. You may have to submit a friend request to the group.

[Rock Monkey]

Has any one looked at the photos

I don't know if your membership permits you to post photos to the forum yet. That might require an admin approval.

Since the photo resides on your Google Drive people will only be able to access it if you they make a request for access and you in turn grant that request for access.

[Adam Hodgins]

I can’t Facebook said my account was under review cause I have a text free number I am poor here trying to do the best I can here. I don’t hear any clicking he breaks slowly his hear is 100 miles an hour

[Rock Monkey]

I don’t hear any clicking he breaks slowly his hear is 100 miles an hour

What is 100 miles per hour? I think there is a typo.

Will the system allow you to use the 'attach' icon, the paper clip?

[Adam Hodgins]

His heart is beating just faster than the other two I have.

[Adam Hodgins]

I don’t see a paper clip. How do I pm where is that function I don’t yet have access to all the things I’m still restricted cause I’m 1 hour new been looking for help for hours.

[Rock Monkey]

I have sent Mel a message. I don't know when it will be seen. I have looked and I don't see any other admins online at the moment. I am working every angle I can think of.

[Adam Hodgins]

Thanks so much. Listen I’m not well off financially. I have been broke from corona. I am trying my best to figure this out and I don’t know what to do

[Rock Monkey]

I don’t see a paper clip. How do I pm where is that function I don’t yet have access to all the things I’m still restricted cause I’m 1 hour new been looking for help for hours.

Yeah, with a new account your account will have a number of restrictions. I am trying to contact an admin to see if that process can be sped up.

I don't know if you can PM yet either. That is accessed by clicking on one's user name at the top of the screen and then in the middle left there should be a button about sending a PM. I have PM'ed Mel1959 to see if we can get you some help.

When you hit 'reply to thread' In the first row of that box their is a paper clip icon, the icon for putting in an attachment.

[Rock Monkey]

Thanks so much. Listen I’m not well off financially. I have been broke from corona. I am trying my best to figure this out and I don’t know what to do

Right. That's a big part of what this forum is about. Helping people who can't afford a vet visit and helping people who are struggling to help their squirrel.

[Rock Monkey]

Have you called friends and family to see if they have any of the four antibiotics that I mentioned?

[Adam Hodgins]

Yes I have I have people looking for me but no available antibiotics. I really have called everyone I know for help.

[Rock Monkey]

Squirrels are very emotionally sensitive. They will be monitoring you very closely. So, it is very important that you remain as calm and relax as possible. If you are stressed out, the squirrel will become stressed out and anxious and that will only make matters worse.

Talk to the squirrel in a calm and soothing fashion. Doing so will also help you monitor your own feeling and allow you to be aware if you are being calm.

[Rock Monkey]

Also, stay active on the thread. User you can see that you are active and on the thread and will be more likely to wait for a response to an inquiry or question that they may have asked.

[Adam Hodgins]

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[Adam Hodgins]

I am hitting refresh every chance I think about it which is every 30 seconds lol I’m being calm.

[Rock Monkey]

Okay. Thanks. The arm wound definitely looks it could use some antibiotics.

How did the squirrel come to you?

Is it possible that it was bitten by a cat?

[Rock Monkey]

SMZ/TMP, Doxycycline and Clindamycine are other drugs that have been used in squirrels, each has a preferred use based on where the infection is.

If there is any cat action, this needs to be treated with antibiotics as their bites cause nasty wounds for squirrels.

[Rock Monkey]

I’m being calm.

Excellent. That is critical. They are practically mind readers, in my experience.

Keep it between layers of your clothing and in a relatively upright posture.

[Rock Monkey]

What has the animal been fed? How is it being fed?

Has it been peeing?

Has it been pooping?

Do you have a one cc syringe? Smaller is better. 3 cc syringes are problematic for squirrels that are that small.

It also looks like it might be dehydrated.

[Adam Hodgins]

I work as a mobile mechanic and the mother built a nest under the intake of a ford f 550 motor she died when they started the motor 317223 this one was the smallest of the Busch and has been very week now it’s dieing. I need some help for sure. I’m tryin every thing you guys say and

[Adam Hodgins]

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This is all I could get my hands on for three days they have been eating well and peeing and pooping everywhere lol. I am trying to find formula. I am feeding them very slowly iknow what to do there I had a few baby squirrel in Alabama but no problems like this ever

[Adam Hodgins]

He was eating like crazy this morning he’s been the smallest science I got them. I figured he was a runt.

[Adam Hodgins]

I found a half a Penicillin pill at a friend's house how do I give it to him

[Rock Monkey]

This is all I could get my hands on for three days they have been eating well and peeing and pooping everywhere lol. I am trying to find formula. I am feeding them very slowly iknow what to do there I had a few baby squirrel in Alabama but no problems like this ever

Ensure is not a great choice. Too many other things in it, in all likelihood.

Try getting some plain, whole milk, Greek yogurt. I have had good luck with Cabot's brand which I purchased at Walmart.

The Cabot's has lots of calories and good fat content, which they need.

Try giving some fresh avocado. Cut it into small pieces which are slightly smaller than their mouths. Do not give the skin or the pit.

So the wounds on the arm may be from burns.

At this age they are very bad, clumsy drinkers and will often inhale some of what they are eating if fed from a dish. Meaning that some of what they are trying to drink will go down their lungs which is what usually causes the AP.

Any water given in a dish should be very shallow. Less than 1/8 deep. The container should have shallow sides. A lid from an oatmeal container would make a good dish, for example.

[Rock Monkey]

How are they being given the food? Are you using a dish or a small syringe without a needle?

A one cc syringe or 1/2 cc syringe with an o-ring is preferable. The action is smoother with an o-ring syringe.

[Rock Monkey]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLjRlzTOGHY&ab_channel=squirrelsandmorellc

When you get a chance, the above is a good video about feeding a baby squirrel with a syringe. AP is the number one cause of death for squirrels at the hands of novice rehabilitators. The video gives good tips for preventing AP.

[Rock Monkey]

I found a half a Penicillin pill at a friend's house how do I give it to him

I am trying to attract the attention of an Admin to this thread. They have the necessary dosing information.

I will try contacting one or two more to see if I can get a response.

[Adam Hodgins]

Their eyes are not open yet they are young

[stepnstone]

Managing the pain is of upmost importance with any injury.
This baby seriously needs a med for pain and inflammation also needs hydration.
Baby liquid Ibuprofen (Advil) is an anti-inflammatory and can be purchased at drug stores, Walmarts, etc.
A weight on baby is needed to give correct dose or we can give a close estimate.

I would recommend the home made hydration to help restore electrolytes.
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water

[Rock Monkey]

https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/


Consult this list for foods that are healthy for squirrels. It is equally important to pay attention to the part about what not to feed them. There is a list for that.

Food with lots of sugar or any added salt are bad for them.

Try cooking a sweet potato in the microwave until it is good and soft. Always separate the food into small pieces so they don't jam a big wad in their mouths. They will eat way too fast at this age, to the point of choking themselves.

[stepnstone]

I found a half a Penicillin pill at a friend's house how do I give it to him

Straight Penicillin is not the best choice of an ab for a squirrel....
I would need to know the milligrams of the pill in order to break down and dose for a squirrel.
A picture of the half may help to identify.
Controlling his pain with Ib and reducing his inflammation should be the first consideration.

[Adam Hodgins]

It's a half of a 500 MG pill. If that helps. I'm trying to upload a video now having a hard time

[Adam Hodgins]

Does any body know anyone here in Florida Orlando that I can take him to be looked at

[Rock Monkey]

As far as the sores go, dilute some Betadine with water until it looks like strong tea. Use a q-tip and put it on the sores. No need to rinse, it dries without being sticky. You should be able to find some at a drug store.

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[Adam Hodgins]

What about it being so swollen and it has gotten bigger and bigger over the last three days it looks like he was hurt before also it looks like a infection under the skin

[stepnstone]

It's a half of a 500 MG pill. If that helps. I'm trying to upload a video now having a hard time

Does it appear to have been split evenly?

[Rock Monkey]

Feeding methods and proper diet are very important for young squirrels. That is one of the most challenging parts about taking care of them. Please review the various information that I have provided to make sure that the other two squirrels don't have problems.

Hopefully an Admin will get back to you with dosing soon.

[Rock Monkey]

If need be, you can sleep with this squirrel propped up/clinging to you. Just be sure to keep the squirrel's head is above its chest. I would not put it down in this fragile state.

[stepnstone]

What about it being so swollen and it has gotten bigger and bigger over the last three days it looks like he was hurt before also it looks like a infection under the skin

Ibuprofen acts as an anti-inflammatory drug, which means it reduces inflammation and swelling.
Penicillin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, it is not an anti-inflammatory.

[TubeDriver]

Hi Adam, I can see those photos. That baby looks critically ill and very thin too.

Keep the baby in a quiet, warm place. The squirrel should feel slightly warm to the touch, their body temp is a little higher than humans. If he feels cold, you can place some rice wrapped in a cotton sock, microwave it till it is warm (not burning hot) and place the rice buddy next to him.

Stepnstone posted up a formula to help hydrate him. It is

1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water

Ideally you want to slowly syringe feed him with this. If you don't have a syringe, you can feed him drop by drop by getting some hydration formula on the tip of your finger and allowing him to suck the water off your fingertip. Repeat drop by drop until he has had a decent amount to drink.

He is going to need help with that injured arm. Do you think the arm was burned by the truck motor?

I have alerted a nearby squirrel rehabber, I hope we can find someone nearby who can help you with this baby.




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[Mel1959]

I have given member my cell number in a private message. I know of several rehabbers in Orlando, but Orlando is a large city and the rehabbers I know of are in different locations.

I will list them here in the hopes this will be the quickest way to get help.

MaryJane (Altamonte Springs)
407-260-6137

Central Florida Rehabbers (location unknown, but I believe east of Orlando)
Ben
407-446-1702

Central Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation (Longwood)
386-295-1912

Wildlife Center Florida (Christmas)
Carol
407-568-3200

I also have a friend in the Orlando area who has helped many squirrels.

[Mel1959]

Depending on your location in Orlando, I’m about an hour away heading east. I have antibiotics and am happy to meet you or get them to you, if needed.

[TubeDriver]

:goodpost :w00t

Mel is a very experienced squirrel person and is the best chance for your little one to survive the injuries he has received. The people she recommends would also be terrific resources to get this baby the help it needs!

[Mel1959]

What is the status of this baby? I have not received any phone calls from the Orlando area but did have a missed call from a phone number I don’t recognize but no message was left.

Has this member been back on to check the thread?

[Mel1959]

Didn’t finder say he’d found half of a penicillin pill? I know it’s not the preferred drug, but it’s probably better than nothing. Has this been dosed?

[Adam Hodgins]

Hey guy I was shook up this morning he passed from the infection in his arm it split open and he bleed out when I was asleep. I had him on my Chest holding him upright and I passed out for 30 minutes and woke up with blood and puss all over me. But now the other one of the babies has ap and I need the help. He just started to be sluggish and I think I hear is lungs pop when he breathes. I'm going to call no.

[Mel1959]

I have been in contact with Adam. He is going to bring the baby to me for help. I will weigh the baby when he gets here but I will need dilution and dosing for 250mg Clavamox tablet, please.

[TubeDriver]

Standing by.


I have been in contact with Adam. He is going to bring the baby to me for help. I will weigh the baby when he gets here but I will need dilution and dosing for 250mg Clavamox tablet, please.

[TubeDriver]

So sorry about your little one. :( Godspeed little squirrel.

Mel will be able to heal the brother with AP.


Hey guy I was shook up this morning he passed from the infection in his arm it split open and he bleed out when I was asleep. I had him on my Chest holding him upright and I passed out for 30 minutes and woke up with blood and puss all over me. But now the other one of the babies has ap and I need the help. He just started to be sluggish and I think I hear is lungs pop when he breathes. I'm going to call no.

[TubeDriver]

Any updates?

[Mel1959]

No. I heard from the OP on 12/29 and was to receive the baby that day. Adam never showed up and there was no phone call with an explanation. Either he contacted one of the other folks I listed or the baby didn’t make it. :dono:dono:sniff

[Rock Monkey]

That doesn't sound good. Damn.