HELPPP aspiration pneumonia

[new_squirrel]

hello i had recently found 4 baby squirrels. i have been feeding them puppy formula and 2 of the have started a clicking noise. i can’t get my hands on any baytril and none of the rehab centers i’ve phoned answer or take any animals. i’m really desperate on trying to help these babies. i’m located in chicago illinois can someone please help me i really want them to live. if you know anyone that can take them at anytime please let me know

[Rock Monkey]

Here are the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia.

Symptoms:
1. Lethargic (inactive)
2. Difficult/labored breathing or rapid breathing or slow breathing and/or open mouth breathing
3. Rapid heartbeat
4. Fever or Chills
5. Pale, bluish to dark purple skin from a lack of oxygen (Look at lips and pads of feet)
6. Nasal discharge
7. Sweet or foul smelling breath
8. Wheezing, crackling, or clicking sounds when inhaling and/or exhaling

The following antibiotics are the squirrels' best chance if they develop AP. Below are some of the various words you might see on the prescription bottle.

Bactrim: SMZ TMP (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim), Bactrim DS, Sulfatrim.
Baytril: Enrofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic). Made by Bayer.
Cipro: Ciprofloxacin. (a quinolone class antibiotic) Cipro XR, Cipro in D5W. There are many different names for the generic: Cetraxal, Ciloxan, Otiprio, Neofloxin, Ciproxin, Cibrobay.
Clavamox: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium; amoxicillin trihydrate / clavulanate potassium. Made by Zoetis US.
Augmentin: amoxicillin/clavulanic acid; amoxicillin clavulanate. Amox Clav, Augmentin XR, Augmentin ES 600.

Call friends and family, neighbors. Sooner rather than later. Leftover human antibiotics can be used, sometimes even expired ones. Only one or two pills will be needed. Post the product names of everything that your search has turned up.

[Rock Monkey]

Keep the troubled ones calm, warm and upright. One of the best ways to achieve them is to tuck them between layers of your clothes on your torso. Keeping them upright will help them breathe easier if there is fluid in the lungs.

Can you here the clicking all of the time?

Squirrels do purr briefly when they are content, often after being fed. However this sound rarely lasts longer than 30 seconds.

The best way to prevent AP is with proper technique and proper equipment.

Here is a video which shows good feeding technique.

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

If you can post a picture of them this will help the members of the Board to assess their condition.

In order to dose antibiotics we will need the squirrels' current weight. The easiest way to achieve this is with a digital food scale which can often be purchased for less than $20.