Found little guy

[Ninareno]

Hi there. We found a little gut in the grass yesterday afternoon very lethargic and dehydrated looking. There is no one around here to help, they only offer to euthanize. We did get him a bit more hydrated and he is less lethargic and eating well.
He doesn't seem to be getting around too well though like his head is too heavy and it falls to the right but he does not seem like he is suffering.
His urine has a strong order and I am concerned that he might have a UTI....
He weighs 90g.
I do have some antibiotics and was wondering if anyone here would think that would help?? Doxycycline 100 tab and Azthirhomycin 250 mg tab??
Any other suggestions?
Right now he is warm and well cared for around the clock in the SICU (squirrel intensive care unit) in the bedroom :)
Thank you in advance
-Christina

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[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi NinaReno:
So you are the Intensivist in the SICU! Good for you and your little Squirrel. Does he have a name? I have a couple of comments and questions for you. When a little Squirrel is found alone and dehydrated and lying on the ground, there are immediate concerns that come to mind. How did this come about. Did he fall, was he brought there by a predator and left or possibly dropped by a bird? I'm sure you have done this but I would like to suggest that you once again thoroughly inspect this little one for injuries. Often, evidence of injury came be difficult to find especially from a fall onto soft ground even though the injuries may be very severe. Also, I'm glad thatyour Squirrel was given fluids and is now warm and apparently comfortable! I know that his urine has a strong odor and he may in fact have a UTI but I suspect that his urine is just concentrated from his dehydration and concentrated urine often has an odor. Again, he may indeed have a UTI but there are other explanation for a strong smelling urine. What did you use as rehydration fluids? Most often, when we are early on rehydrating a dehydrated animal, we are actually resuscitating the animal because it has lost some much fluid volume that circulation to and perfusion of the organs and tissues has decreased. To facilitate this early fluid resuscitation, we usually use an electrolyte (sodium and other similar substances) containing solution such as Pedialye because these fluid can increase the fluid volume in the blood stream and help perfuse the organs and tissues with blood better than using plain water. BUT, once we have enhanced the circulation and the Squirrel is warm, it usually does not mean that no further supplemental fluid is necessary. Unless an animal has diarrhea or other similar loss of fluids where there is also loss of electrolytes, dehydration just from not getting adequate formula or water is usually just a loss of plain water and the electrolytes in the body increase in concentration which can cause some serious problems and even death. It is like drinking only sea water. So, once resuscitation is completed, most likely your Squirrel now needs some plain water. I would suggest continuing to give additional plain water with a drop or two of honey or syrup or something sweet to enhance palatability. Along with further hydration with plain water, the concentration of the urine will decrease and there will be more urine flow. If the strong odor was from concentrated urine, this should resolve. Again, while I don't believe that your Squirrel has a UTI just based upon the strong odo, it may be that he does have a UTI after all. Starting an antibiotic while continuing rehydration is certainly an option but I would suggest giving some more fluids which should most likely be just plain water. As far as the choice of antibiotics, I would recommend for a baby Squirrel only antibiotics that can safely be given to a pregnant rodent. This guide is not really 100% but it is a good way to help eliminate medication that might be harmful in one way or another. This cannot always be accomplished. Azithromycin is not a great antibiotic for treating a UTI unfortunately and doxycycline has had some potential issues with development in fetal and young rats. Do you have any any other antibiotics available to maybe a relative or friend might have something. Only 1 or 2 tablets is all that is needed.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Ninareno]

Hi there. I am super concerned that this little guy has aspirated. I do hear some clicking sounds when he is breathing since I fed him this morning. Everything seemed to go OK, but since the AM feeding he has seemed very tired and did not want to eat lunch, and like I said I hear clicks. These are the ABX that I have available at the moment if someone can please help me with dosing ASAP I would appreciate it
His weight this AM was 96 grams

Doxycycline 100 mg tab
Azrithomycin 250 mg tab
SULFAMETHOXAZOLE-TRIMETHOPRIM (bactrim) 800/160 mg

There is not a vet around that will see him. If you suggest another abx I might be able to get it tomorrow but this is what I have for right now

Pleeeease and Thank you in advance

[CritterMom]

What is the expiration date on the doxycycline? Do you have a 1ml syringe that has clear markings on it?

For A/P, the best human drug is Cipro - works really well. Better in that it works a tiny bit faster is the vet version of Cipro, called Baytril (Cipro is ciprofloxacin; baytril is enrofloxacin). Cipro is a pretty commonly prescribed antibiotic. You or a friend might have a leftover in their med cabinet, and one Cipro will treat a hundred squirrels!

[Spanky]

While you were responding here I sent dosing info on the Bactrim in a PM...

[CritterMom]

Thanks, Spanky. Let me add, keep giving this little guy hydration. Nothing is going to work correctly until he is fully hydrated, and is likely the reason for the dark, smelly urine.

[Ninareno]

He is fully hydrated now and doing MUCH better as of this morning. Very active and hungry, urine was much better and he is having regular stooling.

I also found Baytril 68 mg/10 ml suspension in the fridge from June...

[Spanky]

I also found Baytril 68 mg/10 ml suspension in the fridge from June...

Is this a 68mg tablet that was crushed up and suspended in June? If so I would stick with the Bactrim, it is a proven AP med even though more slow acting. I personally would toss out a suspension made from a tablet that is a few months old not having a lot of confidence in the suspensions stability.

"Fresh" Baytril may be a different story... are you seeing improvement with the Bactrim?

[Ninareno]

Yeah he seems much better today. He has an appetite making urine and is stooling :)

The baytril Was an anabiotic I picked up from my aviary vet for my parrot when she was sick so it was already in suspension form I didn’t mix it up I just forgot it was in the fridge

Thank you so much for your help

[Spanky]

Baytril liquid from the manufacturer is clear solution. If the Baytril you have is a true "suspension" (reads "shake well?), then the vet likely mixed it up from a tablet... the "68mg" is the size of a tablet used by vets so that is what is making me suspect the vet made up a suspension.

So happy to know he is doing better... :thumbsup