Looking for Vet in Portland, OR area

[TylerSmileR]

3 month old gray squirrel in need of help. He is barely eating. Does not want formula, water or pediylte. Has been 2 days now since he's had fluids. I've given him a few grapes to try to hydrated him. I noticed an occasional whistle in his nose and a snorting. I'm afraid its pneumonia. I can't seem to find antibiotics that are prescription. He is very tired in comparison to most days. Usually runs around the house, now does not want to leave bed. If anyone knows of a Vet that treats squirrels in the Portland oregon area that would be helpful.

[TylerSmileR]

Update: Found a vet that can possibly see him in the morning. Was told I had to obtain a permit to keep him so I will be making those calls now.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

3 month old gray squirrel in need of help. He is barely eating. Does not want formula, water or pediylte. Has been 2 days now since he's had fluids. I've given him a few grapes to try to hydrated him. I noticed an occasional whistle in his nose and a snorting. I'm afraid its pneumonia. I can't seem to find antibiotics that are prescription. He is very tired in comparison to most days. Usually runs around the house, now does not want to leave bed. If anyone knows of a Vet that treats squirrels in the Portland oregon area that would be helpful.

Hi TylerSmileR:
I'm so sorry about your little Squirrel. To have had No fluids in 2 days is extremely concerning and very critical! He must have fluids immediately! Do you have a 1 milliliter (or 1 cc which is the same) syringe or a 1/2 ml (1/2cc) syringe? If you have a Miracle nipple or similar that would be great as well but even using the tip of the syringe (NO needle!!) will be ok in an emergency and this really verging an emergency now! I'm sorry that there has been no response to your post until now! Getting back to the small syringe; you can gently place tip of the syringe into your Squirrels mouth and drop by crop place fluids into his mouth and hopefully he will swallow the fluids. Go slowly drop by drop and hold the Squirrel upright to help prevent aspiration of fluids (getting the fluids into the breathing passages or lungs instead of being swallowed and ending up in the stomach as they should.

For the fluids themselves, I would recommend putting a teaspoonful of some sort of sweetener such as honey or pancake syrup into a cup of warm water and ensure that it is all mixed together. He can have as much of this as he will drink. Although he is not an infant Squirrel, you can refer to Henry's Rehydration page for its excellent recommendations on Rehydrating a baby Squirrel and use these same recommendations for you young Squirrel who must be significantly dehydrated! ( https://henryspets.com/2-rehydrate-the-baby-squirrel/ )

I'm glad that you found a Vet but I'm also concerned about what they sain in regard to a permit. In States that have the option of obtaining a Permit to keep a Squirrel (or other wildlife); the reality of this is that virtually nobody can obtain one of these permits. The only persons able to keep wildlife in these States are Licensed Wildlife Rehabbers and they can't keep them as pets. You Squirrel may very well need supplemental fluid subcutaneously (under the skin) and a Vet would certainly be trained in providing this. Also, of course, ideally, a Vet would be the best person to diagnose the problem and treat it. I'm quite concerned however about the distinct possibility I would suggest that you get some sort of "guarantee" that they will NOT confiscate your Squirrel or euthanize him before you bring your Squirrel to them but unfortunately that may not be forthcoming or given honestly.

There are many possibilities for what is going on with your Squirrel and he obviously needs to be thoroughly evaluated. You mentioned that he apparently has the run of the house. Is there any possibility of him having eaten some sort of toxic substance or even some of your own medications in his travels about the house? A Squirrel will chew on almost anything! He of course may be ill and may need antibiotics. I hope he can be rehydrated, diagnosed and quickly and effectively treated. Thank you for caring about this little Squirrel! I wish him and you the very best! Again, I'm sorry that you had no responses. My post will bump your thread and hopefully others will respond. Please keep us posted. I have very irregular hours on TSB as of late because of work responsibilities but I will try to keep up with your posts.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Diggie's Friend]

For hydrating by mouth, keep the syringe perpendicularly from below up to his mouth, not level with the mouth, nor above it.
Even cradled in a fleece blanket, keeping his head and upper body above his lower body to support him feeding in this position to inhibit aspiration, can be supported.

Following successful hydration; and directions to address potential, "aspiration pneumonia"; you could then try feeding whole fat organic yogurt with probiotics, that is a very good source of calcium, protein, fats, carbs, and various other nutrients. The probiotics lend good support to well digestion of nutrients.

"Stonyfield" organic whole fat organic with probiotics is a recommended source, as is their, "Banilla" version. The probiotics lend good support to well digestion of nutrients. "Stonyfield" organic whole fat organic yogurt with vanilla with probiotics; they also carry, "Banilla" version.

https://stopandshop.com/groceries/dairy/yogurt/traditional-yogurt/stonyfield-probiotic-yogurt-banilla-whole-milk-organic-32-oz-tub.html