Aspiration pneumonia

[Munckin]

I've got a 5-6 week old eastern grey squirrel rescue and he just started acting like having symptoms of aspiration pneumonia after chocking on a strawberry, he has clicking with every breath and occasionally wheezes/coughs and does the open mouth thing since last night. We let him sleep last night and didn't feed him any formula before bed and this morning his seemed great no symptoms and was very active, then I gave him Pedialyte since he missed two feeding and he immediately began the aspiration pneumonia symptoms again. I've read we should give him baytril for the pneumonia but I'm not sure about dosage or if it will hurt him If it's not the right thing? Please help!!!!

[Charley Chuckles]

Someone else will have to dose and they will need a weight 👍
I've never given solid food at that age only formula.

[Munckin]

Someone else will have to dose and they will need a weight 👍
I've never given solid food at that age only formula.

We've been feeding every 3-4 hours with formula but gave them strawberry tops as a beginner friendly solid food snack, maybe that wasn't the best idea, but would that cause this???

[Snicker Bar]

Are you sure of the baby’s age? As CC said, a baby that small should not have solids. Others here (and files) can guide you best on age appropriate feeding instructions. And if the baby is this young, night feedings (or minimally hydration ) are needed, especially if sick. Most recommend the hydration formula recipe here, but only for short term.

But if symptoms persist and are consistent with AP, you can PM me the baby’s weight in grams and I can give dosing for Baytril. Other antibiotics (Amoxicillin/clavulanate , SMZ/TMP) are also used. But one of my most trusted mentors here loved Baytril the best . But others may have thoughts based on the baby’s actual age, if you can give more info.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I've got a 5-6 week old eastern grey squirrel rescue and he just started acting like having symptoms of aspiration pneumonia after chocking on a strawberry, he has clicking with every breath and occasionally wheezes/coughs and does the open mouth thing since last night. We let him sleep last night and didn't feed him any formula before bed and this morning his seemed great no symptoms and was very active, then I gave him Pedialyte since he missed two feeding and he immediately began the aspiration pneumonia symptoms again. I've read we should give him baytril for the pneumonia but I'm not sure about dosage or if it will hurt him If it's not the right thing? Please help!!!!

Hi Munchkin:
This does not sound like Aspiration Pneumonia per se; it sounds like your little Squirrel is aspirating since "choking" on the strawberry. Most likely, the "choking" was part of the process of aspiration (getting stuff other than air into the breathing tubes and often down into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is an infection that begins with aspiration. It is NOT going to be intermittent and often the progression of aspiration pneumonia is to death unless it is immediately treated and even then it is extremely serious! Being "very" active and without other suspicious signs is not typical of having aspiration pneumonia! Your little Squirrel seems to now be aspirating with taking oral feedings but as the symptoms/signs are present only after eating/drinking and not in between, I feel again, that there is no definitive pneumonia but for some reason your Squirrel is continuing to aspirate.

BEFORE any further feeding, please try to look into your Squirrel's mouth (I know this is easier for me to say than for you to do but...) and check to see if there is something such as piece of the strawberry lodged in the mouth or back in the throat and if so, try to gently remove it. Something is causing your Squirrel to continue to aspirate. It may even be the rapidity of his drinking this morning! for right now, I would recommend that you feed him only drops of fluids through a 1cc syringe while being held in the upright position with the tip of the syringe (NO needle!) pointed toward the roof of your Squirrels mouth. Plain warm water with a touch (several drops) of sweetener such as syrup added to it should be used at first.

Please report back as to how he did with controlled feeding of drops of water. I will be at work but will try to get back to TSB during the day. Others should also be available for your updates!

With the history of apparent aspiration, I would strongly recommend beginning antibiotics immediately as a precautionary measure! What antibiotics do you have available and what are their strengths (Example only-250mg)? It will also be necessary to get an accurate recent weight on your Squirrel, preferably in Grams. One of the Admins or others authorized by TSB will review this and send recommendations and dosing instructions to you via Private Message.

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Munckin]

Thank you samthesqyirrel! He's been aspirating pretty badly all morning... Foaming out of the nose. I'm very worried we have amoxi-clav 875-125 tablets but don't have any way to weight him.

[Charley Chuckles]

Without a gram scale the only thing I can think of is for you to put up a pic of him next to an object for comparison such as quarter etc.

[Munckin]

Without a gram scale the only thing I can think of is for you to put up a pic of him next to an object for comparison such as quarter etc.
Okay 324103
He is having difficulty breathing please help!

[Snicker Bar]

Sending PM

[Munckin]

Adding some more info! Just got a scale he weighs 90 grams, I'm thinking he lost weight since yesterday. I just gave him his first dose of the amoxi-clav per instructions from Snickersbar. He has been eating esbilac puppy replacement formula 6ccs every 3-4 hours up until last night. His appetite just reappeared and he's taking the formula very well, he did not like breakfast too much but lunch seems to be very yummy. He is still slightly aspirating but not quite as bad.

[Snicker Bar]

Glad to see he’s doing a little better ; sounds right (the feeding amount ) based on weight. There are charts in files that have volumes /per weight in g. Weigh first thing every AM to be sure he’s gaining .

Do you have a 1.0 ml syringe now?

[Munckin]

Glad to see he’s doing a little better ; sounds right (the feeding amount ) based on weight. There are charts in files that have volumes /per weight in g. Weigh first thing every AM to be sure he’s gaining .

Do you have a 1.0 ml syringe now?

Yes just got it!324105
He just had another formula feeding as began aspirating again(I went very slow) not sure what caused, seemed like he got it caught in his lungs again but I just can't figure out how. When should we give him another dose of antibiotics?

[Snicker Bar]

Sending PM

Hopefully will pull through;
Do you have a heat pad on low, under 1/2 of his bin, and cozy fleece?

[Snicker Bar]

324106
Hope this makes sense… Just barely the tip plus three little lines.

324107

Here is a pic with the right amount with a colored liquid so can see better hopefully;

You measure (pull back suspension) and read at the base of the black plunger,

Hope this helps!

[Mel1959]

Yes just got it!324105
He just had another formula feeding as began aspirating again(I went very slow) not sure what caused, seemed like he got it caught in his lungs again but I just can't figure out how. When should we give him another dose of antibiotics?

You need a different syringe for feeding. You need one that has a rubber end on the plunger. My guess is that your little guy is sucking and causing the plunger to move too fast and that’s why he’s aspirating. You must hold on to the plunger and only allow it to move gradually. Even then they can aspirate so go very slow.

If you go to a pharmacist and ask them for a 1cc syringe they’ll probably give it to you….especially if you tell them you’re feeding a baby kitten. They’re likely to be more sympathetic.

[Munckin]

You need a different syringe for feeding. You need one that has a rubber end on the plunger. My guess is that your little guy is sucking and causing the plunger to move too fast and that’s why he’s aspirating. You must hold on to the plunger and only allow it to move gradually. Even then they can aspirate so go very slow.

If you go to a pharmacist and ask them for a 1cc syringe they’ll probably give it to you….especially if you tell them you’re feeding a baby kitten. They’re likely to be more sympathetic.

Mel, I have a different one Ive been feeding with, that has a plastic end on the plunger. this one was just for medicine. Is that what you were saying?

[Munckin]

Sending PM

Hopefully will pull through;
Do you have a heat pad on low, under 1/2 of his bin, and cozy fleece?

I don't have a heating pad, will probably get one tomorrow, but he has two brothers he cuddles and plays with. I've been thinking that the brothers keep each other warm when sleeping because I saw some say they made rice socks to help with that, but if they need a heating pad too I can do that.

[Munckin]

324106
Hope this makes sense… Just barely the tip plus three little lines.

324107

Here is a pic with the right amount with a colored liquid so can see better hopefully;

You measure (pull back suspension) and read at the base of the black plunger,

Hope this helps!
Thank you so much this helps a ton. Are we supposed to administer that tonight and then continue tomorrow morning and night?

[Snicker Bar]

Yes, that antibiotic is dosed twice daily.

Sounds like you’re doing best can,
Hang in there little one!

[Mel1959]

Mel, I have a different one Ive been feeding with, that has a plastic end on the plunger. this one was just for medicine. Is that what you were saying?

Yes, thank you. Just hold on to the plunger when feeding so it doesn’t move too quickly.

[Snicker Bar]

Any updates?