Breathing

[LaShae1995]

Hey everyone my squirrel is making these little sounds when she is breathing and I was wondering if that was OK. She isn't sick I don't believe her nose looks good but she just has made these sounds for a while I've tried to do research and ask around but haven't found anything yet. Any advice would be helpful thanks.
I tried to upload a video but it isn't letting me...

[LaShae1995]

I listened to her lungs with a stethoscope and I do hear the same tapping sounds I hear normally. Maybe she does have a respiratory issue??? Could it be allergies, dust, or the laundry detergent. I did give her some dirt to play with and she rolls around in it.

[Mel1959]

We need a little more background about your squirrel. What is its age? Is it taking formula? What type? Has it stopped eating or is it acting lethargic?

Squirrels make a variety of sounds even when they’re sleeping. They also twitch and jerk when sleeping.

[Spanky]

I tried to upload a video but it isn't letting me...

TSB does not support videos being uploaded directly... you can upload to YouTube (or any other 3rd Party Hosting site) and provide a link here.

[LaShae1995]

She is around 2 years old and she drinks water from a bottle and eats pebbles and blocks. I found some Aqua-Cipro Forte Ciprofloxacin Fish Antibiotic on chewy.com that i can get if that is whats suggested.

[LaShae1995]

so i did look up the ap on youtube and it does sound familiar and she is sleeping more so if it wont hurt her id like to start her on this to see it will help with the clicking and make her feel like her normal playing self

[LaShae1995]

She is still plump and she eats her salads with much delight and she loves her almonds as well as she hass unlimited kibble which i see her chewing on from time to time

[LaShae1995]

Pictures of the medicine I'm taking about found on chewy.com no prescription needed for anyone else wondering

[LaShae1995]

Dosing needed for this medicine please I will have to weigh Sandy when I get home. And how often or how to mix it and give it.

[CritterMom]

Give us her weight and we can dose this for you.

You will need a 1ml syringe (no needle) with clear markings on it to both dilute and then dose this.

[LaShae1995]

Ok thank you so much I will weigh miss sandy as soon as I can. I didn't know that she had pneumonia 🥺 I feel so bad for her. I'm so thankful to all of you guys for the help.

[LaShae1995]

The medicine hasn't shipped yet and will probably take around 3 or 5 days will she be ok till then is there anything I should be doing for her in the mean time?

[CritterMom]

That is a long time. The drug in question, Cipro, is very commonly prescribed to humans for both upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. Call your friends, family, coworkers and see what they have as far as leftover antibiotics. Cipro would be very good but there are other drugs that will help, too. Don't disregard "expired" meds.

You will need ONE pill. One Cipro the size u have ordered would treat a dozen squirrels!

[LaShae1995]

Oh I understand but no one has any :( i have done asked everyone but chewy is usually really good at arriving early so fingers crossed. She looks alright so maybe? I sure hope so. Poor sandy 😢

[LaShae1995]

I contacted them and they said it would ship today and arrive in the next day or 3. the syringes will arrive on the 20th so three days but if the medcine arrives before then ill go ask all my local vets and drs for a syringe and say im feeding a kitten.

[CritterMom]

The fact that she is eating well is a good sign.

Use the time to look at her environment because this could be something caused by that and no an actual illness. Do you use things like air fresheners and stuff? I wouldn't - they contain all sorts of things that aren't really good to inhale - the fact that something is natural doesn't mean you should inhale it. Same thing holds true for any cleaning or laundry you do for her - no dryer sheets or softener and going as far as fragrance free soap isn't a bad idea. Is someone wearing a new perfume or cologne? I used to love perfume but quite wearing it when I got my first parrot and all pets since then have benefitted from it.

[LaShae1995]

My sister wears alot of perfume so maybe that was it? The laundry soap I used for her does have some scent so I'll buy some that doesn't. She drinks from a water bottle like a rabbit waterer maybe the water came out too fast and she inhaled some? Should I water in a bowl or keep the bottle?

[CritterMom]

I contacted them and they said it would ship today and arrive in the next day or 3. the syringes will arrive on the 20th so three days but if the medcine arrives before then ill go ask all my local vets and drs for a syringe and say im feeding a kitten.

Try speaking directly to the pharmacist at your local drug store with the same request though I usually say it is a guinea pig because you are going for such a small syringe.

[LaShae1995]

Thats a great idea :D I also bought a box of 100 ct from amazon that should arrive on the 20th If they wont give me one im sure i can ask my vet or family doctor or maybe tractor supply may have some. I may even have one left over from the time she was a baby.

[CritterMom]

Thats a great idea :D I also bought a box of 100 ct from amazon that should arrive on the 20th If they wont give me one im sure i can ask my vet or family doctor or maybe tractor supply may have some. I may even have one left over from the time she was a baby.

Yeah, the problem with old syringes is that the painted markings rub off pretty quickly when you are regularly washing them. You won't run out after this!

[LaShae1995]

For sure that was my biggest problem trying to reuse them when I feed her that and they got stuck like after time. She's still up running around today my mother said I'm still away from the house but I'll weigh her today and let you know how much she weighs. How do you want me to weigh her? Grams or lbs

[LaShae1995]

Hey everyone, I just now got home and got my older sister to check her. She is use to seeing respiratory infections and stuff. She said that it didn't look like one and that since antibiotics are harsh on them that I should hold off giving it to her as she looks completely well today. Is it possible she had a cold? idk I get so worried about her and panic because I know how hard it is to get ahold of antibiotics anymore and no vets will help me:( I am thankful to everyone here though yall are true angels and thank God yall are here for all the babies in need :D :D :D I hope this forum will help people find this antibiotic that you can get without prescription and it ships really fast compared to others. Chewy is the best. If you still want her weight I'll post it, shouldn't be too hard to do lol. As for the medicine I'll just keep it on hand if it has a long enough shelf life. That way I'll be better prepared. God Bless Take Care.

-Lots and Lots of Love Sandy- :Love_Icon:squirrel4

[LaShae1995]

I don't wanna keep bugging everyone on here... but I just can't help to worry about her. My sister said it doesn't look like one to her but to me I don't think I've ever seen her making these sounds... could she just be a little too plump and it's harder for her to breath now becuase of that? Or maybe she has a simple cold or allergies? Any other reasons I mean it could be the way she's breathing because I'm holding her down... idk I wanna hold off on the meds until i see clear signs like crusty nose or eyes. But if anyone wants I can attempt to take a video and email it. I don't upload videos or pictures on YouTube. I'm just gonna take care of her normally and wait to see if it clears up unless yall think it's beginning of pneumonia or somehting crazy. Sorry for bugging all yall. It's hard to try and make these decisions 😕



Picture of her as of right now looking good 👍

[LaShae1995]

So I was trying to edit that post but accidently sent it... i had it typed earlier tonight :/


anyways her only symptom is that sound. I did hear it with and without the stethoscope. My sister is right though about it not looking like an respiratory issue because usually rabbits and guinea pigs have crusty noses and white boogers but her nose and eyes are clear. She is also more active today playing and running around. I am worried that if it is the start of pneumonia and I don't get on top of it fast enough she could take a turn for the worst before I can really help her. On the other hand if I were to treat her with the antibiotics they are harsh on her body and may be completely unnecessary. I don't know what the sound could be. I am just worried because earlier tonight I didn't really hear it but it was loud in the house and I couldn't find the stethoscope now that its quite and I used it to listen and I defiantly still hear it. How harsh is ciprofloxacin on their bodies? Could I go ahead and treat her and see if that help with the sound? or what would ya'll recommend? I could attempt to get a video and send through email because that's really all I know how to use (not very tech savy). I hope I aint bugging ya'll. Its just I get so worried about my furry babies they are my everything and I only want what is best for them. Please if anyone has advice, I am all ears.

- Sandy -

[Spanky]

Hey everyone my squirrel is making these little sounds when she is breathing and I was wondering if that was OK.


I listened to her lungs with a stethoscope and I do hear the same tapping sounds I hear normally..

When little babies get Aspiration Pneumonia (AP) I can hear the clicking without the aid of a stethoscope, FWIW. Typically they will experience lethargy and a loss of appetite when they have AP.

When you say you hear these "tapping" sounds normally, that makes it seem you hear these same sounds (normally) whenever you've used the stethoscope. Could the tapping sounds be her heart beating?

Maybe describing more thoroughly what is being heard with the stethoscope would be helpful. Is there any sort of crackling sounds associated with her breathing?

[LaShae1995]

I can hear it without the stethoscope as well. I am very careful not to mistake the heart beating for the sound or at least I try. I'll give her another listen today and let you know.

[LaShae1995]

When I was listening to her today i still heard the tapping and I listened to her heart also it doesn't sound the same as the tapping. It sounds like if someone was knocking on a door gently when she breaths I can hear it without the stethoscope like the sound itself is coming from her nose. If that makes any sense... maybe like the sound of a animal with a booger in its nose blocking the air.. I know that is gross but I can't really explain it good. I have a really good video if I could send it to your email or something...if you don't mind.

[LaShae1995]

I FIGURED OUT HOW TO UPLOAD A VIEDO ON YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/BqJQURBJhbk

[LaShae1995]

I got her weight just in case anyone needed it... she's 544 grams. I tricked her with some almonds lol

[LaShae1995]

I was playing with her today and she was having tons of fun then she started laying down taking a nap which is fine she does this sometimes but when I tried to take a video of her whole appearance to show yall I sat her in the floor and she jumped back on to my leg and laid down then I again out her in the floor and she jumped on my back barked (I think you call it ) and whimpered (I think you call it). I have no idea what she is wanting as she's never done this during playtime. Does she feel bad and wanna take a nap or is she protesting because I woke her up?

More videos pn my page please check then out too.

https://youtube.com/shorts/3x_xPhrJ9-4?feature=share

[LaShae1995]

She was I'm her nest in her cage and started crying so I got her out and she laid on me and went to sleep. I'm worried she'll cry again when I put her in her cage so I'm letting her rest in my bed with me. She must feel bad 😭😭😭😭😭 any suggestions?

[LaShae1995]

She was I'm her nest in her cage and started crying so I got her out and she laid on me and went to sleep. I'm worried she'll cry again when I put her in her cage so I'm letting her rest in my bed with me. She must feel bad 😭😭😭😭😭 any suggestions?


Just gave her a nit in the shell and that seemed to improve her mood rather quickly 🥰

[LaShae1995]

Idk what go into her tonight but now she's fine 🙂 she was playing again and being her happy self. Guess she was wanting held and she really is that spoiled??? I do spoil her rotten lol ill pet her for over an hour straight if she wants hehehe 🤪 she deserves it. 😌 I'm just trying to update yall with what's going on so maybe you can tell more about her but I'll try not to overload this forum with every little thing she does lol.

But I'll update yall in about a day or two pn the sound. Thanks everyone for putting up with me ☺️

[Spanky]

She is still plump and she eats her salads with much delight and she loves her almonds as well as she has unlimited kibble which i see her chewing on from time to time

What is "kibble"? If this is a type of rodent block (or something else) maybe post the brand name or ingredient list?


She is around 2 years old and she drinks water from a bottle and eats pebbles and blocks.

If pebbles is not the same thing as the the same as the kibbles, could you share the name of the pebbles product?


https://youtube.com/shorts/3x_xPhrJ9-4?feature=share

This last video is flagged as private, so we (o rat least I) cannot view it..

Have you checked her teeth to make certain they are not too long? That sound coming form her nose may be from her teeth being over-grown.

[LaShae1995]

I fixed the videos for you I didn't know it was on private sorry.

The kibble is the same thing as pebbles and everything it's called adult rodent food by oxbow. I do buy the blocks from time to time but she only nibbles them won't eat them at all she never has been interested in them is why I bought her this food. She does really well on it though.

[Spanky]

Have you checked her teeth to make certain they are not too long? That sound coming form her nose may be from her teeth being over-grown.

Thanks for the follow-up on the things I mentioned... it all helps. Still curious about her teeth and if they are okee-dokee?

[LaShae1995]

I believe her teeth are actually really good �� she let's me check them now without fighting ��

[LaShae1995]

Made a new breathing video on YouTube today

https://youtu.be/MF8Do8ym1W0

[LaShae1995]

She sure does sleep alot anymore acts like she's wore out.

[LaShae1995]

She isn't acting like her normal self. She keeps wanting me to hold her constantly or she goes into her nest. Mainly she wants yo be on me in my bed. Should I start her on the medicine here is another video of her breathing https://youtu.be/pQSjqZDmJ9U

[Mel1959]

What antibiotics do you have and what is the weight of your squirrel? Extreme lethargy can be a sign of an infection. Usually a lack of appetite coincides with the lethargy if the squirrel is sick.

[CritterMom]

PMing with LaShae - they have 500mg cipro and directions to dose it.

[LaShae1995]

It does still have tiny pieces but that's the best I can do I let it soak for hours but that's all it's gonna do I think...

[LaShae1995]

What antibiotics do you have and what is the weight of your squirrel? Extreme lethargy can be a sign of an infection. Usually a lack of appetite coincides with the lethargy if the squirrel is sick.

I have ciprofloxacin and I have some one helping me dose it now ♡♡♡ she is I think I said 544 grams it's in this forum. She still eats pretty decently it's just that sound and laying around that's worrying me. I'll keep yall posted ❤️

[LaShae1995]

New medicine made with apple juice instead

[CritterMom]

That looks great!

[LaShae1995]

She seems to be doing better running around more and seems more energetic but sill so sleepy during the night which isn't really like her but squirrels do tend to sleep at night so maybe she's getting her days and nights fixed 🤨

[Mel1959]

A regular squirrel pattern of sleeping that I have observed with the wild squirrels in my yard is they wake at the first light of day and start foraging for food. Around 11:00 they’re mostly all back in their nests or in a tree somewhere resting/napping until about 3:00. At that time they come out and forage again until dusk, and then it’s back to their nests for the night. This is a “normal” pattern and can easily be mimicked even if in the house if they are left to create their own sleep pattern and not interrupted. It equates to about 12 hours in the nest at night.

[LaShae1995]

She usually wakes up at daylight and plays for a while then takes a nap and is up when I get back home from work but it's already dark ... so I'll let her out and then she plays some more before going to bed for good. Lately she had only been playing during the day and sleeping almost all evening and night with a little play but today she's playing more acting like her old self again. She's a good girl I'm so happy she's feeling better ♡♡♡

[LaShae1995]

She's running around and playing I think she's doing very well. Here's a picture of her taking a nap. She's spoiled rotten lol

[LaShae1995]

I finished the cipro but she's still sneezing and her nose is runny now. Critter mom is helping me ;)

Just thought I'd update everyone on Miss Sandy

[Mel1959]

Have you considered allergies? Any change in detergents, scents or surroundings?

[CritterMom]

So she did a 5 day course of Cipro and it took care of all but this snotty nose thing. LaShae is waiting for clavamox but I would think that if this was a sinus related infection that the cipro would have taken care of it. I know that the amoxicillin clavulanate is preferred over the cipro for sinus stuff but I am pretty sure the cipro should.

Much like me, in the warm weather, Sandy liked to stick her snoot right in the air conditioner vents and get a face and noseful of cold air. Her access to the A/C was removed a couple days ago but still the snotty nose.