Concerned !!!!

[Squirtle]

Hey all,


So I posted about mt little guy yesterday, curious of his age (5weeks) I wanted to make a new post because I’m concerned today. He scarfed his food really fast three feedings ago.. I didn’t see any bubbles come out of his nose or mouth, but he did yawn. The second to last feeding he did finish but it took some work to get him to finish… it’s been four hours now and I just woke him up to feed him and he was so so and only ate a couple mls.. did a couple sneezes and wanted to get cozy again. I listened to him breathing for a bit and I think I hear a noise but I don’t know if I’m freaking myself out or not… if it is a noise it’s so faint a video wouldn’t pick it up.. He does nurse from a miracle nipple attached to a three ML syringe Typically, he’s been a very good eater up until that happened today.

I do have amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium 875 mg (I’ll attach a picture) this is all I have on hand and I’m not able to take him to the vet because I’m not licensed (before anyone jumps me for that I did initially call a rehab and she said she had surgery and wasn’t taking animals which lead me down this road… before this he was thriving.

[Squirtle]

Hey all,


So I posted about mt little guy yesterday, curious of his age (5weeks) I wanted to make a new post because I’m concerned today. He scarfed his food really fast three feedings ago.. I didn’t see any bubbles come out of his nose or mouth, but he did yawn. The second to last feeding he did finish but it took some work to get him to finish… it’s been four hours now and I just woke him up to feed him and he was so so and only ate a couple mls.. did a couple sneezes and wanted to get cozy again. I listened to him breathing for a bit and I think I hear a noise but I don’t know if I’m freaking myself out or not… if it is a noise it’s so faint a video wouldn’t pick it up.. He does nurse from a miracle nipple attached to a three ML syringe Typically, he’s been a very good eater up until that happened today.

I do have amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium 875 mg (I’ll attach a picture) this is all I have on hand and I’m not able to take him to the vet because I’m not licensed (before anyone jumps me for that I did initially call a rehab and she said she had surgery and wasn’t taking animals which lead me down this road… before this he was thriving.




UPDATE I DO HEAR THAT CLICKING NOISE. EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT EVERY TIME HE BREATHES. COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME THE DOSAGE FOR THAT MEDICATION? He weighs 119 grams as of today!

[Squirtle]

I do believe I hear the clicking noise … I have tinnitus so it’s hard for me to be 1000% sure.. I made my brother come over he’s a nurse. He listened to his lungs and he said they sound clear to him, but obviously he listens to humans not animals… He weighs 119 grams as of today!

I’m not sure what to do.. I feel like I’ve done everything right so far I have The miracle nipple, Fox Valley formula, I always make sure he’s on his belly when he eats and normally he does eat well, but he goes at a steady pace that feeding he took a big gulp out of nowhere.. like I said up until this point I feel like he was thriving when my neighbor brought him to me. He only weighs 60 grams And today he weighed 119 grams I’ve had him 12 days at this point. I probably sound crazy but I just want to make sure I’m doing absolutely everything I can so he can thrive and be released in the spring.

[supersquirrelgirl]

I do believe I hear the clicking noise … I have tinnitus so it’s hard for me to be 1000% sure.. I made my brother come over he’s a nurse. He listened to his lungs and he said they sound clear to him, but obviously he listens to humans not animals… He weighs 119 grams as of today!

I’m not sure what to do.. I feel like I’ve done everything right so far I have The miracle nipple, Fox Valley formula, I always make sure he’s on his belly when he eats and normally he does eat well, but he goes at a steady pace that feeding he took a big gulp out of nowhere.. like I said up until this point I feel like he was thriving when my neighbor brought him to me. He only weighs 60 grams And today he weighed 119 grams I’ve had him 12 days at this point. I probably sound crazy but I just want to make sure I’m doing absolutely everything I can so he can thrive and be released in the spring.

Is squirrel eating good, active, pooing and peeing ?? Basically no major change ?? You say clicking but Brother says no.

Hearing clicking does not always mean A/P so just checking.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Reread your post #1 for 3 ml syringe. Change to 1ml for better control. If you slip on 3ml plunger, its going to squirt.

[Squirtle]

Reread your post #1 for 3 ml syringe. Change to 1ml for better control. If you slip on 3ml plunger, its going to squirt.

I’ll order 1ml.from Amazon today But the syringes haven’t been a problem thus far. I don’t touch them at all other than to slow them down I’ve never had to push the plunger while feeding him. Other than the first two days when he was really weak but that was just dropping a couple drops in his mouth at a time. He is due to eat now so I’ll see how he does the last two feedings he did finish his food but to me it seemed like he was not very enthusiastic like he typically is. Like he wanted to just go back to bed. He is pooping and peeing. But I believe he is more lethargic than his normal I’ve seen so far. I’m a sahm so I’ve been monitoring him literally around the clock since the first day. The sneezing he’s doing is not something I would consider normal he hasn’t done that up until yesterday.

My brother says his lungs sound clear with his stethoscope but I do believe I heard the clicking noise everyone talks about when he breathes in and out. I have tinnitus so it’s very hard to decipher if its something coming from him or me .. I don’t know.. I’m no squirrel expert I’m doing the best I can.. I have read so much information and ordered everything that people said was necessary, fox valley, two packs of miracle nipples, the special heating pad that doesn’t shut off, fleece blankets,I pick up a critter nation cage tomorrow for him. I make sure he’s in the correct position for feeding time, I make sure he’s getting stimulated to potty. The lady who rehabs near me pretty much said I can’t take him I just had surgery.. good luck.

[CritterMom]

First, PLEASE order "o-ring syringes" - Amazon has them. The disposable syringes used to inject humans are made to be used ONCE and discarded. The o-ring syringes are used for nursing small animals. The difference is the black rubber tip on the plunger. After a couple uses the disposables start to stick to the inside of the barrel and they no longer dispense fluid smoothly.

Second, can you get your hands on one of those cheap red plastic solo cups that everyone uses for beer? They make excellent makeshift stethoscopes! Put the cup over the top of the baby and put your ear to the bottom of the cup and you will be able to hear breathing sounds (and all other sounds) much more clearly.

The normal progression for aspiration pneumonia is FIRST they show unusual lethargy and don't want to eat, and then SECOND the clicking starts. If the baby has A/P they will click with every breath - what you are hearing is congestion in the lungs. So if I see a 1st time squirrel nurser who is trying to use a larger syringe than they should and has a baby who suddenly after being an enthusiastic eater doesn't want to eat, I advise they begin meds rather than waiting to see if it *really* is A/P.

I will send you a private message with dilution and dosing info for the amoxicillin clavulanate you have, which BTW is a good choice for A/P. YOU will need to evaluate what you are seeing and determine whether you need to start them.

To make things more difficult, baby squirrels make a lot of noise with their mouths that can sound like "clickling." They smack their lips and sound like an elderly person with ill-fitting dentures! But those sounds are not constant.

[CritterMom]

PM sent w/ dosing.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thanks CM. I was going to mention 1ml is needed for dosing.....no way with 3 ml.

[Squirtle]

First, PLEASE order "o-ring syringes" - Amazon has them. The disposable syringes used to inject humans are made to be used ONCE and discarded. The o-ring syringes are used for nursing small animals. The difference is the black rubber tip on the plunger. After a couple uses the disposables start to stick to the inside of the barrel and they no longer dispense fluid smoothly.

Second, can you get your hands on one of those cheap red plastic solo cups that everyone uses for beer? They make excellent makeshift stethoscopes! Put the cup over the top of the baby and put your ear to the bottom of the cup and you will be able to hear breathing sounds (and all other sounds) much more clearly.

The normal progression for aspiration pneumonia is FIRST they show unusual lethargy and don't want to eat, and then SECOND the clicking starts. If the baby has A/P they will click with every breath - what you are hearing is congestion in the lungs. So if I see a 1st time squirrel nurser who is trying to use a larger syringe than they should and has a baby who suddenly after being an enthusiastic eater doesn't want to eat, I advise they begin meds rather than waiting to see if it *really* is A/P.

I will send you a private message with dilution and dosing info for the amoxicillin clavulanate you have, which BTW is a good choice for A/P. YOU will need to evaluate what you are seeing and determine whether you need to start them.

To make things more difficult, baby squirrels make a lot of noise with their mouths that can sound like "clickling." They smack their lips and sound like an elderly person with ill-fitting dentures! But those sounds are not constant.



The syringes I have been using are o -ring syringes made by miracle nipple. It’s just the 3 ml size.. I thought that was safe because that’s what the miracle nipples I originally ordered came with so I ordered the extra syringes by miracle nipple..I have disposable 3ml as well but I have those set up for a return because I hadn’t used those. I ordered an abundance of stuff originally because the shipping on some stuff didn’t line up with what I needed. I’ll go ahead and order one mls! If I can’t get o rings in 1 ml same day would disposables be okay as long as I throw them away each time.. I’m not worried about the cost of throwing them out until I can get o rings in the 1 ml.

I’ll go pick up a pack of plastic cups!

My brother is also off today and I asked him to
Come over and take a listen again.. he’s a nurse practitioner.. He drove a half hour to my house last night to listen to him because I was anxious something was wrong and he said his lungs sounded clear to him but obviously, he works with people not animals and he’s still so little so I wasn’t sure if he would be 100% accurate.

He has finished all his meals since he took that big gulp a few feeding ago when this started I just feel like I’ve had to encourage him to continue eating.. repositioning him and such because he just wants to go back to bed and typically he doesn't behave that way at all.

I would greatly appreciate the dosage amount I would rather be safe than sorry.

[island rehabber]

Also.... I always hold the plunger back. It's not enough to just say you never push in, because some babies are absolute Hoovers when it comes to sucking. I always have one finger holding back the plunger so I can control exactly what the baby is taking in. Fiddle around with yours until you find a comfortable way to hold the syringe and you'll feel a lot more secure about it especially if you have a vigorous eater on your hands. Some babies are sippers.....some are head-waggers, and some are Hoovers.:grin2

[supersquirrelgirl]

If you have trouble getting a 1mL syringe, maybe your brother or local pharmacy would give you one.

Yes, a disposable 1ml is okay to get started. I use them but the numbers wipe off very easy and they stick like CritterMom said.

Please take a breath, you doing good. You have TSB here to help so you're in good hands!

Mr.SSG

[CritterMom]

Use the drug store syringe for now until you can get o-rings but first, pull the plunger completely out of the syringe and wipe the rubber tip with some vegetable oil. Put it back in the syringe barrel and pull it in and out a few times to deposit a tiny amount of the oil on the inside of the syringe. It will help. And as I mentioned, you will HAVR to have a 1ml to give the meds - the amount is too small to register on a 3ml syringe.

[Squirtle]

My local pharmacy was willing to give me two 1ml syringes to be able to dose meds for him I’ll attach a picture and I ran to Petco and picked up a probiotic I’ll attach a picture of that as well! 327722327723

[supersquirrelgirl]

Great!

Please take care when dosing as syringe has 0.02 minor markings and stops below 0.1 ml. If dose is less than 0.1 ml, you can add your own lines as needed.

If you have any questions, please ask before dosing.

Mr.SSG

[CritterMom]

Good catch. Yes, it is less than .1ml.

[Squirtle]

I’m crushing up the medication now and going to mix with water and wait ten minutes mix again as directed… I will take a picture before I give him anything because I don’t want to do it wrong!

For the probiotics, how much Should he get it? Looks like the lowest dose on the bottle says <227g 1/4 level teaspoon ..he is 119.. should those be mixed into his food an hour after the medication dose or do I give the probiotics totally separately from everything else?

[Squirtle]

I made marks on a sheet of paper from 1-2 and followed the little lines in between it’s looking like this is the correct spot.. does this seem right for .08

[CritterMom]

Yup. To the bottom of your black line :great

[Squirtle]

Perfect!

My only other question is the probiotics.. do I mix a 1/4 teaspoon into his formula?

[supersquirrelgirl]

Yes.....you can see how small the dose. (this is why a 3 ml syringe would not work.)

I would pull to the top edge of you line to make sure it enough.

Did you check for the clicking ?? Sounds like your morning feed was less energy. Glad you bought probiotics.

BTW, what is squirrel's name ??


OOPS - I didn't see CM comment on previous page.

[Squirtle]

Yes.....you can see how small the dose. (this is why a 3 ml syringe would not work.)

I would pull to the top edge of you line to make sure it enough.

Did you check for the clicking ?? Sounds like your morning feed was less energy. Glad you bought probiotics.

BTW, what is squirrel's name ??


Our kiddos have been calling him squirtle the squirrel lol they’ve only gotten to take peaks at him I haven’t let them touch him because he’s so little.
My only concern is the probiotics.. do they go in his formula.. the jar says <227 gets a 1/4 teaspoon is that correct?

[supersquirrelgirl]

Need CM to answer as she knows way more than me.......

Clicking ??

[CritterMom]

Our kiddos have been calling him squirtle the squirrel lol they’ve only gotten to take peaks at him I haven’t let them touch him because he’s so little.
My only concern is the probiotics.. do they go in his formula.. the jar says <227 gets a 1/4 teaspoon is that correct?

He is almost half that weight - do just a smidge more than 1/8 teaspoon and divide that into two doses to give after the meds. This can ALL be estimated - there is nothing in there to hurt him. It is just beneficial bacteria. But it IS a waste to give more than needed.

As I said, it works best if you give it an hour or hour and a half after you give him meds. So putting it in the formula is a no go because he will have just recently eaten. You can mix it into a little water and give it that way. You can add a splash of juice for additional flavor.

[Squirtle]

He is almost half that weight - do just a smidge more than 1/8 teaspoon and divide that into two doses to give after the meds. This can ALL be estimated - there is nothing in there to hurt him. It is just beneficial bacteria. But it IS a waste to give more than needed.

As I said, it works best if you give it an hour or hour and a half after you give him meds. So putting it in the formula is a no go because he will have just recently eaten. You can mix it into a little water and give it that way. You can add a splash of juice for additional flavor.


Thank you! I just gave the first dose of meds at 12:45 so I will give the probiotics at 1:45-2!

Is there a certain amount of time he should wait to eat after the probiotics?

[CritterMom]

Thank you! I just gave the first dose of meds at 12:45 so I will give the probiotics at 1:45-2!

Is there a certain amount of time he should wait to eat after the probiotics?

Nope.

[Squirtle]

Nope.

Thank you guys for all of your help!

First dose of meds, and probiotic are on board
He did also eat all of his meal as well which makes me a little less worried about him skipping and getting dehydrated etc..

How long does it typically take to see an improvement with the clicking once starting meds.. or does it just typically depend on the squirrel?

Then non o ring syringes with be here tonight I will strictly use those going forward until the o ring 1ml o ring type get to me( Friday)
And I will make sure to control the flow so he can’t take a big gulp like he did!

[supersquirrelgirl]

All sounds good. Keep updating as needed. Post a picture of Squirtle. We love pictures!

[Squirtle]

All sounds good. Keep updating as needed. Post a picture of Squirtle. We love pictures!


I will! I so appreciate all of you!

[CritterMom]

He is adorable.

If he was beginning aspiration pneumonia you will see improvement really fast - 2 days tops and I usually get happy PMs early the following morning from people who's baby seems totally on the mend. Just keep him warm and fed and pottied and weighed and use those 1ml syringes to feed ASAP and he should be good.

[supersquirrelgirl]

What a cutie! No wonder you are so protective. I'm not a rehabber so all my squirrels are wild coming to the backyard.

Give an update in a few days.

Mr.SSG

[Squirtle]

I will be sure to update!

He just ate with the one ml syringes and it went very well he ate his full amount for his feeding just a touch over 8mls I made him go very slow and he was p*****! He was wagging his little tail at me but he’ll just have to get over it because I’m going to be a meanie from now on and really make sure he is eating at a very slow and steady pace!

[supersquirrelgirl]

He will get used to it quickly. (little does he know its for his benefit.....)

He'll still love you just the same!

[Squirtle]

Hey guys!

Just popping on to give an update for squirtle!
He seems to be doing much better! He’s on day three of his meds and probiotics.. eating well (up to 10mls every four hours from the 1 ml syringes, pooping and peeing normally when I stimulate.
Trying to climb me like a tree when he gets impatient patient waiting for his syringes to be filled! He weighed in at 139g today! (Should I be adjusting the med amount since he is getting bigger every day it seems?!

His Henry’s healthy blocks will be here today..I plan on doing what I was told and cutting them in half and offering a half for him to explore chewing.

I do have a question for all you experts… when should I be moving him from his tub with the heating pad to his cage? I picked up a double critter nation cage today for him but I’m not sure when he should be introduced to that..is it best to figure out how to hide the heating pad under the tray in one spot of the cage? I plan on blocking off the bottom half until he seems to be confident moving around.. I’m worried he will injure himself having access to the whole thing at first ? And also I wasn’t sure he should be walking around on slippery plastic so my plan was to get some fleece material from the craft store and make covers for the trays and such so he doesn’t slip around and they’ll be easy to take off and wash is that a good move?
I included a couple more pictures.. he loves to sleep on his back! It cracks me up!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Sweet looking boy! Really glad he's doing better.

With weight increasing 119g to 139g, increase dose from bottom to top of your black line.

Keep probiotics the same.

I would keep in tub until AB is done, just easier.

[CritterMom]

Plus yes, block off the bottom of the CN cage at first, and Pro Tip: The half trays for the CN cage slip perfectly into a twin pillowcase with enough left over to fold under and it will be held in place by the shelf brackets. I use a twin sheet for the bottom pan - fold in quarters, lay flat, place tray upside down on folded sheet, use pieces of duct tape to stretch and tape to the bottom of the tray, flip over and you have a nice, tight, smooth surface that is super easy to wash.

[Squirtle]

Thank you! That’s a great idea we have plenty of extra twin sheets from when the kids were little.. I’ll wash them up in free and clear detergent!
I’ll also wait until he’s done with antibiotics before I try to introduce the cage.. I have a bunch of stuff coming from Amazon hammocks, hides, and a glass water bottle.. I
Figured that would be better to disinfect when it’s time for him to use that.

[CritterMom]

Another plus with the sheets, especially on the bottom. Because they are stretched taut, you can clean up with a whisk broom and dustpan. Stuff sticks to the fleece. I do NOT wash the bottom sheets daily, believe me!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Keep up the good work!

I sense you will spoil him rotten. He lucky to have you and all the love.

[Squirtle]

I can’t lie I’m totally obsessed with the little man!

I never would’ve thought of the sheets idea! I’m sure they get pretty messy when they’re older lol

From what I’ve read I shouldn’t start the releasing process until the spring since he won’t be weaned by September.. do you guys agree with that?
My plan was to volunteer my husband as tribute to build him a safe space outside to start the release process. :w00t:w00t

Also his Henry’s healthy blocks came yesterday so I put them in the feezer but kept out one for him to try today. I broke it in half and he was definitely into trying that out! I tried uploading a video but it won’t seem to upload!

I’m so thankful for all of everyone advice and info on here! This is definitely not some thing that I had planned to do, but I feel like when the rehabber near me saying she was unable right now It’s my responsibility to try and do everything I can to make sure he is ready to take on the world.. I’ve always been a big animal person even bugs lol that’s why my neighbors knew to bring him to me!

[island rehabber]

>>From what I’ve read I shouldn’t start the releasing process until the spring since he won’t be weaned by September.. do you guys agree with that?
My plan was to volunteer my husband as tribute to build him a safe space outside to start the release process.<<

You've gotten such wonderful help here but I just want to jump in with one possibly controversial suggestion: I'm not sure how Ohio's weather compares with Southeastern New York State but I have released as late as early December when there are still leaves on the Norway maples around here. I typically don't end up releasing anyone until mid to late October but have certainly released in November during mild years. Overwintering sounds like more fun than it actually is... It is stressful for both the squirrel and the human and sometimes results in a squirrel that is far too acclimated to human contact and jeopardizes their success in the wild. Just saying-- if he's weaned in September then he can go by around Halloween.

[Squirtle]

>>From what I’ve read I shouldn’t start the releasing process until the spring since he won’t be weaned by September.. do you guys agree with that?
My plan was to volunteer my husband as tribute to build him a safe space outside to start the release process.<<

You've gotten such wonderful help here but I just want to jump in with one possibly controversial suggestion: I'm not sure how Ohio's weather compares with Southeastern New York State but I have released as late as early December when there are still leaves on the Norway maples around here. I typically don't end up releasing anyone until mid to late October but have certainly released in November during mild years. Overwintering sounds like more fun than it actually is... It is stressful for both the squirrel and the human and sometimes results in a squirrel that is far too acclimated to human contact and jeopardizes their success in the wild. Just saying-- if he's weaned in September then he can go by around Halloween.



Ohio’s weather is so so the past couple years where I am we’ve had a lot of icy rain more so then snow! I’m fine doing whatever is best for him of course!

[Squirtle]

Hey guys!

Just giving an update! Squirtle seems to be doing wonderful! No clicking etc
He weighed in at 173 grams today
I do have a question though!
It seems the more active he has gotten sometimes he tuckers himself out before he finishes all of his food..he has gotten to the point where he is climbing me like a tree while I’m refilling his syringe… he wrestles me hands and does little flips hitting my fingers.. I’m still offering food every four hours..even over night.. he’s eating between 9-11.5 mls… I always shoot for the higher end but we don’t always reach that. Do you guys think this is an okay amount? Or should I order the fox valley ultra boost to add to his 20/50?
He is still playing around with the Henry’s healthy blocks.. not eating them consistently but I’ve been offering him a piece to chew before his formula.
I’ll include some updated pictures!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Priceless Pictures! Very cute little boy!!