228g baby with aspiration pnuemonia

[vgonzalez0317]

Symptoms began this evening and he will not eat. I have cephalexin, no other antibiotics. Please help with dosing and frequency.

[vgonzalez0317]

The capsules of cephalexin are 500mg

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Symptoms began this evening and he will not eat. I have cephalexin, no other antibiotics. Please help with dosing and frequency.

Hello VGonzalez0317 and welcome to The Squirrel Board! I have some questions for you! I will send my recommendations for mixing and dosing of Cephalexin but I would respectfully ask that you answer my questions first!

First off, just to know; what is the name of your Squirrel?

How did you come about having this Squirrel?

Is decreased appetite the only problem or abnormality that you have noticed?

Are you intending on a soft-release of this baby or is she staying with you?

How old is your Squirrel?

Was the weight obtained with a digital scale today?

(this is a very important question) What, in detail has been your Squirrel's diet; the specific formula he is being fed or has been fed, what Blocks if any are you feeding this Squirrel, are you giving any other foods beside Formula and Blocks (such as vegetables or fruits or nuts or other treats and yes; for a captive Squirrel, fruits and nuts are treats only!) and please be specific as to what these have been and the amounts given daily!

Does your Squirrel have a water source always available and what is it (a hanging water bottle, a bowl, whatever)

Did you witness an aspiration event and if so, when did this occur?

SOME COMMENTS: loss of appetite has a number of causes and while this certainly may accompany a pneumonia or other infection, decreased or loss of appetite is by no means the basis for making a diagnosis of a pneumonia! One of the most common causes of a captive Squirrel developing a decreased appetite is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) which is unfortunately a common and very serious problem resulting from certain nutritional issues, namely not enough Calcium intake or excessive phosphorus intake (phosphorus interfered with absorption of Calcium and the utilization of Calcium in the body) or as is often the case, elements of both insufficient Calcium and excessive phosphorus. MBD leaches Calcium from the bones and along with decreased appetite, there can be seizures, weakness or paralysis (commonly of the hind end) and a host of other potential problems!
Here is a link to a concise Information Page from Henry's Pets about MBD. Please read answer my questions and read this page. It may be that your Squirrel had MBD and not pneumonia!
https://henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/
Here is a link to Henry's again for the Emergent Treatment of MBD. If there is any chance (which I believe there might be) of this decreased appetite stemming from MBD, I would suggest beginning the Emergency Treatment for MBD immediately. If this later proves not to be MBD, the treatment is harmless and if MBD does exist, the treatment can literally be life saving! https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/

A couple of other comments in regard to the Cephalexin and to presumed diagnosis of pneumonia. Quite frankly, Cephalexin is NOT an optimal antibiotic for treating pneumonias in general but the other side of that is this may be a moot point if your Squirrel has some other cause for the decreased appetite (if that is the only abnormality you have noticed). Just in case, as I said, I will send dosing instructions to you by Private Message (all mixing and dosing instructions of medications are done by Private Message on TSB and not on the Open Board. Do you have any access to any other antibiotics through family or friends? Other and more preferred antibiotics would include Amoxicillin plus Clavulanate (a brand is Augmentin) or Ciprofloxacin (a Brand is Cipro) and some others!

Thank your for your care and concern for this little Squirrel!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[vgonzalez0317]

It is an eastern grey squirrel, heavy rapid breathing, lethargy, slowly starting to take more formula. The only other food is rodent block, 1/2 per day. The squirrel ran to my son and attempts to let his mother find him failed. Since my son knew a wildlife rehabber had trained me to tale care of 2 10 week old brothers in the past, he brought the squirrel to me. I did not see him aspirate. Yes he does have a water bottle on his cage. Weight was taken right before I posted.

[CritterMom]

SamtheSquirrel has been helping you but as he isn't on the board now and I am, I have sent you dosing info by PM. Ask questions here if you have any.