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Thread: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

  1. #1
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Syringe 101!
    THis is one of the most important tools in raising a baby squirrel....
    I am showing the difference between the cheap big yucky killing syringe and the right one!
    The syringe pictured with a big black bulbous eraser looking plunger is DANGEROUS and junk!
    THese are DISPOSABLE and meant to be used once and for medicine basically. They will work in a pinch, but after a few uses, they stick. Even after appling oil, they will stick...they are made from inferior rubber(?) and will kill baby sqs! TRUST ME PLEASE!

    THe one with the tiny black O-ring is correct!

    Also SIZE...
    never think that bigger is better...bad thinking...DUMB kills!
    Big Kills!
    ...big syringes cannot be controlled as well....
    you will end up pushing too much formula...and this will lead to aspiration pnuemonia!
    ASk the experienced rehabbers here what they use...
    they will tell you a 1cc O-ring syringe...even when the sq is 6 months old!
    I always use 1 cc o-ring syringe myself...no deviation, NEVER!
    I also have an 8 year old CODAN 1 cc syringe...some syringes will not die...and CODAN lettering stays legible...
    Oversized & cheap syringes kill!

    Nipples are optional, but I personally use a silicon nipple!
    They are reusable...but should be removed when squirrel starts biting. They can be fatal if shallowed!
    Thanks for using the right tools!
    Last edited by island rehabber; 01-11-2012 at 11:07 AM.

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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    This is a great post, Jackie. I hope they make it a sticky.

    I was one of the dumb ones - didn't even know there were two kinds of syringes. Luckily, I had a sympathetic pharmacy at the grocery store (they call me "Squirrel Lady" - I brought them a photo of their "nephew") to get syringes from, but I probably went through 75 of them raising Mister P - and I am not kidding.

    The good ones are only a few cents apiece!!

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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!



    Consider it Stuck.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


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    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  6. #4
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!


  7. #5
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jackie in Tampa
    Thanks Jackie...I too learned this the hard way.
    I did however get 1cc syringes from the pharmacy.
    I think adding in tubing sizes and technique would be good as well.

  8. #6
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by mugzeezma
    Thanks Jackie...I too learned this the hard way.
    I did however get 1cc syringes from the pharmacy.
    I think adding in tubing sizes and technique would be good as well.
    We all learned the hard way...ugh, nothing worse than a shoty syringe!

    TUBING!!! I think that should be done by pros only...not a novice sorta sport! JMO! too freakin dangerous...someone can fill the lungs instead of tummy too easy, jmo!
    There is a big difference in feeding a sq and tubing, eek!
    Hard enough to get newbies to feed right, I think we see enough aspiration pnuemonia.

  9. #7
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jackie in Tampa
    We all learned the hard way...ugh, nothing worse than a shoty syringe!

    TUBING!!! I think that should be done by pros only...not a novice sorta sport! JMO! too freakin dangerous...someone can fill the lungs instead of tummy too easy, jmo!
    There is a big difference in feeding a sq and tubing, eek!
    Hard enough to get newbies to feed right, I think we see enough aspiration pnuemonia.
    I see your point Jackie

    Proper tubing actually prevents aspiration but it needs to be done correctly.
    Molly Fox was a prime example of a baby that needed to be tubed.

    YOu don't want a novice doing it though...jeez some of the volunteers scare me!!!

  10. #8
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    never have tubed a squirrel, but a horse...yes! I would imagine it is similar. You would not be able to insert much length of tube if you manged to get into the lungs, of course a squirrel is a slightly differant size than a horse.
    With experiance it can be easy, with none, it can be deadly.

  11. #9
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    For what it's worth, as a graduate of the Caseys' 2-day Squirrel School in 2006, I must state that I was told to never, ever, tube a squirrel. Just sayin'.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  12. #10
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Actual O'ring syringes seem to work the best. The big black rubber stoppers get sticky and can cause sudden bursts of formula. Risk of aspiration (fluid going down the airway) is much greater

    (A) Always use a .5cc -1cc syringe especially for those younger than 5weeks. Your control is greater.
    (B) Hold it in the palm of your hand wrapping all 4 of your fingers around it (also heat from your hand prevents formula from cooling) Depress plunger with thumb.
    (C) When babies are 5 weeks and older or taking higher volumes of formula switch up to a larger 3cc O'ring syringe. ALWAYS START OUT ON 1CC OR SMALLER until babies are are used to the 'new' feeding method

    Use canula tips for the very early babies and a 'Catac' type nipple.
    Canula tips are for on the end of the syringe and are narrower,usually plastic .
    Catac nipples are around and inch long and made of latex or silicone.

    http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/cate...g-syringes.htm

    http://www.lambertvetsupply.com/index.php

    anyone want to add?

  13. #11
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    I never ever switch from a 1cc and I have done a zillion babies...
    3cc syringes will kill!
    They are just not needed...all the best rehabbers I have ever seen have all used 1 cc syringes, even on the big kids!
    That's my two cents!

  14. #12
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jackie in Tampa
    I never ever switch from a 1cc and I have done a zillion babies...
    3cc syringes will kill!
    They are just not needed...all the best rehabbers I have ever seen have all used 1 cc syringes, even on the big kids!
    That's my two cents!
    I personally don't care for 3ccs either even with my more limited experience.
    I use them at the wild life center because that is what they have and boy o' boy am I careful!!! I

  15. #13
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by Jackie in Tampa
    I never ever switch from a 1cc and I have done a zillion babies...
    3cc syringes will kill!
    They are just not needed...all the best rehabbers I have ever seen have all used 1 cc syringes, even on the big kids!
    That's my two cents!
    Jackie
    How do you want this rewritten then?
    If it's a sticky it needs some editing

  16. #14
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    roserobin...this stickey is meant to let you know, that in my opinion, 5cc syringes are too big and dangerous...
    please use a 1 cc syringe..ONLY.
    The truth is I am a nervous wreck when I feed pinkies..I worry so much...I know from my fear that it is easier for me to use a little small safe syringe that I can control the flow of... a 5cc syringe pushes too much formula no matter how slow you go...
    so it is my preference.
    The pics show the difference between a good and a disposible syringe...

  17. #15
    Jackie in Tampa is offline Left TSB to start her own Board
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by mugzeezma
    Jackie
    How do you want this rewritten then?
    If it's a sticky it needs some editing
    I am not sure..
    I did not make this a stickey...
    I just wanted to bring the different type of feeding tools to all newbies attention..
    Someone else did the stickey..
    guess they did not think editing was needed...heck I don't know!! !

  18. #16
    mugzeezma Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by roserobin
    Nice Information Shared By Jackie.I appreciate Your Work.I am Very New In This Work So it Will be Very Useful to take Care of My Baby Squirrel.I am Feed the baby squirrel formula from a 1 or 5 cc syringe.
    I use 3cc syringes at a very large wildlife center (8000+ animals annually).
    I use 1cc @ home.
    Paint should dry faster than you push the plunger on a 3cc.

  19. #17
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by mugzeezma
    I see your point Jackie

    Proper tubing actually prevents aspiration but it needs to be done correctly.
    Molly Fox was a prime example of a baby that needed to be tubed.

    YOu don't want a novice doing it though...jeez some of the volunteers scare me!!!
    intersting, I had actually considered using some IV tubing and putting a makeshift oral gastric tube when i first got wally. He was so lethargic. I have put them in on humans, from adults to neonates... but a baby squirrel.. so tiny! I figured it couldn't be much different though but luckily wally drank his first liquid without a hitch.

  20. #18
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    I do use 3cc's -- but I use them BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL BABY. There are some squirrels who never can get used to a 3cc; they splutter and snort on 1cc so forget even trying a 3. However, those polite sippers and steady suckers who are a pleasure to feed? No reason you can't carefully use a 3cc IF you use the "Push....Pause" method of feeding (again, the Caseys ). This gives the squirrel time to swallow all that has come from the syringe, even if it takes two gulps.

    Again, there are always those babies I will NOT use a 3cc on....but many are fine with it and especially when they're up to 21-24cc a feeding it sure saves my poor, arthritic, carpal-tunnelled hands.
    Island Rehabber
    NY State Licensed
    Wildlife Rehabilitator


    "Ancora Imparo" (I am still learning)
    Michelangelo


    *
    If you can't afford the vet,
    You can't afford a pet.
    NEGLECT IS ABUSE.

    "Better one day in the trees, than a lifetime in a cage."

    '...and the greatest of these, is Love. '

  21. #19
    momma2boo Guest

    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by island rehabber
    No reason you can't carefully use a 3cc IF you use the "Push....Pause" method of feeding (again, the Caseys ). This gives the squirrel time to swallow all that has come from the syringe, even if it takes two gulps.

    Again, there are always those babies I will NOT use a 3cc on....but many are fine with it and especially when they're up to 21-24cc a feeding it sure saves my poor, arthritic, carpal-tunnelled hands.

  22. #20
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    Default Re: The ABC's of SYRINGES!

    Quote Originally Posted by [COLOR="Red"
    Paint should dry faster than you push the plunger on a 3cc. [/COLOR]
    Oh how true! For control use the 1 cc.
    The larger syringes are tempting. But formulas shoots out 3+times faster even with the same size nipple. I don't see where the "sticky" needs any editing. It is what it is.tinfoil
    Anne
    Wildlife and Squirrel Rescue,Inc.
    Rescuing Fl squirrels since 1979
    Moderator: NFSA Emergency Care
    Wildlife Intake Coordinator and Rehab Consultant at "The Ark Wildlife Care and Sanctuary Inc"
    http://www.thearkwildlifecareandsanctuary.com/

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