Clicking baby squirrel

[backspace456]

I have a 2 baby flying squirrels, one aspirated some milk. Wondering how to get it out or what do about it. thanks Matt

[Milo's Mom]

Well, at the moment it occurs, it's best to flip them upside down so that gravity will help with it running out of the mouth, nose, throat, etc.

If you have an infant nasal aspirator you could also very gently suck the milk of of the nose (You will need to use great caution...too hard of a suck could collapse a lung).

Now that it's after the fact, there's not much you can do but evaluate and work towards preventing it from occurring in the future.

Monitor the breathing for heaviness/shallowness and rate in comparison to the other baby. Also listen for clicking with every breath...every inhale and exhale there will be a clicking noise. When holding the baby with its back in the palm of your hand you may also feel a rattle when the baby breathes.

Make sure you're using a 1cc syringe with a nipple. The best would be a Miracle Mini Nipple along with a 1cc o-ring syringe. Anything larger than this and you're asking for problems.

In the meantime, while you're evaluating it would probably be a good idea for you to find some antibiotics. You'll need Baytril, Cipro, or Clavamox. Baytril is a veterinary drug only so only people with animals would have it or a vet would too. Cipro is a human and veterinary drug (very similar to Baytril) and is most commonly used by women with UTI issue (urinary tract infections). Clavamox is also sometimes called Augmentin and is used for both humans and animals.

Start asking around to see what you can get your hands on. DO NOT GIVE THE BABY ANY MEDS UNTIL YOU TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE! Also make sure you have a scale that weighs in grams, as in order to properly dose meds an accurate weight is needed. If you're able to secure meds we will need to know what it is and the strength of it.

[backspace456]

Thank you, she seems to be doing well, eating fine, fairly energetic. Not quite a lively has her brother but not lethargic. I'm a little apprehensive about trying the infant nasal aspirator. Will the milk leave on its own?

[CritterMom]

Well, probably a lot of people would think me just insane, but at the first sign of sputtering while feeding, I turn the baby so it is nose down, pointing to the floor, wrap my mouth around the nose and give a little suck. You can FEEL what you are doing so you don't hurt them and I would rather get a baby squirrel booger in my mouth than have one get aspiration pneumonia.

Then again, there is a very good chance that I am a half a bubble off plumb...

But regardless of whether you are using a baby nose sucker (I like my name better) or your mouth, it has to be done immediately. Not all snorting milk results in the milk draining into the lungs, and THAT is what causes the pneumonia. At this point there is no use doing any of those things. Immediately means drop the syring and do it right then.

You best bet is to see if you can locate some meds. The Cipro will likely be the easiest to find since it is a very popular drug. As Mil'os Mom said, you need (1) pill and WE need to know the size in milligrams of the poll and the weight in grams of your baby. Hopefully you don't need it but if you do, there is NO other recourse, unfortunately.

[backspace456]

I ordered the right nipples and some Baytril. and if it happens again ill be eating squirrel boogers, thats a good idea haha

[HRT4SQRLS]

You guys 'ain't' right.

[stepnstone]

Thank you, she seems to be doing well, eating fine, fairly energetic. Not quite a lively has her brother but not lethargic. I'm a little apprehensive about trying the infant nasal aspirator. Will the milk leave on its own?

Keep a close eye and ear on her, don't assume your out of the woods yet!
You really should try and see what antibiotcs you can get hold of,
waiting until the last minute has cost enough lives.

[backspace456]

Ive ordered the antibiotics just encase. She hasn't clicked in 2 days so i'm hoping she will be fine.

[Babygirl12]

I ordered the right nipples and some Baytril. and if it happens again ill be eating squirrel boogers, thats a good idea haha

Where did you get the baytril? Cause I'm having the same problem with my baby squirrel as well

[Mel1959]

This is an old thread.

If your squirrel is clicking and you suspect aspiration pneumonia then you need to call family and friends and locate some type of human or animal antibiotic. Once you find something post what the drug is and the strength and someone will be able to dose it for you and tell you if it’s a suitable antibiotic. Well also need a weight of your squirrel meds are dosed by weight.

Please don’t delay finding the medicine, AP takes them down fast.

[Sureka0626]

Well, at the moment it occurs, it's best to flip them upside down so that gravity will help with it running out of the mouth, nose, throat, etc.

If you have an infant nasal aspirator you could also very gently suck the milk of of the nose (You will need to use great caution...too hard of a suck could collapse a lung).

Now that it's after the fact, there's not much you can do but evaluate and work towards preventing it from occurring in the future.

Monitor the breathing for heaviness/shallowness and rate in comparison to the other baby. Also listen for clicking with every breath...every inhale and exhale there will be a clicking noise. When holding the baby with its back in the palm of your hand you may also feel a rattle when the baby breathes.

Make sure you're using a 1cc syringe with a nipple. The best would be a Miracle Mini Nipple along with a 1cc o-ring syringe. Anything larger than this and you're asking for problems.

In the meantime, while you're evaluating it would probably be a good idea for you to find some antibiotics. You'll need Baytril, Cipro, or Clavamox. Baytril is a veterinary drug only so only people with animals would have it or a vet would too. Cipro is a human and veterinary drug (very similar to Baytril) and is most commonly used by women with UTI issue (urinary tract infections). Clavamox is also sometimes called Augmentin and is used for both humans and animals.

Start asking around to see what you can get your hands on. DO NOT GIVE THE BABY ANY MEDS UNTIL YOU TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE! Also make sure you have a scale that weighs in grams, as in order to properly dose meds an accurate weight is needed. If you're able to secure meds we will need to know what it is and the strength of it.

I suspect my baby is clicking. I think I have antibiotics. This post is quite old. Wanted to make sure someone would respond.