Originally Posted by
Sahwithchicks
Hi all.
I am a newcomer to raising squirrels. I have been pouring through all the information I can find on the Web and on this board.
First, I want to thank all those who post questions and answers. I am so relieved and grateful to be able to read and research.
Second- a little information about the squirrel. He is a grey squirrel, about 3 weeks old, weighing in at 46 oz currently. My husband found him last Wednesday on the ground after cutting down a tree that had fallen on our chicken coop. We warmed him up and placed him back outside in hopes mom would come back. No such luck. So, I warmed him up again and got him started on pedialyte. I then bought Esbilac (with probiotics) from Tractor Supply Company and began a diluted formula diet and built up to a full strength formulated (one part esbilac, 2 parts hot water, 1/4 heavy cream).
I have been feeding him 2-3 mls every three hours, and have been stimulating him to go to the bathroom after every feeding. He has had no issues, his urine clear and his poo is not watery or too hard. He put on a couple ounces over the weekend and all seems ok. He was pretty dehydrated and weak the first day, but has gained quite a bit of energy, strength and enthusiasm for eating.
The first couple days I used an eye dropper to feed him until I was able to get to walgreens to ask for 1 cc syringes. I started with the syringes and he seems to be eating fine. He sleeps in a little cloth sack I made him in a shoe box, half on a towel covered heating pad set on low. My infrared thermometer reads the floor of the shoe box at 100 degrees.
This morning he aspirated a little. I think the syringe slipped and gave him too much formula at once, as soon as I saw him cough, I flipped him nose side down and a tiny dribble of formula came out his nose. I massaged him and continued to hold him that way for a couple more minutes and nothing else came out.
I contacted my local vets, none which treat squirrels or would give me antibiotics. I contacted one local rehabbed (waiting for a response) along with a contact that has previously raised squirrels, they did not have any antibiotics.
So, my question to all you experienced squirrel owners, is should I be proactive and find an antibiotic right away to start him on, or can I watch for symptoms? How likely is he develop pneumonia from a small amount of aspiration? How quickly do symptoms start showing? He ate an additional 2 MLS of formula no problem three hours after the incident, and was active before feeding.
If I am to start on an antibiotic right away, but do not have local access to Bactril, is there an alternative option that I can purchase at TSC? I have bought antibiotics for poultry there before... they sell Tylan, penicillin duramycin and oxytetracycline. Would any of these be acceptable?