Squirrel love!

[Runrpt]

My name is Cheryl aka Runrpt, and I have successfully rescued and released baby squirrels that have been blow out of their nests during hurricanes. I kept one single baby after hurricane Irma. His name is Irmy and he is 5. Most adorable pet. Still a tiny runt but healthy.
Just this past weekend he suddenly started wheezing especially when sniffing food. Sometimes his breathing is completely silent. I took him to vet Dr.Emerson. She is specialist for dental in squirrels and she did X-ray and said he is perfectly healthy.
I can’t believe there is nothing wrong. This came on suddenly and has been going on almost a week.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Runrpt

[CritterMom]

My name is Cheryl aka Runrpt, and I have successfully rescued and released baby squirrels that have been blow out of their nests during hurricanes. I kept one single baby after hurricane Irma. His name is Irmy and he is 5. Most adorable pet. Still a tiny runt but healthy.
Just this past weekend he suddenly started wheezing especially when sniffing food. Sometimes his breathing is completely silent. I took him to vet Dr.Emerson. She is specialist for dental in squirrels and she did X-ray and said he is perfectly healthy.
I can’t believe there is nothing wrong. This came on suddenly and has been going on almost a week.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Runrpt

Did she fully check him over or just do xrays of his head? I am more concerned with his lungs. Have you tried calling and asking the staff to ask her about this? She is an awfully good vet and doesn't JUST do dentistry.

Is he suddenly around anything that would have caused this - like heavily scented laundry or those stick up/plug in air fresheners? Do you live somewhere that the pollen has suddenly exploded? How is his appetite?

[Runrpt]

I think she only focused on his teeth which are fine. I never got to speak to her directly. Only the tech. They said they did X-rays. They anesthesized him so probably didn’t hear him struggling to breathe. I can calm him myself and he won’t wheeze. But seems when he moves around he is in distress! Wheezes squeaks. Like something caught in his nose or throat! Charged me over $200.00. He is eating drinking but is shying away from eating his nuts. Which is super unusual. He’s eating Henry’s healthy blocks, apples. Blueberries but very little compared to his normal. Peeing and pooping too. I left a message to speak to her tomorrow

[Runrpt]

I live close to Daytona beach and we have had plenty of pollen. He would go to back patio cage every afternoon when I get home from work. And most of the morning on weekends. I like him to get the natural sunlight when it is t too hot. I first thought sinus infection. Then afraid bottom teeth too long and punctured is upper pallet. I trim his teeth so they are good. Thanks for replying. I’ll let you know what I find out. This is really scary

[CritterMom]

That she is eating well is a good sign - when they are feeling ill they almost always stop eating. The wheezing is odd and scary though. Please let us know what happens; if you are not satisfied perhaps we can help you out.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi Runrpt & Irmy:
I know that you are concerned about your Little Squirrel and so am I but I just wanted to comment on why Dr. E may have appeared to be focused on Irmy's teeth rather than his lungs. Yes, most true wheezing originates from restricted airflow in the breathing tubes of the lungs but a wheeze to most of us is really just a sound and may really originate outside of the lungs. You mention that you only hear this "wheeze" when Irmy is sniffing his food. When he does this, there is increased airflow through the upper airways in the nose and if there is a narrowing or partial obstruction of the nasal passages, this would result in what may sound like a wheeze. One relatively common causes of nasal passage obstruction or partial obstruction in Squirrels is dental issues. Dr. E is most likely the leading expert on Squirrel Dental conditions and I'm certain she wanted to rule-out a dental condition. She did reportedly anesthetize Irmy and I am quite certain that while Irmy was under anesthesia, Dr. E looked at his throat and looked closely at Irmy's nasal passages. Further, Dr. E probably did listen intently to Irmy's lungs while he was anesthetized. I probably would have obtained a Chest X-ray (and maybe Dr. E did that and you were not informed) but in reality, much if not most of what causes acute wheezing is NOT associated an abnormal findings on a Chest X-ray. I know that it is frustrating and disheartening to hear a Vet or any physician say something to the effect that "he's perfectly healthy" when you know for a fact that he is not! I do suspect that what Dr. E meant was that she did not find anything that would explain the sounds your had heard but no matter what she may have said, it may be at best reassuring to some extent but it certainly does not negate your perceptions. Again, I do believe (as you seem to believe, that the wheezing sounds originate in Irmy's nose or throat and may be from swelling (congestion), drainage, presence of a foreign body or from other causes. Again, I'm certain Dr. E checked out what she could of these possibilities. Also, Squirrels are like human infants in that they are obligate nose breathers. As adult humans, we can easily change to mouth breathing if we have nasal congestion but Squirrels cannot do this easily (if you notice a Squirrel breathing though its mouth it always a serious sign!). When Squirrels and human infants have even mild nasal congestion, the sounds they make with their nose breathing can be frightening indeed but often are not the least bit serious! There does not seem to be any suggestion that Irmy has any significant problem with air exchange and is not in respiratory distress. These are good signs. A cool mist vaporizer is often used to help with nasal congestion in infants. I have used this means of increasing humidity in the air for Squirrels and other animals with nasal congestion and it seems to be beneficial. It is essential that if you do elect to use cool mist vaporization (much safer than warm-no heater to malfunction, etc) that you empty the tank at least one time per day and dry all the surfaces of the humidifier. Also, buildup of mineral deposits seems to be associated with increased likelihood of bacterial colonization so use of distilled or demineralized water is preferred over tap water. Also, I would encourage you to call Dr. E back for clarification of what she actually did when Irmy was there with her and also in order for you to request that if there are any remaining concerns that you might have, be addressed be addressed if at all possible.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[gerbel]

^^^^ this is why i love this board!!!!!

Since being back in florida, after 10 years in texas,
Ive had to relearn the seasons.
My cat and I are on the same cycle for having ENT congestion due to pollon/garbage in the air.
Whenever i notice the kitty getting congested, i change the filters in the house. Within a day or so, it clears up.

Currently keeping a log to figure out the schedule to be ahead of the game.

Didnt know about the obligate breathers... but that makes a lot of sense with the shape of their head/face.

Hope your lil man gets better!

[pjjere]

Hey runrpt,
I had a squirrel named Tish (short for Morticia, her brother was named Gomez) who wheezed as well. I sent you a PM and left some basic info and my phone # so feel free to reach out. I type like my fingers are glued together and don't have time to go over it now. Call or PM me and I'll tell you what happened. It was a happy ending.