Possible situation - coughing/choking

[roguetiger]

If I take him to the vet, I have to turn him over. They won't treat 'pets' like this without a license. We were planning on taking him this thursday anyway, but if something is wrong, it doesn't need to wait.

If squirrels are lethargic, do they tend to just sit and watch, or do they want to sleep?

He has spirts of energy and then gets settled. Were you guys able to see his gums?

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Well..then just take it day by day..I know..I hear you...you dont want any one to take him away..I feel it..
IF yout hink he's doing good..and if every one else says he's doing okay..then just do it your self..do the back rubs..and gentle back burpings...and keep him home..
I always burped Bean when he was a baby..EVEN if he didnt get any milk in his lungs...he seems to enjoy it..after his feeding s I wrap him in a few puffs plus..and put him un my chest..and gently burp him..he's ALWAYS settle right down..and fall asleep twitching away..lol
It was so cute..MY husband would walk past me..and say..OH MY GOD your burping that squirrel?!
Id laugh and say YUP..and keep doing it...
It cant hurt..and he loved it!

[jules]

If I take him to the vet, I have to turn him over. They won't treat 'pets' like this without a license. We were planning on taking him this thursday anyway, but if something is wrong, it doesn't need to wait.

If squirrels are lethargic, do they tend to just sit and watch, or do they want to sleep?

He has spirts of energy and then gets settled. Were you guys able to see his gums?

They will just want to sleep all the time!
I don't think it's at any serious stage. Getting him looked at is mainly to settle your mind...I know you can't help but worry...it's natural!
Keeping a close eye on him at the moment is all you can do, but, if Mars can help with a homeopathic remedy...GO FOR IT! It's brilliant stuff!
Way to go Mars!

[roguetiger]

I think you are right. He is bouncing around right now and very interested in the dresser mirror. He nibbled on an apple. Monitoring him is about all I can do now. Mars gave me some suggestions I think i will try. I need to keep an eye on his gums to track that and make sure he stays active today.

I think my fear is that I kept him just one damn day too long y'know? Like if I had taken him in last week, this wouldn't have happened. Because of my mistake, he could be sick.

thanks for all the help and well wishes. Will keep updating.

[jules]

It's not your mistake!

We try to care for them all we can, but sometimes these things just happen!
You've been doing a brilliant job and I know you will continue to do so!
I know this because, YOU CARE!

Keep us updated....we are all here to help!

[roguetiger]

Afternoon update:

As near I can tell, he seems to be a little better. One homeopathy treatment later, Wart hasn't coughed for the past 3.5 hours. He has been playing and jumping and being a squirrel. He napped for the past hour in my jacket and sneezed a few times (i think he was taking a bath).

Still waiting for his breathing to slow down and his gums are still pale. Mars was right, waiting is the hardest part. Please keep this little one in your thoughts.

Anxiously waiting...more to follow.

[susanw]

Lots of prayers comming your way! Great job Mars!

[Mars]

Has baby had any more winded panting mouth open spells?

[Gabe]

Please tell me vets don't just randomly destroy animals. Don't they in turn call a rehabber to take them? That's what they do around here anyway. Vets are licensed in what they do to care for animals not just to destroy them because they love animals. Pam what do you think? Do the vets in your area destroy wildlife or do they call someone to take care of them?

[Gabe]

That's horrible! We really need to make an effort to get the names of rehabbers out to the vet offices. They love to be able to pass the buck onto one of us when they get wildlife calls. That's where I get the majority of my referrals from.

[roguetiger]

Whoa whoa! I'm sorry if I created any confusion! When I said I'd have to give him up, I just meant that I'd have to hand him over to the vet school's rehabber program. They won't treat squirrels if you don't have a license (which I don't) so I'd have to just hope they'd take care of him. They have a rehabber program (where he will be going in a few days) and they will release him to a good area. I don't have access to any of their equipment, etc. so it is better for him to go there.

Also, an evening update. Wart did very well today. After Mars' treatment, he hasn't coughed since noon. He was very active today and gobbled up sweet potato, apples and bananas, plus a little formula. My lingering concerns were for his rapid breathing and pale pink upper gum. (concerned about oxygen deprivation).

I had the opportunity to catch up with an old vet friend of mine this evening. I called her and we talked about Wart. She really helped to put my fears at ease. Concerning the rapid breathing, she said it could (note the choice of words: could) be caused by stress from the whole ordeal. It should taper off. Especially if he is active and showing normal squirrel behavior. Either way, the vet school rehabber program has access to diagnostic equipment that can help him if it continues.

Concerning the pale upper gum: squirrels have very little extra skin in their muzzle. She said it was probable that I was blanching his upper gum out when I was raising his lips to view it. Much like cat lips, their gums will blanch out if you lift the lip to view the gum line. Since Wart's lower gum is a healthy pink, she said this was most likely the case, considering an affliction would be affecting both sets of gums.

Whew! These fears aside, she let me know that if he had pneumonia, (which we've ruled out) he would be a much different squirrel. He wouldn't be running, eating or anything. Just laying around and miserable.

I will continue to monitor him over the next few days to make sure all is well. but I thought I'd pass along some of this info to you guys. Maybe it will prove helpful to you, who have been so very very helpful to our little family. Thank you all for your concern and help!

[squirrelybop]

Wondering how this panned out??? Need an update!!! Hope your baby is doing great.

[roguetiger]

Oh Squirrleybop, he is doing very well. I would recommend Mars' advise for these sorts of things. He hasn't coughed since his treatment and he remained very active through the whole ordeal. He has a great appetite and I'm sure the danger has passed. Wart and I are driving out tomorrow to meet with a rehabber who can provide him a habitat (he is ready to be released) and can prepare him for squirrel life. I'm confident that he is ready.

Thank you for asking about him!