Possible AP and bloat?

[therainbowfishy]

Hello, I recently stole a baby squirrel from my in law’s outdoor cat and am caring for her in the interim before a friend takes over. This is my first time caring for a baby squirrel. However, I’m having some issues with her! She is about 2 weeks old (very roughly) and is 21 g. When I first got her, I started her on HGMF and all was well. She wasn’t eating super well but that has since resolved. She is now eating 1-1.5 ml every 3-4 hours. I switched her to Exotic Nutrition squirrel formula as recommended by my friend who has raised pinkies before, and she got diarrhea. That persisted for about a day and a half and I have since ordered fox valley 20/50. I switched back to HGMF today and have been hydrating with sugar water in between feedings and the diarrhea has resolved. However, she now seems slightly constipated- when I go to stimulate her, I can see small amount of feces at the opening of her anus and even if I stimulate her with a warm damp cloth for 5 minutes (or longer) she never poops. Everything down there is fairly raw due to self sucking. I have been making sure that is clean and alternating between applying betadine (diluted) and mupirocin ointment to the area to help it heal. Any further suggestions as to what I can do to help with that would be great! Since I fed her the first time about 4 days ago she has seem bloated and it just seems to be getting worse. Her abdomen is distended and it seems to become more so with every day. I have given her 2 drops of infant gas x today and that hasn’t helped. I’ve also been ensuring she is getting hydration between feedings (but the diarrhea yesterday set us back on hydration some). I’ve also been doing warm water soaks and massaging her abdomen both in the water and out of. I’ve also started going 4-5 hours between feedings the last 2 days in an effort to help the bloat but it doesn’t seem to be working. Is there anything else I can do about that? Also, she may have aspiration pneumonia- when I was feeding her yesterday, I noticed some bubbles coming from her nose. She does tend to have milk trance so I may have pushed a drop or two in her mouth before I realized she stopped swallowing. I immediately stopped the feed and tilted her body/head downwards to try and get any fluid she aspirated out. She seemed fine and finished the rest of her food with no issue. Her energy has also been (and still is) good. Tonight, I was sitting with her and started hearing a clicking/wet squeaking sound. She is not sneezing or coughing. She is also not open mouth breathing. However, her breathing does seem to be labored. What dose of clavamox is appropriate for her? Or is there a different antibiotic that would work better? Lastly, she isn’t gaining any weight! I’ve had her for 4 days and she has been consistent 21 g every morning before feeding. Should I be concerned? Thank you!

[Charley Chuckles]

Thank you for rescuing!
I'm bumping your thread so someone can dose👍

[therainbowfishy]

Thank you! In an update, I just went to check on her and she is now mouth breathing. It also seems like maybe her anus has scabbed over from her sucking the general area so much. What is the easiest way to go about removing the scab so she can poop? She didn’t go last night or this morning, and she is still eating.

[supersquirrelgirl]

what strength is Clavamox ??

Squirrel is 21 grams.

[therainbowfishy]

I have Clavamox drops that have not been reconstituted yet. Typically, I would reconstitute them to 62.5 mg/ml, But I can reconstitute them to whatever concentration is necessary.

[therainbowfishy]

I have Clavamox drops that have not been reconstituted yet. Typically, I would reconstitute them to 62.5 mg/ml, But I can reconstitute them to whatever concentration is necessary.

I read online that the dose is typically 15 mg/kg, is this correct?

[CritterMom]

Wild Mammal Babies recommends 20mg/kg twice per day

[therainbowfishy]

Wild Mammal Babies recommends 20mg/kg twice per day

Ok, I calculated 0.09 ml every 12 hours reconstituted at 62.5 mg/ml. Does that sound about right?

[supersquirrelgirl]

Ok, I calculated 0.09 ml every 12 hours reconstituted at 62.5 mg/ml. Does that sound about right?

NO.....I'll send you a PM

Just tried to PM, you are new member so its blocked for a few hours.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Clavamox

[supersquirrelgirl]

Please copy and check for the dose calcs.

I will have ADMIN delete this post as we usually give dose information by PM.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hello to the Guests on this thread:

I ask that you respect this dosing information and caution you about using it. All squirrel conditions are different so please check with TSB before using it. Thank you!

[supersquirrelgirl]

PM sent with dosing information

[therainbowfishy]

Please copy and check for the dose calcs.

I will have ADMIN delete this post as we usually give dose information by PM.

Ok perfect, thank you so much for your help!!

[supersquirrelgirl]

In your initial post, you indicated there's a cat in the picture. Cat's mouth is full of bacteria. Have you checked for any cat injuries on the squirrel ?? Good thing now is you are treating squirrel with antibiotics.