Possible aspiration pneomonia

[jtipping]

I am new to this group and not sure how to ask a question. I am caring for a baby squirrel, approx 7 weeks old. She fell from nest of doug fir, approx 30 ft, landed on front porch roof and then fell off another 10 ft and landed in mulch flower bed. I was in and out of the house Monday morning cleaning the front yard and beds, so it happened between 9-10am. She has an obvious injured/broken right arm and leg. I put some towels around her for about an hour and watch her but she obviously was injured and in pain so I put her in a box and starting reading how to care for her.
I have been an ER nurse for 20 years so I have medical experience and access to about all supplies and have a good collection of emergency medications. I ordered fox valley formula and she has been feeding wonderful and started to move the right arm and leg a little. She had fleas so I gave her a dawn soap bath and was able to rid that problem, while wet I did see a decent size contusion to chest under right arm. She is peeing and pooping well however I have some concern she maybe developing aspiration pneumonia. I listened and do believe I can hear a click with inspiration on one side, she was laying on my chest last night and I also noticed a different breathing noise- not consistent but intermittent and lastly a very occasional sneeze. So, I'm not certain but think it would be best to start ABX she loves her formula and has been taking it well, there was a learning curve for me and quite possible I allowed her to drink to fast a couple of times..
I would like to ask the 1st and 2nd choice for ABX, the reconstitution amount for crushed pill to liquid and dosing information. She is 147grams. I would also like to ask the best probiotic, I have been sprinkling a little of mine in her formula but wondering is there is a better choice, especially if I am starting an ABX. Thank you for the information and help

[supersquirrelgirl]

A/P has signs of being lethargic and loss of appetite. Sound like you have neither. Is the clicking constant or during feeding ??

Preferred antibiotic would be cipro or amox-clav (augmentin).

If this baby has broken bones, this needs urgent care at a squirrel friendly Vet for an xray.

Nest must be above your porch roof, could Momma be looking for the baby ??

[supersquirrelgirl]

Remember to refresh your browser screen often to catch responses.........

[jtipping]

Baby girl has been named Lucky. I do believe she is lethargic but many variables in place, is sleeping to heal and not elicit pain or is this early infection. Regardless, I am very experienced in human adult/neonatal pneumonia, early pneumonia and full sepsis. I do realize squirrel needs and presentation will be different but I believe treating with ABX would be in her best interest, adding on the chest contusion I found, deep breathing would also be painful and also put her at risk for pneumonia. My best friend is a vet and has helped me over the phone, unfortunately she is out of the country until next week. So her help is limited at this time. I have contacted a few local office but no offers, suggestions or help. The clicking is heard when auscultating her chest. She has a good appetite for formula but has no interest in fruit, vegetables or block. We have a lot of squirrels in our neighborhood, I have not seen any siblings or mother who is obviously looking for her. Not to say she isn't but I have not noticed and in years past I have certain heard momma squirrel fussing when cats or people are at the bottom of her tree.
Where could I find accurate dosing for ABX?
Thank you!

[CritterMom]

As soon as you find meds, come back here and give us the size in milligrams of the meds you got - cipro is 500mg about 95% of the time but there are many sizes of the amox/clav out there. We will also need the baby's weight, and prefer grams if you can provide that. With that info, there are a couple people here who can give you the dilution and dosing info based on the baby's weight and how big the pill is.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Baby weight is 147 grams. Try to get Cipro 250mg. Dosing will be sent by Private Message (PM).

I would also get infants ibuprofen (oral suspension) as pain reliever.

Glad to hear you have connections with a Vet but be careful to find a squirrel friendly one so no issue with confiscation.

[jtipping]

Thank you for the help. I was able to get an rx called in for baytrail, headed to Walgreens now.
I will also pick up infant ibuprofen. Could you kindly give me the dosing for that at 147gm. Also what probiotic do you recommend? Dose and frequency?

[supersquirrelgirl]

If possible, post pictures of the right arm and leg along with the chest contusion.

I really hoping its not broken but badly bruised.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Thank you for the help. I was able to get an rx called in for baytrail, headed to Walgreens now.
I will also pick up infant ibuprofen. Could you kindly give me the dosing for that at 147gm. Also what probiotic do you recommend? Dose and frequency?

Baytril (Enrofloxacin) comes in various forms and strengths (liquid & tablets). No way to calculate dose without knowing the strength. Please come back to the Board after you get meds.

I didn't know Walgreens carry Baytril which is animal/bird antibiotic.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hello, Did you get the Baytril AB ??

If you suspect A/P, starting the AB should not wait.

[jtipping]

Thank you for the fast replies. She has started ABX with no further decline. I would still be interested in the recommended brand and dosage of probiotic. I previously read somewhere 1/8 teaspoon but that seems like a large amount and vague, given probiotic vary so much. I'd prefer knowing an actual brand.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Sorry, not knowledgeable on probiotics for squirrels so don't want to give the wrong brand.

I don't see posting of TSB send PM for AB dosing. If you want a cross-check, please PM me your dilution and dosing.

Still believe the baby has broken bones or badly bruised ??

[CritterMom]

Thank you for the fast replies. She has started ABX with no further decline. I would still be interested in the recommended brand and dosage of probiotic. I previously read somewhere 1/8 teaspoon but that seems like a large amount and vague, given probiotic vary so much. I'd prefer knowing an actual brand.

Well, honestly, I use a very tiny pinch (probably less than 1/32 tsp) of the powder inside the same probiotic capsules human take. They aren't like antibiotics that you can really overdose with some common sense. Benebac is sold in chain pet stores like Petco in several varieties - most people get the gel. Dosing is on the tube. I like to give probiotics an hour or 1.5 after giving the antibiotics. That should give the antibiotics time to be absorbed and anything left is pretty much out of the gut and into the lower GI. Giving probiotics then will help repopulate the gut that has just been DEpopulated due to the meds you gave. It leaves them without proper gut bacteria for the least amount of time possible.

Don't heat anything with probiotics in it past about 110-115 degrees or you will kill them.