Fox Squirrel sneezing and clicking

[MissAmy]

Yes, I saw him aspirate. I found our stethoscope and didn't hear anything unusual in his lungs. No crackling or anything really but it's not the best stethoscope. Absent of any lung noises I should hold off on antibiotics, correct? I did the tipping forward with the quick/light inhales when it came out of his nose. My husband wouldn't kiss me for a day after lol. I've never had such a feisty baby so I've never had to hold the plunger back till now I sit on the floor when I feed him so he can be on my bed on a warmer in the proper position while he eats. Y'alls information here is invaluable. Thank you so much for all of the information provided. Should I start another thread for how to transition him to the squirrel formula? I've raised and released or found furrever homes for lots of newborn orphaned/rejected/injured animals. Teddy is our first tree squirrel. We have a 13 liner ground squirrel that was injured but couldn't be released. The cat that brought him to us as a baby permanently injured Sota's leg. Teddy has so many noises! I'm so sorry if I've over reacted here, I tend to error on the side of caution. The sneezing has continued, is that a cause for concern? I think the clicking may have been his attempt at sucking with nothing to suck, like a tongue releasing from the roof of his mouth? Squirrels are definitely different from any other baby we've been able to help. Thank you again and I apologize for the delay in responding. Between Teddy and family I haven't had a moment to hop on here. I just tried reading what I wrote and I apologize for the very apparent display of ADD.

[Nancy in New York]

Yes, I saw him aspirate. I found our stethoscope and didn't hear anything unusual in his lungs. No crackling or anything really but it's not the best stethoscope. Absent of any lung noises I should hold off on antibiotics, correct? I did the tipping forward with the quick/light inhales when it came out of his nose. My husband wouldn't kiss me for a day after lol. I've never had such a feisty baby so I've never had to hold the plunger back till now I sit on the floor when I feed him so he can be on my bed on a warmer in the proper position while he eats. Y'alls information here is invaluable. Thank you so much for all of the information provided. Should I start another thread for how to transition him to the squirrel formula? I've raised and released or found furrever homes for lots of newborn orphaned/rejected/injured animals. Teddy is our first tree squirrel. We have a 13 liner ground squirrel that was injured but couldn't be released. The cat that brought him to us as a baby permanently injured Sota's leg. Teddy has so many noises! I'm so sorry if I've over reacted here, I tend to error on the side of caution. The sneezing has continued, is that a cause for concern? I think the clicking may have been his attempt at sucking with nothing to suck, like a tongue releasing from the roof of his mouth? Squirrels are definitely different from any other baby we've been able to help. Thank you again and I apologize for the delay in responding. Between Teddy and family I haven't had a moment to hop on here. I just tried reading what I wrote and I apologize for the very apparent display of ADD.

I think I would hold off on the antibiotics. If this were aspiration pneumonia, he would have declined quite rapidly.
PLEASE never apologize for "overreacting". We don't see it that way at all.
You're concerned with this fragile life,
and we are thrilled that you are so diligent.

I don't think the sneezing is cause for concern unless there is discharge.
Is this an actual sneeze or sort of a sputter. Is it constant?
Some little ones outgrow that quickly.
Does he have teeth yet?
We always ask about teeth being too long when they get watery eyes
and sneeze. I doubt they could be that long, but it's worth checking out.

What formula is he currently taking.
We recommend Powdered Puppy Esbilac.
We can help you transition him, just post your questions here.
It's better to keep all of your posts in one thread, it's easier
for members to read the history of a little one (unless there
is a dire emergency, then start a new thread).

Sota is also lucky that he found his way to you!

[MissAmy]

The sneezing isn't constant maybe once or twice a feeding/pottying. There is no discharge, his eyes aren't open yet I don't know if his eyes could be watery when they're closed. He's still a bit underweight, I'm feeding him 5% of his body weight every 3 hours daytime or 4 hours over night. I weigh him daily and adjust accordingly. He is on Esbilac powdered puppy with 1/8 part whipping cream, I'm still having to give fluids between feedings. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong? I truly appreciate all of your advice. I just need to know I'm doing right by my babies. I ordered FV so it would be here when he's ready to transition over. His first night with us I ended up buying the syringes with needles from the pharmacy and taking the needles out with pliers, then had his syringes overnighted. His lower teeth just came in and his ears just opened. We have a vet about an hour away that specializes in animal dentistry. She's amazing! She already told me she hopes there aren't any problems but if there are she will take care of him. My beloved dog went to her every week for check ups through his battle with terminal cancer. We make sure all our animals have a quality life even if it means having to say goodbye. Quality over quantity Teddy LOVES behind his ears and under his chin scratched, I've never seen anything cuter. If my hair comes too close to him he tries climbing in it, is that normal? He has also cried (done the Mommy cry thing) when I put him down a couple of times. I pick him back up, he immediately stops so I hold him for a bit and he is fine. Thank you again for your time and help.

[redwuff]

Pictures would certainly help us assess his condition to see if he still needs to be hydrated. What are you using to hydrate? Have you ordered o ring syringes to use with feeding. It is always helpful to have 1cc, 3ccs, and 5 ccs.

I love foxers!

[MissAmy]

I only have 1cc and 3cc o-ring syringes, I'll order some 5cc for when he's older. I also bought 200 disposable luer slip syringes in 1cc and 3cc. I'm using .5cc of a dye free pedialyte and every other hydration he's getting distilled water. His poo and pee are good consistency and color. His potty looks like he's hydrated but his skin doesn't, it still tents. I put a wet cotton ball in a ceramic bowl on the heated side of his bin because he was getting a little flaky skin. He's looking much better and just starting to get hair on his chest. He's gaining so much weight but I can still see his ribs when he's in a milk coma sprawled on his back after eating. I'll go to my computer to upload some pictures within the next day. My profile picture is of Teddy.

[Nancy in New York]

I only have 1cc and 3cc o-ring syringes, I'll order some 5cc for when he's older. I also bought 200 disposable luer slip syringes in 1cc and 3cc. I'm using .5cc of a dye free pedialyte and every other hydration he's getting distilled water. His poo and pee are good consistency and color. His potty looks like he's hydrated but his skin doesn't, it still tents. I put a wet cotton ball in a ceramic bowl on the heated side of his bin because he was getting a little flaky skin. He's looking much better and just starting to get hair on his chest. He's gaining so much weight but I can still see his ribs when he's in a milk coma sprawled on his back after eating. I'll go to my computer to upload some pictures within the next day. My profile picture is of Teddy.

The sneezing isn't constant maybe once or twice a feeding/pottying.

I wonder if this is just excitement that he lets out a little "sneeze" during dinner time.
Glad it's only during these times, and not consistently.

I typically stick with the 1 and 3 cc syringes. For some reason, the 5 cc seem difficult to control.
I've also heard and tried the 10 cc syringe when they are much older, and it's so much smoother than the 5 cc.
That being said, up until a few years ago, I never went above a 3 cc, just to err on the side of caution.
I must have missed it, but what Fox Valley formula did you order?

[MissAmy]

He's 84g as of this evening, do I stick with the 5% rule or is 6% ok? He has been acting hungry with just 5%. 😱 I have the FV Day one 20/50 to transition. I'll stick to the 3cc as my highest for now, especially with this little boy. Until his eyes open I'm keeping him on the powdered puppy esbilac. I'm beginning to think his sneeze is excitement too. I've never heard of such a thing with squirrels. My parrot picked up the sneezing noise this past spring when I had allergies lol. The first time I heard it I immediately made an appointment with the avian vet. She's such a funny bird, she mimicks our ground squirrel's noises too. I may have over reacted to the sneezing but I'd rather be safe than sorry. They're so fragile at this stage. I'll figure out how to upload his sneezes video, I finally caught it on video. I'll let y'all know for guidance when he opens his eyes to switch him over to the fox valley.

[Ekorre]

I only have 1cc and 3cc o-ring syringes, I'll order some 5cc for when he's older. I also bought 200 disposable luer slip syringes in 1cc and 3cc. I'm using .5cc of a dye free pedialyte and every other hydration he's getting distilled water. His poo and pee are good consistency and color. His potty looks like he's hydrated but his skin doesn't, it still tents. I put a wet cotton ball in a ceramic bowl on the heated side of his bin because he was getting a little flaky skin. He's looking much better and just starting to get hair on his chest. He's gaining so much weight but I can still see his ribs when he's in a milk coma sprawled on his back after eating. I'll go to my computer to upload some pictures within the next day. My profile picture is of Teddy.

I think some of the experts on the board have said that one should never give distilled water to squirrels. Hopefully, someone who knows more about this will chime in and explain why.

Your little guy is such a cutie!

[MissAmy]

I'm pretty certain that some of the experts on the board have said that one should never give distilled water to squirrels. Hopefully, someone who knows more about this will chime in and explain why.

Your little guy is such a cutie!

Oh dear, I've been mixing his formula with distilled water! I had stopped the hydration because he has been doing so well and didn't seem to need it but I'll add plain water. We have a water filtration/softer system because it was better for our larger animals. Is that safe for Teddy? It has a bit more salt, 1L has the equivalent salt content of 2 slices of bread. I know I can't use it on my plants because the salt builds up in the soil. Thanks for any advice. I used distilled because I thought it was the cleanest. How old does he look? His top teeth aren't even showing yet but he has his bottom teeth.

[Nancy in New York]

I think some of the experts on the board have said that one should never give distilled water to squirrels. Hopefully, someone who knows more about this will chime in and explain why.

Your little guy is such a cutie!

Yes that's true. Thank you!
I meant to mention that the other day when I read it,
and it slipped my mind.
Use bottled water, spring water, or even tap water, if
that's what you drink yourself.