Ahrlan is having seizures

[pappy1264]

When was the last time he ate? Blood sugar dropping can cause seizures, as well.

[psychotic feather]

He must have eaten some time this morning. I was out most of the day but left him with a saucer of his food like I always do. He only ate half of what he normaly does.

Also for his food he gets a bit of radish and apple every day.

[pappy1264]

Does he like anything like applesauce or yogurt or something you may be able to get him to lick off your finger (applesauce for now would be good if he will take it). It will help to bring up his bloodsugars if they are low.

[psychotic feather]

Yea I have yogurt downstairs. I've never tried giving him apple sauce. Which would be better?

[island rehabber]

Try the yogurt -- or a bit of maple syrup or Karo syrup -- it may be low blood sugar....

[island rehabber]

PF -- you said he used to have seizures in the pas t-- did you know the cause back then?

[psychotic feather]

No I've never found out what caused them. They just happen in winter. He seems alert and responsive now. He is trying to get out of the plastic bin. Does this mean he is ok now?

[4skwerlz]

If Ahrlan hasn't had his rodent block in a few months, that could have caused MBD. He's eating a good selection of veggies, but 1/4 tums once a week isn't enough calcium, and the corn and chippie mix will be very high in phosphorus. Plus spinach interferes with calcium absorption. Spinach is not recommended on the Healthy Diet.

I'm afraid it looks like with his current diet, it COULD be MBD.

Crush up the Tums in water and get it down him. One whole Tums. I agree some molasses or something sweet rubbed on his gums can help too.

[JLM27]

PF, you said he did this before? How long ago and how often was it?

If he has not been eating his Rodent Blocks for months he may not be getting enough calcium. Also, the light is getting a lot less here in New England; if he hasn't been getting enough sunlight then he can't absorb the calcium, either. This is the time of year that people get SADS from lack of sunlight. Better give him emergency MBD treatment and a full spectrum light, too.

On another note, Ahrlan has been exhibiting other signs lately of not being well, signs that you attributed to hibernation and then to his being angry with you (lethargy and the peeing on his food). Could this have been coming on for while now?

[psychotic feather]

Guys you have to remember that Ahrlan has NEVER had squirrel blocks before I brought him to America. I've had him for 6 years now and this is what he has always eaten.

[JLM27]

True, but maybe did he get more sunlight in Spain? Also, he's getting older. I think I saw on here where one of the older squirrels came down with MBD even though his diet had not changed and he had to be pumped up with some calcium.

How is Ahrlan? Is he a little calmer now? Do you have him on heat?

[4skwerlz]

Guys you have to remember that Ahrlan has NEVER had squirrel blocks before I brought him to America. I've had him for 6 years now and this is what he has always eaten.

That's a story we often hear. Some develop MBD very quickly, and others develop it after many years. The wonderful variety of veggies you're feeding him may have helped keep Ahrlan from getting sick sooner, but there is no amount of veggies that can provide enough calcium or other nutrients. And 1/4 tums would only be around 125 mg per week, which is not nearly enough.

With seizures in a pet squirrel or chippie not fed rodent block, the presumptive diagnosis is MBD.

[gs1]

how is he today?

pappys idea sounds really good ... if arhlan would take it.