Seizures?

[mollysmom]

My cat caught a baby squirrel five weeks ago. I am not sure how old he was when she got him, but he did have his front teeth so he wasn't a really young baby. He grew a lot though since then, so I know he was young. Anyway, he started having what I think were small seizures about a week ago. I made the nut ball vitamin treats and started giving those, plus the vegetables high in calcium. I also ordered the correct food for him. This morning, he was having a bad seizure. He was screaming and hanging on the side of the cage. I thought he was caught or something, but it was a seizure. I took him off the side of the cage and was putting him on the bottom of the cage so he would not fall when he bit me. I have read that they are not normally infected with rabies, but wanted to double check to make sure they were definitely seizures and not the results of the start of rabies. He was perfectly normal when I got him, not even hurt from the cat. Just scared. I would think if he had rabies, he would have had a mark on him from something biting him. Also, I would not think he would have it five weeks later. He had two seizures on different days while I was holding him. Just small twitching and urinating and pooping all over. He had saliva on his mouth like he lost control of that. Does this sound like a seizure? He would then get back to normal. Yesterday I didn't see him having any seizure, but he was very active. Not acting strange or anything, just very busy. He ate his vegetables and acted very normal, just a little nervous like he wasn't sure which to eat first. He didn't come back from the seizure this morning unfortunately. I will feel better if I can be reassured that it was a seizure he was having, just for my own part since I was biten and then he died. I feel bad about his passing and having seizures, but tried everything to get him back to normal. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

[squirrel princess]

He probably had injuries internal injuries from the cat attack that you were not aware of and the cats have a bacteria in their mouth that is very dangerous for squirrels you do not have to be afraid of rabies:shakehead sorry that you lost the little guy:Love_Icon

[Buddy'sMom]

So sorry for your loss. RIP baby squirrel. :Love_Icon

The seizures would NOT have been from rabies. If the baby was attacked by a rabid animal before you rescued him, he would not have lived through the attack. You should not be worried about getting rabies or any other disease from your baby squirrel.

Cat bites can be deadly to a squirrel, but he would have gotten sick and died very quickly after the bite.

He may have had head injuries from falling from his nest (enabling your cat to catch him) or there may have been diet problems or other internal problems that you could not have seen. It sounds like you were trying to give him a good diet -- sometimes that is not enough. At least he was safe and comfy and loved for his short life, and that is a wonderful gift to give to an orphaned squirrel. :bowdown

If another baby squirrel should find you, please do come back and check here. This site has very experienced rehabbers and up-to-date diet and nutritional information to guide you.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[mollysmom]

Thank you so much, both of you for answering. I have had a terrible morning, it is not bad enough to be mourning his death, but then to be worried that I have rabies is just too much. I was mostly worried since he did foam at the mouth after each seizure like they say that rabid animals does. But I do agree that a small animal would probably not survive to bite anyone after being attacked by a rabid animal. Just needed a little convincing of that from everyone here :) Thanks again!!!!

[Kathy56]

Thank you for loving the little one. RIP little guy.:grouphug

[FallensMommie]

I really don't know other than maybe a trauma before you got him, but I did want to at least offer my sympathies to you :grouphug

[smoknbunny]

Hello - I'm so sorry to hear about the little squirrel:grouphug
I concur with the not having rabies. Other things besides rabies can cause foaming - extreme exertion for example. I have seen my dog get frantic and foam appear at the corners of his mouth.
The little guy could surely have had head trauma or internal injuries before you got him. If he left the nest looking for a missing mommy he could have fallen.
Sounds like you tried really hard to do the right thing for him and PLEASE be reassured that you will not contract rabies. Just wash the area with soap and water, use neosporin and keep it clean.

[muffinsquirrel]

I agree that the chances of a squirrel with rabies is extremely unlikely, but if you are still the least bit concerned, contact your health department or local vet and have the squirrel tested. Just tell them that it was a wild squirrel that was injured, and you were trying to help it.

muffinsquirrel

[tatcat]

:grouphug hi mollysmom, so sorry for your loss...i am glad to hear he was in loving arms...:grouphug i would not worry about rabies!!:D

[skye]

I would not worry about Rabies. Bless you for doing all you could for your little guy so sorry to hear he didn't make it.