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chao0129
09-05-2008, 11:15 PM
Please help!!

Our 6 weeks male squirrel had feeding seizure since last night. We feed him the same Esbilac since we found him 4 weeks ago (Goats Milk Esbilac) and never had problem until last night. It continue happen today when we feed him. all we can do now is feeding him slowly and wait him perk up then feed him again...

I read an article below said it will recover after 8 weeks but I don't want to take any chance on my little baby. Can anyone please advice us how to treat him?

Please help us!!

.......A feeding seizure is when the baby stops swallowing and is in an epileptic-like seizure. Immediately stop feeding and gently pull the syringe out of the mouth. Gently tapping the chin or top of the head with syringe end usually brings the baby out of the seizure. He/She may look like they are in pain with the mouth dropped open, but not so. This occurs in maybe one of every four baby squirrels and usually goes away by the time they are 8 weeks old. It is very important to watch his/hers throat when you are feeding to make sure they are swallowing and have not gone into a seizure. Usually if you slow down how fast you are giving the formula, this lessens the chance of feeding seizures. You never want formula snorting back through the nose. This increases the chance of aspiration ( formula in the lungs ).....

Animalfarm
09-05-2008, 11:18 PM
((Chao))

Welcome to TSB......hold on and keep checking back, someone will be with you to help!

Keep him warm in the meantime......

and we are praying for you both too!

blessings,
Tamar

chao0129
09-05-2008, 11:40 PM
thank you for your suggestion. We do turn on light on his cage to keep him warm all the time. We also make sure only feed warm formula..

NaturesGift
09-05-2008, 11:55 PM
Hey Chao what kind of light are you using to keep your baby warm?

chao0129
09-05-2008, 11:59 PM
we use eye dropper to feed him, 3-4 times per day, 4-5 pips per time. The Esbilac I used is for puppies that I purchased from Pet's Mart..

Johnb
09-06-2008, 12:00 AM
I had one a few years ago that did exactly what is shown in this youtube you posted, I would tap her tongue with the nipple to break the suction inside her mouth and she would stop doing instantly, if I did not tap her tongue she would keep doing it which scared me.
John


Is it anything like this??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjzxVyjduw

chao0129
09-06-2008, 12:03 AM
YES!! It look just like the video clip shows. Is that normal?? Did I do something wrong?

Johnb
09-06-2008, 12:03 AM
Another thing that worked was to put the end of my pinkie finger in her mouth and she would suck it for a sec and it would break the tongue off the roof of her mouth and she would be fine.

I had one a few years ago that did exactly what is shown in this youtube you posted, I would tap her tongue with the nipple to break the suction inside her mouth and she would stop doing instantly, if I did not tap her tongue she would keep doing it which scared me.
John

Johnb
09-06-2008, 12:09 AM
I have no idea what the cause is, maybe Gamma"s Baby or N-Gift has an idea ?
all I know is what I did to stop mine when it would do that, she eventually , as she got older did not do it. She did it from Pinkie up until about 9 weeks or so , not all the time but often enough to concern me, I would like to know what it is also ?



YES!! It look just like the video clip shows. Is that normal?? Did I do something wrong?

JudyB
09-06-2008, 12:10 AM
You did nothing wrong. Try to rub the top of his head, when he begins this, its like trying to snap him out of it, mine have done this and they are ok.

Johnb
09-06-2008, 12:13 AM
Mine turned out ok also, its almost like their tongue is stuck by suction in their mouth and they are trying to un stick it. ???:dono what I mentioned worked for me every time.


You did nothing wrong. Try to rub the top of his head, when he begins this, its like trying to snap him out of it, mine have done this and they are ok.

chao0129
09-06-2008, 12:15 AM
is this symptom as life threaten? Could that be related with his diet?

Johnb
09-06-2008, 12:17 AM
I would wait for the experts reply as I never figured it out... mine did it when she was just days old...


is this symptom as life threaten? Could that be related with his diet?

chao0129
09-06-2008, 12:21 AM
Thank you all for the information. I can sleep better now and keep looking for the solution for my little boy..

JudyB
09-06-2008, 12:23 AM
What I have read about it and from advice of members here... the reasoning is unknown, its something that they do. And they are fine, just try to snap him out of it by rubbing the top of his head or the useful advice Johnb gave you. I know it looks scarey... hang in there. :grouphug

chao0129
09-06-2008, 12:42 AM
thanks for all the reply..

muffinsquirrel
09-06-2008, 01:08 AM
Hi, and :Welcome

The feeding trance is nothing to be concerned about - some do it and some don't. Sometime just speaking to them a little louder than usual will bring them out of it, or, like others have mentioned, pat them on the head or cheek or side.

You really need to get a syringe and nipple to use to feed him - it's much easier and safer. Also, you need to put a heating pad set on Low half way under his cage - that way he can get wherever the temprature is comfortable for him.

I don't know where in Texas you are, but I am about 25 miles above Beaumont. I'll be glad to help any way I can - just PM or email me.

muffinsquirrel

Missouri
09-06-2008, 07:33 AM
Very interesting. I read about the "feeding trance" on a Conservation site before I joined TSB. It's great the Board has a clip of it for reference, and to calm those who experience it.

My daughter and I are both epileptics and I can assure all, that if you can "snap them out of it " by varing ways - it is not a seizure and likely a benign situation.

My guess is it is a kind of hypnotic state.

Similar in brain reaction/function to when you might be lost in thought and "keep driving" past your destination, and then suddenly "awaken' to that fact. ( I am sure some of you have done this from time to time.)

Fascinating stuff.

Anyway- Best wishes to you and your wee one Chao.

M

chao0129
09-06-2008, 10:17 AM
I feed him this morning and the seizure did not happen this time. I sure the symptom will come back again sometime in the future but I will follow all the suggestions to comfort him.. BTY, I live in SW Houston area.

thank you all!!

ShesASquirrelyGirl
09-06-2008, 11:49 AM
Glad you got it figured out. I have some going past 7 weeks who still occasionally do it once they really get into it. Usually if I wiggle the syringe around they stop. Some take longer. They basically think they are still sucking and you need to get the suction in their mouth released and they will stop.
It will probably happen with most feedings. :thumbsup