Vet needed in Pinellas County Florida

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hello members, we have a silent member on TSB,that is in need of a sq vet in St.Pete...Treasure Island area...this is truly an emergency and I am slow typer...bare with my briefness.
HELP!
Sparky call me please!

[island rehabber]

http://www.animalmedicalhospital.net/Our-Staff/Staff-Contacts/

Jackie maybe this place can help? Three vets on staff and they treat exotics....

[Jackie in Tampa]

Sparky was able to give two numbers...owner is driving home from Tampa. She may already be gone:grouphug
7 y/o pet sq , maybe MBD and very lethargic. I have advised Molasses and syringe feeding tums...
Hoping she is able to get her to vet for injection!
Thanks all!
I am looking for 'closest' type thing at this point.
AEMJ wife will share their vet info also!:thumbsup
:grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

Have spoken to Dr.Fauk at Animal Medical Hospital, :wahoo :wahoo she is ready and waiting for sq! Awesome person, thanks Sparky!:thumbsup
Waiting for Momma to get home and call.
Praying for Pepper:grouphug

[sparky]

Dr. Fauk is a zoology vet. She used to work for Busch Gardens. It is Animal Medical Hospital as IR said. Dr. Fauk is a very nice person. I hope that everything turns out okay.

Best wishes Pepper,

Sparky

[Jackie in Tampa]

I love TSB....:bowdown ya'll are awesome!
thanks
still waiting....insert hand wringing smilie

[island rehabber]

:thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

[sparky]

I don't know how practical it is, but it would be great if we could put together a list of TSB approved vets. Just a thought.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Pepper is alive and being put in carrier...they are off to see Dr.Fauk:thumbsup
Peppers momma will keep us informed.
Prayers being sent:grouphug


Another member here has been informed today their clinic no longer will see sqs! The sq doc has left....:thinking seems to be a shortage for Sqs friendly doctors. The one that IR posted is Sparkys vet, Dr.Fauk! and will see Pepper.
Animal Medical Hospital
Dr.Fauk:flash3
2540 30th Ave. North
727-896-7127
thanks again...

[Jackie in Tampa]

Pepper is at vet and dang if an emergency dog came in since I spoke with the clinic, and Dr.Fauk is in surgery...:hissyfit but Dr.Aldridge :bowdown will see Pepper now.
:grouphug

[Tomo]

I don't know how practical it is, but it would be great if we could put together a list of TSB approved vets. Just a thought.


I'm already collecting data for that exact database which will spread across the US. If anyone has any squirrel friendly vets in squirrel friendly states or especially in non-squirrel friendly states, please PM the information and tell me as much as you know about the vet you are recommending. :thankyou

Good luck with Pepper!!

[Jackie in Tampa]

I don't know how practical it is, but it would be great if we could put together a list of TSB approved vets. Just a thought.
:thankyou Excellent thought!
I know I could use a copy of Sqs for Dummies Handbook about now! :thinking

[Jackie in Tampa]

:wahoo do I hear a volunteer?????:wahoo
I'm already collecting data for that exact database which will spread across the US. If anyone has any squirrel friendly vets in squirrel friendly states or especially in non-squirrel friendly states, please PM the information and tell me as much as you know about the vet you are recommending. :thankyou

Good luck with Pepper!!

[Jackie in Tampa]

I'm already collecting data for that exact database, please PM the information and tell me as much as you know about the vet you are recommending.
OR...NOT recommending too!
I know a not so good 'exotics vet' in SC! :eek:

[Jackie in Tampa]

Pepper update, she has recieved two injections, calcium and bactrim. She was congested, also mad. {I am assuming , pnuemonia??}
Her momma said at one time she weighed 3lbs and now 1.3. I guess she IS Feeling bad. She is a grey, wow...big girl!
Pepper is an office mascot at USF, and the entire staff is greatful to TSB and the Dr.s:bowdown
We are assuming she has a low calcium issue, MBD. She is weak and did not do blood work today thinking it would stress her too bad.
She will keep us informed.
I explained what MBD is and how to treat..DIET! Like my Rocky, Pepper is seven years old and no teeth. So another 4Skwerls milk shake canidate.However they both can eat chopped veggies etc.
I have advised heat and the homemade pedilyte and also the healthy diet with veggies and the MBD diet as well.
Can someone post these?, thanks!
Peppers mom was going to market and get supplies. Hopefully she will post:tilt
Sending Prayers to Pepper :grouphug
and thanks to TSB:thankyou

[whopoopwrasse]

:wahoo do I hear a volunteer?????:wahoo

I'll do it but I don't think it's supposed to be written BY a dummy! :D

[whopoopwrasse]

oops, sorry about that!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug Hoping Pepper will be OK :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug
She's lost alot of weight, hopefully she will regain some of it back........

[Mountain Mama]

Jackie you are just awesome!:grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :bowdown

[Charles Chuckles]

Sending prayers to Pepper, thank you Jackie, and to all for a great job:grouphug

[foxsquirrels]

Hi Jackie, sorry my cell phone battery went dead! I just got home and it's on the charger. I wanted to tell you, but we got cut off too soon. YOU ARE AN AWESOME ANGEL!!!!!!
Love and BIG HUGS from a whole bunch of us squirrel lovers!!!!!!

I will call you tomorrow to hear the rest of the story.
Take care and get some rest!!!!!

[lizharrell1]

Okay, I am just wondering here.....HAS ANYONE ON THIS BOARD THOUGHT OF WRITING A BOOK ON SQUIRREL CARE FOR DUMMIES???????? I know that I would buy it!!!!!!!!!:jump

[Pepper]

Hi everyone

I am Pepper's mom. This morning she is still very weak. She did pee last night and this morning but she has no energy. I have tried wraping her up and feeding her with a syringe but she refuses and fights and almost goes limp. I don't think she needs anymore stress than what she has had. She is curled up inside her little blanket.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. Pepper or what I have called her so many times my little "BooBah" has been an absolute dream in my life. I have always loved feeding the wild squirrels and when she was hanging upside down from a tree crying and her mother was dead on the ground, I knew I had to give back to the many years I have enjoyed them. She walked down the trunk of the tree and into my hand and my heart.

She played with our cocker spaniel, our rabbit and our bird. She would ride on the top of my head when I walked so she could see the ceiling fans. She would sit and be mezmerized by the blades. Everyone laughed. And she had many hammocks and as a good mother, they would be changed for each holiday and season.

BooBah gave me some of the most wonderful 7 years of my life. I can only hope there will be more. But I know when she tells me she has had enough and I am afraid I see it in her eyes.

Sherry

[4skwerlz]

I'm sorry Pepper is so sick. It's heartbreaking.

What was the vet's diagnosis?

[island rehabber]

Aww, Pepper's mom, I know how worried you must be about your girl. But don't give up on her yet....it takes a while for calcium and other nutrients to work its way through her system and start the turnaround process. Just keep loving her and giving her fluids and nutrients any way you can....we are all praying for you both.

[island rehabber]

Do you have anything sweet, like applesauce or juice, that you could put in the syringe to flavor what you're giving her? Let her smell it for a few seconds before trying to feed her.....give her a chance to realize it's something delicious. Squirrels will come around so amazingly well if you give them a chance! Don't worry so much about stressing her, Pepper's mom -- she's not a bunny or a bird. She can take a little stress if it means she will be on the road to feeling better. :grouphug

[4skwerlz]

If it's MBD, believe me, I've seen many squirrels at "death's door" recover fully! The good news is that the calcium works fast. Pepper could be feeling much better in just a few hours.

Vets tend to not give enough calcium. They just don't have much experience with MBD.

So get that calcium into her! 600 mgs today!

Very important: What are you using for the calcium? Neocalglucon? Something else?

[Pepper]

Thank you all for your support. The vet didn't know what it was. She didn't have a mass in her abdomen but the way she was breathing, he gave her a shot of bactrim and calcium just to be on the safe side. He said he would have to administer anesthesia to knock her out to take blood and he didn't think she was healthly enough to try that.

I am giving her a rest and I will try again in a few hours to see what I can do. I just hate to have her be scared everytime I reach inside to get her. She always knew my hand was for comfort and now it for stress.

I have tried baby food bananas (every morning she received a dried banana chip), vanilla yogert, sweet potatoes, applesauce but she just turns her head and fights me.

[4skwerlz]

Since your squirrel was so overweight before, then lost so much weight, it's possible she has some kind of serious disease like cancer. If that's the case, then there's little that can be done.

However, if it's MBD, then that is curable! There's one way to find out:

1. Crush up a Tums or other calcium pill with a little water or juice.

2. Use a spoon or syringe and dribble it in Pepper's mouth. One drop at a time if you have to.

If it's MBD you should see improvement within hours.

The amount of calcium the vet gave was almost certainly not enough.

[island rehabber]

Pepper's mom, you're getting diet advice from the best we have, 4skwerlz :bowdown. What she's saying is sure worth a try!!

[Pepper]

I just tried and I think I got her mouth wet with some water I mixed with calcium pill. Also, she licked a little of the yogurt off of my finger.

Then she got mad, jumped up and almost fell. She did pee again. Right now she is laying in a soft pillow-case I heated up in the dryer (not hot!) That is enough for right now.

I will try again later.

Thanks!

[Pepper]

Just now I placed a measuring teaspoon with water and a crushed calcium pill in it and she drank. She also took a few more licks of the yogurt I have in a little top next to her. :alright.gif

She is a little more awake and hopefully will continue with the intake.

I will keep you posted.

sh

[4skwerlz]

That's excellent!:thumbsup

They usually don't mind the calcium. It's like they instinctively know they need it.

Keep doing this and watch for improvement.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:thumbsup :bowdown :D

[whopoopwrasse]

Keep up the good work, if she's more alert it must be working! :thumbsup

[Pepper]

She hasn't definitely been diagnosed with MBD. It could be cancer, pneumonia or another disease. I can only treat her with what was prescribed.

She is alert and slowly sipping from her spoon with calcium. I don't expect an immediate turnaround. But she is in her home where she grew up and is trusting me to take care of her.

I do appreciate all of your support and so does Pepper. Hopefully she will pull through this.

[4skwerlz]

I agree Pepper's good where she is--at home. Don't blame Gammas for suggesting a rehabber--sometimes that's the best way to save a life. But you seem to be a doing a great job taking care of her.

You're right that we can't be sure what's wrong with Pepper. But if it IS MBD it is life-threatening, but curable, and the calcium won't hurt her, so there's no reason not to try it.

While we're waiting to see how Pepper does, could you give us a better idea of Pepper's symptoms up til now? When did you first notice symptoms or changes? What is her diet? I know she had tooth problems...could you tell us more about that? Could she have gotten into anything toxic? Just anything you can think of.

I doubt there are many vets with as much squirrel experience as the folks here on TSB, but we need more info.

[Pepper]

No problem and I do appreciate all the suggestions. I am not upset with anyone suggestioning to treat her. It is sometimes in your heart you know what your child or pet would want you to do and I think she wants to stay close to me and her home.

She came to me at 4 weeks and has been a healthy, happy squirrel. About 4 months ago I noticed her front teeth missing. However, she still had stubs and she was happily eating away. At no time did that stop her. Her diet consists of monkey bisquits, an occational ear of corn, almonds, some pecans and an occational peanut. Also, she would love a dog bone every so often and a french fry when her brown loving eyes would give you a look. She also loved broccoli and grapes. Every morning, though, she would stand at the top of the cage for her dried banana slice. She would occasionally steal a cracker and eat only the edges. She had an attitude and when she didn't like something, she certainly would let you know. She hated the outdoors and whenever I would roll her cage to our pool cage for some sunshine she cried and hid the entire time. She never liked the outdoors even when she was growing up. She has her cage but when I get home she is usually on my shoulder or playing at the mirror trying to feed the "other squirrel".

It wasn't until about a week ago I noticed she was beginning to slow down a bit. She ate, pooped and drank fine but didn't have that spark. Then 3 days ago, she left her food and I noticed a difference in the way she looked. I tried to give her her favorite things and loved the broccoli but then began to leave things. She because worse Thursday. I covered her thinking maybe she was coming down with sniffle which she has had in the past but would bounce back. On Friday, she didn't want anything to do with food or come out. That's when I went to the board for help.

So you can see how hard this has hit me after 7 years of raising a happy, healthy squirrel. :shakehead

sh

[4skwerlz]

The only thing I see here of concern is the monkey chow. I assume this was most of Pepper's diet? Monkey chow has too much protein for a squirrel, and the Zupreem brand also contains a lot of preservatives. We don't know if any of this could actually cause health problems though. Does Pepper eat any vegetables besides corn and broccoli? Can you be more specific about amounts? How many monkey biscuits per day? How many nuts? etc.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Sherry,I am glad to see Pepper is with you:grouphug
and I do not want your sq, nor do I want anyone else to have your sq! That's just Gammas being Gammas, and covering all bases! i know how close your love is with each other after seven years. My Rocky is 7 also.

How is Pepper tonight, I am sorry I couldn't ck back sooner, she has been on my mind, in my heart and prayers all day.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Sending prayers to Pepper, hoping she is feeling better:grouphug

[Pepper]

Pepper made it through the night and her eyes seem more alert. She is still weak but she does pick her head up when I peek in on her. She has been drinking the teaspoon of clacium water I offer her and does like the yogurt.

It was a little too cold yesterday to move her cage to my large windows for the sunshine but if it warms up today, I am going to slide her over and have some sunshine privde her warmth. Of course, I have also been warming up her flannel cover in the dryer and she loves that.

Thank you all for asking about her. Again, I didn't mean to give the impression that I was upset someone offered to take her. :tilt It is sometimes in your heart you know what your animal would want you to do and at this time, she wants me. She even picks up her little arms when I put my hand in for her and wants me to scratch her "itchie spot" next to her chin. That has always been our little game.

Prayers to Pepper :thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

Pepper made it through the nightAmen!

Thank you all for asking about her. Again, I didn't mean to give the impression that I was upset someone offered to take her. :tilt It is sometimes in your heart you know what your animal would want you to do and at this time, she wants me. She even picks up her little arms when I put my hand in for her and wants me to scratch her "itchie spot" next to her chin. That has always been our little game. Scritchens and armage!:D

Prayers to Pepper :thankyou
:thankyou

[whopoopwrasse]

Have you tried to make her a sock buddie?
Take an old sock, fill with dry rice and microwave for 20 seconds or so and put it next to her :)

[Pepper]

Yes. She has her sock buddie now. :D She did come out and pee and did one poop. :thumbsup

sh

[Buddy'sMom]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Skwerly]

Prayers going out and up for Peppers' healing and long life!!!:grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:poop :poop :poop :poop :poop we love poops!
I am looking for an update and sending lots of good vibes.
Poops means things are working, so I am Xstatic!:Love_Icon
Prayers for Pepper!:grouphug

[Pepper]

My pepper is hanging in there. She has been drinking and licking at yogurt. She did come out and walk around. I haven't seen another pee or poop yet. But hopefully when I come home, I will see. I leave out her spoons with her food just in case she wants to eat.

Candles were lit in church yesterday for her and Holy Water on her head. She is a fighter and I hope she can keep going.

Thank you again and keep us in your prayers.

:squirrel1

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thank you for the update!
I have a calcium suppliment that I can share...it is a liquid and easy to use. It is an insurance policy thing for me, it only assures she will get a base of calcium everyday, and with other foods {veggies and blocks} she can meet the daily requirements. I still feel that her issues are calcium related, even not having seen her, I just know what age and symptoms of older sq are. I am living with my Rocky, a survivor so far.
His calcium deficency lead him to seizures. It has been awhile since he has had one, because he is now on a calcium maintained diet. What a difference. He would never have made it....Calcium and sqs is a serious thing!
PM me Sherry and I will meet up with you somewhere...or I can send.
Thanks for finding TSB and helping your pride and joy!
Love you Pepper, I really Do!:D

[digiandchipper]

Just saw this thread - many prayers going out to you and Pepper .... never give up, these little ones are fighters!:thumbsup

[FallensMommie]

Another squirrellie momma praying for you and your Pepper :grouphug

[Pepper]

Pepper update

She is still hanging in there. Very weak but does come out to pee. She also drinks from her water dish. Yesterday I forced a syringe filled with calcium water in her. She hated me for a while. I am trying my best and she is still hanging on so hopefully between the two of us, we will try and get through.

She's a tough little squirrel and I won't give up.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts! :)

[Buddy'sMom]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

(She WILL keep forgiving you, Mom .... every time! :Love_Icon Gotta put up a fuss for appearances sake, sometimes :tilt )

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug Thanks Sherry for the update!
I was wondering if you are seeing any ...any, improvement in her appetite?
Bell pepper or orange slice would be really good for her, they are vit C and that helps metabolize the calcium, and keep her near the window. Even though she is in nest box, I am thinking sun shine will help her depression too.
Were you able to get a calcionate syrup...if not, I will share, have plenty. It is good, they like it! Easy fix!:thumbsup
We are all praying for Pepper:grouphug
Hoping you have time to explore the healthy veggie list, or the babyfood we talked about! Keep us posted, I am not far, call if you need me:grouphug
Thanks Sherry:bowdown

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15231&highlight=rugbys
This is a link to calcium suppliments.....I recommend using one, I think it will help and again , very easy to dose. It can be put in her drinking water. depending on which one you use, we can help you decide how much!
Good Morning Pepper:wave123

[Pepper]

Pepper update

Yesterday I thought I would wrap her up in a cocoon and feed her. Well, she had other plans. She still has that attitude and verbally told me no. After a while and no food going in, I decided to clean up the both of us since baby food was all over my face and hers. I placed her back in her cage and decided to try some avocado on a spoon. She ate it! Then she drank from her water bowl where I have the calcium, peed and went back in to her little blanket. This morning she ate a little yogurt and drank some water.

Hopefully her desire to eat will pickup. I am determined to get her on the right track. Prayers still appreciated!

Sherry

[island rehabber]

Pepper you are a great squirrel mamma! Just keep steadily, persistently giving her the good stuff and don't take 'no' for an answer. The best thing about squirrels is they really don't hold grudges. :D She knows when you give her those arm scritchies that you really are doing all this because you love her. :thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

Hello you two:grouphug
I am wondering if you s'mother' her with love and afection, she may drink a health food shake from a syringe...
I am going to give you my recipe that Rocky gets.
When the body is Cal low, it will deplete the skeletal calcium, steal the bone calcium to survive. That is when they 'go down', and some only lay down, others drag their back half. Severity is different in each case, but still classic. Sadly so, it is easy to diagnose if MBD educated. So what I am giving you, is my experience, nothing else. I did the same vet treatment with Rocky as you, except that I had alot of bloodwork done, so his calcium deficency was diagnosed, and he did get the calcium injection as well.
No follow up was needed, either I got cal in him daily, or he died, simple.By the way, MBD death can be very painful and sometimes prior to death, the sq will suffer a series of seizure activity. Seizures are very scarey for us and dibilitating for the sq!
Like Pepper, Rocky has no teeth. This alone is a challenge! Both sqs are spoiled picky challenged eaters, no wonder they have calcium issues.
I am going to do my calculations and post them in the next post! Bear with me!
Hope she is doing better today! and that she is getting calcium in some form, daily!
Thanks Sherryfor loving her:bowdown

[Pepper]

She is hanging in there. She drinks her water with calcium and eats only a little yogurt. She does pee and yesterday she pooped. But she is very weak. I make sure she is kept warm and loved. She will only eat or drink if you put it in a spoon and offer it to her. Something is better than nothing.

sherry