Squirrel appears weak and in pain

[TexanSquirrel]

Originally Posted by diane, Today, 06:46 PM
yesterday my nine month old started wetting on everything including me. it was alot and when she wet on me it was the consistancy of diarea, but clear in color. She would scoot her bottom on the floor as to wipe , but harder than normal and for longer. she acted weak and in pain. my first thought was maybe she is pregnant, and about to give birth. she was weak all night and would squeel when i would try to pick her up. this morning she was active and i thought she was going to be fine, but shes back acting as if shes in pain from the lower part of her body. poor apetite and well just sick. the vets where i am from dont know much about squirrels cause ,well i am in a unfriendly state for squirrels. please help

[Buddy'sMom]

Diane, there will be many questions to try to help you figure out what is going on with your squirrel. In the meantime, it seems possible that it is what we call MBD (essentially, very low calcium), since some of the symptoms could be that.

Please follow this until one of our rehabbers tells you otherwise (it might save her life, and it will not hurt her at all if this is not the problem):


Emergency Treatment for Metabolic Bone Disease (updated 3-31-09)

Get calcium into the squirrel IMMEDIATELY, not later, not tomorrow, NOW. Delaying treatment can cause death or permanent paralysis.

You will need:

--Tums or calcium pills (any kind)
--a syringe, eyedropper, or spoon

Crush one Tums or calcium pill and add a little water or fruit juice. Use the syringe, eyedropper, or spoon to force-feed the mixture, a little at a time, until it is all gone. Feed a total of 600-800 mg of calcium, and spread it out through the day and night to keep his blood calcium levels as steady as possible.

If the squirrel is having seizures, weakness, or paralysis, the symptoms will usually improve within a few hours, but this does not mean the squirrel is cured. It will take many months to rebuild the calcium in the bones.

(More information is here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17677 but the quoted part will get you started)

[wheezer]

This is quite the puzzle. I think more information is needed like what has her diet been. Are you sure it wasn't stool that is coming out. I can't imagine urine being the consistancy of diarrhea yet I have never seen clear stool:dono

Sometimes MBD can cause low appetite and pain. So if you could tell us what you have been feeding her that would help.

I am so sorry she is sick. I hope you can get help here:grouphug :grouphug

[wheezer]

thanks BM, I guess we were posting at the same time and thinking alike:)

[Buddy'sMom]

thanks BM, I guess we were posting at the same time and thinking alike:)
Yes, Wheezer ... you asked the very questions I was going to get to next :thumbsup

Diane, AFTER you give ger some calcium, please come and let us know and tell us about her diet --

Did she start out on formula? What brand?

What age did she stop taking formula?

What does she eat?

Also, if it is MBD, she will be more comfortable if you can put part of her cage on a heating pad on low. The warmth will be soothing. Or a rice buddy to snuggle with (fill a sock 2/3 with rice or beans, knot the end and microwave about 30 seconds -- very warm but not too hot).

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome I am sorry your sq is sick...since she has diarehha, she should be rehydrated, will she drink from a syringe? yogurt might make her feel better and has calcium and D...will she still take esbilac? I would try.
It sounds like good advise the other members are telling you. Heat is very important and so is calcium.

Homemade pedialyte
I quart warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
:grouphug

[Tomo]

Could it be a side effect of being in heat? Or, urinary tract irritation/infection or bowl obstruction? I'd feel her lower abdomen as gently as possible and see if you feel any hardness. Could she have gotten into anything that may have made her feel sick? Or given her a small case of bloat? Since she's only 9 months, I doubt she's pregnant, but she could be in heat and may be hurting because of it. I hope she feels better soon. I'd keep he hydrated and perhaps offer her Esbilac if she won't take solid food and try to find a vet, if possible, that can try to help her.

[Caglemedic]

We have got to remember that not everyone can take the babies to a vet. Financially I cannot afford it and the vets around me are burnt out from a not so great sanctuary that shut down. I am the local rehabber around here until the edges of the county.

[Sarabi]

Has anyone heard an update on this??

[Buddy'sMom]

Diane hasn't logged in since last night. I hope she at least was able to find and read the posts everyone made. Pointy Tale and I each sent her separate PMs this morning, with links to this thread. I hope she comes back.

:grouphug

[Secret Squirrel]

Yes, she is giving Jackie in Tampa the squirrel....she has another thread going,

Sorry, she is calling Jackie in Tampa...the thread is in baby question forum.
Wait.... is Caglamedic the same person as Diane??? I think I have them confused....sorry!!!

[Buddy'sMom]

Nope-- different people, different states. :grouphug

[Secret Squirrel]

Nope-- different people, different states. :grouphug

Yep, I just saw her orginal post, re posted by anothe member. I got it now...slow on the uptake!!!

I hope this kiddo is OK..:grouphug