Young lethargic and dehydrated

[sweeperman]

Hi ya'll, after having a couple succesfull rescue and releases, I have know had a squirrel for 5 weeks that has now lethargic and not eating. Prior to this the squirrel was taking formula, eating nuts and showing signs of healthy habits that I've had in the past with others. I took the squirrel; to the vet for IV hydration but, the vet has no clue as to what caused the formally healthy pup to relapse. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas as to what caused the pup to fall ill after doing so well. Or anything we could be doing diffrently rather than the standard care.

[Nancy in New York]

First, get the little one on some heat. Put a heating pad half on and half off under the containter/cage that you have him in or a rice buddy.What formula is he currently eating. NO nuts...
How old is the squirrel I know that you have had him for 5 weeks how old was he when you got him...I'm think this is the sign of MBD...I will get the link and you have to follow this immediately...First off and do this NOW...get some calcium into him. If you have no calcium get tums into him

[Nancy in New York]

Start with this...


Emergency Treatment for Metabolic Bone Disease

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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.

Long-Term Treatment for MBD

The next step to curing MBD is to fix the diet.

1. Remove ALL seeds, nuts, corn, and treats.

2. Follow the Healthy Diet For Pet Squirrels, which can be found at the top of the “Squirrel Nutrition” forum. (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=16093) Your squirrel MUST eat rodent block or squirrel blocks every day. If your squirrel doesn't like rodent blocks, you can try crushing them up with peanut butter or avocado temporarily. You can also make a tastier version of squirrel blocks using the recipe at the top of the Squirrel Nutrition forum.

3. In addition to the Healthy Diet, you will need to continue giving extra calcium every day for several weeks. Either use the syringe/eyedropper or you can try putting the calcium on a small piece of fruit.

Week 1: calcium = 500 mg per day
Week 2: calcium = 250 mg per day
Weeks 3-8: calcium = 100 mg per day

The cause of the acute symptoms—weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis—is a drop in blood calcium levels. If these symptoms return at any time, you will need to give another emergency dose of calcium.

[island rehabber]

Yes, we definitely need to know the age of the squirrel to be of more help to you. Is it possible he aspirated formula at some point and this could be pneumonia? Do you hear any wheezing or clicking when he breathes?

[sweeperman]

Thanks for the quick response nancy, you'll have to excuse me as I am doing this for a friend and details are getting lost in the translation. He got back to me that the approximate age is 8 to 9 weeks and he has the pup on Esbilac powder formula for dogs. He says the powder has adequate calcium and has the squirrel chewing on coddel(spelling?) bones, the kind in bird cages, as well. Thanks again.

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks for the quick response nancy, you'll have to excuse me as I am doing this for a friend and details are getting lost in the translation. He got back to me that the approximate age is 8 to 9 weeks and he has the pup on Esbilac powder formula for dogs. He says the powder has adequate calcium and has the squirrel chewing on coddel(spelling?) bones, the kind in bird cages, as well. Thanks again.

No problem...like IR said, could he have aspirated the formula. Can he hear any clicking or wheezing when he breathes? Can he post a picture? Approximately how much formula is he taking a day?

[Nancy in New York]

I see that you are still here, are you trying to relay what I am saying to your friend who is not on line? If so, please tell him that if there is no possibility of the squirrel aspirating, then to get some calcium into him immediately. This will not hurt at all and it actually may be the problem. Is there a possibility that the squirrel could have fallen or something?

Tell him to do this...

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.




Just one more thing...there have been problems with the puppy esbilac, so at this point, I wouldn't rule out anything regarding this little ones health...a lot of strange problems have been arising due to the little ones that were raised on this formula...