Squirrel that seems in pain

[angelclips]

I've had this baby gray squirrel for about 3 weeks. He's about 5 weeks old, he opened his eyes this past Sunday. He's been doing great till last night. I picked him up and he squealed and he makes agitated grumbling noises. He acts like he's in pain. He doesn't move much. I thought maybe he was bloated but he's not better this morning. He ate 2 cc's this morning of the Fox Valley. He's been peeing and pooping ok. I just can't understand the problem. Any suggestions?

[island rehabber]

Something is definitely bothering this baby. Was he moving around a lot before this? Is it possible he sprained a limb or his back? Try gently pulling on each hind foot to see if he retracts them easily, then the same with his front paws.....gently squeeze each paw to try a reaction.
If he won't take more FV (2cc is not enough for a baby his age, as you know) try some warmed Pedialyte or homemade hydrating solution. Put him up to your ear and make sure he is not wheezing or clicking when he breathes...sometimes the early onset of pneumonia causes them to lose their appetite and become reclusive, even before you actually hear clicking.

[angelclips]

He was moving fine till last night. I checked his limps and they seem to be fine. He screamed at me and chattered (in a mean way) at me when I checked them, but all are moving properly. I don't hear any clicking, not that I could hear it over his protesting chatter anyway. I just don't understand.

[angelclips]

Now I have a worse problem. This little guy seems to be having seizures. It's like he has the hiccups but he jumps all over. It's happened twice so far and last about 2 minutes, then his little feet curl up in a ball for about 20 seconds. He didn't want to eat. Any suggestion???

[Jackie in Tampa]

karo syrup
maple syrup
molasses
jelly
or sugar paste
rubbed on gums
if you are not feeding often enough he maybe having seizures from that, try feeding him leess more often.
on the other side of the coin...has he fallen or hit his head since in your care?
how long has he been on fox valley
what was your previous formula?
trying to figure out what's up with your little one...can you tell us about how you obtained him?
any history will be helpful to the rehabbers
:grouphug

[PBluejay2]

How much and how often are you feeding your baby? All I saw was 2ccs this morning. At five weeks, if this is a grey, he should weigh somewhere around 80-100 grams, which would mean he should be fed 4-5ccs at least four times a day. Hypoglycemia can cause seizures. Give him a little syrup or honey and see if this helps.

[Jackie in Tampa]

what state are you located in?
do you have vet access?
do you know any rehabbers in your AREA?

[angelclips]

He hasn't fallen at any time. I got him from a tree company 3 weeks ago that cut down his tree. They took the nest down first then cut the tree down, so he didn't fall then either. His sibilings are fine. He's been on Fox Valley since last Thursday. Before that he was on Esbilac with heavy whipping cream and yogurt. And I feed him once every 4 hours, but not during the night.

[jdsmama07]

Is it possible for you to post a picture or maybe a video? He does sound like he's in pain. I've seen my squirrel act like that when she was in pain. Did you feel his stomach, is it firm and does it feel like a small ball? Rub your thumb on his stomach to see what it feels like.

[jdsmama07]

I'm suggesting this for a few reasons. It could just be gas which can take time to subside. Or it could be something else.

[angelclips]

His stomach doesn't look bloated and it doesn't feel hard or anything. I'm computer illiterate when it comes to videos, but I'll see if my hubby can post one when he gets home. I can do a picture, but I don't think that would really show you anything. A video would be better so you could hear him. I talked to another rehabber and she suggested apple juice incase it's bloated, I will try that as well.

[jdsmama07]

Has he ever sat up? If so does he still do it? If you touch his back does he yell? Sometimes they can have sprains without us knowing. When I took my little girl to the vet she had two fractures that I had no knowledge off. They can hurt themselves when they jump around. It's rare but not unusual.

[PBluejay2]

His feeding schedule and and amount sounds good, so we can rule out hypoglycemia. He's eating formula, so we can rule out hypocalcemia. You say he hasn't fallen, so we can rule out injury. Is there any way you can get a fecal exam done to rule out parasites? Other than possible poisoningn bacterial infection, or a congenital problem, we're (I am) running out of options as far as the seizure.

[angelclips]

I called our vet and told them my situation, he said to try the apple juice and if it doesn't get better by tomorrow to bring him in. So, I guess I'll see what happens tonight. He has stood up wobbley and periodically still does so. His little mates have always been more energetic than him, maybe one jumped up and landed on him wrong or something.

[jdsmama07]

Keep us posted and I'm hoping and praying that it's a minor health concern.

[momma2boo]

Well???? What did the vet say today? How is the little munchkin?

[angelclips]

The vet couldn't find anything specific wrong with him and told me at this young age there could have any number of health defects that could cause it. He was having seizures about every 5 minutes for about 12 hours before he passed Thursday evening. The strange thing to me is he was still eating, peeing, and pooping. He was always about 1/2 the size of his litter mates, even the day I picked him up from the tree trimming people. This one was just a mistery to me. His little mates are doing wonderful.

[winky2]

Thanks for the update. I'm so sorry. It must have been heartbreaking for you to see him have all those seizures. Sounds like a congenital defect, especially since he was so much smaller.

[PBluejay2]

I'm sorry about the little guy passing. You did what you could :grouphug

[jdsmama07]

I came on just now to see how the little guy is doing. I am so sorry for your loss. I know it's so painful to watch them in pain and feel helpless. He's no longer in pain, and I know he's looking at you grateful for all that you did. RIP little guy. :Love_Icon