Should I be concerned

[momma2boo]

Every once in a while Picabo holds her head sideways. It was most noticable today in her pen. She was holding her head really funny ... leaning way over to the side (and slightly layed back, like she was trying to look over behind her). I will keep an eye on her but can neuro problems show up later instead of sooner? I've had her for 2.5 weeks now and this is something I only just noticed over the last few days, but today's was really noticable. It looked like the world was off balance to her.

Can someone offer opinions?

[CritterMom]

I have no idea how long it takes for neuro issues to rear their ugly head. If I am not mistaken, ear and/or upper respiratory problems can cause vertigo like symptoms (in people, too). Are you seeing ANY other symptoms?

[keetz1205]

Julie this could be head drift. Not to scare you but Chicklet gets this right before she has a seizure. Watch her eyes and see if they're twitching/rolling back. You may have to hold her to a light to see it because their eyes are so black. Chicklet has never suffered a major seizure but usually when she has the head drift thing, a small one does follow that lasts about a minute or two. Then she literally shakes herself out of it and takes a nap - then she's fine. I've heard of other squirrels and rats that have head drift but never have seizures. Give that little girl a kiss from me!:D

[Cejemere]

I thought neuro normally shows later? or is this just head trama?

[momma2boo]

CritterMom: No other signs other than she twitches badly when sleeping. I know this because of the amount of time she sleeps on me tucked down in my jacket. No other signs that would point to ear infection or upper respiratory. I thought I heard her clicking yesterday but as it turns out it was a purr. LOL. I had never heard this "purr" from any of my other babies.

Keetz: I will keep a close eye on her to see if I see what it is your describing. Thanks for the heads up (no pun intended).

[Rainy9]

Every once in a while Picabo holds her head sideways. It was most noticable today in her pen. She was holding her head really funny ... leaning way over to the side (and slightly layed back, like she was trying to look over behind her). I will keep an eye on her but can neuro problems show up later instead of sooner? I've had her for 2.5 weeks now and this is something I only just noticed over the last few days, but today's was really noticable. It looked like the world was off balance to her.

Can someone offer opinions?

Was she lying down when she does this? I have a baby that had a seizure, and she never did this. But...my other squirrel baby did start doing something like this once her eyes opened. She would do it while trying to walk around (still wobbley) and it looked almost like she just wanted to see everything, even above and behind her. Maybe they are just being super curious? Not sure.:dono

[momma2boo]

Was she lying down when she does this? I have a baby that had a seizure, and she never did this. But...my other squirrel baby did start doing something like this once her eyes opened. She would do it while trying to walk around (still wobbley) and it looked almost like she just wanted to see everything, even above and behind her. Maybe they are just being super curious? Not sure.:dono

She did this when she was on the side of her pen. She hung way back ... I thought she was going to fall. It was in super slow motion ... another reason a red flag went up since squirrels don't do anything in slow motion.

The first head drift, or whatever it was, was during a feeding session. Little by little her head would drift off to the side even though the nipple was not in that direction. She wouldn't suck as eagerly during that "episode". The vet said it was possible that she was up in the wheel-well of a car and went for a ride and that's how she ended up in the parking lot on my campus since there were no trees in the immediate area and those that were on the perimeter of the lot had no nests in them. If this is true then I would completely understand issues. What I don't understand is why nothing showed up before this.

Overall she seems healthy though, so I guess I will just keep an eye on it.

[Pierre]

Curious, is the head drift or tilt episodic, or pretty much most of the time? Is it happening more frequently, or lasting longer?

If you see any signs of a respiratory infection starting, please post again. There is a chance it could be mycoplasma and would need specific AB's.

Hope she is better though!

[JLM27]

I have seen an epileptic seizure in a human that took just this form of looking up and over his shoulder. Maybe she will outgrow whatever it is.

[Pierre]

Hopefully yes, sweet little baby...

[momma2boo]

I will keep a close eye and take note if these episodes change in length, severity, or frequency. If anything else pops up I will be sure to post. Keep those fingers and toes crossed. :thankyou