Need help please

[mlashworth31]

I have a male squirrel Squigiggles that is 23 weeks old we have never had any issues with illness tonight out of the blue he was laying down at first seemed like he was shacking tell I picked him up and it seems more like his heart is going 90 to nothing what can I do

[wheezer]

Welcome:Welcome
I know you must be worried. We will need more information.
How is he acting now? You said his heart was going 90 to nothing.
What did you mean? His heart was beating fast then slowed down?
I am sure you didn't mean it went from 90 then stopped.

Did you mean he was "snacking"? I didn't know what "shacking" meant.

Their hearts do beat rather fast. Is he still just being still or back to normal?

I hope he is doing better:grouphug

[JLM27]

Probably shaking. Sounds like maybe a seizure?

Could be a special but common condition called MBD. Get some calcium in him as soon as possible. Crushed TUMS on whatever he will eat. It could save his life. You should do this right away, and then the experts will be here to help figure out what is going on.

[astra]

could you list his daily food intake, and describe his diet?...
Does he eat any rodent blocks?...
What are his daily activities like?... Does he have access to any house plants (could he have possibly ingested something)?...
Did he eat anything "new" before that?...
Could you tell his story and post some pictures - it will be helpful for the experienced rehabbers to start figuring out what might be wrong.

Is it possible to get him to a vet?...

Some experienced rehabbers will be here soon.

[wheezer]

Probably shaking. Sounds like maybe a seizure?

Could be a special but common condition called MBD. Get some calcium in him as soon as possible. Crushed TUMS on whatever he will eat. It could save his life. You should do this right away, and then the experts will be here to help figure out what is going on.

Good Call JLM27:) I should have thought that too, then I also would have suspected MBD:)

Yes, at this age and off formula for a while it could be diet related, Please check what astra said about diet etc.

[JLM27]

Bump! Where are the rehabbers? Could they be. . .sleeping? Didn't think any of them did that.

[mlashworth31]

Sorry was trying to research, type fast, and take care of him. It is more like a seizure. It is like he is seized up but if you move him example arms and feet close to him laying flat on his stomach and put him on his back while holding him he will fuss and go back to his stomach. I did run to the corner store and grabbed up some tums. I meant to say shaking it's like his heart is beating so fast and hard he is shaking. Regarding diet there has been no change in food we purchase his food from a local pet store that is owned by a rehabber I know it's blocks of mixed things also he get a mixture as well of dried bananas, corn, pecans, etc. that the local wildlife center suggested. We have tons of acorns where I work to and I do bring them home to him I try to keep as much of the natural elements for him as I can. I do not have a green thumb so no plants. I was a bit panicked on my first post. After taking further care of him my husband reminded me of a similar episode when he was 5 weeks old. He is not back to 100% yet but does seem to be a little more response. He is laying on his stomach the his hands curled up under him but just stood up turned around and laid back down then climbed on my husbands leg so a little improvement. What I meant by 90 to nothing was really fast and out of the normal. He also seems like he just does not feel good and wants to sleep. I am thinking it maybe MBD. He is still being still for the most part but is starting to try to move a little more far from the normal but sporadic or attempts at moving around a little more to normal is good.

[mlashworth31]

Also in addition no vet this time of night. Daily activities he is either in his bed/hammock, playing climbing etc. He stays in his cage that my husband built when he started out growing the cage we purchased at the store it is 4 foot long by 2 foot wide and 7 foot tall he has several tree limbs etc. He is not able to just run around the house. He does come out when we are home and we are watching him. I read they should be released at 18 weeks unless it is cold and it has been cold so we have not been able to release him. He is an angel baby we got a call August 14th from my sister in law she had found something and thought it was a baby squirrel but was not sure he had fell out of her tree the lowest branch is about 12 foot high and landed on her concrete driveway. He is all boy and full of energy with the exception of tonight.

[island rehabber]

I would begin the Emergency Treatment for MBD immediately. if it is MBD, it will save his life. If not, it won't hurt him:

http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17677

Follow this to the letter and you stand a good chance of saving him. MBD hurts, so make sure he can't fall and further injure himself by keeping him in a low cage for now with lots of fleece and a heating pad for warmth, Start NOW! We are with you and we;ll help every way we can!!!

[island rehabber]

Once he is stabilized with the extra calcium you'll need to serously work on his diet. Any pet shop food that is made of corn and pecans is NOT HEALTHY for squirrels regardless of what a 'wildlife center' thinks. Most of them know ZERO about squirrel nutrition. Our Healthy Diet in the Squirrel Nutrition section will help you get his diet up to par as well! :thumbsup

[mlashworth31]

I have already started treatment for MBD once I did is when I started seeing a little improvement he is not in his big cage tonight and he is in my room tonight so we can monitor him in shifts tonight. I do have on a soft blankie with the heating pad under it he is able to and has moved around if he is to worm or if he wants to get warmer. The heating pad is on the lowest setting as well. Thank you all so very much for you help and concern.

[stepnstone]

Sorry about your little guy but please follow the advice of these folks at TSB, they know what they are talking about and know how to get him through it.
I went through this with my two, lost one before I found this site but with the help of TSB was able to save the other. My little girl is happy, healthy and very active thanks to TSB.
It is mind boggleing what the average person thinks what they know about squirrels and really don't. TSB knows squirrels!
Good luck to you and your little guy...

[mpetys]

Yes, these folks here know what they are talking about. Keep posting updates about your baby and keep asking any questions you might have. There are no dumb questions. It sounds like a great idea, taking him out of his big cage. Wouldn't want him to have an accident and fall and get injured.

Take time to read the MBD section and the nutrition section. I have been here since last January and I still go back and read and re-read; still learning.

I'll keep your baby, Squigiggles, in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery to good health.

Michele

[BamaHam]

Sounds like MBD to me. Hammy acted similar to those symptoms. He was having seizures and an hour after i administered Tums, he quit. He scared the mess out of me. I cried and didn't know what to do. Then I remembered a friend used TSB and told me about it. I came here for help and they saved his life. You came to right place. Welcome aboard!:Welcome

[Jackie in Tampa]

after you have read the MBD treatment and can get him stablized, do not put him back into his big cage.
his bones are very weak and brittle, with another seizure , he may fall. This can lead to permanent injuries. Please reduce his activity area until he is well into a better diet.
What formula did you use and when did he wean?
You must change his diet.
Lack of calcium in his diet will cause the seizures...but will also leave him fragile minded...please keep him quiet and away from all activity in your home. Do not make sudden moves, no bright lights.
In order for him to make a complete recovery, you will need to make a complete change to his diet.
TSB has rehabbers in La. If you need help, you can Private message {upper right hand corner} me for their names and locations.
If you need help now...I will talk you thru what to expect. I also have several good nutritional recipes to boost good health.
good luck little sq!:Love_Icon
Thank you for seeking help and finding TSB for your little guy!

[stosh2010]

Squigiggles is in my prayers and with the advice and love --here at T.S.B.--should show improvement. The heating pad should be on only part of the floor, so he can get off it if desired.
When you get a chance--a photo would be nice-click on the arrow next to the paperclip above the message box.
Buena suerte ( GOOD LUCK )
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Stosh >>> Keeper of the KING ( of Costa Rica )

[island rehabber]

Thinking about your Squiggles this morning -- hope he's feeling a little better! :)

[BamaHam]

How is Squigiggles? I hope he is doing better. If you have any questions please ask TSB. If you take him to vet, make sure they know about squirrels. I got bad information from one who didn't know very much about them. I don't have a vet locally who knows. Thank God for TSB!