Squirrel appears sick, very lethargic!

[Rush]

Hey all!
I've had my baby squirrel for about 5 weeks now, making him about 10 weeks old. In the last few days his health has seemed to decline. Instead of prancing and jumping around as he usually does, he has taken to sleeping all day. He urinates much more frequently then he has the past few weeks, and his stool is a lot softer and less frequent then normal.

When you pick him up, there is a certain spot on his lower stomach that seems to make him grunt in pain, its familiar to the sound he made when I patched him up 5 weeks ago after his run in with the outside dogs.

This morning when we woke up, he seemed to be breathing very heavily, but that slacked off as the day went by and he is breathing normally now. He is currently just laying on my bed asleep, which is very unusual for him. Any ideas?

[spykitten01]

What is his diet like? What were his injuries from the dogs like? Are you hearing any clicking sounds when he breathes? Ill do my best to help - Some more experienced members should be along shortly.

[island rehabber]

Because he is urinating more and reacting to lower belly pain my guess is a UTI. Is he on formula, or just water? Do you have access to antinbiotics like Baytril (first choice) or SMZ-TMP (Sulfatrim)?

[Mrs Skul]

Can you call around and see if a Vet will look at him? :dono If you have dogs or cats. Take them for a visit and ask the vet if he will see your Squirrel.
If not see if you can get some Antibiotic for a kidney infection! (UTI) Do you have any antibiotic of any kind?
Call your friends who has dogs or cats! :thinking See if they have any extra/leftover Antibiotic.
Can you PM your Address to me? What is the weight on your Squirrel? If IR and Jackie can help with the dosing.
We might be able to mail you some.:thinking It would be quicker if you can find them where you are.

[Rush]

Thanks for the quick replies.

His diet consists of mainly carrots, pecans, strawberries and water, and unfortunately we do not have any access to a Vet and do not know anybody with leftover antibiotics.

The dog bites were very small and appear to have healed

[spykitten01]

Your baby should be on rodent block and (preferably) still on formula for another few weeks. If he's acting very lethargic, he probably has MBD. You can go to www.henryspets.com and get Henry's Healthy Blocks and Fox Valley 32/40 formula. Those are ideal for your baby's diet. In the meantime, get some kaytee fortidiet or similar rat block and cut out any nuts for now. If it were me, I would also get some goats milk, plain full fat yogurt, and heavy whipping cream (can someone please provide the goat's milk recipe?)and some 1 or 3cc syringes to supplement your little one's solid diet until you can get some FV. Tums are also good to add to supplement calcium...Not sure if there are specific dosages in relation to tums though...? Hopefully a more experienced rehabber provides the answer soon.

[Wonkawillie]

No formula at 10 weeks old? Should still be getting some I think. Not much calcium in that diet. Feed calcium asap to start. Do you have tums? ggrind one up and mix with water to get it into the squirrel. Maybe it would chew on the tums itself, but not if it is very sick. Squirrels need lots of calcium in the diet. Lack of it is life threatening. Can a rehabber chime in here about the diet importance and MBD. This squirrel is in trouble on that diet

[Wonkawillie]

Get calcium into this squirrel ASAP

[Jackie in Tampa]

WW is right...MBD...metabolic bone disease, cause is low blood calcium. Basically due to no formula.
you need a syringe, 1cc is best...anything will work in a pinch with slow methodical caution. An eye dropper for example and either a plain calcium tablet{not with D added if possible ...any strenggth is ok...
or a tums...
do this now...get these while I copy paste some emergency info for you...
iS anyone helping in private messages?
if so, speak up and I will back off. TY!
has anyone addressed getting ABs to him? just in case ths is a UTI as suggested it may be...
anyone in waco texas???

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28006
here is a link to emergency MBD treatment...
do this now!
Death will follow if untreated UTI or MBD...
I am not trying to scare you...we see this weekly and want to help you help your sq!:Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

I agree with everything said above -- begin emergency treatment NOW. This squirrel has NO calcium in its diet to speak of, and that can be deadly.

[Rush]

Thanks for the concern, ill keep everyone updated

[momma2boo]

If you need any help at all with your little one there are TSB members all across the states, and the world for that matter. Any one of them would be willing to help you. Just say the word and someone will jump in. If you unable to get the products they speak of or need someone to take your baby to administer the MBD treatment I am sure there would be someone who would be willing to step up.

Right now we are all concerned about saving the wee one's life. So, don't be shy in asking. TSB members are some of the nicest and most helpful people you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing.

[Rush]

Got some tums but we can't find the syringe we used to feed him formula, running to the store again!!

[Rush]

Great, he took the tums like a champ, and he ate a little of the puppy formula I picked up for him. He is more awake and alert now, not much, but he is walking around and climbing a little bit which puts my mind at ease. I'll keep following that post

[Jackie in Tampa]

:multi :bowdown :thankyou

[spykitten01]

Most likely MBD then - remember, NO nuts for now, and keep up with the calcium. DEFINITELY get some blocks, and preferably some Fox Valley formula (provided a link earlier), as store-bought puppy formula is no longer considered the proper diet for anything other than a puppy. Keep us posted please =) Glad he is improving.

[Skul]

At that age, I see dehydraytion.
Suirrel is most likely fine,
Just observe for a short tme.

[Mrs Skul]

What Formula were you using?:thinking

[Jackie in Tampa]

are you being consistant with the calcium MBD treatment?
and seeing good results?
are you still concerned about him having UTI?

if so, we can send meds asap and I can help with instructions,
I will need a weight in grams...

[Wonkawillie]

This squirrel needs consistant calcuim or it will die. The diet needs to be corrected asap. Squirrels fade away very very quickly. This baby needs formula, rodent blocks, and keep the recovery calcium coming!
I have always offered my baby squirrels tums or calcium tablets. They know what their body is craving and they do eat the stuff. Calcium is a macro nutrient for all mammals, but for some reason squirrels need mega calcium. Calcium is responsible for SOOOOOOO many things. Ever get leg cramps in the hot summer if you have been sweating like crazy? This is simply from a very small loss of calcium in your sweat. next comes irregular heartbeat, then heat stroke, then death! Squirrels metabolize tons of calcium and if they do not have enough in the diet, their body will take it from bones in order to keep heartbeat going, etc. When they run out of calcium in the bones, they crash. They can recover if treated AS SOON as you see a problem, but they have a lot of calcium to make up for. keep it coming and correct the diet. I think you will be OK!!!
Thank you for looking for help for this little one. There is amazing info here for you at TSB. These folks have rehabbed thousands of orphans. They have seen it all.

[Jackie in Tampa]

on the right track WW, first the bone cal is robbed, organs and blood next, finally the body will leach out the brain cal, at that time seizures begin. Intervention is a must.
Because each sqs diet is different, pertains to time spans , severity and symptoms. It is serious and death will follow.
Furnishing additional heat is a good idea, they ache extremely. I usually offer pain meds while treating for MBD.
Because there is a point that I can only describe as 'fragile minded" he should be in a calm quiet environment, no loud noises or sudden movement, this can and does trigger seizure activity.
I understand you maybe working with members in PMs, please post all symptom details on the open board. Some of the TSB members have alot of experience with this and can give you positive ideas.
How is his appetite?
This treatment for a few days will not heal him, it will appear he is well, when actual MBD treatment can take months. It is risky at best to stop treatment.
Please continue the calcium protocol daily...concentrate on healthy food, leafy greens are a good source and staple.
His diet must be rectified for a long life.
The calcium dosing must be spread out throughout the day for several days before going to step two, healing. Currently he is trying to survive only.
I am a lousy typer, but others will fill the gaps or you can just ask alot of questions, we will get you and sq thru this.
AGAIN, please follow the MBD INtervention guide. TY