8 1/2 wk squirrel still not walking

[Autumn_Dawn]

I have a 8 1/2 wk old single baby gray squirrel. His nest fell when he was close to 2 wks old, the mother did not reclaim them and the sibling squirrels died by the second night, most likely from injuries due to the fall. My single squirrel has been well for some time. He is now eating up to 12 ml of Esbilac formula four times a day, he dislikes rodent block so I grind it up into a fine powder and add it to his formula, which he likes just fine. I've just started to introduce apples and banana, he is also teething on pieces of bark and pine cone (both thoroughly washed). He also gets at least a 1/2 hour in the sun during the afternoon each day. He seems happy and active and loves taking his baths. He has good urination and pellet hard- dark feces. The only problem we encountered was when one of my children tripped over his heating pad cord and the cage tumbled a few times and hit the wall with him in it. There are no broken bones and he was scared but unharmed. With this said, I have not been able to figure out why he is still unable to walk. He scoots, flops, and can climb but he cannot walk or sit up on his own. By this age he should be doing these things. He gets the proper amount of Vitamin D either through the Esbilac (D3), rodent block and sunlight so I want to say this is probably not MBD, but I cant be sure. If this was a head trauma from the cage tumble wouldn't there be other problems as well. I'm not sure what the problem is so I was hoping someone may have encountered something similar and could tell me what the problem is and how to possibly fix it. I love him dearly and want him to grow into a happy healthy squirrel. This inability to walk is causing me great concern.

[momma2boo]

I have a 8 1/2 wk old single baby gray squirrel. His nest fell when he was close to 2 wks old, the mother did not reclaim them and the sibling squirrels died by the second night, most likely from injuries due to the fall. My single squirrel has been well for some time. He is now eating up to 12 ml of Esbilac formula four times a day, he dislikes rodent block so I grind it up into a fine powder and add it to his formula, which he likes just fine. I've just started to introduce apples and banana, he is also teething on pieces of bark and pine cone (both thoroughly washed). He also gets at least a 1/2 hour in the sun during the afternoon each day. He seems happy and active and loves taking his baths. He has good urination and pellet hard- dark feces. The only problem we encountered was when one of my children tripped over his heating pad cord and the cage tumbled a few times and hit the wall with him in it. There are no broken bones and he was scared but unharmed. With this said, I have not been able to figure out why he is still unable to walk. He scoots, flops, and can climb but he cannot walk or sit up on his own. By this age he should be doing these things. He gets the proper amount of Vitamin D either through the Esbilac (D3), rodent block and sunlight so I want to say this is probably not MBD, but I cant be sure. If this was a head trauma from the cage tumble wouldn't there be other problems as well. I'm not sure what the problem is so I was hoping someone may have encountered something similar and could tell me what the problem is and how to possibly fix it. I love him dearly and want him to grow into a happy healthy squirrel. This inability to walk is causing me great concern.

This could be a spinal cord injury. I am sure a rehabber will be here shortly to help you assess this baby.

Does he potty by himself?

[mugzeezma]

Does he potty by himself?
Also feel down his spine to see if it is evenly spaced and smooth (except for vertebral bumps) with no dips or jogs to one side or the other.

1)How has he always held his tail?

2)Can he curl it over his back?

3)Can he kick and move his hind legs?

4)How long ago did the indecent with the cage occur?

5)Does he have any kind of head tilt?

Anything you can answer here will help us...MBD seems unlikely
More likely it's an injury.

[Autumn_Dawn]

I'm still stimulating him to urinate but he is pooping on his own

[Autumn_Dawn]

There doesnt seem to be anything wrong with his spine, it's straight and smooth from his neck to his tail.
He can curl his tail and does seem to use it for balance, as well as a blanket.
The tumble occured about a week and a half ago.
He does have a slight head tilt but it's only apparent when he tries to walk, when I hold and feed him he's not tilting his head.
He uses his hind legs to kick and tries to use them when he's attempting to walk.
When trying to walk he flops over or scoots on his belly.

[mugzeezma]

There doesnt seem to be anything wrong with his spine, it's straight and smooth from his neck to his tail.
He can curl his tail and does seem to use it for balance, as well as a blanket.
The tumble occured about a week and a half ago.
He does have a slight head tilt but it's only apparent when he tries to walk, when I hold and feed him he's not tilting his head.
He uses his hind legs to kick and tries to use them when he's attempting to walk.
When trying to walk he flops over or scoots on his belly.

Does it seem like a lack of balance or like he can't get his feet to work?
Can he get his feet under himself and then fall over
or
Is he unable to get his hind legs to work?

[UDoWhat]

Did you say already, was he able to walk normally before the cage falling? Or has he always been like this? Is it possible to post pic/ vid?

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[lilidukes]

I had a vet try to explain this to me about one of my spinal injured kids it had a huge very forgettable name.

There is an area of the spine in which if damaged makes the brain send wrong signals to the legs and causes them (the legs) to not respond to the brain signals. This is usually permanent.

Bless you for saving this little guy. It's either spinal or neuro. Myself I would start treating him like a beloved pet expecting him to be non releasable (NR)

Best of luck! :grouphug :grouphug

[Autumn_Dawn]

I thought the best way to do this would be to post a video clip. I cant seem to figure out how to upload one!
His legs work the problem is supporting his weight I guess, he uses his legs to scoot..very quickly, but when trying to support himself is when he flops over.

[UDoWhat]

I am afraid he may have neurological issues or spinal cord injury. Do you have a Vet that could evaluate him? One that is safe and would not put him down or take him from you? Can he pee on his own without stimulation?

[mpetys]

I thought the best way to do this would be to post a video clip. I cant seem to figure out how to upload one!
His legs work the problem is supporting his weight I guess, he uses his legs to scoot..very quickly, but when trying to support himself is when he flops over.

Do you know how to upload to youtube? If so, you can upload there and then post a link here.

Michele

[Pierre]

Also, the question about whether he could walk ok before the cage falling accident was a good question. If this happened recently [vs being born with this, or it happening when his nest fell], it might change the treatment or potential outcome for this guy.

[UDoWhat]

Also, the question about whether he could walk ok before the cage falling accident was a good question. If this happened recently [vs being born with this, or it happening when his nest fell], it might change the treatment or potential outcome for this guy.
Hi again, I was just wondering about the walking before the fall of if he can pee pee on his own? We would need to know this to determine how best to help your sweet little one. Hope to hear about him. :Love_Icon

Marty

[Autumn_Dawn]

He never really did walk well @ 6 wks but he is worse now than before the cage tumbled. I finally got a decent video of him trying to walk. Its a little dark and he was stressed out but its the best I could do. It almost appears as though he cannot hold himself up and cant get all four legs to work together. He flops over a lot before he gets scooting. I still stimulate him to pee but he poops on his own without help. Here is the youtube link. Thanks to you all for trying to help!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwV223eWdI

[Autumn_Dawn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwV223eWdI

[lilidukes]

Bless his heart that is neuro:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[mugzeezma]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwV223eWdI
That looks like head trauma to me.
This is a Non Releasable...NR
He may get better over time ,, may be subject to seizures,
Poor little guy:Love_Icon
From what I know...and that's not much...
He may be able to compensate over time and be a wonderful companion but will never be able to fend for himself in the wild in this state.
If I were you I would start looking at homeopathic remedies for neurological symptoms. Arinca is one that I am thinking of but there are others
His balance is nonexistant.
Something else that this could be but not as likely given the history, is a middle ear infection.
You may want to try some anti vertigo meds.
Do you have a veterinarian?

[Pierre]

He's still so young and his brain and nervous system are so very plastic. I believe with help and maybe some meds, he could learn to compensate some, though never be releasable.

What could she give him to help with his coordination? What kind of exercises could she do to help him? Could she help him walk slowly with a little sling to help him learn some control? He needs some physical therapy like we do with people.

He is just darling though. Give him lots of kisses. :Love_Icon :grouphug

[mugzeezma]

He's still so young and his brain and nervous system are so very plastic. I believe with help and maybe some meds, he could learn to compensate some, though never be releasable.

What could she give him to help with his coordination? What kind of exercises could she do to help him? Could she help him walk slowly with a little sling to help him learn some control? He needs some physical therapy like we do with people.

He is just darling though. Give him lots of kisses. :Love_Icon :grouphug

All I can think of is plenty of room to be a squirrel and some low round thick branches elevated over cushions (like a balance beam) for him to crawl and cling to....he will roll off.
I would limit the height he can climb to less than a foot.
Slop in a dish for weaning food...something he can lick up.
Rodent block soaked in formula
Anything ground up that he does not have to hold yet
heavy objects that he can chew that will not roll away.

He looks like a Cerebral Palsy kid :shakehead

Squirrely OT is in order here

hard foods will need to be hand held for him until he gets the hang of it.

Poor little guy :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[mugzeezma]

I'm wondering if he may be blind...time will tell.

you will ave to see if he reacts to motion and light.

[Pierre]

Good thoughts Mugzi.
You know, it seems like he is having the most trouble with his left front leg. Perhaps attention to helping him learn how to place that foot and balance with it better would help him learn to walk acceptably [for a pet]. Of course it's not just his foot, but his brain signals to that leg, but again, babies' neuro systems are so plastic. He could develop other pathways in his brain to take over control of that leg. I kind of think it would be fun to help him learn to control his little body enough, slowly, and with time and patience.

He looks so sweet. Trying to really move and run gets him all stumbly and probably scares him. Holding him up and steady and letting him move his legs underneath him for awhile might help give him confidence. :Love_Icon

[Autumn_Dawn]

Thank you all for your support and input. This little guy has become as dear to me as one of my own children and like any mother you want your child to grow up happy and healthy to live a wonderful life even though it hurts to let them go. It pains me greatly to know he may not be able to soar from tree to tree. I guess I can resign myself to giving him extra love and support to help compensate. A sling to help is a great idea. I will start to look for some homeopathic medicines as well. As for vet care the only one in my immediate area does not partake in wildlife care. I had an experience with a raccoon that had a fishing lure caught in its paw and he would not treat him. I will look else where in case it is an ear infection. Are there any particular medications I should be looking for? Thanks again

[mugzeezma]

It depends on what the vet likes or has had the most success with. I am honestly not sure what would be 'BEST' in this case....it would also have to be something taken for a course of weeks rather than days for inner ear.
I really doubt that that's what it is anyway if he's always moved this way

[astra]

there is a member here - BHO. She has good experience with homeo remedies for neuro issues, as well as many others.
I, personally, benefited from her knowledge and experience. She could tell you which remedies might be helpful, which ones are better than others and how to administer them.

Click on Members List - top menu bar. Find her name under B and send her a pm.:grouphug

[wheezer]

Poor little one:grouphug
Great advice here. I think Mugzeezma is right on target:thumbsup
With special care and homeopathic help, he may improve and be able to eat on his own and walk a little better:grouphug :grouphug

My only suggestion for caging would be ramps with carpet. I have a NR with a small disability and she can climb up and down much better on these than the larger branches she has.

He may need a long horizontal cage instead of a vertical one with some ramps to go up to shelves not very high off the floor for variety. My little one has several nice soft kitty houses for nest boxes which she loves.

When she first didn't like Henry's Healthy blocks, I blended them in a coffee grinder then could add different items like smashed blueberries or any fruit. I have even added a tad of agave syrup just to vary taste not to bore her:)
Now she eats them without grinding:thumbsup

Best wishes to you and Bless you for your loving care:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug