Baby Squirrel is suddenly lethargic, cold, and wobbly. [Archive]

somnit

11-08-2011, 02:54 AM

I have a squirrel that I rescued from the back yard of a friend's house. He is about 8-9 weeks old, and has been perfectly healthy ever since I took him in (he was about 3-4 weeks at that time). He has been fine all day long, but about an hour ago, as I was about to feed him before going to sleep, I picked him up and noticed that he was cold. I put him on my floor and he could not walk straight. He took a little bit of formula, but not much. He is still very lethargic, but I don't hear any "clicking" (though I'm not even sure what that means). Every time I sit him down or pick him up, he just kinda curls into a ball.

I need help now. ): I don't know what to do.

sleeping koala

11-08-2011, 03:23 AM

Hello,
Hopefully someone who can help you will be along soon.
There is two links in this thread for emergency online help when no one is available here.
I believe they charge for one.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17863

somnit

11-08-2011, 03:34 AM

Thank you. I've already posted a question on the free one, but no one seems to be there either.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 03:40 AM

Follow the instructions in this thread IMMEDIATELY...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17680

Of course, I'm not sure if this is what it is, and I'm not a rehabber...but most often this is the problem when these symptoms present. Also, the treatment won't hurt him. And if this IS the problem, the treatment could save his life.

AFTER you start this treatment, read through the MBD info under SPECIFIC AILMENTS in the Board Index. I'll go back and get you a link.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 03:44 AM

This is the forum for MBD...

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=168

You mention he is on formula. What is he taking? How much?

The clicking sound: can you hear him making a clicking sound when he breathes? You said you didn't think so...make sure.

Is he on any sort of heat? Heating pad half under the area he sleeps. Or make a sock buddy--fill with rice and microwave until warm. Place near squirrel under a t-shirt or fleece so he can curl up to it. The warmth might help him. If you can hold him wrapped up, do it. The warmth, touch, and nearness of *you* could help him pull through this, too.

I'm kind of grasping here...I know no one is on, but I'm really not a rehabber. ugh. Let me try and find one....

gs1

11-08-2011, 03:48 AM

:goodpost

:grouphug are you keeping him warm?

please let us know how much formula he's been having and what kind? esbilac/fox valley etc...

gs1

11-08-2011, 03:55 AM

somnit i wanted to pm you mrs skuls phone number ....

if you can email me within the next few minutes i'll email it to you.....

my email is silvana(no spaces)2165@hotmail(dot)com

:grouphug

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:02 AM

Right now he's on GNC Ultra Mega for puppies, which I was told was a good formula replacement for squirrel milk. He hasn't had any formula but this. I don't pay much attention to how much he eats, honestly. He usually (from what I am assuming) eats about 1-2 tbsp. every four to six hours. He generally lets me know when he wants to be fed.
I've had him in front of a heater, and on my own body trying to keep him warm, right now he's in a blanket of mine that he loves.
He seems to be doing a good bit better, as I had him on the floor with me in front of the heater, and he jumped off of my sweatshirt, onto my floor, rubbed his face all over it, jumped on my bed, rubbed his face on that, and then went into my blanket. He took a bit more formula about five minutes ago, and enthusiastically ate it this time, and I think his body temperature has gone up.

As far as treatment for MBD, I don't have any tums, and I have no vehicle, unfortunately. I was suspecting that or hypothermia, as they both seemed to share the same warning signs.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:03 AM

Can you walk to a convenience store for the tums?

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:05 AM

What you're feeding him is not for squirrels..he needs squirrel nutrition. Fox Valley Nutrition formula, to be exact.

Can you email gs1 to get Mrs Skul's number?

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:06 AM

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:08 AM

I emailed Gs1, and there aren't any stores close to where I am.

Do you know if I can get the Foxy Valley Nutrition Formula in any kind of petstore or a place like Walmart or Bilo, or anything like that?

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:11 AM

no you can't but in the morning you can go to a health food store or maybe ordinary supermarket and get human grade goats milk/full fat yogurt/full fat whipping cream....

recipe coming... it will do you for a couple of days ..meanwhile if you order fox valley tomorrow (and also please order ultra boost and some syringes) ...anyway the temporary goats milk will feed him until the fox valley order arrives....:grouphug

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:11 AM

You have to order it online: www.foxvalleynutrition.com

There is a goat's milk replacement formula you can use while you are waiting for the formula to arrive... I'll have to find that for you...

But Mrs.Skul will have a better idea about what might be happening to your little one. So call her asap.

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:11 AM

somnit this is beyond my help... mrs skul might have some idea of what you can do or what the problem is...

i don't know gnc ... and i don't know if he can absorb the calcium in it etc...

please email me and then call mrs skul.....

if this is mbd you don't have hours to wait ..

if it's something else you need to fix this asap....

when you give him formula do you give it in a spoon or a syringe?

:grouphug

I gave him the formula about five or so minutes ago via syringe.
I was told by someone (who supposedly had experience with rescuing squirrels) that puppy milk replacement was good. Apparently not.

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:12 AM

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:13 AM

Apparently not. This happens more than you can imagine. :grouphug
Wishing the best for your squirrel...

You're not going to give him straight goat's milk...there is a recipe you need to follow, planned by very experienced squirrel rehabbers.

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:14 AM

no email yet.....

try clicking on my name top left...

the third one down is my email address

hopefully that will either open a window or let you cut and paste the address

ps: very little good information on squirrels out there... don't beat yourself up ...this isn't your fault....:grouphug

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:14 AM

Thank you.

And GS1, my email address is not putting out any emails for some reason. It won't send through. Let me log into another account.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:17 AM

Temporary Goat's Milk Replacement formula...until FV arrives:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29903&highlight=goat%27s+milk+replacement+formula

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:20 AM

Thank you so much. I'll be making a trip out as soon as I can.

GS1, the emails won't go through to the email you gave me... It says that the address is unavailable.

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:21 AM

will be back in about 10 mins ...no email so far:grouphug

edit: it won't go through?

ok ... here is a link ... silvana( no spaces)2065@hotmail.com

EDITED: ...GOT IT!!!

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:25 AM

If for some reason you can't get through email me and I'll give you her number:
xxx

(delete later, admin! :) )

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:30 AM

Oh my gosh, okay, I found some Tums.
He seems to have gotten drastically better. I just walked in my room and he ran all over the place.. but I want to make sure, and give him the Tums quick-fix, get the stuff in the morning, and order the formula.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:32 AM

Oh, thank the lord of tums. Yes, do exactly what you said. Tums emergency, go out tomorrow and get the goat's milk stuff, order the fox valley.
After you get some tums in him, phone Mrs Skul if you can. :thumbsup

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:37 AM

sent you back an email!!!:grouphug

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:41 AM

Now I'm hoping the lord of keeping Mrs Skul up at all hours of the night is on the ball. :) She'll be able to help you more than we can. If this isn't MBD it still sounds serious for your baby to just get weak like that all of a sudden...

But regardless of what it is, you *still* need the goat's milk formula ingredients AND the FV, no matter what. ASAP. :thumbsup

Thank you for finding TSB and trying your best to help your squirrel. :thankyou :bowdown

gs1

11-08-2011, 04:43 AM

:goodpost

goodnight... hope to find better news in the morning....:grouphug

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 04:50 AM

I'll wait here for a little bit. Let me know if you get through to Mrs Skul.

somnit

11-08-2011, 04:50 AM

Thank you all very much. I appreciate it so much... (:

somnit

11-08-2011, 05:08 AM

Alright guys! I called her, and it wasn't MBD. Basically, she thinks that I have a baby that just got too cold. (: And I am so very happy to say that that was all it is, haha. Thank you all though for your help!

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 05:15 AM

GOOD! :alright.gif See? We aren't rehabbers. :D
Warm that baby up snuggly-cozy now!

BUT please go out tomorrow and get the stuff for the goat's milk replacement formula and order the FV asap, ok? :thumbsup

Goodnight!

Jackie in Tampa

11-08-2011, 05:33 AM

I can't get a PM to go thru..., you may not be fully activated yet.

I know several rehabbers in SC, all over the state..
If you need help with anything, please send me an email...
thecrazysquirrellady@gmail.com
Where are you in SC?

Thank you for the update...we worry!:thumbsup
That Mrs Skul is another night owl and she can chew some huh!:D
Gotta love her, and we do!

I reco a heating pad with NO shut off feature, CVS $13.
A rice buddy, sock filled with dried rice or beans nuked in micro for 20-40 seconds, be careful, not too hot.
A plastic soda bottle full of hot water wrapped in cloth...

Goats Milk is great...please try it..It is full of immunities and good nutrition.
I have never used what you are using, but I can assure you if it was better than Fox Valley we would ALL be using it...
TSB recommends Fox Valley.
It is made for squirrels...:thumbsup not puppies.:)
Welcome to TSB...:Welcome :wave123
We love pics...lots of pics!

lilidukes

11-08-2011, 06:40 AM

where are you in SC??? We have members all over the state that will help you.

island rehabber

11-08-2011, 07:46 AM

somnit, at -9 weeks old it is highly unlikely your squirrel has MBD. However the fact that he is not on a good formula for squirrels may be a factor. I would switch him ASAP to the goat's milk recipe above, and provide some kind of supplemental heat for him until he gets his body temp back. He may be hypoglycemic: rub some honey or molasses under his muzzle, on his gums. If he respnds by becoming very alert, you know that's what it was, and it was caused by lack of proper nutrition. (Not your fault, I know; if folks don't find their way to the right website, it's crazy what nonsense is out there about squirrels. )
SO: try the emergency syrup/honey/molasses treatment, get him on heat, and the right formula and let's see how he does! :)

ALSO: at his age he should probably be taking formula 2-3 times/day -- anywhere from 12-20cc each time.

Fireweed

11-08-2011, 12:13 PM

Babies don't get usually get MBD. (Must've been away from class that day. :tilt ) Well, happy to see rehabbers around now. :bowdown

Keep us updated and let us know how your little one is doing.
And pictures! Don't forget pictures!

DipityDane

11-08-2011, 12:36 PM

Definitely sounds like a case of hypothermia/hypoglycemia.....if babies cannot thermoregulate they cool quickly and burn up sugar stores in an attempt to get warm....it is a situation that can spiral out of control fast! The good thing is that if caught quickly the baby can usually be brought back with heat and sugar.....Ive been brought lots of babies in this state(squirrel and nonsquirrel alike) and its amazing the recovery they can make right before your eyes! Glad this baby is better.....keep a close watch.

island rehabber

11-08-2011, 01:44 PM

So true! I will never forget getting two black siblings in, years ago. One was lethargic but awake; the other was cold and almost stiff, eyes closed. I set the cold one aside in an open box, on heat, because at that time I thought I knew what I was doing and I thought she was about to die. I went to work warming and hydrating the other one. Imagine my shock when I returned to the room after an hour or so and the "dead" one was out of her box, tearing up the place :rotfl:sanp3