flying squirrel showing severe neurological issues

[sshearer]

I am new to squirrels but have a large amount of experience with many small animals. I have raised many orphaned kittens, but those aren't squirrels. I found a flying squirrel in the bottom of a tree two weeks ago. He was wet and it was very cold out so I very easily "caught' him. He did fine the first week then I noticed he had a slight head tilt. The last couple days it has gotten worse and today I picked him up and he has rolled over a few times when he is trying to walk. The first week I fed him esbilac goats milk but he has decent incisors, weighs 60 grams, and can eat walnuts so I stopped the milk about a week ago. He has been eating walnuts and pecans, as well as hamster food and then I have been offereing treats like apples, blueberries, carrot shavings, and raisins but he has little interest. He is drinking water well and his bm's and urine output seems good. Does this sound like MBD? I feel horrible and just want to help him!! Please help me.

[cuteascnb]

I am new to squirrels but have a large amount of experience with many small animals. I have raised many orphaned kittens, but those aren't squirrels. I found a flying squirrel in the bottom of a tree two weeks ago. He was wet and it was very cold out so I very easily "caught' him. He did fine the first week then I noticed he had a slight head tilt. The last couple days it has gotten worse and today I picked him up and he has rolled over a few times when he is trying to walk. The first week I fed him esbilac goats milk but he has decent incisors, weighs 60 grams, and can eat walnuts so I stopped the milk about a week ago. He has been eating walnuts and pecans, as well as hamster food and then I have been offereing treats like apples, blueberries, carrot shavings, and raisins but he has little interest. He is drinking water well and his bm's and urine output seems good. Does this sound like MBD? I feel horrible and just want to help him!! Please help me.

I have learned so much about flyers...I recently got 2 myself. Theres alot to know....by his weight Im gonna say hes over the 10 week mark (personal expieriance)...If he will take formula give it to him its great!!! Fox Valley 32/40 is the best stuff to give him. It sounds like he may have an injury from the fall possibly, but those are also signs of MBD...if he has not had any calcium supplement you should do an emergency calcium treatment.... Ill find the thread and post it...

STOP THE HAMPSTER FOOD!!! They should get very little seeds...he will not eat the good stuff if hes eating the seeds. Fruit and veggies SHOULD NOT BE TREATS!!!
EVERYDAY I FEED MINE THE FOLLOWING
yogurt with a little oatmeal on top, chicken, a couple waxworms, GREENS, MUSHROOMS, RODENT BLOCK KAYTee you can find atthe pet store, HHB you can find at henryspets.com, 2 other veggies and 2 fruits.

THANKS TO JAKIE IN TAMPA
seasonal and on sale!
the normal stuff..
sugar snap peas
brocolli
asperagus
califlower
green beans
brussel sprouts
romaine or red leaf or loose leaf
bagged lettuce mix {seldom, $$}
MUSHROOMS EVERYDAY
cabage
SQUASH{acorn, butternut, spagetti, yellow, zuchini, pumpkin,turban, calabashi} SQUASH
artichokes
carrots {only one orange food a day}
sweet potatoe {a fav}
spinach {not often}
corn {treat statis, bi weekly at best}
kale
greens
tomatoes
avacodo


oranges/lemons
apples/pears
peaches/plums
grapes
papaya
figs
seasonal berries...black, rasp, straw etc
melons
mangos
blue berries
cranberries



NO EGGPLANT
NO RAW CHESTNUTS
NO APPLE/PEAR SEEDS
NO FORTIFIED SEED MIXES

[pappy1264]

The fact he was at the bottom of a tree and you caught him so easily, I suspect he took a bad fall and had/has a head injury. MBD generally does not show up this way (usually, you will see dragging legs, lethargy, loss of appetite, but not the rolling you are seeing. And MBD would not show up that fast, but that diet is not a healthy diet for a flyer. Flyers need lots of protein, usually in the form of bugs, but chicken with bone in, eggs, yogurt are all things you can and should offer.) I would also try to see if he will still take formula (but I would get some fox valley). You should also be offering some type of rodent block, as well. Cut way back on those nuts (they should be given more as treats. Flyers are small animals and will fill up on nuts and not eat other things.) Pick up some waxworms for him. Do you have any vets that are good with exotics? Depending on your location, it is legal to have flyers in some places as pets, although not all. Getting him on a good diet is imperative, but I believe you should have a vet check him for the rolling. I am sure others will be on soon with advice. Do you have heat under half his cage? Although older, if he is not feeling good, having the option of heat is good, as he can move on and off as he needs to.

[cuteascnb]

WAIT TO SEE WHAT OTHERS SAY I DO NOT HAVE THAT MUCH EXPIERIANCE IN THE MBD DEPARTMENT...PAPPY IS PROBABLY RIGHT BUT HERE IS THE TREATMENT JUST INCASE...
Emergency Treatment for MBD

Get calcium into the animal IMMEDIATELY, not later, not tomorrow, NOW.
Delaying treatment can cause death or permanent paralysis.

You will need:
Tums, rolaids, or calcium supplement (any kind)
a syringe or spoon

Crush one pill and add a little water or fruit juice to make a paste. Use the syringe or spoon to force-feed the mixture, a little at a time, until it is all gone.

After the initial emergency dose of calcium, give 100 mg calcium every 4 hours. If symptoms return or do not improve, try dosing every 3 hours. Severe cases may need dosing every 2 hours.

Keep track of how many doses it takes for symptoms to resolve; this means the squirrel is alert, active, and eating, with no seizures or paralysis. During the first few days, the schedule may need adjustment. You should work with TSB members to do this. This dosing schedule will become your Baseline Protocol.

Important!

Any kind of calcium pill is okay for the initial dose. But you must use PLAIN calcium carbonate (without Vit D) from then on.

Many small doses of calcium throughout the day/night are best to keep blood calcium levels as steady as possible.

If seizures or paralysis worsen or return, give an emergency dose of 100 mg calcium, then consult with TSB members or a rehabber or veterinarian to adjust the dosing schedule. Relapses are very serious and often fatal.

White feces or a white film on dried urine may mean the dosage can be reduced, as this indicates not all of the calcium is being absorbed.

The acute symptoms (weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis) will usually improve within a few hours, but this does not mean the squirrel is cured. It will take many months to rebuild the calcium in the bones. (See the "Long-Term Treatment for MBD.”)

More Tips

MBD causes brittle bones that break easily. Try to keep your squirrel confined to a small cage and away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone.

Heat is very soothing for an animal with MBD. A heating pad turned to low and placed so they cannot chew the pad or cord, or a rice buddy (a sock filled with dry rice/beans and microwaved for about 20 seconds) will work.

Long-Term Treatment for MBD

The next step to curing MBD is to fix the diet.

1. Remove ALL seeds, nuts, corn, and treats.

2. Follow the Healthy Diet For Pet Squirrels.

Your squirrel MUST eat rodent blocks or squirrel blocks every day (either 2 Henry's Healthy Squirrel Blocks per day, or a small handful of commercial rodent block per day). If you choose to feed commercial rodent blocks, you should crush them up with peanut butter, yogurt, fruit juice, avocado, baby food, etc., to make them easier to chew and improve the taste.

3. In addition to the Healthy Diet, you will need to continue giving extra calcium every day for many weeks. Use a syringe or spoon, or you can mix the calcium with a small amount of peanut butter, crushed nuts, yogurt, baby food, or any food the squirrel likes.

Calcium Dosage:

Continue the Baseline Protocol for 1 week. Then try reducing the total daily amount of calcium by 50 mg. If the squirrel remains stable for 1 week, reduce the total daily amount of calcium by another 50 mg. Continue this gradual reduction until the squirrel is only getting around 100 mg of extra calcium per day. If at any time symptoms return, go back to the higher dosage for 1-2 weeks.

The treatment for each squirrel may be slightly different and you should work with a rehabber or TSB members to tailor the treatment to your squirrel's needs. Depending on the age of the squirrel, severity of disease, and other factors, your squirrel may need extra calcium for many months, perhaps for life.

More Tips
MBD causes brittle bones that break easily. Try to keep your squirrel confined to a small cage and away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone.

Heat is very soothing for a squirrel with MBD. A heating pad turned to low and placed so they cannot chew the pad or cord, or a rice buddy (a sock filled with dry rice/beans and microwaved for about 20 seconds) will work.

[Pennyorf]

What about inner ear infection? I read about them all the time in these posts. Especially with the head tilt. Wet squirrel might mean water got into his ear. I'm a newborn hearing screener on human babies and know how fluid in the ear can have an effect. Could be a head injury if he fell but no harm looking for an ear infection also. I hope and know an experienced rehabber will be on board soon to help you out. God bless and good luck.:Welcome

[cuteascnb]

What about inner ear infection? I read about them all the time in these posts. Especially with the head tilt. Wet squirrel might mean water got into his ear. I'm a newborn hearing screener on human babies and know how fluid in the ear can have an effect. Could be a head injury if he fell but no harm looking for an ear infection also. I hope and know an experienced rehabber will be on board soon to help you out. God bless and good luck.:Welcome
:goodpost

[Pennyorf]

A slight head tilt to one side that gets worse could mean the infection is getting deeper into the canal. My dog used to get ear infections and she would lean to that side. She would have toppled over if she were smaller. I might be wrong but it is something to consider. Is your squirrel scratching at this side of it's head?:thinking

[sshearer]

No not scratching but when I rubbed his ears a few days ago he leaned into it like a dog and closed his eyes. he did it on both sides and i wasn't sure if it was normal or not. How do you treat ear infections in flying squirrels? I am a vet tech at a small animal practice so I have access to some meds. Thank you all for your quick responses. I put him in an aquarium for the night with plenty of soft nesting material and I forced some calcium/phosphorus reptile vitamins with applesauce. Also some with yogurt. I didn't do too much cause he is so small. I am so worried about him :o( He has been so sweet for only having him for two weeks. But maybe thats from a head injury lol

[cuteascnb]

No not scratching but when I rubbed his ears a few days ago he leaned into it like a dog and closed his eyes. he did it on both sides and i wasn't sure if it was normal or not. How do you treat ear infections in flying squirrels? I am a vet tech at a small animal practice so I have access to some meds. Thank you all for your quick responses. I put him in an aquarium for the night with plenty of soft nesting material and I forced some calcium/phosphorus reptile vitamins with applesauce. Also some with yogurt. I didn't do too much cause he is so small. I am so worried about him :o( He has been so sweet for only having him for two weeks. But maybe thats from a head injury lol


the only good reptile one u could use is repti-cal with NO phospherous...the phospherous basically absorbs the calcium before its absorbed by the squirrel...they need the calcium...they are very sweet creatures...lovable and become very close with their owners

[gs1]

please get him some kind of meat asap ....flyers are not vegetarians... in the wild they eat a lot of insects, worms etc....

they will/can die without enough meat protein.... wax worms/mealworms or boiled chicken breast......

i hope i stressed this enough.....

as well.... i agree he's probably got some kind of head injury/ear infection ....

i don't think it's mbd now but in a month or so it could become mbd on this diet....

again ...please asap meat....

and then start on a better diet .... as per the above vegetables.....

hhbs are my favourite blocks....

fox valley formula is the best of the very best....

(you can mix it into full fat yogurt)

right now ... the first problem is lack of meat protein...

the second problem is treatment for the head injury/ear infection asap

and third is the good flyer diet ... to maintain good health and prevent mbd....

:grouphug

[sshearer]

I have been trying to get him to eat mealworms or crickets since I have some on hand for my lizards. I will try harder though. I am also going grocery shopping tomorrow so I will get him some better foods. I offered rodent blocks from the beginning and he won't touch them. Do wild fliers usually eat well to begin with? Thank you all very much. I will keep you updated hopefully with good news.

[gs1]

this is something that mrs skul sent to me and asked me to share with all flyer parents....

mrs skul is probably the flyer expert on this forum ...after muffin ofcourse...

she has dyslexia and prefers to talk to people on the phone... i'll pm you her number... she is up all night .... and is happy to take calls....






:wave123
:fireworks congratulation!!!:goofwe

Welcome to the World of Being OWNED By The Flying Squirrel. :D

If you feed a High Protein diet WaxWorms MealWorms ""Even when they turn in to Millers they love them."" Freeze Dried Chicken or Fresh.
PetsMart carries Prim Bites & PetCo Carries PureBites FDChicken., VitaLife makes Chicken Chips and Chicken Poppers. PetsMart use to carrie them.
The Chicken chips you can find on line. This is a Dog treat. All you wont is Chicken nothing else added. You can try Scrambled, Boiled, Poached egg, Fried is usually to greasy.

You also need to pick up Some CuddelBone for Birds and put 1 in the cage.

They make a Calcium Mineral Chew that is the shape of a Ice Cream cone. You can find at both Pet stores. They will be in the Rodent and the Rabbit/ Chinchilla/Ferret sections. " Just ask some one and they will help you find them if you cant." I have 1 hanging inside & outside the big cage, and 1 in every cage I have. I hang them so they don't fall to the bottom and get Peeeeeed on.:D :rotfl {"Just 4to5 inch of dental floss. Hanging By the plat form they feed on. When done it just drops and it hangs."} The Flyers will eat on the Cuddle bone and then the C/M Cone. They switch around. Some times it can be in the Cage for a year or so be for they use them. If they are not lacking Calcium they will not eat them. When needed, they Devour it. :shark

I feed my Flyer HHB and Fresh Vegatables. Protean and a Little FV every Day. Some like the FV by a Syringe and Some like FV Yogurt By a Syringe or in a Bottle Cap. "They like to pick it up and like it like IceCream. Happy, Healthy Little Monsters. :D

Flyers Make their own Vitim D and Eating Mushroom every day Helps. They like Sugar Snap Peas, Broccoli&the Leafs, ButterNut Squash& Acorn Squash. {"I will wash/dry the seed and feed them on the side.""}Asparagus, Bell Peppers and The Seeds, {"The BP Seeds need to be feed right a way or they turn black. I cut the seeds/skin holding them and feed as group."} Fresh Cranberries/ or frozen, Cherry Tomatoes cut in half. :Love_Icon Mine Love Cucumber&Avocado :Love_Icon like crazy, and I mix up a green salad with Romain, Brock Choy, Ediva & Godiva Lettuce, Any of the Lettuce,Cabbage.
"Ice Burg Lettuce has nothing in it for them. I never feed it." You can buy the Ready Mixed Salad's with all kinds of Romain and Letta's.

Now the Fruits. You do not wont them filling up on the Fruit. So just a little each time. Chunk of Apple or a Pare, the size of a Nickel.
BlueBerries {3or 4} Depending how big. :D RasBerry or Black Berry. :Love_Icon Mine love the ComCouts.:Love_Icon I usually hold the strawberry and let them eaton it. Just not much. Cherry, Fig, Prickly Pare Cactus Fruit." Oh and Sweet Potato not to much. :nono

They Have a large SWEET TOOTH and will steal it right out of your mouth if they can. :rotfl " Darla found a small piece of dark chocolate. Can you imagine a flyer on Speed. :eek: I thought she would die."


Just be careful. I am going to PM My number. If you have question or need help just call me any time day or night."



PS
Just follow the Nutrition for Squirrels and add The Protein and the flyer will do fine.:thumbsup3

I give Black Oil Sunflower seeds, The Squash Seeds,Pumpkin,Cantaloupe, Watermelon Seeds as a treat.
"Usually 4 or 5. It depends on how the Veg eating has gone that day."

I always give a nut for them to stash or keep. And if/when they open it. It's theirs free treat. :thumbsup5

Please call me some time.

I will give you a little info of what to be looking for if and when he gets sick.
Remember The Flyers will not show hardly any sines of being sick until it it to late.
So watch, and Know Him like the palm of your hand.
If he normally plays all the time. Then starts sleeping and Playing, and sleeping. Loss of weight.2 gm or more. These are signs to watch for.

Good Luck

[gs1]

can you email me ...i'd like to send you mrs skuls phone number but i can't get private messages to you .... my address ... no xxxxx's or spaces .... is


silvanaxxx 2065xxx @ xxx hotmail . com

[Mrs Skul]

No not scratching but when I rubbed his ears a few days ago he leaned into it like a dog and closed his eyes. he did it on both sides and i wasn't sure if it was normal or not. How do you treat ear infections in flying squirrels? I am a vet tech at a small animal practice so I have access to some meds. Thank you all for your quick responses. I put him in an aquarium for the night with plenty of soft nesting material and I forced some calcium/phosphorus reptile vitamins with applesauce. Also some with yogurt. I didn't do too much cause he is so small. I am so worried about him :o(He has been so sweet for only having him for two weeks. But maybe thats from a head injury lol

PLEASE DON'T TREAT A FLYER LIKE A REPTIAL!!! :nono
calcium/phosphorus reptile vitamins IS NOT GOOD!!! The Phosphorous will Absorb the Calcium from the Bones.
How long have you been giving him the Calcium/Phosphorus? What ALL :thinking have you been feeding him for the 2 weeks?
A Head Injury would not Just start showing up after 2 weeks. Can you post a Picture, and Video, PLEASE. How Big of a Cage do you have him in? Has he fallen on the floor or a Hard surface lately? :thinking They need allot of different Vitamins other than a Reptile. A Head injury and Maggots in the inner ear is what first comes to mind. But Not after 2 weeks. :thinking When you scratch a Flyer ear, or cheek. He will always lean into you. They love to be scratched and rubbed. :Love_Icon Now if you are a Vet Tech, Can you take this Baby in and ask a Vet to look at him. (If the Reptile Vitamin's have not harmed him.) They are so small their Little Bodies can't take a lot of different med, and Needless Vitamins. :shakehead I Never heard of Esbilac Goats milk. :nono
Esbilac is not good for Squirrels and Flying Squirrels anymore since the Manufactures Changed the ingredients.
I would order some FoxVally 32/40 from one of these cites.
http://henryspets.com
http://foxvalleynutrition.com/main/prod.asp
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/
There is other supply's for Squirrels. :thumbsup3 Please Do not Feed Crickets. The exoskeletons are not Digestible and Squirrels have problems throwing them up. They will cut the inner wall lining when coming up. (They don't like them either.) :D
I will post the Temporary GoatMilk Recipe to use until the FV comes in. :thumbsup3


PS Do you have my Phone Number?
Can you call me?
Hear is a link to our Nutrition forum. It might come in handy.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

[Mrs Skul]

Because this little one has issues and probably does not feel like eating Keep feeding the Formula/ Goat Milk recipe until the FoxVally comes in.
***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...
Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula
Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.
One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part Full Fat vanilla yogurt
Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.
Goat’s Milk
*This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.
*Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.
*Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.
* Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby Yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.
*It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.
*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.
*When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.

[Mochi&Mocha]

How do you treat ear infections in flying squirrels? I am a vet tech at a small animal practice so I have access to some meds.

I have a grey squirrel who had the same symptom as yours not too long ago. I brought her to the vet, and sure enough.. it was an inner ear infection. I'll let you know what meds were prescribed but I would get a hold of a squirrel friendly vet before giving anything or at least find someone on here who knows more about meds than I do.

Here was the first medication she was given (I'm just copying what the label says) : Trimethoprim Sulfa smz-tmp susp 8mg/ml 6cc
Give 0.1cc 2x daily for 2 weeks, Watch for diarreah

After she got off of the medication (which did cure the head tilt) gunk started coming out of her ear. I went back to the vet and he prescribed ear drops for her.
Unfortunately the label on the ear drops is messed up and I can't read it. I'm checking my online account with them now to see if it's in there.

[Mochi&Mocha]

I couldn't find the ear drop information :/
But I do want to add a few more things.
1. Treat this a.s.a.p.! It can't wait. A lot of other problems will erupt if you don't treat soon.
2. Make sure your flyer doesn't drag her head. My grey did and it really messed up her eye. I'm not sure if the infection or the dragging caused it but my grey can no longer see out of her eye. I think it was a combination of both but it's hard to tell. She doesn't react much on that side of her face anymore and her eye is scarred pretty bad.
3. Keep an eye out for any other things that might be wrong or starting to go wrong.

I hope for the best! :grouphug
and I hope this information is helpful. I just wanted to share my experience so that it may better yours.

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi SShearer
Usually with the inner Ear infection There will be a Antibiotic and Antibiotic Ear Drop to use. Sometimes you will need a different ear drop,
to help with the itching after it has heal. (" It is very ITCHY!") Best to use both at the same time. {Antibiotic & Antibiotic Ear Drops.}
I have used Baytril and SmzTmp. Both are good. :thumbsup3 SShearer Will The Vet You work for see Your Little Flyer??? :thinking
How is the Little One doing today?? :thinking

[sshearer]

Thank you all for the concerns. He is still with us and taking formula well. He doesn't eat much on his own but has munched on some grape, snap pea, and vanilla yogurt. He seems to avoid harder veggies, nuts and rat blocks. so I am making sure to do formula multiple times per day. Ive ordered the fox valley stuff but it hasn't gotten here yet. He is alert and is now coming out of his box again at night. There were about 2 nights where I didn't hear much from him. He still has the head tilt and he will twist over to that side when he is trying to hurry away from me after I have woken him up to feed him lol. He is on baytril and a very small dose of an injectible steroid to relieve some inflammation from the potential head injury. He isn't worsening, I think he is improving but nothing terribly significant yet. I am trying to do better about his diet however its very hard since he isn't taking solids on his own very well. I spent like $60 buying like 1 of every fruit and veggie you all recommended haha. I think its just hard for him to eat solids right now so I will keep the formula coming. Ive bottle fed over 30 orphaned kittens so this is rather familiar territory (well atleast the formula every few hours part is). I have paper towel on the bottom of the cage so I can see where he is urinating and defecating. Seems normal from what I have been seeing him do. I'm taking him back to work tomorrow for them to look at him again. I'll let you all know what they say. Thanks for your concern and please cross fingers/pray/whatever you do for good wishes that he will continue to slowly improve. What an experience this has been.

[Mrs Skul]

Hi Sshearer :wave123
Has your FoxVally come in yet? How Old is your Little Guy? Can you post a Picture of his teeth, and a Video of him with the head tilt? :thinking
A lot of times with a Inner Ear Infection it can make there jaw hurt. That could be 1 reason why he is not eating hard foods. You can Nook the Squash in the microwave for 5 to 10 sec. Just enough to make it soft. I have a wild Squirrel I call Tilly. She was thrown out of a Pine tree about 40 to 50 feet June or July. Later that afternoon I found her in my yard Depressed, Laying on the ground, almost unconscious."Figured she was Dead." :shakehead When I reached down to pick her up.She opened her eyes and tried to run to a tree. All she could do was Circles. I backed off wet for a Blanket. She got up the tree as I wait for her to fall. Head was turned/tilted almost 50% around. She stayed up their for 2 days and regained her barrings and was feed really good.:D Now when she comes to eat you cant mis her. She has a Very Bad Tilt Hence the Name Tilly! When she tries to open a nut. She throws it behind her or she falls over. She still gets her food and the other let her eat. So the reason for the story is If it was a Head Injure It Would have Shown up when you found him. Has the Vet looked inside the ears, and can he check the teeth?
PS
Is their any chance he might have fallen in the cage? :dono
What about falling out on the floor? :thinking
I am PMing my number. Can you call me?
It is ok to feed the FV 4 times a day. Your little guy needs to eat the good formula. We can help you re wean him later on down the road. :thumbsup3

[astra]

many people strongly suggested a possible ear infection - have you had your vet check him for that yet?... if it is ear infection, it needs to be treated asap

[sdreamcatcher]

What about inner ear infection? I read about them all the time in these posts. Especially with the head tilt. Wet squirrel might mean water got into his ear. I'm a newborn hearing screener on human babies and know how fluid in the ear can have an effect. Could be a head injury if he fell but no harm looking for an ear infection also. I hope and know an experienced rehabber will be on board soon to help you out. God bless and good luck.:Welcome

This is what i was thinking too; especially since this seemed to start with a slight head tilt and progress??

[sdreamcatcher]

Thank you all for the concerns. He is still with us and taking formula well. He doesn't eat much on his own but has munched on some grape, snap pea, and vanilla yogurt. He seems to avoid harder veggies, nuts and rat blocks. so I am making sure to do formula multiple times per day. Ive ordered the fox valley stuff but it hasn't gotten here yet. He is alert and is now coming out of his box again at night. There were about 2 nights where I didn't hear much from him. He still has the head tilt and he will twist over to that side when he is trying to hurry away from me after I have woken him up to feed him lol. He is on baytril and a very small dose of an injectible steroid to relieve some inflammation from the potential head injury. He isn't worsening, I think he is improving but nothing terribly significant yet. I am trying to do better about his diet however its very hard since he isn't taking solids on his own very well. I spent like $60 buying like 1 of every fruit and veggie you all recommended haha. I think its just hard for him to eat solids right now so I will keep the formula coming. Ive bottle fed over 30 orphaned kittens so this is rather familiar territory (well atleast the formula every few hours part is). I have paper towel on the bottom of the cage so I can see where he is urinating and defecating. Seems normal from what I have been seeing him do. I'm taking him back to work tomorrow for them to look at him again. I'll let you all know what they say. Thanks for your concern and please cross fingers/pray/whatever you do for good wishes that he will continue to slowly improve. What an experience this has been.

Sounds like you have everything under control; I didnt see this post right away. I hope this little one is still improving. Ear infections can be horrible to treat.

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Sshearer
How is your little Baby doing? Hope all is Well.
When you get a chance we would love to see some Pictures of him. :Love_Icon
Wishing you all the Best. :grouphug