8 week old acts drunk!!

[cowgurl543]

Hello to all! I am new to this board. Let me give a little bit of background first. I live in Tennessee where it is illegal to own squirrels unless licensed. In my county, though, there are no rehabbers for any animals other than reptiles. (weird I know) My family owned a pet store while i was growing up and many wild/exotic animals in need of rescue were brought to us. We tried to call TWRA a few times, but they always told us to put them back outside and let them die. We never had the heart for that. We have rehabilitated everything from skunks to racoons.
My mother found a tiny baby squirrel about 6 weeks ago and brought him to me. He was approx 1 week old. His nest was blown out by a storm. His other three siblings were already dead. The mom never came back for them. I have been caring for him ever since. He has grown beautifully, and physically, looks like a normal 8 week old. However, I have observed a few issues that i'm concerned about.
1: He doesn't walk well. He uses all of his feet with no pain that I can tell and stands up nicely, but is soooo unbalanced. He walks like he is three sheets to the wind drunk, and occasionally he will just spin in a circle backwards.
2: He doesn't seem to eat solid foods well. Not his rodent block at least. He can't coordinate his handles well enough to hold it and eat, and he is not crazy about the rodent block. He almost chokes when he does eat on it.

These two things are really the only concerns I have. He has been on Esbilac Puppy formula and whipping cream, however, I have read on here to order fox valley which i am doing today. Does any one have any ideas of what could be causing him to walk so unsteadily?

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Order the FV milk fast! That esibilac is supposed to be bad for squirrels.

I'm in West KY. I got some FV you can borrow, come up and get it if you need some till your order comes in... that may take a week. I can meet you in Paducah, if that helps

Emergency Goat Milk Formula
1 cup goat milk ( dilute per can directions if can before using!)
1/3 cup vanilla full fat yogurt, like Dannon
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, in little box,

They do better on that.

He may have head injury.

Wait for the experts to help you. They will be here soon

[JLM27]

Has he always done this from when he started walking?

I have seen rehabbers on here say these symptoms could be from an ear infection, or, more seriously, neurological damage from the fall he took.

Can you get vet help where you are? You need to be careful as some vets will confiscate them and put them down, so you need to get a recommendation or call anonymously to be sure. If he is neurologically damaged, they will want to put him down because he can't be released into the wild..

If he has an ear infection or parasite, he might need revolution or an antibiotic, but different drugs are indicated if it is a neurological problem. Neurological problems often never go away and the squirrel is non-releasable. Can we see a pic of your baby?

[CrazySquirrelLady]

There's a vet in Paducah that will see squirrels.

[cowgurl543]

Yes, He has done this since he started walking. He is active as can be, tries to play and jump and stand up on hind feet, but just seems unbalanced and falls.
Thank you for the offer! I will make up some goat milk formula tonight, if you think that will hold him over till the FV comes in.
Also, can somebody give me the info of the vet in paducah that would see him? I have called around here and nobody will see him. They all refer me to TWRA, who are the ones that told me to go "put him in a bush or something". (Yes, i was furious)
The first picture attached is him the day my mom brought him to me. the last two were taken today and two days ago.
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=11688865d9&view=att&th=139c0d78d2f79f90&attid=0.2&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_-wyuuNW_4rJkwknxRfS9p&sadet=1347560412008&sads=BwqgyFFanGw415yPx9HrnVOAGmM

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=11688865d9&view=att&th=139c0d1061fcda55&attid=0.2&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_-wyuuNW_4rJkwknxRfS9p&sadet=1347560440753&sads=QyEEjNgy0JO_P3IwDYx3qyff12c

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=11688865d9&view=att&th=139c0d1592d8d227&attid=0.2&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_-wyuuNW_4rJkwknxRfS9p&sadet=1347560464154&sads=xA-FUi_3PbFvoFEGlYaeZiMPEps

Any other info ya'll can give is greatly appreciated!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

I will look up name of vet for you. It's on the southside. They gave me squirrel meds. I don't think they are squirrel vets, but am sure they would take a look.

The Animal Clinic in Marion KY is where I have taken my squirrel for treatment. 270-965-2257 They are on US 60 west of Marion. Now they are exotic animal vets either, but they are very helpful.

There is an exotic animal vet in Evansville Indiana that I was referred to, but could not afford to go to him.

My squirrel did fine on the Goat Milk formula till FV arrived, You are welcome to some of my stash, cuz I bought 3.5 lbs... just in case....

Hugs
CSL

[cowgurl543]

Thank you! Do you have to have a license to take them to those clinics?

[cowgurl543]

OH! one thing i left out. he seems to constantly be looking up, furthermore making his "drunken state" worse.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Thank you! Do you have to have a license to take them to those clinics?
Licenses?... we don't need no stinkin' license!

Nah, they are just country vets. The one in Paducah is on the South Side right beside the Hardee's, can't remember his name, and can't find the phone book. I believe the address would be maybe Wayne Sullivan Drive, but I don't live in Paducah, so could have that one wrong..

Paducah vet, gave me meds, I told em was for a squirrel.

Marion vet saw one squirrel and prescribed emergency meds for the second. They are very squirrel friendly.

But nope, I ain't got the $75 for a license to harbor a squirrel needed in KY. (You feds out there will never take me and my squirrel alive ;) ) and no one even asked at any of the vets I have seen here.

Sorry, but how often do you get to use all your favorite movie lines in one post? heehee

CSL

[ZonaB]

Hello there! I am in Tennessee as well! I have FV if you need some!
I have had the exact same problem. So much wild life, so few lovers!
I called a simi local rehab. and she asked me to keep the ones I had and she is there for me if I need to take the girls to the vet.
I can pm you her number if you want!
Where are you located?
:Welcome

[cowgurl543]

Licenses?... we don't need no stinkin' license!

Nah, they are just country vets. The one in Paducah is on the South Side right beside the Hardee's, can't remember his name, and can't find the phone book. I believe the address would be maybe Wayne Sullivan Drive, but I don't live in Paducah, so could have that one wrong..

Paducah vet, gave me meds, I told em was for a squirrel.

Marion vet saw one squirrel and prescribed emergency meds for the second. They are very squirrel friendly.

But nope, I ain't got the $75 for a license to harbor a squirrel needed in KY. (You feds out there will never take me and my squirrel alive ;) ) and no one even asked at any of the vets I have seen here.

Sorry, but how often do you get to use all your favorite movie lines in one post? heehee

CSL

Thank you so so much!! That helps a ton! I will keep ya posted on how he is!

[cowgurl543]

Hello there! I am in Tennessee as well! I have FV if you need some!
I have had the exact same problem. So much wild life, so few lovers!
I called a simi local rehab. and she asked me to keep the ones I had and she is there for me if I need to take the girls to the vet.
I can pm you her number if you want!
Where are you located?
:Welcome

Thank you, that'd be great! I'm in Paris, TN. (Henry County) I appreciate your help!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Thank you, that'd be great! I'm in Paris, TN. (Henry County) I appreciate your help!
Paris! why u my neighbor! I live north of the Northern entrance to the LBL.

Shoot up the Trace and come get some milk anytime

[cowgurl543]

Paris! why u my neighbor! I live north of the Northern entrance to the LBL.

Shoot up the Trace and come get some milk anytime

Are you serious?? I actually live in Springville, but work in Paris. So i'm right there by the lake. So do you live in Dover? Or in Grand Rivers area?

[CrazySquirrelLady]

I live 20 minutes north of Grand Rivers in the same county it is in.

The FV milk is real important and better nutrition may help the squirrel recover? dunno, I'm new at this too.

got to mow the yard while my squirrel asleepin, catch ya later!

CSL

[ZonaB]

By the way I have access to emergency meds. if you're ever in need give me a call!

[cowgurl543]

By the way I have access to emergency meds. if you're ever in need give me a call!

Thank you so so much I appreciate it! Can you private message your number to me?

[CrazySquirrelLady]

How is the squirrel doing? I been in suspense.

[cowgurl543]

How is the squirrel doing? I been in suspense.

He is doing great! The FV seemed to work wonders! He is still not quite as agile and balanced as wild squirrels, but he is about 95% better! He is quite hilarious!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

:multi :multi :wahoo send us pics please!

[cowgurl543]

:multi :multi :wahoo send us pics please!

I actually have a question about placing him. ..He is doing better, getting stronger, and sweet as can be, but I believe he will still have to be kept in captivity since he is not quite as agile as other squirrels. However, my three and five year old son just do not understand that he is not a pet. I am wondering if there are any rehabers nearby that would be able to take my sweet boy. Keeping him would be unfair to him since he can't run freely without harassment from my kids. Breaks my heart, but I want to do what is best for him. . .

[CrazySquirrelLady]

You know I will take him. I ain't a rehabber though. Has he got a big cage? That would be a great help.

[cowgurl543]

You know I will take him. I ain't a rehabber though. Has he got a big cage? That would be a great help.

That would be great! I just meant someone who had experience with squirrels, not only "rehabbers". I have a cage for him, but it's not very large. It's one I bought about a month ago when he was having so much trouble walking. I usually let him roam the house is why i haven't invested in a larger one. He does have a nesting box in it, though.

[cowgurl543]

185634

[cowgurl543]

3

[CrazySquirrelLady]

of course I will take him. If you could order the big cage from Henry's Pets dot com. I would really appreciate it.

I can't afford to buy another big cage so soon, and may need it for him really soon.

I can put 3 squirrels in one cage, but don't think they would have enough room... but if I connected 2 cages that are the same, it would be super for all three!

Who knows, with others to play with, he may recover by next spring.

If not, I will keep him and love him inside :D

he's sooo cute.


p.s. Here's a link to the cage I was talking about..... http://www.henryspets.com/henrys-house-exotic-pet-cage/

[mdyoung216]

She just asked her if she would buy the cage. I don't think any gun was held to her head. As far as selling they nuts. Have you tried taking the husks off black walnuts? Her time should be worth something. If it will help solve things, I'll buy the cage. My request is you name the new guy after me. I can live with General Mike if you have to stick with the general's theme. LOL

[rainrshine]

She just asked her if she would buy the cage. I don't think any gun was held to her head. As far as selling they nuts. Have you tried taking the husks off black walnuts? Her time should be worth something. If it will help solve things, I'll buy the cage. My request is you name the new guy after me. I can live with General Mike if you have to stick with the general's theme. LOL

That is very nice of you. I don't think "General Mike" is such a bad name... In fact, it's a notably Admirable name for an Army leader!