Urgent help needed for 10 year old indian palm squirrel

[divya22]

hey i am new to this site.. i have a 10 years old indian palm squirrel... since today morning he is not well... his name is janu... he is been dragging himself.. cant get to any vet as they dont c squirrels and say cant do anything for them... but i have given him amoxycillin... just incase if he has infection.. since that he is a little active but still drags himself and cant raise his head.. head keeps dropping.. do anyone know what is happening to him???

[divya22]

hey i am new to this site.. i have a 10 years old indian palm squirrel... since today morning he is not well... his name is janu... he is been dragging himself.. cant get to any vet as they dont c squirrels and say cant do anything for them... but i have given him amoxycillin... just incase if he has infection.. since that he is a little active but still drags himself and cant raise his head.. head keeps dropping.. do anyone know what is happening to him??

[CritterMom]

The "dragging" sounds very much like metabolic bone disease. Can you get some calcium? Human vitamin supplements are okay to use. Some antacids (for indigestion) are also made of calcium. Please let us know what you have or can get. It is really important to get this into him as soon as you can. I cannot guarantee this is the problem but even if it is NOT, the calcium will not hurt him.

[divya22]

hey thanks a lot.. i am very tensed...i dont know if thats the cause.. he is not eating anything hard ... he used to like cooked plain rice but today he cant eat that as well and only drinking milk with the dropper....he is avoiding to drink water also... he tries to move around but cant pick himself up so drags his body... he is not dehydrated and nor has fever... i have started with calcium now... but wat dosage should i give him??? i love him a lot... since he was 3 weeks he is with me... now he is 10 years old on 10th april... was wondering is it old age as well...

[farrelli]

Indeed, from what you've said, it does sound like MBD. If so, immediate treatment is necessary. The instructions are found below:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34495

Can you tell us his diet? MBD stems from an improper, calcium deprived diet.

[farrelli]

Rice is inappropriate for a squirrel. Cows milk is also very bad. Goat's milk is good.

[farrelli]

Btw, warmth is also a great thing for squirrels with MBD, or even the elderly. I don't know what the temperature is there, but if it's not warm, you might want to put his cage part way onto a heating pad or put a warm bottle of water in with him to snuggle up to.

[CritterMom]

OK, they are smaller than our tree squirrels. Try to get between 250 and 300 milligrams into him, but spread out through the day. It is best to give small amounts several times per day than to give it all at once.

Try hard with hydration - it does not take long for small animals to dehydrate. Put a spoonful or two of sugar in a cup of water, heat it to body temperature and offer that with syringe if you can - often when they taste the sweet they suddenly decide they want it.

[divya22]

he eats nuts, veggies like carrots, cauliflower, beans, tomatoes etc and also fruits like apple, banana, and seasonal mango, he doesnot like chickoo... but cooked rice was his fav.. he asks by himself for it if others are eating... this has been his diet and sometimes sweets like only jalebi... but we used to avoid however... he was not at all fussy on eating... ans since 10 years this is been his diet... but now since a month he is been not exposed to much of sunlight which i just realised... i am out of india so mom dint take him out of cage(she is scared of squirrels) so thats how he did not get sunlight and remained inside and may be caused mbd... and the temperature in goa is hot and winter not less than 18-20 degree celcius... he used to have goats milk... so dont think the milk was a prob... about rice i dint know...

[CritterMom]

You guys do not have the food choices available for squirrels that we have here and I know it makes things difficult. If this IS MBD, you should see some improvement in a few days. The treatment needs to be done for a long time but you should start to see results quickly.

[Jackie in Tampa]

human grade mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D which is needed to metabolise calcium...
only 4 places to get it naturally/easily...
fish, dairy, mushrooms and sunshine..
otherwise a suppliment is needed as in rat/rodent blocks
to be fed daily...

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRk9bgFGknW3N7fzbOkJzGL0riCCYfC3 CpwoZKedjhLFnT1E_ogEVGLsA8 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://assets.newmediaretailer.com/37000/37872/web_kaytee-mouse-forti-diet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://concordpetfoods.com/catalog/product/22330/kaytee-forti-diet-pro-health-rodent-blocks&h=300&w=300&sz=90&tbnid=3mgv6XGxT-vO2M:&tbnh=87&tbnw=87&zoom=1&usg=__SAV84rl940os6jbSgv8WzHRsjAM=&docid=zFMWyjN5sSpZyM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tZx-UZSUJZHC9gSd-IHoBA&sqi=2&ved=0CJkBEPUBMAU)
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR462yjtrZquv2tMtICOkexew5SkByud FHrDHY7ouAQjFa4lNPBfdjEerE (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://rcreptiles.com/blog/media/rodentblock.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rcreptiles.com/blog/index.php/2006/10/15/how_to_save_money_on_feeder_rodents_1&h=253&w=300&sz=11&tbnid=sKqMP3jYEKBV7M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=107&zoom=1&usg=__CQ_TOGCOzwPCW7fDcShLZogkWho=&docid=qdM4Zm9XOGTHhM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tZx-UZSUJZHC9gSd-IHoBA&sqi=2&ved=0CJwBEPUBMAY)
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrpO8gpfih-430-h3qHRYSXG5Royu7i6R6C6TlWnYQa0t82exb2H2j9cjo (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thecraftyrat.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Htrodentblock.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.thecraftyrat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen%3DPROD%26Product_Code%3DFS_02lb %26Category_Code%3D&h=192&w=282&sz=40&tbnid=aIrHw11bwIozmM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=132&zoom=1&usg=__6Q_5zD-Az2QpiF5p1VO7Ub1GAoo=&docid=s8_tWA_b40qzBM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tZx-UZSUJZHC9gSd-IHoBA&sqi=2&ved=0CJ8BEPUBMAc)
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbg6Z4WU4qhFsH3hp0eNg9EaencCHIm 5GBaU-6kcQjh-eUaa9IoFlA5g (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.squirrelstore.com/files/744999/uploaded/Web%2520IMG_0589.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.squirrelstore.com/product/301&h=372&w=440&sz=62&tbnid=Egr4GUXQm181nM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=106&zoom=1&usg=__Njz9xCbS6nf2FAtsubxVpkzQVkU=&docid=TwsTNg2J_bytCM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tZx-UZSUJZHC9gSd-IHoBA&sqi=2&ved=0CKUBEPUBMAk)as crittermom has suggested... sounds like your boy needs calcium asap.

also feel his spine for any divets or lumps...

[farrelli]

Yes, so bottom line, he needs calcium and some form of vitamin D3. Beware that human vitamin D3 supplement levels can be dangerous, so one of the other sources listed would be best, though if you have a supplement, a TINY shaving of it might be acceptable. All the evidence I've found indicates that you need a great deal of vitamin D3 to become toxic.

Also, goat's milk is just fine but cows milk is not.

[divya22]

after the calcium supplement he is much more active... i am sure the diagnosis is right.. it is mbd... and i will try to arrange for the rodent block as soon as possible... for now have given calcium and will expose him to sun for vit d production.. he was too drowsy since morning.. but now has been opening his eyes and recognize people... thanks guys... you all have been really helpful... really very grateful... i will start with the healthy squirrel diet as well... i just wish he improves soon and gets to his nice cheerful chip chip mood...

[farrelli]

I'm glad that he's responding. Just remember that this is a long term treatment. It took him a long time to get this way and it'll take him a long time to rebuild those bones. In the mean time, you might want to minimize his activity level because his bones may be very fragile.

[divya22]

i asked my nephew for checking his spine... said there is no lumps... its all fine... i guess he could not absorb the calcium from food cause of lack of sun rays on him... but i am happy that atleast i could help hima little... before he gets fully paralized... i just hope he recovers fast...

[divya22]

yes i know its long term treeatment... i am more than happy and willing to keep him out of pain... doctor told its end of life as he is already 10 years old... but i did a research that they can leave 15-20 also so was searching for options and found this site and it has really helped m... it was mbd as he is showing signs of improvement....

[TubeDriver]

i asked my nephew for checking his spine... said there is no lumps... its all fine... i guess he could not absorb the calcium from food cause of lack of sun rays on him... but i am happy that atleast i could help hima little... before he gets fully paralized... i just hope he recovers fast...


Hopefully you got to him in time. Keep at the MBD protocol, it will take a while to get your friend back to his healthy self.

[divya22]

i dont know if i am on time still... he is showing signs but still dragging... just hoping he gets fine atleast in the next month as he was earlier... hoping its just few months out of sun exposure... hope thats the cause... but still ill be following the squirrel nutrition thing... so tht he improves faster... will keep you all updated about him....

[farrelli]

Btw, amoxycillin can cause squirrels to loose their appetite and become lethargic. Some tolerate it well, some don't. A better antibiotic is Baytril or Cipro if you have it.

[farrelli]

You might also try the heating pad, or hot water bottle, or sock filled with rice and heated up. MBD causes achy bones and the heat feels soothing.

[CritterMom]

He is quite old but I don't think that is any reason to give up on the little guy! It is possible that as they age their ability to utilize the calcium diminishes, and you may need to supplement him for the rest of his life. He is by far theoldest palm squirrel I remember ever seeing on here!

[divya22]

hey guys.... ma squirrel is not able to lift his head he is not active again today... have given calcium but just gave momentary improvement... but today he is quiet lethargic... i am very worried... what do i do???

[divya22]

looks like he has little problem with breathing also today... cant really make out but open his mouth in between...

[CritterMom]

At 10 this COULD be an end of life thing and you need to prepare yourself for that - if there is a way to do that (I have never found one:shakehead ). Will one of your vets see him? If he has a respiratory issue there could be meds he could take to make it better.

In the meantime, please work on adding hydration. Mix some sugar - a teaspoon or so - into a cup of water, heat it up to the same temp you would heat formula and offer it to him by syringe. I would offer it frequently through the day. Dehydration happens fast and can be fixed...

[divya22]

I regret to inform you of the sad demise of my beloved pet janu... who is been a good friend and as well as dearest son of mine... and for those who tried to help me , thankyou for all the advice but i could not save him... hope he rests in peace... please pray for him guys...

[Jackie in Tampa]

Godspeed Janu:Love_Icon
Rest in Peace

[CritterMom]

Aw, RIP Janu...:grouphug The squirrel folk here understand just how much he will be missed. You did SO GOOD by him though - 10 years is just amazing:bowdown

If you have any photos of him, I know that I for one would love to see them.

[divya22]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150378876488289&set=a.10150275312713289.384211.801593288&type=3&theater
thats ma facebook link... check if you can see

[divya22]

check this


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150378876488289&set=a.10150275312713289.384211.801593288&type=3&theater

[SammysMom]

Godspeed sweet Janu...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

What a good long life...unfortunately, never long enough! :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[CritterMom]

Aw, he looks like a chubby little chipmunk. What a sweetie pie. I am so sorry for your loss...

[divya22]

another pic

[CritterMom]

We know very little about these guys over here. Do they have pouches in their cheeks where they can store food to take to their nest? Over here, only little ground squirrels can do that - they tree squirrels can't.

He is so sweet. Ten years is a long time - you will miss him a lot. One of these days you need to tell us his story - how you came to be owned by a little squirrel.

[TubeDriver]

I regret to inform you of the sad demise of my beloved pet janu... who is been a good friend and as well as dearest son of mine... and for those who tried to help me , thankyou for all the advice but i could not save him... hope he rests in peace... please pray for him guys...


You did your best and were by Janu's side when he passed over. It sounds like he had a long and full life. I think 10 squirrel years is like 100 human years. RIP Janu. :(

[farrelli]

I'm very sorry for the pain you must be feeling now. You loved him and clearly took good care of him for him to live so long. RIP Janu. :Love_Icon

[divya22]

Janu was just 3 weeks when he was gifted to me on my bday by a friend as i loved squirrels... he had 3 siblings wherein the 2 sibling and mom died after falling down by a tree and crashing into a car... janu and another boy was the survivors... janu was gifted yo me and the other one was kept by somebody else but died in a few weeks after getting under a bed and having a tragic accident of some bag falling on him.

when janu was little i carried him constantly as they need heat to survive and fed milk... he was so used to me holding him... he would make those sweet chip chip when he would see me around... he used to hug my finger so tight when i petted him. wish i had a pic of him hugging my finger... i stayed in flat with terrace... i used to take him out daily he used to follow my foot steps and come whereever i went... that was lovely to see... but one day he fell down from the terrace thats from 5 th floor approx... but fortunately nothing happened to him i went down to pic him but he was already trying to climb back the building... but he saw me down and returned to me.. since then he feared going alone anywhere... i too was scared ... dint wanna loose him... then i used to make him roam only in the house.. he used to jump on the window curtains table... all possible places... when he would be tired playing he would either return to me and hug my finger or would go back to the cage...

he had a very naughty habit... he used to stand holding the grillls of the cage and peeing outside the cage and keeping his cage clean ... but it was funny every time he did that... he loved eating cooked rice.. the smell of the rice would drive him crazy and would start chip chip chip till the rice was given ..... he used to eat the rice holding in hand and ones he is done would break in two pieces and throw each grains... and the container of rice he would catch and turn it down... and i used to shout at him for throwing it for no rhyme or reason.. but would look at me so innocently as though he has never done anything..

he has been a real wonderful pet... i had a dog(doberman and minature mix breed) named sonu he was 13 years old and died last year of kidney problem... he and janu were friends with each other... infact ma dog was aggressive but would get scared of this squirrel and get into the corner when he would come... this little one would go and eat his food at times and run... hahahahha... they were very nice to each other though ...

he loved all veggies... fav among all was tomato and cauliflower...
he was not a much of a nut eater... would hardly eat 1/4th nut a day... among fruits loved mangoes and bananas.. though he loved all types of fruit..
he loved all juicy stuff..i dint know anything about his diet but i used to give him stuff he used eat only that he would like and if he dint like something he would throw it out of the cage so i used to know he doesnot like it and not give.. and among sweets he loved jalebi... its an indian sweet.. which he enjoyed and would call for more.. but we avoided giving sweets..

i celebrated his bday every year on 19th of april though thats not his birthdate.. but it was when he was brought in ma house.. there are lot many hings i can tell about him this space wouldnt be enof.. but today is 30 april he is become a memory... .... sometimes i had to run after him to catch him more i run more he runs... if i would stop and sit then he byhimself would return to me climb my shoulder and lick my ear.. really a sweeetheart......

[CritterMom]

You gave him a wonderful life - and it sounds like he did the same for you. Isn't it amazing how something so small can so completely change your life? I love the thumb and hand hugging - our tree squirrels do this too so I guess it must be a "squirrel thing" but as far as I am concerned, squirrel hugs are the best hugs.

[divya22]

yes... true.. they are so tiny but can lighten up your life... they beccome like a family... friend... almost name any relation but any other relation cant replace him... he is special ... i have had best times with him... and yes he dint like be touching his bum side of back to pet he would get angry and come to bite me but never bite just hold my skin with his teeth...then i would say sorry and he would leave ma skin... i have had several scratches of his nails all over my body... though i used to trim them every 4 days it used to grow so so so fast... awww i miss him damn... why is their life so short... but he was a healthy squirrel... just caught cold once last year but other than that its now... never ever been sick...

[MJS]

I'M SO VERY SORRY ABOUT JANU. HE HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH YOU. HE WAS ABLE TO GIVE YOU THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF HIS LOVE AND DEVOTION TO YOU, AND ALSO THE FOREVER GIFT OF YOUR MANY TREASURED MEMORIES OF THE YEARS THAT THE TWO OF YOU SHARED TOGETHER. REST IN PEACE LITTLE PRECIOUS ONE. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED AND MISSED. :grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

Not many places on this earth that a squirrel can't touch your life. You were blessed. :Love_Icon

[Shewhosweptforest]

:shakehead So sorry for the lost of your little Janu:Love_Icon :Squirrel :Love_Icon Take comfort in the fact that you gave him a long happy and healthy life....when the time came he did not suffer much and he had your love....he use to hold your finger...now he will hold your heart forever:shakehead :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[ques96]

202682