Can squirrels have epilepsy?

[LesleyJ]

I have four babies about 6 weeks old. I've had them for about a week and a half. The three that weren't eating at first are all eating great now, and are happy to see me when I open their nest. We named the three girls Pachi, Mona and Reese, and the little male (who is bossy and a little turd) Vladimir. The littlest, Reese, doesn't eat well. Out of one CC, she probably only gets about 1/2 of it, because the rest dribbles down her chin and paws, no matter how slowly or how much I wait for her to swallow. I account for this when I feed her and always make sure she gets enough.
Yesterday, when I picked her up and put her on my lap to feed her, she had what I can only assume is a seizure. Her little legs went stiff and she kind of flailed around for a few seconds, and then was fine. She did it again today. They are not overtly violent, if they are actually seizures. (I'm not sure what they could be.) When she plays or moves around with the other squirrels, she is very uncoordinated compared to them. They are balancing on the edge of the box, and she can barely crawl over it (a shoe box). Any ideas? They do have some rodent block in their enclosure that they gnaw on, but I don't actually know if they're eating it. They get Esbilac with probiotics for their formula. The other three are not having any issues and are acting like normal rambunctious squirrels.

[Nancy in New York]

I have four babies about 6 weeks old. I've had them for about a week and a half. The three that weren't eating at first are all eating great now, and are happy to see me when I open their nest. We named the three girls Pachi, Mona and Reese, and the little male (who is bossy and a little turd) Vladimir. The littlest, Reese, doesn't eat well. Out of one CC, she probably only gets about 1/2 of it, because the rest dribbles down her chin and paws, no matter how slowly or how much I wait for her to swallow. I account for this when I feed her and always make sure she gets enough.
Yesterday, when I picked her up and put her on my lap to feed her, she had what I can only assume is a seizure. Her little legs went stiff and she kind of flailed around for a few seconds, and then was fine. She did it again today. They are not overtly violent, if they are actually seizures. (I'm not sure what they could be.) When she plays or moves around with the other squirrels, she is very uncoordinated compared to them. They are balancing on the edge of the box, and she can barely crawl over it (a shoe box). Any ideas? They do have some rodent block in their enclosure that they gnaw on, but I don't actually know if they're eating it. They get Esbilac with probiotics for their formula. The other three are not having any issues and are acting like normal rambunctious squirrels.

Yes squirrels can have seizures. It typically occurs when they have had head trauma, and sometimes as in your case, shows up long after the fact.
How long have you had these little ones, and how old are they now.
What city do you live in, I want to see if we have someone close by that has a safe vet.
Also when this happens, rub a little molasses on their gums, seizures burn up the blood sugar reserves.
Giving molasses, or maple syrup, raises the blood sugar levels so
they snap out of it faster.
What kind of a container do you have them in?

[Charley Chuckles]

My Little Girl who is now 3 had head trauma from the get go/purple head/did yours? I was able to release her sisters but she is my keeper :grouphug LG has had many seizures through her life and has had balance issues ....I have to say she is doing better and better as the years roll on :thumbsup
Now I will share with you what I was told by a licensed rehabber by me////for her seizure babies/seizure adults...they have been giving a little bit of Gator Aide///now I am only passing on the word here, and I am in no way telling anyone to do this...but for the past 4 months I have been doing this with Little Girl/I have tracked her progress and she has had fewer and fewer episodes :thumbsup I mix it with Foxvalley ,,,but I am still thinking she is in an experimental mode and do not want to sway anyone in this direction,,,if you are intrested in this please email me/my email is in my signature :thumbsup

[LesleyJ]

I have had the squirrels for a week and a half. They are currently in a big Rubbermaid box that has a shoe box and lid w/hole cut out inside for a nest box type thing. She has trouble climbing in and out of the shoe box when I open the lid to feed them. In order for her to eat, she has to either be held in an upright position or lean against something, because she falls over. She has a very hard time grasping the syringe with her paws. The other babies hold onto it for dear life.
I live in Columbus, Georgia. I have been in contact with the licensed rehabber in my area (She operates squirreltales.org), but unfortunately she has way too many squirrels. Apparently it has been a bad year. They are about six weeks old. Their tails are just beginning to fluff out and curl over their bodies.
I gave little girl some maple syrup, she liked it.

Thanks!

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a picture of her?
I'm sorry that you can't find someone to help you,
but I am so happy they are safe and cared for with you.
Would you like us to try to find help?

You contacted Sarah Rowe, correct? Could she guide you to
another rehabber that doesn't have so many?

This has been a terrible year for little orphaned squirrels, for sure!

[pixiepoo]

My little flyer has seizures and has had them since she was about 2 (she is almost 3 now). She had bloodwork done and multiple vet visits to finally diagnose it as a primary seizure disorder and not MBD or something like that. She is in Phenobarbitral 2x a day now which is finally appearing to work! If you are in a squirrel friendly state I would take her to the vet. I hope she is alright. Good luck!