Uncoordination in Squirrel

[Suzie221]

I have had my baby squirrels since last September. They fell out of a tree during a storm, but I was able to successfully rehab them. About two weeks ago they ventured outside, but uses the "doggie" door to come in and out for food and water. They usually come "visit" every couple of days. Today, one of my babies have started becoming uncoordinated and wobbles when she walks. She is eating and drinking, but definitely not like she should be. She is not "dragging" her back legs, so I don't think it is a calcium deficiency. Does anyone have any clues? I live in Mobile Al and I have no rehab person close by. These squirrels are my babies and I have to help them!

[Spanky]

Is she there with you that you could get a video and post? Or even pictures. Also, please tell us about her diet, or at least what you know they are eating when they visit since it seems they are only part time residents right now.

[Suzie221]

She is in here with me now. We feed her a variety of fruits and veggies: apples, grapes, kale, and a hamster diet occasionally for the sunflower seeds. She is now falling off places and walking backwards. She never sits and cuddles with me, but lately wants me to hold her. My husband did find a spot where she vomited this morning. My cell number is 251-610-3092. I can tape a video and send it, but I am not computer literate! LOL! If you would contact me I will send a video. Thanks!

[Nancy in New York]

She is in here with me now. We feed her a variety of fruits and veggies: apples, grapes, kale, and a hamster diet occasionally for the sunflower seeds. She is now falling off places and walking backwards. She never sits and cuddles with me, but lately wants me to hold her. My husband did find a spot where she vomited this morning. My cell number is 251-610-3092. I can tape a video and send it, but I am not computer literate! LOL! If you would contact me I will send a video. Thanks!

Can you send the video to an email address?
Her diet definitely needs lots of tweaking.

[Kristi S]

Any chance she's gotten into some kind of poison? The neighbor's antifreeze, for instance? Hard to tell, I know, but just a thought.

How reliant on you is she for her diet? Is what you described what you fed her when you were raising her, or is it just a few "treats" in addition to what she eats in the wild? (Not that it's relevant to her current problems - doesn't sound like the symptoms of MBD.)

[Spanky]

Suzie these to me last night to help her get them posted, I feel terrible I had already gone to bed before I received them... It looks like the first one is still being optimized by You Tube but should be completed soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeZ7B8qiS98&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXSZyZ4YxTc&feature=youtu.be

[Spanky]

Hi Suzie

I am not sure if this is maybe from a fall, something she may have eaten outside or maybe diet related. I would guess a fall but I do not have first hand experience with an MBD squirrel, so others that do have that knowledge and experience will chime in soon I hope.

It would be very helpful if you can provide as much detail about your squirrels diet as you can. I know she is spending some time outside so it is hard to know what she may be eating when not home, but please be as complete as you can about what she was eating up until release and even what she may be getting now? Diet is the number one thing with squirrels, it is so easy for them not to be getting everything they need in their diet because they seem so active and healthy until one day they are just "off". They are really good at masking any problems, after all they are a prey animal and do not want to appear like an easy target!

Also, does she appear to be in any pain to you? I am going to go back a re-watch the videos my self...

I did see you try to give her one of her favorite treats, a cracker. Does she eat salted or salt free (sodium free) crackers?

[Nancy in New York]

Excellent post Spanky!

Can you please list everything that she actually eats.
This diet is not great at all, and this could very well be a combination
of two ailments going on.

I suspect this could be MBD related and possibly
a fall as well. They can go hand in hand.

How old was she when she weaned, and what formula was she on?
Does her tail lift up over her back. I did see her dragging it a little, then
it appeared to come up some.
Do you have infant ibuprophen? We can dose this for you.
Please let us know how your little one is doing.

Push fluids, keep her quiet and let's figure this out.

[Suzie221]

I have been busy and could not post until now. Her diet consists of apples, kale, grapes, radishes, carrots, sunflower seeds, an occasional peanut unsalted and unshelled, and I have been giving hamster/gerbil diet as well. She is picky and only eats certain things out of it. I do think she is in pain. She has never bit me before, but she did yesterday when I tried picking her up. It is that or she just feels crummy.

This afternoon some more disturbing symptoms started that included sneezing and frothy blood coming from the nose. There was not a lot of blood, but I am a registered nurse and I am thinking she may have pneumonia. She was outside during a cold snap. Her in Mobile a cold snap is 30 degrees, but my baby was used to 60-70 degree temps inside.

I did research on what type of antibiotics to try, and I saw Baytril, Cipro, and Amoxil. I have some Bactrim on hand, so I tried giving her a SMALL amount of that. I plan to call my VET in the morning, but no one treats squirrels in this area.
When the babies were orphaned I call the conservation department and they wanted me to put the babies outside in a box to die! I was appalled!

Currently, my baby is drinking pedialyte every hour or so. She lets me know if she doesn't want it. She does seem to be drinking more after giving the Bactrim. I just am scared I don't have the right dose or frequency. As for eating, I can get her to eat a grape, but nothing else. Oh, and yes her crackers are unsalted. I am pretty picky with my babies.

I am trying to do the best I can; it is up to God and my little one. Thank you for all the help! Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best!

[Suzie221]

Ms. Nancy,
Yes, my baby does put her tail up on her back. She has been weaned from formula for a good while now, it was before Christmas. However, this website was a great resource that led me to Esbilac puppy formula. We had issues with pooping in the beginning, but after placing them on a heating pad and increasing the temp of their habitat, they begin to thrive. These symptoms my squirrel has been experiencing started yesterday. She has been a healthy, mischievous baby who terrorized my boxer and rabbit.

She may have gotten into something outside. I hated keeping her in a cage; it seemed cruel. When they ventured outside, we watched them mingle with other squirrels. I have 3 HUGE oak trees in my yard; one is over a hundred years old. I live on 80 acres out in the country, which gave them plenty of room to play. They actually used the "doggie door" to come in and out. I am leaning more toward pneumonia the more I read other posts.

If I become a rehabber for this area, would I be able to obtain antibiotics for sick babies? I called so many Vets yesterday that would not see her. The bactrim I am using is a human dose that I slivered a piece off of and dissolved in water.

In addition to the above diet, they have two deer antlers they chewed on, and a rodent block. It's time to try some more fluids! Thanks again for your help!

[stepnstone]

Ms. Nancy,
Yes, my baby does put her tail up on her back. She has been weaned from formula for a good while now, it was before Christmas. However, this website was a great resource that led me to Esbilac puppy formula. We had issues with pooping in the beginning, but after placing them on a heating pad and increasing the temp of their habitat, they begin to thrive. These symptoms my squirrel has been experiencing started yesterday. She has been a healthy, mischievous baby who terrorized my boxer and rabbit.

She may have gotten into something outside. I hated keeping her in a cage; it seemed cruel. When they ventured outside, we watched them mingle with other squirrels. I have 3 HUGE oak trees in my yard; one is over a hundred years old. I live on 80 acres out in the country, which gave them plenty of room to play. They actually used the "doggie door" to come in and out. I am leaning more toward pneumonia the more I read other posts.

If I become a rehabber for this area, would I be able to obtain antibiotics for sick babies? I called so many Vets yesterday that would not see her. The bactrim I am using is a human dose that I slivered a piece off of and dissolved in water.

In addition to the above diet, they have two deer antlers they chewed on, and a rodent block. It's time to try some more fluids! Thanks again for your help!

Antibiotics for a squirrels are dosed according to the weight of the squirrel.
To my knowledge all licensed rehabilatators are required to have an established veterinarian who works with wildlife before a license is issued. This would be your main source for receiving needed antibiotics.

With pneumonia in squirrels 99% of the time you would be able to hear a "click" on both exhale and inhale listening by ear. Listening by stethoscope could cover the other 1%. With an adult squirrel the click would likely be obvious.

What I believe I'm observing in your video is minimum use/movement in the hind legs. The "hop" does resemble what one often sees in a squirrel with the onset of mbd and her instability also seems to be related to her hind quarters. For the majority, this is the first area they go down in when stricken. This does not say it is mbd but considering her diet if it is indeed what she depends on, it could very well be a possibility. I would suggest trying to boost her calcium intake. You can initially do this by trying to give her fruit flavored tums if she will eat them. If it is related to low calcium levels you would see a noted difference in a short time span.

The other concerns I would have would be with a uti or not being able to properly move her bowels which would also present in discomfort in the hind quarters. Have you been able to observe both outputs to determine if she is having any difficulties in either of these areas?

Of course there is also the possibility she has taken a fall and is simply sore and in pain causing her to favor this area of concern. Your getting bit no doubt is due to her being in pain. She can safely be given liquid infant ibuprofen to help her with any discomfort, it is also dosed by weight.

[jbtartell]

To me she looks like she is having some back pain.. I have seen this with some MBD babies and with a couple babies that have hurt their backs.. she does need some medical/rehabber hands on help. sooo lets see if we can help u find some help close to you, I just found this site. I hope this helps u and if any of these places are close to you they may could help u and also would be able to tell you the way to becoming a rehabber in your area... I hope this helps and you can get hands on help with your little one..:thumbsup

http://southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/rehabilitators/alabama-rehabilitators.html
http://www.awrc.org/Found%20Sick%20or%20Injured%20Animal
http://wildlife.rescueshelter.com/Alabama
https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Alabama-Wildlife-Rehabilitators/492867680770591

[jbtartell]

here are a few more..
http://www.awrc.org/Rehab%20Permit


http://www.nwrawildlife.org/content/finding-rehabilitator
http://wildliferehabber.org/
http://wildliferehabber.org/rehabbers_by_county.php?county=AL-Mobile+County

[Suzie221]

Thank you for the links to rehabbers. I plan to speak with the environmental center this morning. My little lady is showing positive signs of pneumonia this morning: wheezing, clicking, and inability to drink. It kills me to see her suffer. I am going to call my personal vet this morning for some help. Thanks again!

[Spanky]

Here is an additional video I received from Suzie a short time ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JWnhZuFDto&feature=youtu.be

[Spanky]

They actually used the "doggie door" to come in and out.


With Laura's comments about the injury, in addition to the possible tree fall (which may be directly related to MBD onset), I wonder what kind of doggy door this is? Is it possible that she may have been injured coming in or going out when one of the other babies (or dog or kitty?) was going the opposite direction through the door?

Edit: Does she still eat Esbilac? The Hamster food is not very good and may be counterproductive. Primary diet should be rodent block, preferably Henry's Healthy Blocks which are the only ones made specifically for our squirrelly friends.

[jbtartell]

that looks like back hurting at first and then at the end neurological. suzie have you checked her ears for mites? and her head for possible injury. wish I was closer I would help.. I am sc/nc but I hope u get help with one of those links.. seems like your state is very strict.

Spanky, I agree about possible mbd. and I feel she should start the treatment just incase till some one can check her out.. but she does need medical treatment or she could die. time is very important these guys are tough to a point but will go down hill very fast if treatment is needed..

[jbtartell]

I also noticed how she is holding her ears. she looks dizzy, even in her eyes.. look at her ears good to make sure there are no mites.. they will cause dizziness. poor baby..you can take a q tip and dampen the end and just kinda swab the ear and see if you see any micro crawly bugs when u are through. I have another thought but will hold on to that till we find out about mites and as I said she needs medical attention quick.. especially if its not mites.

[Suzie221]

I was so lucky to have found a vet this morning who would see my baby! Those who guessed a hind area injury was correct. She has bruising and a bite mark on her back end that I did not see. She was put on Metacam for pain, Nutrical for nourishment, Baytril every 12 hours, and Benebac. Thank you SOOOO much for all the help! Will keep you posted on her recovery!

[jbtartell]

Suzie, I am sooo glad you found help... I was thinking back injury because of the way she was moving and in the one video she had her tail up then it slowly would lay down and she had the look of pain when she was moving.. and yes please keep us updated..:thumbsup:grouphug

[stepnstone]

:danceAwesome! Glad you were able to find and receive help for her.
Hug that baby for all of us... :serene

[Spanky]

I was so lucky to have found a vet this morning who would see my baby! Those who guessed a hind area injury was correct. She has bruising and a bite mark on her back end that I did not see. She was put on Metacam for pain, Nutrical for nourishment, Baytril every 12 hours, and Benebac. Thank you SOOOO much for all the help! Will keep you posted on her recovery!

I am soooo happy you found out what was the matter, I sure hope she recovers quickly! If the vet does not treat squirrels regularly, I would recommend you double check the med dosing with the folks on the board. It probably would not hurt to double check anyways... the 5 rights and all that! :thumbsup

[jbtartell]

also I wanted to let u know just incase the vet did not... I am sure he or se did but limit her activity.. no climbing running ect... she needs to have time to heal. if she does all this she could make the injury worse.. :thumbsup

[jbtartell]

soo checking in to see how your baby girl is this morning..:Love_Icon

[Kristi S]

Just wondering if the vet saw the wound on the right side of her head? Is that recent? Maybe it's just superficial, I don't know. Is there another on the left? I don't know, but from the 3rd video this looks like more than hind-end trauma to me. And her condition is getting worse. I suppose that might be possible if inflammation were increasing and pinching some nerves or something, or if she exacerbated the injury through movement. At any rate, it's good you got a vet to see her, and some meds for her.

I wondered about the weight of the doggie door, too. Especially if she's got some MBD, which wouldn't be surprising.

That video is so sad. Poor girl. Has she been so active like that, or more often lethargic? I agree, getting her to calm down and rest would be good for her.

[SugarHill]

I hope your little one is improving...sending warm thoughts your way! :grouphug

[jbtartell]

I was so lucky to have found a vet this morning who would see my baby! Those who guessed a hind area injury was correct. She has bruising and a bite mark on her back end that I did not see. She was put on Metacam for pain, Nutrical for nourishment, Baytril every 12 hours, and Benebac. Thank you SOOOO much for all the help! Will keep you posted on her recovery!

I don't think MBD is the problem.. I think all her injuries were from something grabbing her. how long has she been released? I hope she is doing better.. still waiting for good news

[jbtartell]

just checking in on u...:poke:grin2

[jbtartell]

:Love_Iconhow is she doing today... waiting for some good news...:poke

[jbtartell]

checking in.. hope she is ok.. I am worried...:grouphug:Love_Icon