Seizures

[DawnMarie]

One of my rescues seem to be having seizures of some type. Her name is Breezy. I have never had to deal with something like this before and I have been rescuing squirrels for 14 years now. I have had her since Febuary. She has been perfectly fine up until now. About 3 weeks ago her brother was playing rough with her and she got her leg stuck in their cage. 2 weeks later she started having seizures and making alarming noises when she thinks you are going to touch her. She has slowed down on eating and has not been wanting to move much. She has been to a vet. They can't seem to find anything wrong with her or figure out what is causing the seizures. They just suggested to give her tums and some sugar water. She since has been moved to a smaller cage so she can be alone. Things don't seem to be getting any better for her. What else is there that I can try to do to help her? She needs to be healthy so she can be released with her brother. Is this caused by something that I did wrong? My other 2 rescues are doing fine and I do the same with them as I do with her. I am at a loss, I don't know what else to do.
They are outside from sun up to sun down. Their diet consist of sweet potato, squash, tomato, carrot, celery leaves, mango, strawberries, almonds, and pistachios. They have deer antlers and cuttle bones. I am going to get another full spectrum bulb today for Breezy.

[nchls_school]

One of my rescues seem to be having seizures of some type. Her name is Breezy. I have never had to deal with something like this before and I have been rescuing squirrels for 14 years now. I have had her since Febuary. She has been perfectly fine up until now. About 3 weeks ago her brother was playing rough with her and she got her leg stuck in their cage. 2 weeks later she started having seizures and making alarming noises when she thinks you are going to touch her. She has slowed down on eating and has not been wanting to move much. She has been to a vet. They can't seem to find anything wrong with her or figure out what is causing the seizures. They just suggested to give her tums and some sugar water. She since has been moved to a smaller cage so she can be alone. Things don't seem to be getting any better for her. What else is there that I can try to do to help her? She needs to be healthy so she can be released with her brother. Is this caused by something that I did wrong? My other 2 rescues are doing fine and I do the same with them as I do with her. I am at a loss, I don't know what else to do.
They are outside from sun up to sun down. Their diet consist of sweet potato, squash, tomato, carrot, celery leaves, mango, strawberries, almonds, and pistachios. They have deer antlers and cuttle bones. I am going to get another full spectrum bulb today for Breezy.

I am no expert and I've only been dealing with squirrels about six months. We had major problems with our red squirrel and all the problems revolved around diet. Seizures can be caused by improper diet. I'm thinking that Breezy is lacking in calcium. It caused a number of problems with our Peanut. In the past, calcium shortages have caused seizures in my parrots; especially when egg laying. I am sure that someone else with more knowledge will soon give you better answers.

[island rehabber]

I have to run to an appt. but my suggestion would be that her diet is lacking in calcium. Even if she were eating the 'right' green leafies, like kale/escarole/bok choy/ etc. she would still be calcium-deficient. Sounds as if you are not feeding Henry's Blocks, so you can't be sure she's getting much calcium every day. Here's what I would do:

Go to the Sticky in this Emergency forum and follow the EMergency Treatment for MBD -- today! It is far more intensive than just offering a Tums and water. This girl may be particularly susceptible to low blood calcium and needs a boost quickly. Seizures are definitely one symptom of low blood calcium. Henryspets.com has an MBD Kit you can order with everything you need to get her on the right track.

Secondly, are you sure she didn't really injure herself in that cage incident? Did she dislocate a hip, or even break something? Pain may be holding her back from acting normally. Do you ever see white tears in her eyes?

I will check back here as soon as I return -- good luck! OH, and :Welcome to TSB! :grin2

[DawnMarie]

They were not able to find any breaks and nothing was dislocated. They also suggested getting Rodent Block?

[CritterMom]

Here you go: http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

I would suggest the Picky Blocks.

[DawnMarie]

what is the difference between picky blocks and rodent blocks? I have taken away all nuts and seeds. Can I use plain yogurt until I can get rodent block? I have never had any of tese problems in 14 years raising squirrels :(

[DawnMarie]

what wattage full spectrum light bulb should I buy?

[nchls_school]

what is the difference between picky blocks and rodent blocks? I have taken away all nuts and seeds. Can I use plain yogurt until I can get rodent block? I have never had any of tese problems in 14 years raising squirrels :(

Better ingredients-better nutrition-better flavor.

[Kristi S]

Some "full spectrum" bulbs don't emit enough light in the UVB range, which is what is needed. The safest bet is to buy bulbs meant for reptiles such as those seen on this page (but you can get them at most pet stores)
http://www.bigappleherp.com/REPTILE-SUPPLIES/UVA-UVB-Fluorescents
Depending on the size of your cage, I would get the 5.0, as the 10.0 might be a bit too much for the squirrel's eyes.

[DawnMarie]

Thank you. I will write more if I need anymore information.

[Annabelle's papa]

Thank you. I will write more if I need anymore information.

:)Good Afternoon Ms. Dawn, you have heard absolutely the best information available, I would like to add that Metobolic Bone Disease, MBD, can take several weeks to several months to correct. Think osteoporosis in human beings, very similar illness, and as you may already know reptiles need additional calcium as well as Squirrels. :thumbsup

:)Henry's Blocks are specifically formulated for the nutritional needs of a Squirrel, no other blocks sold can even compare. And I don't think it would be a bad idea to start an MBD protocal treatment on each of your prereleases, and please eliminate all nuts and seeds for the time being because the phosphorus content of these food items is counter productive to the absorption of calcium.:sadness

[pixiepoo]

Can you post/link a video of her seizures. My Pixie has them (neurological issue) and I have had rehabs who had MBD a seizures so I may be able to help.

Edit: I would be curious if they are stress/stimulation related if they aren't dietary.

I hope she is feeling better, poor sweet little love. :glomp

[Annabelle's papa]

Can you post/link a video of her seizures. My Pixie has them (neurological issue) and I have had rehabs who had MBD a seizures so I may be able to help.

Edit: I would be curious if they are stress/stimulation related if they aren't dietary.

I hope she is feeling better, poor sweet little love. :glomp

:)Amen pixiepoo, this is exactly what I feel, sometimes I can be in a constant pattern of high anxiety (panic attacks) worrying about having a seizure, until an aura actually comes on. Squirrels, especially Flyers remain anxious most of their life, therefore it doesn't seem that too much additional stimuli (loud noises, bright or strobing light) would be needed to precipitate a convulsion.:sadness

[Kristi S]

Annabelle's Papa is right about MBD taking a long time to heal. The seizures should go away when her blood calcium is improved, but chances are her bones are brittle, which means you have to be careful about her caging and make sure there's no way she can fall (or get her leg caught again).

[DawnMarie]

I am happy to say that she had no seizures since I started giving her tums :) I pray that she stays seizure free :) Sorry but I don't have a video of her seizures. If she has another one I will record it and post it. Thank you once again for everyone's help. I will be getting henrys block :)