Problem Staying Warm

[pixiepoo]

Bronson has always had a bit of a problem thermoregulating. In December I thought I may lose him when I found him lethargic, cold and balled up in his pouch. I gave him fluids and glucose immediately and he perked up. I followed up with antibiotics for 2 weeks just to be safe. Since then he has had two more episodes when I pick him up and notice he feels cold. Has anyone experienced that with their squirrel? He is never out of food and his diet is perfect. I initially suspected that he was not getting enough sugar in his diet which would cause a drop in his blood sugar and thus create more problems. He gets his HHB in the morning and a wide assortment of veggies at night. I started adding a rodent block or monkey biscuit at night to see if that helped and it did not.

I check on him and hold him several times a day but I worry about missing it one day. Is there anything you guys could suggest? Maybe an additional heat source that he can't chew through and won't make him too toasty? He has natural cotton and fleece in his pouch.

I cannot figure this out and it is driving me mad!

[flyer girl]

I am thinking you should get blood work on him to make sure he's not diabetic. I know it's not something that is common but I would think it could happen. Kiss his nose.. Keep us posted..

[CritterMom]

Google "seedling heat mat." They are designed to provide bottom heat for starting seeds and cuttings. I stopped buying stuff from the nursery every spring years ago - mid-winter I get all my stuff rolling and come spring I can put out tons of annuals and things for next to no $$$.

They are low voltage so they use very little electricity, and don't get much warmer than 100 degrees. The wires are embedded between two plastic sheets so the mats are only as thick as a few sheets of paper. If you have a Critter Nation, for example, you could get one. place it on one f the trays, and put the tray cover over the top. Snip a little hole at the seam large enough to run the cord through and run it right out the cage bars (you will have to pry them apart a bit so you can force the plug through). Warm but not too warm, and energy efficient. They come in all different sizes.

They make these things for animals but they cost 3 times as much and are basically the same thing.

[pixiepoo]

I was thinking I should get bloodwork done on him too. I am just extra paranoid about gassing him down now.

I do have him in a CN so that is a great idea! Do you think he would snuggle on it if I just had it under one of his pans? He usually stays in his space pod or pouch.

[CritterMom]

I have Laz's cube hung right above the tray for the CN at the very top of the cage - there is about 3/4" below the cube. That, of course, is where Laz sleeps - UNDER his cube (sigh). I stick a piece on Nancy fleece under the cube and pile of little pieces on top - so he already sleeps on the tray... Perhaps you could move one of his sleepy bags to where the bottom is resting on the warming thing??