Nutty rally had me scared last night. Please Help us...In Mass.

[KeithB1572]

Good morning.
Wondering if you could help me please. Nutty was fine and his normal self all day yesterday. I had gone to the store, and my GF had him out playing for a while. Somehow, even supervised Nutty found himself a lighter. He must have chewed it and broke it. I found the lighter, but Nutty seemed fine and his normal self. Also he has a small patch of fur on his back that has been a little thin. It does NOT look like Mange as there is no rash or broken skin. It looks more like what I read..Dermatophytosis. Anyhow we got him some raw coconut oil the other day, and last night before He went into his cage for night time, We applied a little to the area and he also licked some off my finger. I had read a lot that its good for them. Anyhow, he was his normal self. I was a little freaked out when I found the lighter broke into pieces, but as I stated he seemed his normal self and did not even smell of fluid or anything. Anyhow around 1 am I heard him awake in his cage which was strange because once he crawls into his hammock or goes into his house for bed, he usually is not seen until the sun comes up. I took him out, he seemed very lethargic, he snuggled in my arms, a few times he just sat on my shoulder with no energy to do anything else. I yelled at my gf for being careless and thought because he found the lighter she left out that he poisoned himself. I was on the phone with poison control, and Angel memorial, they had call me Tufts Vet Hospital, as time went on, he just seemed like he was ready to pass. Laying in my arms in his favorite fleece, heart seemed to race then slowed down. Come to find out the Tufts Vet hospital they directed me to was in Grafton Mass as I thought it was in Medford, as I live in Stoneham. She had said it was the Medford campus. Anyhow, Tufts said they could not treat him as a pet but only a wild animal, and they would have to call wild life rehab. I said I understood, anything for my little buddy. Once I found out they were in Grafton mass, and it would be 45 mins to an hour drive, I still would have done it, but I honestly didn't think he would make it that long. So I thought I would just hold him, on the couch until he saw the light as so we could burry him in are yard. Even my 2 dogs, (a pug, and a Pit bull/Lab mix,) knew Nutty wasn't well, and they snuggled up next to us, even gave Nutty a few kisses..... I cried for a bit as it seemed he was on his last breath. .... Any how, For over an hour he layed , snuggled, maybe even twitched a few times, would maybe open his eyes a little and look at me, and even held my fingers as if he was hugging and saying thanks to me, for everything I have done for him, and giving him a nice home and family. Well I must have dozed off holding him around 3 am, with him on my chest,. Low and behold, Nutty woke me up, kissing my nose, when the sun came up. I think it took him a few min to sort of stretch out and move his body around, but after a few minutes, he was eating a couple of HHb's and jumping around like his normal self. No signs of back leg problems, or being lethargic, . In fact he was running the living room floor, as if he just drank a red bull, doing his binky's and happy hops and playing with his favorite stuffed animals. I'm praying this isn't an early sign of MBD, but I truly don't think that is the case, as he is on an excellent diet. I have read sometimes it could be a parasite, or lava or something in his skin. Any idea what this could be. I have looked him over, and I can not see any bugs on him. He does scratch sometimes, but not excessive, I dont think he has fleas or anything. The day I found him, back in April, as a baby, he did have some bugs on him, but i washed him up and put some flea and tick stuff on him I had for my dogs. Just a dab, as I read online it was safe for him, and i cleaned and washed them off. Since April he has never been sick to my knowledge, and I always check him for anything. 339-293-7467. Is my number if anyone could help. He has been awake now for a few hours, and seems so much better than he did last night. He even ate his breakfast and is now playing in his cage. He is sort of rolling around in his litter box which is a little unusual. I'm wondering if his skin or fur is bothering him???????? He is drinking from his water bottle as normal. Any advice would be so helpful. Anything for my little Nutty Buddy... Here are some pics from last night when he was sick, and here are some from this morning, back to himself for at least now. Also a pic of the thinning hair spot on his back.

[KeithB1572]

He is in his cage now. He was doing some a couple back flips, which lately that has been sort of the signal that he wants to come out to his play room, and once he's out of cage he's jumping and playing and being his Nutty self. I leave the door open so he can go in and out when he wants. I think he has been getting spoiled, now that we have converted the enclosed back porch into his own jungle gym, sun room, and play room, So I think he has learned how to tell me he wants to go to his new room.
Oh and incase anyone is worried for Nutty that we have 2 dogs, here are some pics of my dogs with our pet rabbits, as you can see they are very friendly and pet friendly orientated.
And some pics of Nutty the day I found him, wandering and eating a paper towel and cigarette but on the ground as he was extremely hungry

[KeithB1572]

I am new to the pet squirrell owning department, so maybe this will sound strange... It's been 3 to 4 hours since Nutty woke up, and he has been eating and drinking as normal. Running playing, jumping, kissing, and grooming me, as he does everyday. He was just palying with my GF and I and 1 of the dogs . No agression, a little chattering , but other than that it's like last night never happened. Is there a chance that when I took him out his cage last night, because he woke up so I took him out. Could he be he was just in a deep sleep, so much that I panicked and thought something was wrong, when in fact he was just in a coma and a deep sleep from playing so much yesterday???

[Shewhosweptforest]

Oh my gosh....you had a rough night :hug Ok...first, are you sure he was sick and not just tired....I sleep with my squirrel:embar She has a nest at the top of our bed in the pillows....anytime I wake up I usually reach in and check on her...and give her a few scritchens ....I can tell you there are times when I thought she had died ....she was just sooo sound asleep...I couldn't even feel respirations....then she'd wake right up....or other times she'll just roll over hang onto my hand and not let go. I'm wondering if he was just exhausted...something woke him up...then you held him and he was just sleepily coming in and out of awareness? I mean you're the only one who can be the judge of that...you know him best. Maybe he didn't feel good :dono and was sleepy on top of that. The coconut oil shouldn't hurt him...the lighter :eek that could have been bad...but I think you would have seen immediate symptoms and respiratory distress...from the fumes...they are very sensitive :thinking with him feeling fine now and acting his usual self....I think he didn't get any in his system. He may have just gotten overstimulated yesterday and tired out....I would definitely keep an eye on him...but sounds like whatever was going on is done.:bowdown Also, if you ever have another emergency...check here...there may be someone on who can help....lots of times we're up at odd hours because we're feeding babies....or are on the west coast :dono you may have been advised to go the the drugstore and get some charcoal :dono I'm not 100% sure...I'm not an expert....but I would have tried that before I would turn my baby in....they definitely would have confiscated him...and more than likely euthanized...you must remember that most of the wildlife "support" community do not put any value on the life of a squirrel....they don't get it :facepalm :shakehead

Also, the bare spot on his back....could be from lightly rubbing on something....does he have a nestbox? When he's curled up he could rub it...or when he's coming in and out of tight spots...could be something you use for cleaning...there are a lot of things you can try...we have a little squirrel on the board named Angel who had a whole lot of issues with "male pattern baldness" :grin3

I'm glad your little Nutty Buddy is ok :Love_Icon

[Chickenlegs]

I'm glad your sweetheart is fine. Try Emu oil rather than coconut oil. I have a little girl named Peanut. Actually, i guess she's as much Sweeper's as mine. She has a bald spot on her back that may have started with a three tier cage that had ramps. The openings to the ramps were kind of tight. She holds her tail curled around her body too. Her tail was pretty darned ratty--likely from the same openings. A squirrel's environment has a lot to do with his coat. My paralyzed squirrel Scooter has patches where his coat is different from "scooting" along the floor. Check everything your baby has contact with. You have a magical being who loves you unconditionally. You've got his diet right. Now check everything else. Do you have a vet who will treat a squirrel? A good vet is a valuable ally--and you've already heard that surrendering your darling to a rehabber can have dire consequences. Kiss Nutty on the nose for me!

[KeithB1572]

Oh my gosh....you had a rough night :hug Ok...first, are you sure he was sick and not just tired....I sleep with my squirrel:embar She has a nest at the top of our bed in the pillows....anytime I wake up I usually reach in and check on her...and give her a few scritchens ....I can tell you there are times when I thought she had died ....she was just sooo sound asleep...I couldn't even feel respirations....then she'd wake right up....or other times she'll just roll over hang onto my hand and not let go. I'm wondering if he was just exhausted...something woke him up...then you held him and he was just sleepily coming in and out of awareness? I mean you're the only one who can be the judge of that...you know him best. Maybe he didn't feel good :dono and was sleepy on top of that. The coconut oil shouldn't hurt him...the lighter :eek that could have been bad...but I think you would have seen immediate symptoms and respiratory distress...from the fumes...they are very sensitive :thinking with him feeling fine now and acting his usual self....I think he didn't get any in his system. He may have just gotten overstimulated yesterday and tired out....I would definitely keep an eye on him...but sounds like whatever was going on is done.:bowdown Also, if you ever have another emergency...check here...there may be someone on who can help....lots of times we're up at odd hours because we're feeding babies....or are on the west coast :dono you may have been advised to go the the drugstore and get some charcoal :dono I'm not 100% sure...I'm not an expert....but I would have tried that before I would turn my baby in....they definitely would have confiscated him...and more than likely euthanized...you must remember that most of the wildlife "support" community do not put any value on the life of a squirrel....they don't get it :facepalm :shakehead

Also, the bare spot on his back....could be from lightly rubbing on something....does he have a nestbox? When he's curled up he could rub it...or when he's coming in and out of tight spots...could be something you use for cleaning...there are a lot of things you can try...we have a little squirrel on the board named Angel who had a whole lot of issues with "male pattern baldness" :grin3

I'm glad your little Nutty Buddy is ok :Love_Icon

Thanks
He is always welcome to sleep with us.... However usually the dogs are hogging the bed, and as much as Nutty doesn't mind the dogs, (I'm sure by now he knows they mean no harm, they peck each other through the cage, or when he's out he plays hide n seek with them..) I think he likes it in his cage at night. Not to mention, that way I dont have to worry about him getting into something he should not while we are sleeping. Usually he will go back in there on his own, when he's ready for bed. In the hammock or in his tree hut, and closes the door. And night night he goes til usually sun up. As much as I play and hold him, he has never really fallen asleep like that in my arms. Sometimes he will get very relaxed and looks like hes about to go to sleep, when I sneak my finger in to his favorite spot during hand wrestling, and rub him right under his chin, and inside his paw, Like a humans armpit would be. OH my it like memorizes him and he will move his paw so i can get really in there and rub. That is his favorite.....
! question as I have seen in a lot of pics, as well as with my own eyes with Nutty, when they lay flat like that, does that usually mean they are relaxed and comfortable, He does it whether hes in his cage , on the couch or as you can see in my pic, on the back top of the chair... Lying on my jeans, as I'm sure it had my scent.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 Keith
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I'm sure that was very scary last night. Personally, I would always consider an unusual event like this as a possible warning sign. Just so you know, Tufts will confiscate your baby so I wouldn't even consider going there.

You mentioned the diet and said it was heathy. I noticed you mentioned HHB's. My question would be does he eat the block and healthy foods? He's not stashing the block is he? Also, healthy diet has multifaceted. How many nuts or treats does he get? The hair loss could be molt but it too could be signs of a problem so I would not pass off 2 warning signs. What does he eat besides the HHB's?

[MyLittleMercy]

Hi Keith,

What you described with Nutty sounds identical to what had been happening to our Miracle. She had a total of 4 incidents like this but as each incident came on, the worse it would be and the longer it would take her to come out of it. We took her to the Dr which checked everything out, did all sorts of tests....Miracle's blood test came back a little low on Calcium, but not low enough to be MBD. He never did find the cause of what was happening with her. Ever since we took her to get checked out, she has never had another episode...Thank God!!!!

When she had the 1st episode, I was in such a panic that I called a member here on TSB in tears telling them that Miracle was dying. (My husband & I really believed that she was, like you!) Was advised to give her Molasses (to bring her sugar level up if it was crashing). We tried everything but for 2 hours, she laid on my husbands chest, didn't want to move and made a cry noise when she was moved. She was so lethargic and all she wanted to do was close her eyes and sleep. We did everything to try to keep her awake (I just could not lose her) but gave into her sleeping after we tried everything. After 2 hours, she sat up, looked around, hoped on my shoulder and from there onto the kitchen table where her ball is. She got up on her back legs, standing up looking at me wondering why I still haven't picked up her ball to play. I picked her ball up and she pounced on my hand and began to play like her normal self. It's as if she had TOTALLY forgotten what had just transpired!?!?!? She was running all over the house, climbing, jumping, playing, eating, drinking as usual. My husband & I just wrote it off as a "fluke" thing because sometimes, squirrels will go through something like this and we never know the reason why???

Until the 2nd time this happened. (2 months after the 1st time) This time, when she started going down (acting lethargic) it seemed worse. It also lasted twice as long as the time before.

Than the next 2 times came around (I know, alot of 2's huh?) each time got worse and worse. She would stay down longer and longer. The 4th time this happened, I felt with every bit of my heart that she was not going to make it. My husband even made me come and check her in her cubbie in his lap because he swore that she was dead and there was no way he could find her like that. I checked, it took a second and my stomach dropped and i stopped breathing but she did finally move. This last time took the REST OF THE AFTERNOON, EVENING and until the next morning before she started acting normal again. When she woke up and came out, it was if nothing had ever happened to her.

We still don't know what caused her to get that way and probably will never find out. I find it hard to believe it was MBD because her levels were no where low enough to affect her to act this way.

The only thing that we think may have caused this...again, this is just a possibility, not for sure....but we both remember giving her mushrooms when she would have these episodes. We recently went back to the grocery store where we purchased these mushrooms to further investigate (Thanks to StepNStone for advising) and found that they were shipped from China. There has got to be something they put on these mushrooms to preserve them that possibly caused this??? We just can't think of anything else. I will find the picture that we took of the ingredients label and post on here. I haven't had the chance to research the ingredients, but plan to do so soon. In the meantime, Miracle does not get any mushrooms of any kind from anywhere period! She also, like I said, never had another episode since the last.

Her skin issue, the coconut should clear it up as long as something else is not going on. (parasites...) What type of laundry detergent do you wash her bedding in? It's possible that something could be irritating her skin. Do you let Nutty outside, outside? Like, in your yard outside? Have you happened to see any other squirrels in your yard that are missing fur? Not saying that she has mange, but I wouldn't rule it out either. Those suckers are HIGHLY contagious and we are treating 2 of our released squirrels for mange now as they had been hanging around a little wild girl that has a severe case of mange (we haven't been successful in treating her as she is super afraid of us). We are still trying. I'm sure the loving "Squaddy" you are, you will keep an eye on him. Nutty is sure blessed to have found you to care for him!

Please, keep us updated. Also, I'm just curious....have you given Nutty any mushrooms before this happened? Or any type of food that has came from China? I have noticed that our Giant grocery store here has been importing more and more fruits and veggies from China. You have to look closely as they don't necessarily advertise them coming from China. I would for sure try to find a "squirrel friendly" Vet who would be able to see Nutty. Have you been able to locate one? If not, I'm sure someone on here around your area would be able to help you locate one.

Give Nutty some scratches from us in Maryland!!! He is a cutie! They take a hold of our hearts and quick, don't they!

Take care & God Bless You

MyLittleMercy

[MyLittleMercy]

:wave123 Keith
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I'm sure that was very scary last night. Personally, I would always consider an unusual event like this as a possible warning sign. Just so you know, Tufts will confiscate your baby so I wouldn't even consider going there.

You mentioned the diet and said it was heathy. I noticed you mentioned HHB's. My question would be does he eat the block and healthy foods? He's not stashing the block is he? Also, healthy diet has multifaceted. How many nuts or treats does he get? The hair loss could be molt but it too could be signs of a problem so I would not pass off 2 warning signs. What does he eat besides the HHB's?


I totally agree and forgot to mention what HRT4SQRLS said. Henry's Healthy Blocks are awesome! You just got to make sure he is not stashing them or just picking the nuts out. Miracle rarely gets any nuts or seeds and every once in a while we will coat her blocks with calcium carbonate powder (just to be on the safe side). (Henry's has the calcium carbonate powder available).

The diet can affect hair loss!

[MyLittleMercy]

Thanks
He is always welcome to sleep with us.... However usually the dogs are hogging the bed, and as much as Nutty doesn't mind the dogs, (I'm sure by now he knows they mean no harm, they peck each other through the cage, or when he's out he plays hide n seek with them..) I think he likes it in his cage at night. Not to mention, that way I dont have to worry about him getting into something he should not while we are sleeping. Usually he will go back in there on his own, when he's ready for bed. In the hammock or in his tree hut, and closes the door. And night night he goes til usually sun up. As much as I play and hold him, he has never really fallen asleep like that in my arms. Sometimes he will get very relaxed and looks like hes about to go to sleep, when I sneak my finger in to his favorite spot during hand wrestling, and rub him right under his chin, and inside his paw, Like a humans armpit would be. OH my it like memorizes him and he will move his paw so i can get really in there and rub. That is his favorite.....
! question as I have seen in a lot of pics, as well as with my own eyes with Nutty, when they lay flat like that, does that usually mean they are relaxed and comfortable, He does it whether hes in his cage , on the couch or as you can see in my pic, on the back top of the chair... Lying on my jeans, as I'm sure it had my scent.

When they lay like that, it's called "Pancaking" lol

When they do that, they feel secure and super relaxed....just think of it as Chillen!

[KeithB1572]

:wave123 Keith
:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

I'm sure that was very scary last night. Personally, I would always consider an unusual event like this as a possible warning sign. Just so you know, Tufts will confiscate your baby so I wouldn't even consider going there.

You mentioned the diet and said it was heathy. I noticed you mentioned HHB's. My question would be does he eat the block and healthy foods? He's not stashing the block is he? Also, healthy diet has multifaceted. How many nuts or treats does he get? The hair loss could be molt but it too could be signs of a problem so I would not pass off 2 warning signs. What does he eat besides the HHB's?

he gets his blocks, Sometimes I find he stashes them, but I make sure I take the stash and put it back in his food dish. I had just said to my gf for a few days he is going to get just his blocks in the morning. On the package it says 2 per day, so I was doing 1 in the am and 1 at night for dinner, along with some Rom lettuce or spinach or collard greens, or water cress. I try to mix it up for him. He also gets apples, mushrooms, he also loves watermelon. I try to mix it up daily. 1 day a week I have been giving him an ear of corn to tear up, and then I cut the corn into pieces and he gets 1 piece a day. I have a bag of mixed shelled nuts, walniuts, pecans, brazil nuts, almonds, he gets 2 at night before bed for a snack, he usually eats 1 and stashes the other for later. Also in the morning I have a bag mixed with sunflower and pumpkin seeds, and I sprinkle a few in for breakfast with his veggies, some days he gets a few cheerios. He is a good eater, I just try to mix things up for him so he doesnt get bored. I also put in a couple regular rodent blocks for him in the am, so between that and the HHB, he has a good variety in the am, . Am I doing something wrong? If anyone has a better schedule let me know. The hair loss is just that one spot on his back. A fellow member said it could have something to do with how he lays down in his hammock and sleeps. Also I have his cage near the window, during the day and at night. Its summer here and has been hot so we have the ac on at times during the day and sometimes at night. But when it's breezy outside we have the windows open. Is that not good for him to be near an open window? The screen is down, but between the sounds and other squirrels that may be outside is it just a tease to him or could wild him up??????? Thanks all

[KeithB1572]

I totally agree and forgot to mention what HRT4SQRLS said. Henry's Healthy Blocks are awesome! You just got to make sure he is not stashing them or just picking the nuts out. Miracle rarely gets any nuts or seeds and every once in a while we will coat her blocks with calcium carbonate powder (just to be on the safe side). (Henry's has the calcium carbonate powder available).

The diet can affect hair loss!

I actually just got some calcium this month with his Blocks order, and he absolutely loves,, loves henrys peanut stick treats, I try to limit those, but I have been wondering if those are better than actual nuts sometimes, as it does have calcium phsophate ratio..... I uually just give him a couple of unshelled nuts here and there during the day, random, Only 1 almond or pecan or walnut, As I walk by and say hi, usually an hour or 2 after breakfast and maybe mid afternoon, Other than that As I said earlier he does get a shelled nut or 2 at night before bed,. Usually I give him one and take the other and burry at bottom of cage with in his stuffed animals, so he can find it later...

[MyLittleMercy]

Hi Keith,

When we were caring for our 1st squirrel, I made the same mistake of feeding nuts & seed along with HHB's. As long as you give him nuts & seed, he will continue to hide the HHB and not eat them. MBD is a killer, not to mention so so painful for these little guys. If I were you, I would raid Nutty's stashes and remove every nut you find.

It sounds like Nutty's episode was caused by his diet. What you can do today is restart his diet. I would only give him HHB'S & water. He may not want to eat them at first, but he will when he gets hungry and he knows you are not going to give him anything else. After a few days of him getting adjusted to eating just the HHB again, than you can start introducing veggies again but give him the HHB in the morning and if he finishes it, than give him veggies. You can give him HHB in morning, veggies after, HHB in late afternoon and after he eats HHB you can give him fruit. Watermelon is great because they love it and it keeps them hydrated.

Stay away from any fruits or veggies that are imported from China. (ESPECIALLY MUSHROOMS!) This is up to you...but if you cannot guarantee where the mushrooms came from, I would stay clear from them all together. While Nutty is getting adjusted to the HHB'S again, you can sprinkle Calcium Carbonate powder on his block to make sure he gets the extra calcium. If you don't have any calcium carbonate, you can take egg shells, rinse them and bake them in the oven at 250 degrees for 40 minutes. (Sterilize) Crush the egg sheets up and that can be used as a calcium powder. It's not the best, but if that's all you have, it will be better than not having.

[MyLittleMercy]

Hi Keith,

I just wanted to check in with you to see how Nutty is doing. I hope my last post didn't offend you...just trying to help. :) There is so much to learn when you care for your 1st baby! I still learn something new everyday!

Is Nutty eating the blocks? Still hiding them? Lol

I hope he hasn't had anymore episodes like he did. Been thinking about you guys and hoping everything was ok.

If you get a second, I would love to hear from you :)

Take Care,

MyLittleMercy