Special Needs Joey

[Mel1959]

Joey has had a setback. I'm not sure what happened. Monday was a great day. He was active..running all over the house, while I kept him in my sight. I attributed it to the little extra calcium I gave him on Sunday night. I did notice at one time that he was at the bottom of his cage. He usually doesn't go down there so I questioned if he could have fallen off his climbing branch, which would have been about an 18 to 24 inch fall. He seemed fine afterwards and was climbing around his cage, so I didn't give it another thought until later. Tuesday morning when I got him up to feed him he seemed to have less coordination in his hind legs. He was less interested in eating than usual. He toppled over at times in a more uncoordinated way. By afternoon there was no change and I thought I could detect some sniffling or congestion so we were back at the vet by 4:30. I wish Dr. Emerson had been available, but I had read in a post that she is out of the office until after Christmas. Anyway the vet gave Joey some Baytril and recommended I push some sugar water and try to feed him every couple of hrs. I fed him last night around midnight and was able to convince him to take some formula and some sugar water. He went to bed with a round belly and a heating pad, after he hung out in my pocket for a few hrs. He did a little pee but no poop. This morning he got his Baytril but was not interested much in formula or water. I convinced him to take some but not a lot. He is still uncoordinated and there was no peeing or poop, which he has always done first thing in the morning.Could he have had a seizure I don't know about? Did the extra calcium trigger something? Did the fall do something? As I've been writing this Joey came out of his house and was laying in his cage looking very pathetic, I got him out and he has done a little pee, still no poop. I also took the opportunity to try to get a little more formula in him. He seems to prefer the Esbilac over the fox valley so I'm giving him that and have added a probiotic and a little whipping cream to it. Could any of this be creating more problems for him? Everything is suspect to me now. I have also detected what seems like him having the hiccups, which I never noticed before. I feel sick not knowing what to do for him. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CritterMom]

Do you have him on supplemental heat? I know you live in Florida, but this is really a requirement with Down's babies. They lack the ability to self thermoregulate. They NEED to have added heat - I remember a member here some years ago that lost hers to pneumonia in 70 degree temperatures.

I really think that having a cage that he can play in but a bin that he sleeps in and spends time in that you can place over a heating pad is your best bet.

Make absolutely sure he is hydrated. They tend to not want to drink enough. Add some honey to plain water, heat it like formula, and give this to him between formula feedings. If he doesn't want it, hold him upright and place a drop or two at a time in his mouth so gravity will pull it down his throat. ONLY a drop or two at a time - you don't want to choke him...but if you let him get dehydrated he will spiral down quickly.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Mel1959, Dr. Emerson will be in the office on the 26th (Sat). I really think a visit to her would be worth the trip. She HAD a dwarf squirrel named Shorty. She has a special LOVE for the dwarfs. She can give you many pointers about having a dwarf. One thing I remember her saying is that they will aspirate very easily. I think the pointers you would pick up from her would be invaluable.

Be careful, she wants a dwarf VERY badly. :grin2 Just kidding ... your Joey is safe.

We are actively looking for one for her.

[Mel1959]

Thank you for the advice. Yes, Joey is on a heating pad when he's in his house. If he's not in his house then he's either being carried by me in a fleece critter bag with an extra blanket or in my pocket. I will push the sugar water and call Dr. Emerson to set up an appt.

[PennyCash]

Did Joey have a good visit with Dr. Emerson? I hope that he is ok?

[Chickenlegs]

How is Joey doing? These sweeties ARE neuro. Seizures?--yeah, unfortunately. They can fall and when they do they fall hard. My Punkin is pretty high functioning but she needs to be encouraged to drink. Try a water bottle. It seems to be working for Punkin. Punkin has a SMALL cage--a playpen--but she prefers bumbling around to being in the playpen. Girl likes her walkabouts. Any info on dwarfs in general you come up with, oh please share. Those of us who are blessed with these babies are really grateful for any tidbit concerning their welfare.

[stosh2010]

Joey UPDATE ????????????

[HRT4SQRLS]

I think these little 'special' squirrels need their own section in the Breed Specific where their precious lives can serve as a resource to other parents.
There's Peepers, Shorty, Kensington, Penelope, Punkin and Joey that I'm aware of and there are probably others.

I think it would be great to have the information in a centralized location where it could be found easily. Their special needs and special joys and blessings could be documented for all to share. :tilt

[Chickenlegs]

There IS a section on Downs but it's buried in "Specific Ailments". I heard "Downs" is actually fairly common in squirrels. Don't see it much because these babies are so vulnerable. It would be great to have a centralized location--or a clearly located place where all the links are located. I remember Peepers and how devastating it was to her people when she left us. Hmmmmm-- need to look up her thread. It's nice they're in The Nursery-- afterall, they are forever babies. There almost needs to be a special category for " special needs", a catalogue with whatever need a squirrel might have, and in the catelogue, links to specific threads. Kinda like "breed specific." Dunno-- just thinkin out loud. Now-- WHERE'S JOEY! :tap

[Mel1959]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the heartwarming concern about Joey. He is actually doing really well. I spoke with Dr. Emerson on Sat. Dec. 26....an awesome person. She offered some advice and I plan to take Joey up to see her when her schedule lightens up, but she did offer to work him in at any time if I needed her to. Did I mention she's awesome?! Anyway, not sure what was going on with Joey that manifested itself with a pronounced lack of coordination in his hind legs. It appears to have been temporary, because he is getting around just fine now. He s still on antibiotic for his pneumonia and is feeling much better. He still doesn't eat worth a hoot, though. My shipment of ultra boost powder and vitamins from Henry's arrived yesterday so what formula I can get into him will have some extra calories. I haven't tried making a shake but I don't have high hopes that he will drink it, but I will try. Leigh, at Henry's, was very kind and through in a sample pack of picky eater blocks, which Joey turned his nose up at. I have grated some extra fine and put it in his formula hoping to give him some extra nutrition as well as develop a taste for them. It's been wonderful to see Joey come out of his house several times a day as well as be up in the morning and at dinner time just like a "normal" squirrel would be foraging for food. I take these opportunities to give him formula even though he doesn't usually want it. I am extra careful to go slow so he doesn't aspirate it. It's funny to read the entries about squirrels going crazy for nuts....Joey has had a pecan and walnut sitting in his cage for several days and won't touch them. The only food I have offered him that he takes and wants to sit and eat are cheese omelet and hard bread from stuffing. He also loves butter. He can sniff it out and knows it's on the counter inside the glass butter dish. Is it the salt he likes and how horrible is it for him to have a bite every now and again? He drinks from a water bottle that I have added some sweetener to. He doesn't seem very good about drinking from a saucer and he seems to submerge his nose, which concerns me. I will work on posting more regularly. Thanks for all the help, I will take all that I can get. Hopefully I did this correctly and have actually attached some photos of my baby.267625267626267627

[HRT4SQRLS]

Joey is SO precious. :serene
Thanks for the update. I am so glad you reached out to Dr.E. Isn't she just the best! :grin2 I doubt there are many vets in the country that have had the privilege of being 'owned' by a precious little dwarf squirrel. I bet she got excited hearing about Joey.

It's my understanding that they are very picky eaters. Chickenlegs can probably share some of her secrets. Keep us updated. I know it must be a tremendous relief knowing you have a vet for Joey.

[Chickenlegs]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the heartwarming concern about Joey. He is actually doing really well. I spoke with Dr. Emerson on Sat. Dec. 26....an awesome person. She offered some advice and I plan to take Joey up to see her when her schedule lightens up, but she did offer to work him in at any time if I needed her to. Did I mention she's awesome?!

You are soooooooooo lucky to have her closer than a 14 hour drive!

Anyway, not sure what was going on with Joey that manifested itself with a pronounced lack of coordination in his hind legs. It appears to have been temporary, because he is getting around just fine now.

He didn't fall did he? Even a fall from a short distance can hurt these babies. Punkin is clumsy--and she's pretty high functioning. Look how they bumble around. Punkin can slide down from the couch using her back claws but she's taken a tumble and any tumble is rough on a dwarf. She likes to ride right behind my neck. I have to keep a hand on her or walk around "Quasemoto-ish" so she doesn't slip. If she fell from that height she would seriously injure herself. Joey will turn your hair gray. Mine's been bright silver for years so I don't care but I do care for Punkin. She's my gift as Joey is yours.

He s still on antibiotic for his pneumonia and is feeling much better. He still doesn't eat worth a hoot, though. My shipment of ultra boost powder and vitamins from Henry's arrived yesterday so what formula I can get into him will have some extra calories. I haven't tried making a shake but I don't have high hopes that he will drink it, but I will try. Leigh, at Henry's, was very kind and through in a sample pack of picky eater blocks, which Joey turned his nose up at. I have grated some extra fine and put it in his formula hoping to give him some extra nutrition as well as develop a taste for them. It's been wonderful to see Joey come out of his house several times a day as well as be up in the morning and at dinner time just like a "normal" squirrel would be foraging for food. I take these opportunities to give him formula even though he doesn't usually want it. I am extra careful to go slow so he doesn't aspirate it.

Welcome to the wonderful world of picky eaters. Punkin gets anything she'll eat, tho I do try to doctor stuff like muffins with formula. AND just because she eats it today, there's no guarantee she'll eat it tomorrow.

It's funny to read the entries about squirrels going crazy for nuts....Joey has had a pecan and walnut sitting in his cage for several days and won't touch them. The only food I have offered him that he takes and wants to sit and eat are cheese omelet and hard bread from stuffing. He also loves butter. He can sniff it out and knows it's on the counter inside the glass butter dish. Is it the salt he likes and how horrible is it for him to have a bite every now and again? He drinks from a water bottle that I have added some sweetener to. He doesn't seem very good about drinking from a saucer and he seems to submerge his nose, which concerns me.

Punkin doesn't get anything bigger than a cap from a bottle. She drinks from a water bottle held "just so" by her doting mama. Peanut's mama gives her coconut water. Punkin gets plain ol filtered water. Oh--Punkin doesn't much like nuts.

I will work on posting more regularly. Thanks for all the help, I will take all that I can get. Hopefully I did this correctly and have actually attached some photos of my baby.

Your baby looks SO much like Kensington--and Punkin--tho Punkin's fatter!!!! Every day is an adventure. Maybe you, me and Sue can have a three way call and talk dwarfs.


267625267626267627[/QUOTE]

[Chickenlegs]

Oh geeeez. IPad burped and there are two of these. Sorry!

[SammysMom]

I unburped it for you...:grin3

[Chickenlegs]

Thanks Gayle. i was trying to hilight my coments in red and durned if there wern't two posts. I hate having an excess of thumbs :shakehead

[Nancy in New York]

I think these little 'special' squirrels need their own section in the Breed Specific where their precious lives can serve as a resource to other parents.
There's Peepers, Shorty, Kensington, Penelope, Punkin and Joey that I'm aware of and there are probably others.

I think it would be great to have the information in a centralized location where it could be found easily. Their special needs and special joys and blessings could be documented for all to share. :tilt

Great idea HRT4SQRLS, I will alert Maura to this suggestion! :thumbsup

[HRT4SQRLS]

Great idea HRT4SQRLS, I will alert Maura to this suggestion! :thumbsup

Nancy, I know there is a Down's category in the Specific Ailment section but I would hate to see these sweet little babies there. It would define their precious lives as a disease or anomaly. I think a Special place for these Special babies that highlighted their preciousness and their unique needs would be more appropriate.

Something like this would be easier to find than individual threads scattered over the board. I think it could be an awesome resource for all parents of these sweet little guys.

[Mel1959]

Yes, a three way, or more, talk would be wonderful. Let me know what works. Joey could have taken a fall, his cage was padded but he did have more access to the whole cage than he does now. I'm just thankful that he is ok now. Clearly I need to get more creative with joeys food choices..think outside the box! I made him my variation of "boo balls", with almond butter, powdered formula, coconut oil, ground Henry's blocks, a little corn syrup all rolled in sesame seeds, NO GO for Joey. I raised 3 children that were picky like him when they were young. I always envied those mothers that could put anything in front of their children and they'd eat it! Oh well, the formula is definitely my ace-in-the-hole. Yes, I can't wait to meet Dr. E, wonder if she'd be interested in squirrel sitting the end of this month. I have to go out of town for a couple days, I might get up the nerve to ask her, but would hate to inconvenience her. Not many people that are willing, or capable, 267686267687to watch a squirrel.

[Nancy in New York]

Yes, a three way, or more, talk would be wonderful. Let me know what works. Joey could have taken a fall, his cage was padded but he did have more access to the whole cage than he does now. I'm just thankful that he is ok now. Clearly I need to get more creative with joeys food choices..think outside the box! I made him my variation of "boo balls", with almond butter, powdered formula, coconut oil, ground Henry's blocks, a little corn syrup all rolled in sesame seeds, NO GO for Joey. I raised 3 children that were picky like him when they were young. I always envied those mothers that could put anything in front of their children and they'd eat it! Oh well, the formula is definitely my ace-in-the-hole. Yes, I can't wait to meet Dr. E, wonder if she'd be interested in squirrel sitting the end of this month. I have to go out of town for a couple days, I might get up the nerve to ask her, but would hate to inconvenience her. Not many people that are willing, or capable, 267686267687to watch a squirrel.

Oh I will bet anything that Dr. E would be up for squirrel sitting! :thumbsup
She used to have a little one just like your Joey!

[CritterMom]

Oh I will bet anything that Dr. E would be up for squirrel sitting! :thumbsup
She used to have a little one just like your Joey!

So when Dr. E changes her name, sells her house and completely disappears with Joey stuffed in her medical bag, I hope she moves up to New England to practice...:grin3

[Nancy in New York]

So when Dr. E changes her name, sells her house and completely disappears with Joey stuffed in her medical bag, I hope she moves up to New England to practice...:grin3

:rolf in our dreams! :shakehead

[HRT4SQRLS]

:jump:laugh2

[Chickenlegs]

I am SO tickled at the idea of a special section for special babies. EVERY squirrel is unique with issues and problems. Little dwarf babies--well, they are a breed of their own: high functioning/low functioning; active/inactive; all neuro in their own ways. They aren't just picky, they're from a different planet when it comes to food. Getting them to drink is a MMA championship battle. They are crazy delicate but have normal squirrel sensibilities when it comes to what they think they can do. Their lifespans vary from less than a year to many. A dwarf baby is a squirrel crapshoot. I've won the jackpot twice but Kensington and Punkin are sooooooo different and so much the same. I would be thrilled to help anyone who finds an angel in his/her care. And I'd sure love to learn ANYTHING that will make Punkin's life better.

[island rehabber]

I'm pretty sure I can set up a new location for threads about these Special Precious ones, but where would you all prefer to have it located? Breed Specific? Grey Squirrel Discussion? Let me know, as you dwarf mammas & pappas will be the ones most active in this new forum. :great

[Chickenlegs]

Hmmmmmm--can a section entitled "special needs" be set up to include paralyzed squirrels, neuro, dwarf--any special need that someone might find affecting a baby in their care. That way if you find yourself with an injured/special squirrel you can find a section for help or even a link to a special needs baby in the nursery or infirmary

[Penelope]

If I was closer I would volunteer to babysit Joey! Although Chickenlegs is closer ! One of the hardest aspect of having one of these babies is this being a 24 hours a day,7 days a week job.I honestly do not go anywhere because Peanut is so dependant on me to survive.I actually gave up a free Christmas vacation to Arizona to be with my sister.Even going away over night is out of the question.I literally keep her alive each day.Peanut really only drinks water when I use a syringe to hydrate her.Sometimes the responsibility of this is overwhelming.One of my biggest fear is what if I would have to be away from her for an emergency.As much as I love her she is soley reliant on me.The reason why I go into this is if others of you would arrive at having one of these babies please be prepared to devote your life.I am not near other board members to help or babysit.The rewards are great but please think this over if you are ever considering being a Mommy.They are adorable and loving but there is much more to consider.In my case no one wanted Peanut so I had to help her.

[Chickenlegs]

Mel, joey's thread has become a dwarf forum! Sue is right about the care and feeding of Downs babies. All squirrels bond to their caregivers. These babies bond HARD! Julie (sweeper) has cared for Kensington. She was his other mama. He loved her but even so, she told about bringing Kensi home after we'd been away for a few days. She said he'd been in his cube the entire ride but when they made the turn for home, she turned around to see Kensi hanging on the cage. He KNEW he was going home. It's that sort of attachment that makes these little guys so loveable and that sort of attachment that makes them hard. He wanted to be ON me 24/7. He didn't eat well or drink enough--especially when I was away. I was lucky to have Julie. I would trust Julie with Punkin no questions asked but what if she couldn't babysit? There's nobody else. I bet Dr E would loveingly care for Joey. You've already found how challenging feeding these guys is. I'd LOVE to babysit for Joey--need to get that part for my transporter!!!!! I'll PM my phone number. Don't know how to set up a conference call tho. Maybe I can find somebody round here that does.

[island rehabber]

How about if, under the Breed Specific Forum, we create a Special Needs Squirrels forum. Then, if I can I will create sub-forums as needed: Dwarfs ('Downs" squirrels).......Seizures/Epilepsy.......Neuro squirrels.

Would that work and be easy enough to find? Also, we don't have to move every applicable thread into these categories right away. We can copy them, then later on merge them if necessary.

Lemme know. :grin2

[Mel1959]

I think a special section for dwarf squirrels is a great idea! Locating it under "special needs" seems appropriate. I have to say, though, I had no idea I had a dwarf squirrel until I read some characteristics that seemed similar to Joeys in a post. I had raised some squirrels in the past and recognized Joey didn't seem to be growing at an appropriate rate so I investigated on this forum. I didn't know dwarf squirrels existed, so my question is, how would someone visiting this website know to look under "special needs" or any other title for that matter, to find info about a dwarf squirrel? How would they know they have a dwarf squirrel? Did I explain that in a way that makes sense? I think pictures and maybe some characteristics that these special guys all seem to have, would be helpful. As for a squirrel sitter, I can get my daughter to look after Joey while I'm away, but thought that Dr. E might enjoy having my special baby for a few days.:bliss

[Chickenlegs]

How about if, under the Breed Specific Forum, we create a Special Needs Squirrels forum. Then, if I can I will create sub-forums as needed: Dwarfs ('Downs" squirrels).......Seizures/Epilepsy.......Neuro squirrels.

Would that work and be easy enough to find? Also, we don't have to move every applicable thread into these categories right away. We can copy them, then later on merge them if necessary.

Lemme know. :grin2


Darlin, if we can't have front page, we'll settle for any page--I mean, Downs IS under the specific ailment section, only these issues aren't actually ailments. They're conditions. Even paralyzed squirrels is a special condition. I know a discussion about foods a dwarf squirrel will eat would be great--as would a discussion about squirrels paralyzed in their back legs. My Scooter gets drag sores. They just about get healed and durned if he doesn't get a new crop. I'm STILL working on a drag bag that stays on but gives mobility. I think incontinence is a topic for paralyzed squirrels. Neuro issues have their own crop of problems--like seizures. I'm excited there will be a special section. Might not be a special breed but they ARE special. Um--is Adult forum up for grabs--as we just don't DO that?

[Chickenlegs]

When I got Kensington I had no idea he was a dwarf.--i mean, I knew there was something different about him but IR and NINY noticed he had Downs characteristics. If I knew then what I've learned right here at TSB I would have cared for him differently and better. I Googled Downs in squirrels and achondroplasia and the only thing I found about either was on The Squirrel Board. You're right--they look like squirrels--only different. How would you know if you didn't know. I'm plum tickled about the possibility of helping another little one. The range of their abilities and disabilities mirrors people with Downs or Autism. As to how would anybody know--a sticky with common charactics should help. We are NOT so far removed from our little brethren. And--yeah--bet Dr E would love to snuggle on Joey


I think a special section for dwarf squirrels is a great idea! Locating it under "special needs" seems appropriate. I have to say, though, I had no idea I had a dwarf squirrel until I read some characteristics that seemed similar to Joeys in a post. I had raised some squirrels in the past and recognized Joey didn't seem to be growing at an appropriate rate so I investigated on this forum. I didn't know dwarf squirrels existed, so my question is, how would someone visiting this website know to look under "special needs" or any other title for that matter, to find info about a dwarf squirrel? How would they know they have a dwarf squirrel? Did I explain that in a way that makes sense? I think pictures and maybe some characteristics that these special guys all seem to have, would be helpful. As for a squirrel sitter, I can get my daughter to look after Joey while I'm away, but thought that Dr. E might enjoy having my special baby for a few days.:bliss

[island rehabber]

Okaaay, I think I'm getting it. Let's see if we can have a full new forum on the front page called:

CARING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SQUIRRELS

The subtopics (Dwarf or Downs, Neuro, Paralyzed, etc) would hold the threads for discussing all the zillions of important issues that special needs squirrels have. This will be a work in progress; I do not want to be the only person designing and organizing this new forum, as my experience has only been with one spinal injury (Krista) and now one slightly neuro/vision impaired (Owena) -- that don't make me no expert :grin3.

I am going to raise this topic in the Admin forum and see the best way to do this, and get some more input. I thank all you special squammies for raising this topic because it's an excellent one, and TSB will be an even better place for those seeking help after it's done! :thankyou

[Nancy in New York]

Fireweed had this suggestion August 2014 and actually started a couple of threads.
I knew this concept sounded familiar. :)

For some reason they seem to get buried.
We have to think of a better place to stick these.
Perhaps in the emergency section, with links to the particular INFORMATIVE thread. :dono

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?47119-Neuro-Squirrels&highlight=

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?47118-Paralyzed-Squirrels&highlight=

[Chickenlegs]

Oh WOW! The whole "edifice" of a special needs section brings tears to my eyes. I remember Fireweed's efforts--and there have been other threads that brought special circumstances and needs to the collective brilliance of TSB but they kind of faded as babies lived and thrived or died. Before Kensington I'd never even thought once of a "Downs" squirrel. And I guess we need info as situations arise. Today I was talking to Julie (Sweeper) about her Poppy. Her vet didn't want to take Poppy's tail when she was first brought in. Julie asked specifically about amputation. If Sweeper had a forum to discuss the pros and cons with people who had EXPERIENCE rather than just "book larnin" she would have gone with her gut and the tail would have been amputated. In the grand scheme of things, we don't know the eventual outcome had that happened, but Poppy's death was specifically related to cancer and the vet told Julie there was diseased bone in that tail. It wasn't mentioned earlier. There was damage but no disease. All that to say how hugely valuable a knowledgable forum is. MM's MJ is a textbook for wound care. Tumbleweed is his own forum. TSB is a "go to" resource for squirrel care and "a special needs" compendium is -- don't have a word big enough! Thank you sooooooo much Admin.! If there's anything I can do to help, let me know!

PS:Maura--in this section there are NO experts.

[island rehabber]

Our new Forum section is up:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?211-Caring-for-SPECIAL-NEEDS-SQUIRRELS

I only added one sub-forum, for Downs. What other subs do you think we should create? Some ideas:

*Neuro squirrels
*Paralysis
*Amputees

Let me know!

[SammysMom]

Maybe Seizure and Vision impaired?

[island rehabber]

Maybe Seizure and Vision impaired?

Owena says: Yeah, mamma.....dat's meeeeeee!"

:tilt

EDIT: Added 3 more forums.

[Chickenlegs]

This is GREAT! Um--how do I make a link to Punkin and Kensington's threads in the Downs section?

[island rehabber]

This is GREAT! Um--how do I make a link to Punkin and Kensington's threads in the Downs section?

OK, you have to do them one by one. Go to the thread, then copy the URL up on the left hand top of your screen. Then go to the sub-forum you want, in this case Downs, and click "Post New Thread" and paste the URL into the first post, along with any message you want to include.

Other options would be moving those threads into the section in their entirety, or making copies of those threads to move into the new Forum. Your call, CL -- I will help!

[Chickenlegs]

OK, you have to do them one by one. Go to the thread, then copy the URL up on the left hand top of your screen. Then go to the sub-forum you want, in this case Downs, and click "Post New Thread" and paste the URL into the first post, along with any message you want to include.

Other options would be moving those threads into the section in their entirety, or making copies of those threads to move into the new Forum. Your call, CL -- I will help!

Ummmmmmmm--the new thread is on it's way. Looks like Mel is there too. So what is easier for you? I'd like to keep the special needs description at the front of the thread but maybe put the link to Punnkin's thread right there so anybody new can see it in it's entirety. Or maybe make the description a sticky. Don't know if it's more useful to post in Punkin's thread or in the special needs thread. What do you think? Kensington can be moved to special needs as he's gone home and except for rememberances, there won't be new posts.