Advice and possible permanent home needed in Ga

[jessjwd]

I am begging for advice and possibly a permanent home for a 9 week old gray. She has brain damage. I am unsure if she will improve. She cannot stand or walk much without shaking and falling over, she looks up alot, like she's dizzy, one front foot maybe partly paralyzed, she often stands on the back of it, and has a hard time keeping hold of food, when she does manage to hold onto the food her shakes will cause her to loose it. I have been making a fruit nut veggie puree, she enjoys that syringe fed. This baby loves it most when being held, she cuddles, plays, and purrs in her sleep, she feels content in her pouch that was made just for her and i think the little sweater i made makes her feel a little more secure. I thought she was blind but the vet says her eyes are reactive. I am at a loss on what to do, I want her to be happy, but is she? It is painful to watch her struggle, but such a joy when she cuddles. I don't know what is best, I have been told to put her down, but I want to give her a shot, I am praying she gets better but she has had little to no improvement so far. Any advice, care instructions, words of wisdom are needed. Although I adore this little girl, I have a resident who would not allow another....begging for any help.....thank you.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Have you tried any meds such as steroids...pred or dex? Do you have any idea what caused her condition....fall, predator attack? Is she friendly with everyone? We do have members in GA .....hopefully they will be able to help you.

As far as her quality of life....sounds like she is responsive to attention and love...sounds like she is happy :dono we have seen squirrels with disabilities live happy lives....they will always let you know if they are unhappy :Love_Icon

[jessjwd]

She was found trying to climb a tree, she was falling over and off the tree. I brought her to the vet where he looked at her eyes, they are reactive but she acts like she can't see. They did not give me any meds, he recommended that I put her down as did the only person I know of in the area who rehabs. I am new to the south, I volunteered for rehabbers up north and had a bigger circle for help. I don't know anyone here, trusting people is scarey. I can ask the vet if he will but since they recommended pts I'm not sure they will

[Spanky]

How long ago was it that you found her trying to climb the tree?



Was there any sign of trauma, like a bloody nose?

[HRT4SQRLS]

I would get her on formula to increase her nutrition. At her young age and with good nutrition she might surprise you with the improvements that she can make.

We have literally seen miracles here.

:Welcome to TheSquirrelBoard

[Shewhosweptforest]

:embar Where's my manners :grin3 :Welcome :Love_Icon

[jessjwd]

She was found about 2 weeks ago at 7 weeks old, she had no blood or obvious injuries. She has been on formula, I now give her a puree with formula mixed in, she will eat a walnut if you hold it but the fruit, veggies and squirrel bites bug her out when offered, it's weird. I just started the puree mix but she eats double or triple times the amount of when she was eating plain formula

[Spanky]

Has she been “off” since you found her or is that more recent?

What type of formula are you feeding her and what is in the puree? It is important to understand what exactly she has been eating, and how much, how often.
Do you happen to know her weight?

[Shewhosweptforest]

Sounds like you're doing everything right :great if I were you I'd cut out the nuts in her purée....she really doesn't need it :great veggies and formula are good....you can also grind down the blocks and add that to the purée...that would help her get the added nutrition. It would be helpful if we could see a video of what she's doing...you can upload on YouTube and share here. I do understand your fear at trusting people with her.....you are doing the right thing by her....I wouldn't trust many people myself...in most states squirrels are considered vermin :shakehead a nuisance:facepalm so I would be very careful. Rest assured any member we direct you to for help....will help :Love_Icon

[jessjwd]

Yes she had been this way since i got her. The formula is esbalac, the puree has strawberries, blueberries, a little banana, coconut oil, then I add formula and warm

[Spanky]

Yes she had been this way since i got her. The formula is esbalac, the puree has strawberries, blueberries, a little banana, coconut oil, then I add formula and warm

Is this what she has been eating since you got her?

Is this the pre-mixed Esbilac or the powdered version? And how much Esbilac and how much puree are combined?

Sorry for so many questions but it is critical to know what exactly her diet has been.

[KarmaKay]

:w00twelcome! You'll have a lot of great advice from the members here. I agree with adding the protein blocks into her diet by purée. The added nutrition is a must. I know nutrition is of the utmost importance. I would cut out the nuts as well. I'm sure you're giving her lots of love and snuggles. Sending hugs to you both!:serene

[jessjwd]

I'm loosing it a little, I left out the kale, one piece of romaine and a little broccoli, she also will munch on a Henry squirrel block if it's hard, I did put one in the blend too. This is only the 2nd day she's had the blend at all, before formula and walnuts

[Shewhosweptforest]

I'm loosing it a little, I left out the kale, one piece of romaine and a little broccoli

You're doing great :Love_Icon this little one is alive because of you....you are doing just fine :grin3 less fruit....blocks ground up....esbilac powder with probiotics.....Spanky was asking because the liquid esbilac is not the same. As he was saying ...lots of questions only because we care and want to help you both :hug I know you can't keep her...how long do you have before you have to get her a new home? :grouphug

[Chickenlegs]

There are some wonderful rehabbers in South Carolina who have experience with neuro squirrels. Your baby can live a full life with some love, patience and help. Give yourself a big hug for going the extra mile to make it possible for this little one to live. One of the SC rehabbers had a neuro squirrel who lived well for years. He was on meds that helped him with balance and function. He was very much loved and loved his mama unconditionally. The old saying, where there's a will, there's a way is a landmark on TSB.

[Nancy in New York]

Just had time to skim this thread.

Are you feeding powdered puppy esbilac?
Were you diluting 1 part powder to 2 parts water?
Can you get her to only take formula?
Do you have a weight on her?
How many times daily do you feed her, and what amount in mls/cc's?

I'm asking if you can get her to only take the formula because at this
age, she would still with Mom, and that is the only nutrition she would get.
Perhaps we should start from the beginning with her and get
the best possible nutrients into her and see if she improves.

Do you have Henry's Hi Protein blocks?
Can you post a picture of her. Sometimes we can
tell volumes from a photo.

edit: I'm not sure that since she is reactive to light, that means she isn't blind.
I thought it was possible to have pupil dilation and still be blind, am I wrong?

[jessjwd]

Ok, let's see....what I have is the liquid, they don't carry the powder( I'm a city girl who now lives in the middle of no where, so its new to not have more than one place that carries it at all) I prefer the powder, is the liquid bad? I thought the nuts would entice her with the puree since she likes nuts, but I will cut them out. I can't get an accurate weight because can't be still at all

[jessjwd]

I feed her every 4 to 5 hours, she will eat formula but wasn't a big eater, usually 7-8cc, but the puree, she'll eat 12-15, she loves it

[jessjwd]

I do have the Henry's squirrel blocks in regular and picky, not hight protein. I did put one in the puree

[jessjwd]

I do have the Henry's blocks in regular and picky, I put one in the puree

[Spanky]

The Esbilac liquid, is bad. The nuts are bad. Large amounts of fruits are bad.

Seems to me her diet is horrible and I would not be surprised if this not causing a lot of her issues. Since you have not provided her weight I can only assume based on her age she is woefully unfed as well. I hope I am wrong.

[jessjwd]

I hope maybe she can see something. But I'm not sure, that was all he could tell me.

[jessjwd]

Her diet is not what is causing her condition, she came that way. I honestly have never had anyone say nuts are bad, I have always been told by the rehabbers give soft nuts (walnuts) and bits of veggies and fruit and blocks when babies are starting to wean. My choices with the formula was liquid esbalac or the Hartz crap they have at walmart. She does get the Henry's squirrel blocks as well

[Spanky]

Her diet is not what is causing her condition, she came that way. I honestly have never had anyone say nuts are bad, I have always been told by the rehabbers give soft nuts (walnuts) and bits of veggies and fruit and blocks when babies are starting to wean. My choices with the formula was liquid esbalac or the Hartz crap they have at walmart. She does get the Henry's squirrel blocks as well

Hartz is crap, but the Esbilac liquid is not the right formulation for a squirrel either.

Nuts are bad, period. Squirrels should get formula, block, veggies in that order. Fruit should be limited and nuts rare treats. A very healthy, captive squirrel might be able to get 1 nut per day as a treat without ill affects.

I am confused with the information about the Henry's because in an earlier post you said she bugs out when offered squirrel bites. How many Henry's block do you believe she eats every day?

Did the vet see her right away (2 weeks ago) or more recently?

Knowing her weight is a big missing piece in this puzzle.

[Spanky]

Her diet is not what is causing her condition, she came that way.

I should clarify and say with her neuro condition, I would not think this diet is doing her any favors. She is young, which as far as hope for any improvement with neuro issues is a positive. A healthy diet (as a very wise person posted early on in this thread) can sometimes work miracles.

[lukaslolamaus]

I understand the pain of living nowhere close to any good stores. Do you have a tractor supply nearby? They usually carry the powdered formula. The other option I have is ordering it from Amazon.

[lilidukes]

I would like to offer a forever home for this little girl.
My home is a sanctuary for disabled and recovering
injured squirrels.
I will do the driving to make this happen.
Let me know.

[stepnstone]

I would like to offer a forever home for this little girl.
My home is a sanctuary for disabled and recovering
injured squirrels.
I will do the driving to make this happen.
Let me know.
http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/hand-gestures/high-five-smiley-emoticon.gifhttp://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/thanks/animated-thank-you-smiley-emoticon.gif:grouphug

[KarmaKay]

Jess,
I can honestly say a few things here that are true. 1.) you have limited knowledge about squirrels, and so did I. I am still learning everyday!
2.) no one on this board is judging you or your care. In fact they are trying to educate you on the best way to care for this squirrel. 3.) take everything they say as truth and apply it. These folks are so knowledgable and only love squirrels and have their best interest at heart. I hope that you will not be offended and apply what they have suggested. The diet is wrong and truly needs to change for her to develop and overcome many obstacles. I hope you will take this encouragement with graciousness that I have. :bliss:grin3

[pixiepoo]

Could you possibly post a video of her? She sounds a lot like my Ned who is now a NR because of his head trauma. I got him much younger but he had issues holding food because he is also shakes. Eventually he learned to eat laying down so perhaps she can learn to do that :) it is so nice of you to take such good care of this little girl. So many of the neuro ones seem to get euthanized because nobody wants them. They are some of the funniest and sweetest squees. ;)

[Shewhosweptforest]

Jess I just wanted to thank you for all you've done for this baby...I'll say it again ....she would not be with us, if it wasn't for you :hug you took her and did not give up on her...the two weeks you've had her you've worked hard to find all the "right" things to do....it's complicated, but you've done your best ....and you've found her a phenomenal home with lilidukes....if you choose so....lilidukes has gained more knowledge of disabled squirrels then anyone I know. She gave me good, sound advice on my Poppy....and offered to help me with any problems.:Love_Icon She is a "squirrel's come first" rehabber :grouphug

Thank you for your time, patience, love..... I will keep in mind the image of her purring in your arms during her snuggle time :klunk :Love_Icon I'm sure lilidukes will keep you in the loop if you ask :hug

[lilidukes]

Has anyone heard anymore about this baby????
Didn't get any response to my offer.

I hope someone is helping :dono

[Nancy in New York]

Has anyone heard anymore about this baby????
Didn't get any response to my offer.

I hope someone is helping :dono


I thought YOU were getting this little one? :thinking :dono

[lilidukes]

I had offered and hoped to but never heard from anyone.

[Nancy in New York]

I had offered and hoped to but never heard from anyone.

Very strange!!!!! I sure hope this little one made it. :sniff