Rehabbers: What are the most ailments that you've seen?

[StringTheory]

I'm trying to compile a useful list of symptoms, and trying to weigh their importance by how common they are (and of course, how severe).

What are the problems that you encounter the most?

[StringTheory]

I'm trying to compile a useful list of symptoms, and trying to weigh their importance by how common they are (and of course, how severe).

What are the problems that you encounter the most?
Title was supposed to be "Most Common Ailments"

[Gabe]

In what species? Squirrels? Possums, groundhogs, cottontails, fawns, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors? Should we make a list? Are you looking for manmade ailments or nature made?
Sounds like this could be a fun thread. Would love to hear what others are seeing. My most common right now is botulism in waterfowl.

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

In squirrels the biggest human caused illness is definitly Pneumonia.
In my Rehabber book a very common ailment for squirrels is:
Mange, to which I have had 3 squirrels only because 1 transfered it to 2 others.
(Loss of hair crispy ears, intense itching)

I am sure we will have pleanty to add to this as Gabe stated.

[StringTheory]

In what species? Squirrels? Possums, groundhogs, cottontails, fawns, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors? Should we make a list? Are you looking for manmade ailments or nature made?
Sounds like this could be a fun thread. Would love to hear what others are seeing. My most common right now is botulism in waterfowl.
Hi Gabe,

I never thought to ask about other species here, but by all means, continue if you have the time. My primary focus was squirrels, so it would be great to hear about common squirrel ailments.

Also, I was not referring specifically those induced by man, but that would be a good thing to follow up.

For now, how about general categories (and effective treatments if possible). Mange seems like one of the most common, though I'm not sure how to confirm diagnosis. I understand that Ivomec is a good treatment (again, deferring to others to confirm this).

Others?

[StringTheory]

In squirrels the biggest human caused illness is definitly Pneumonia.
How do they contract pneumonia?

I've mentioned mange in a separate post. I believe you're right about that. Which 'rehabber book' mentions it?

[Mars]

Well let's see. I've have 3 with Juandice this year. This is commonly seen in conjuction with a head injury. The poor things come down head first and then go spat on their tummies. Everything comes out yellow, bright sickly yellow.


More later need to go ouot on another call.

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

ST they contract it by humans letting them aspirate while taking in formula.
If they are able to use a syringe (without the needle of course) 1cc syringe for a beginer with a baby, and a nipple it is a big + for baby's protection.
Feed very slowly and they should not have a problem.

The book is Wild baby mammal's first 48 hrs and beyond, anyone who rehabbs this book is a must and can be ordered from Chris's.
If I have forgotten anything please correct me rehabbers.

Another issue: Genital nursing..Mars may have some remedies, You may end up seperating squirrels. If they are left together this can lead to infections.

[susanw]

How about lack of sunlight, teeth growing, pox and bot flies.

[Gabe]

I guess I'm with rippie - man caused would be aspirational pneumonia.
cat attack
car hit
falling out of trees
balding syndrome
mange
people trapping and removing mom from the premises then finding the babies half starved
tree cutting and not reuniting with mama

Not in any particular order here.

If I get mine directly before someone has tried to feed them I generally get fairly healthy squirrels that are a joy to rehab. If they have been fed and not placed on heat I get sick, time consuming babies.

[susanw]

I guess I'm with rippie - man caused would be aspirational pneumonia.
cat attack
car hit
falling out of trees
balding syndrome
mange
people trapping and removing mom from the premises then finding the babies half starved
tree cutting and not reuniting with mama

Not in any particular order here.

If I get mine directly before someone has tried to feed them I generally get fairly healthy squirrels that are a joy to rehab. If they have been fed and not placed on heat I get sick, time consuming babies.


Or already gasping for breath when they arrive!

[StringTheory]

...
balding syndrome
mange
...
Appreciated, Gabe. Why did you separate 'balding syndrome' and mange? Bald spots seem quite common. It would be great to have more information on possible causes and treatments.

[Mars]

I see a lot of various forms of "failure to thrive" from just not making the adjustment to formula to what I call "Bag of bone syndrone". Adding bioplasma to formula often will assist the adjustment to formula. Bag of bones is when the little one eats well, pees well and poops maybe normal to soft but they continue to emaciate losing muscle tone until they feel like little bags of bones. This can be corrected homeopathically.

I also had two this year that were lactos intolerant. They had undigested mushy poop that they strained to excrete, with increased hunger and emaciation. It was very difficult to keep them hydrated and needed to be on heat until weaned. Once on a solid diet they thrived.

Head injuries from falls are common. Crushings from dog bites and, yes, cat caughts, too, are very common. Hit by cars or, with birds, hit by house are also common.

[Mars]

Another issue: Genital nursing..Mars may have some remedies, You may end up seperating squirrels. If they are left together this can lead to infections.

I've had babies come in sore from genital nursing but have never had the problem continue once in my care. And I have racked my poor brains to try and figure out what I do differently so I could bottle it and make a Million :D But I have no clue why I don't see the problem. (watch now that I said that I will have jinx myself and all this falls babies will be a sucking away :shakehead ) :rotfl I don't see mange either (but let's not say that to loudly either)

[thundersquirrel]

mange is the most common. severity varies.

for adults, it's mostly hit by cars. that causes severe head trauma, sometimes paralysis.

fleas are common when it's warm.

pneumonia is a big one for babies, whether they aspirate or were wet and alone.

MBD also seems common- that can accompany a lot of ailments that cause poor diet.

those are the major ones i can think of, for now.

[StringTheory]

I've had babies come in sore from genital nursing but have never had the problem continue once in my care. And I have racked my poor brains to try and figure out what I do differently so I could bottle it and make a Million [/SIZE]

Any web references on 'genital nursing'? I searched but did not find anything.

[Gabe]

Appreciated, Gabe. Why did you separate 'balding syndrome' and mange? Bald spots seem quite common. It would be great to have more information on possible causes and treatments.


If you are able check out the balding gray squirrel thread. I think it is under General squirrel discussions.

This is something that is becoming more and more common. They lose all of their fur except for head and paws. No one knows why, but there are many theories. It is most apparent in fall babies so I tend to think it has to do with something they are exposed to in the summer, such as chemicals, that they are not exposed to in late winter, early spring.
Given time the fur grows back, but it is not mange related.

If someone is able to find the link to Noel's thread and post it, feel free as I am not good at that.

[Critter_Queen]

For me, the most common ailment is emaciation/starvation/dehydration.

Followed by respiratory infections due to either humans or being wet/cold.

Third is probably falling from a tree injuries.

After that I would say mange is my biggest problem. (have it every year)

Then diarrhea (for any number of reasons).

Then genital suckling. I have always had to separate them for this...and even had one guy that did it to himself to the point of infection, scabbing, etc. He did grow out of it eventually, but GEEZ. I had to de-scab it and put ointment on it and antinflammatory gel every day for months!!

I haven't seen the balding squirrel syndrome. (hope it stays east of the Mighty Miss)

Most squirrels around here don't survive car hits.

Hope this helps!!

And I second what Mars said about the bioplasma salts. They can make or break your squirrel's survival in some cases. Seriously!

[island rehabber]

I've had babies come in sore from genital nursing but have never had the problem continue once in my care. And I have racked my poor brains to try and figure out what I do differently so I could bottle it and make a Million :D But I have no clue why I don't see the problem. (watch now that I said that I will have jinx myself and all this falls babies will be a sucking away :shakehead ) :rotfl I don't see mange either (but let's not say that to loudly either)
Mars I would suggest the reason you don't see genital nursing happening on your watch is that you are feeding the babies OFTEN ENOUGH. :bowdown Babies who are not hungry will not do genital nursing -- they will fall asleep happy and full. I think we all sometimes kid ourselves that the kids don't need to be fed as often as they do. Especially in the middle of the night.....:sleep1

[island rehabber]

I mostly take in pinkies, therefore dehydration is generally my number one health problem upon intake. Second would be pneumonia/respiratory difficulties, especially with pinkies who were kept for days before I got them, and were aspirated by their well-meaning caregivers.

[Critter_Queen]

Mars I would suggest the reason you don't see genital nursing happening on your watch is that you are feeding the babies OFTEN ENOUGH. :bowdown Babies who are not hungry will not do genital nursing -- they will fall asleep happy and full. I think we all sometimes kid ourselves that the kids don't need to be fed as often as they do. Especially in the middle of the night.....:sleep1


I agree with this whole-heartedly...BUT there are instances, like Bubba my squirrel mentioned above, that no matter what I tried, he would NOT stop suckling himself. He even did it long after he weaned...and he weaned himself! I think it was a psychological thing for him...because in all but one other case I've been able to control the suckling between siblings with either increased amounts fed per feeding, feeding more times per day, or adding/changing toys.