Hurrican Matthew baby with spinal injury

[Uno's Mom]

I just picked up two babies who had their nest blown out of the tree this morning. There were four all together but two were already dead from the fall according to the finder. The little boy appears fine: squirms, vocalizes, pees, poops, took the first hydration. The little girl has no movement in her back legs and tail, she wants nothing to do with any fluids. I was able to get pee. For poop she had a small amount of mucus looking substance. I remember reading somewhere a long time ago about giving prednisone in the early stages of paralysis as a possible treatment. Does anyone have any info on that or other suggestions.

She weighs 68 grams.

Thanks

[Nancy in New York]

I just picked up two babies who had their nest blown out of the tree this morning. There were four all together but two were already dead from the fall according to the finder. The little boy appears fine: squirms, vocalizes, pees, poops, took the first hydration. The little girl has no movement in her back legs and tail, she wants nothing to do with any fluids. I was able to get pee. For poop she had a small amount of mucus looking substance. I remember reading somewhere a long time ago about giving prednisone in the early stages of paralysis as a possible treatment. Does anyone have any info on that or other suggestions.

She weighs 68 grams.

Thanks

Do you know of anyone with Metacam, Tramadol, Prednisone and Gabapentin?
We could potentially work with these, not together though.
The Pred would go with Tramadol
The Gabapentin would go with Metacam and possible Tramadol for pain management.

[Uno's Mom]

Hi Nancy,

I have 4mg methylprednisolone tablets. I can check and see if anyone within a couple hours drive has tramadol.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Nancy,

I have 4mg methylprednisolone tablets. I can check and see if anyone within a couple hours drive has tramadol.

Can you just double check with Patti to see if this can be dosed just like Prednisone is?
I did a quick search on the iinternet and found this: 4 mg methylpred = 5 mg prednisone = 20 mg hydrocortisone.
So I think we would consider one of these tablets equal to 5 mg of Prednisone.

[Nancy in New York]

I will write this up in a minute.
If you can just double check to see if this can be
given to squirrels. I know that Prednisone can but
I haven't heard of this.

[Uno's Mom]

Can you just double check with Patti to see if this can be dosed just like Prednisone is?
I did a quick search on the iinternet and found this: 4 mg methylpred = 5 mg prednisone = 20 mg hydrocortisone.
So I think we would consider one of these tablets equal to 5 mg of Prednisone.

I'm checking with Patti now.

[Nancy in New York]

I'm checking with Patti now.

Just sent the dosing in case she gives the thumbsup and I'm not on. :thumbsup

[Delo729]

Don't know what part of Fl you're in but I have some metacam on hand if ya need it.

[Nancy in New York]

Don't know what part of Fl you're in but I have some metacam on hand if ya need it.

How kind of you!
I think she is using Prednisone, so this little one
can only have Tramadol with Pred.
Such a generous offer though! :blowkiss

[Uno's Mom]

Don't know what part of Fl you're in but I have some metacam on hand if ya need it.
Thank you so much for the offer! It is very kind of you.
I was able to get some yesterday evening.
:thankyou:thankyou

[Uno's Mom]

A short update on the two babies.

I got my care package for the baby early yesterday evening.
Thank you so much HRT4SQRLS for taking time out of your rare weekend off to help these little ones (and me!).

Both are still with us and they have passed the 48 hour mark, so I am cautiously optimistic.
Neither one is eating with any regularity but I have had some intermittent cooperation from both.
I have just given up on all regular tactics and expectations.
Last night I spent from 8-9:45pm sitting on the floor with a heating pad on my lap.
I keep both babies in a blanket on top of the pad and go back and forth a squirt at a time between the two.
Occasionally one will actually suck the small miracle nipple (I've given up on the others) and empty what's
left in the 1cc syringe. Off course they want nothing to do with it when it's refilled.
So then I try and pee and poop them for a while, then tuck them back in the blanket and reach for the other.
I did the same thing between 2-3:30a.m and again from 7-8a.m.
I'm not sure if I'm getting faster or they are getting a little better, lol.

Little girl has finally produced a poop from Mommy squirrel and continues to pee well.
I have seen a slight improvement in her legs.
Early this morning she pulled one up a little during a potty session.
At lunch she did it again and when I touch her feet she pulls them away a little bit.
She still drags them a lot when she crawls but she had no control of them in the beginning,
They just hung limp with the tail.
She still does not curl the tail like her brother.
She is about 65 grams.

Brother is ravenous until he gets the nipple.
He swears I have poison.
He is holding at 70 grams, he probably burns the few grams he gains fighting me.

Okay, so this is not a SHORT update.
I will try to get some pictures up soon.

Thanks for all your prayers and help.

[Uno's Mom]

The kids just ate...they acted like squirrels!!!
Sucked it down and asked for refills.
The little boy took the syringe without the nipple,
but it worked! Yippee!!

:jump:jump:jump:jump

[Nancy in New York]

The kids just ate...they acted like squirrels!!!
Sucked it down and asked for refills.
The little boy took the syringe without the nipple,
but it worked! Yippee!!

:jump:jump:jump:jump

Great news. I'm so glad they're coming around! :w00t
What I do is preload the syringes with nipples and keep them in
a glass of hot water, when one gets low, I grab another one so
they don't miss a beat.
Seems like everyone has figured this out and I'm thrilled.

[Uno's Mom]

Update:

Dr. Emerson saw both babies this afternoon and took full x-rays on the little girl.
The films revealed that her problems are not due to an injury from her fall,
but rather birth defects. She has several deformed vertebrae. One near the top
of the spine, a couple in the middle, and one at the base at the level of the last lumbar vertebra.
Little brother has a similar deformity but it is not nearly as serious.

Whether she will develop more problems as she continues to develop is uncertain.
Even if she improves greatly, it is unlikely she will gain enough function to make it back to the trees.
Little brother's outlook is more positive but still questionable.
Dr. E says to continue meds for now and to massage and exercise their legs.

It was a long and difficult day for them.
It is heartwarming to see them cuddle together when times are tough.
Dr. Emerson was remarkable as always.
I am always so grateful for her kindness and knowledge, and to know she is there.

[Nancy in New York]

Update:

Dr. Emerson saw both babies this afternoon and took full x-rays on the little girl.
The films revealed that her problems are not due to an injury from her fall,
but rather birth defects. She has several deformed vertebrae. One near the top
of the spine, a couple in the middle, and one at the base at the level of the last lumbar vertebra.
Little brother has a similar deformity but it is not nearly as serious.

Whether she will develop more problems as she continues to develop is uncertain.
Even if she improves greatly, it is unlikely she will gain enough function to make it back to the trees.
Little brother's outlook is more positive but still questionable.
Dr. E says to continue meds for now and to massage and exercise their legs.

It was a long and difficult day for them.
It is heartwarming to see them cuddle together when times are tough.
Dr. Emerson was remarkable as always.
I am always so grateful for her kindness and knowledge, and to know she is there.

What meds is she on, still the prednisone?
Did Dr. E mention gabapentin and Metacam?

Thanks for the update.
I'm glad they have YOU and each other.
I know this must weigh heavy on your heart. :hug

[Uno's Mom]

What meds is she on, still the prednisone?
Did Dr. E mention gabapentin and Metacam?

Thanks for the update.
I'm glad they have YOU and each other.
I know this must weigh heavy on your heart. :hug

Sorry Nancy, I didn't see this...

The kids were transitioned to Metacam the Sunday after I got them (10/9). Dr. E did not mention gabapentin.

The little boy is doing very well and has regained full function in his lower leg.
The leg no longer turns in and he can spread his toes and grasp with them. He has begun to climb me!
When he sucks on the syringe he sticks both legs out behind him and the feet look identical in their grasp.

The little girl is able to move both rear legs and kicks like crazy when being pottied. She still has intermittent bladder control and is often covered with urine.
She pulls the legs up in a frog position when on her stomach and drags herself around that way. She is able to move her feet and toes, but I'm guessing because
of her back she cannot put any weight on her legs.

Today I drove them both to a very experienced wildlife rehabber in Ocala. She will do therapy on the little girl to see if she can help her walk.
She believes the little boy will be releasable.

I am so sad they are gone.
I hate that they will be stressed and have to adapt to new surroundings and another caregiver.
I believe, however that this is the little girl's best shot at walking and I did not want to separate them.

I hope I can get updates but this is a very busy place, so I'll just have to wait and see.

FYI, they were both 140 grams today and eating well.

:sniff:sniff:sniff

[pixiepoo]

Did you take her to Animis by chance?

[island rehabber]

Uno's Mom:grouphug I believe you did the very best thing for them. It's a small miracle that both have either regained function in their limbs or at least show signs of life even with a back injury. If the little girl is going to make any great strides she needs serious one on one attention -- and how selfless and wise you are, not separating them! I know you must be so sad....but please believe that you did the very best thing for these two precious ones. :bowdown

[Uno's Mom]

Did you take her to Animis by chance?

Yes, they are with Michelle.

[Nancy in New York]

We have seen remarkable results with Gabapentin.
I have a little one who had NO use of his upper body/arms.
He was put on Metacam and Gabapentin, and you would
never know there was ever a problem.

Thank you for loving these little ones enough.
I know sometimes doing the "right thing" hurts us. :hug:hug

[Uno's Mom]

I will ask about gabapentin if/when I get another squirrel with injuries.
Thanks for the information Nancy.

I wish I could keep an NR but with my 3 cats, 2 dogs, and a husband that doesn't get it,
it is not possible. You guys with understanding husbands and boyfriends, count your blessings.

Even if I had been able to keep them, I still believe the little girl will have a better outlook where I took her.
Doesn't make it a whole lot easier, though.

Thanks to all for the help and encouragement.

:grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I will ask about gabapentin if/when I get another squirrel with injuries.
Thanks for the information Nancy.

I wish I could keep an NR but with my 3 cats, 2 dogs, and a husband that doesn't get it,
it is not possible. You guys with understanding husbands and boyfriends, count your blessings.

Even if I had been able to keep them, I still believe the little girl will have a better outlook where I took her.
Doesn't make it a whole lot easier, though.

Thanks to all for the help and encouragement.

:grouphug

I could NOT do what I do without my hubby being on board.
Who cares if you have no place to sit while you eat, and you
have to eat out of the pot on the stove? :rolf

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Kb7BMJL/0/S/i-Kb7BMJL-S.jpg

I have no other animals here, and that makes it SO much easier.
You did the right thing for these little ones, no doubt about it.
It was a very unselfish act getting them into the best possible
hands.:hug:Love_Icon:hug

[pixiepoo]

That is awesome. She is so sweet :)

[Uno's Mom]

Today I was able to get in contact on Facebook with the rehabber caring for Miracle and Stevie.
She had wonderful news!
Miracle has started to CLIMB!!!
The rehabber does not believe she will be mobile enough for release,
but she will be able to join the other NRs in the outside enclosure when she is older!
Their enclosure is huge and built around a large tree base.
The squirrels all seem to get along and even groom each other.

Stevie has continued to blossom into a mobile little boy (he was already climbing me!)
You can't even tell that he ever had any problems.
He should make it to the trees.

I am thrilled they are doing so well.
I still miss them so much.
How can they grab your heart so in such a short time?

:sadness:sadness:sadness