Now seizing terribly please help

[Snicker Bar]

I posted yesterday about the avacado skin, and now worse things are happening . I've been keeping her in lately because of suspected bullying by someone. She's been having a scuffed mark on her head; I have never seen them bully ( the three plus Bunny) but I took her in just in case, and to monitor in case of Avacado peel reaction. Last night about 1 am I heard her screaming and thrashing. I ran into bath and she was laid out like sedated. I cuddled her up and gave her some sugar, snd slowly she became mobile again- but just circling and walking in jerking surges?? If that makes sense? Like move a few step, then brake, then go, stop. Around and around in her cage. I posted about this , maybe monthes ago, and some said probable seizures. I can believe it now, after last night and just now another horrible one. She screamed, and had herself hanging from the cage by her teeth. Her body was stiff and tail bushed. I thought she was dying. I detached her and cuddled her up, limp. Husband ran to get sugar, and she came around struggling. She has never , ever, bitten me, but before I could get her to the cage door she sunk both sets of teeth completely through my thumb knuckle. Soaking now in Epsom salts . She's back circling, but seems more aware of her surroundings. I remember reading about Owena?? Does she, or others with seizures put them on maintenance antiepileptics?? We usekeppra and phenobarbital for most small companion animals .What should do?? This is such a let down for my daughter but bless her she's letting dad sub for me at camp ( supposefto leave in morning through Fri) Thdn next Sat we have to leave for NY for a week to see grandma ( but taking she and Doodles with us via camper . I'm just kind of in shock ( and pain). Doc is calling me in Augmentum; won't report as rabies etc. She is a recovered ( I guess not completely ) neuro; E grey, will be three years this Fall we've had her; since found next to dead sibling after county cut tree with nest. She's come so far!!! She was blind, head tilted, and circled constantly . By the time she was 6 mos, she could see, walk and climb. Just not able to jump or leap. The only noticible quirk she has had is ( what I thought was normal) is her "bursts of circles" , when she's excited. Evidently there is leftover damage, as the last 12 hours have proved. Sorry this is so long. I'm just so worried for her, what do we need to do???My doctor is more worried about me ending up in hospital with sepsis but said if I keep soaking and start meds immediately maybe it won't get in my blood. And what should I do when the next one comes?? Just leave her and talk??

[Snicker Bar]

Also, it's been over an hour, and when I tried to offer her blocks, she gave me a warning chattering sound, like she doesn't recognize me?? And doing that jerky movement stuff ; is her mind gone?? This is terrible to watch. I don't want to make any hasty assumptions. Will wait for advice, but typically in dogs after 30 min they are back to selves,

[island rehabber]

I am SO sorry to hear about this....poor sweetheart. It often takes Owena an entire day to recover from a bad seizure, so I would not expect a quick turnaround after one as bad as you described. As for your poor hand, in all honesty I've never heard of a squirrel bite on a human going septic. Cat bites, oh yeah, all the time....but not squirrels. I think the mouths of non-carnivores are much cleaner.

Have you tried offering her some molasses with a bit of warm water mixed into it, by syringe? This often helps Owena come around. I don't give her ANY drugs for her seizures because they have been well-controlled by the addition of a few calcium-coated almonds every day in her diet. In Owena's case, low blood sugar or low magnesium seem to be her triggers.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about this.

I just reviewed my notes from DrE regarding seizures in squirrels.
I am guessing that you are WELL familiar with all of this but I'll summarize it just in case. :tilt It's ALWAYS different when it's our own baby. I totally understand that.


INITIAL RESPONSE TO A SEIZURE:

DO NOT STIMULATE (sound, touch, light) may potentiate seizure

DARK, QUIET ENVIRONMENT (cover cage with blanket or towel)

HANDLE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE -can bite seriously... OOPS, too late for that one.

TRY TO TIME HOW LONG SEIZURES LAST.

TREATMENT: ( depends on the cause)
* Dark, quiet environment
* Medical management... To stop seizures, diazepam (Valium) rectally
midazolam (Versed) can also be used. Versed is longer acting than Valium.

To treat for seizures. Phenobarbital is used. The dose is increased until the seizures stop. When it is maxed out (dose wise) potassium bromide can be added. Also the newer drug, Keppra can be used. Keppra is longer lasting and has fewer side effects than phenobarbital.

I think we know what's causing Snickers seizures (neuro) but in other cases where the cause is something else, those issues like diet, infection, trauma would be addressed also with antibiotics or steroids.


As far as your own knuckle bite, the Augmentin is the drug of choice for animal bites. I also received a knuckle bite from a squirrel. I didn't treat it right away. It did get infected and basically altered the appearance of my finger permanently. It did heal with Augmentin but I should have started sooner. The joint is fully functional but it will never look the same. :peace That's fine though because no one has contacted me about being a hand model. :rotfl

If you have to handle her, and I'm sure you will, I would have a bundle of fleece to throw over her and hold her securely until the seizing stop. I might even prophylactically treat her with a little Valium to hold off any future seizures. I hate to say it but more than likely you are looking at long term seizure meds. There is a flyer on TSB (Pixie) than had seizures of unknow origin all the time. She was placed on pheno and than PB was added. She is now seizure free and lives a happy life on seizure meds, so it is possible.

[Snicker Bar]

All of this is very, very helpful; thank you so much/ do you possible know the name of this Dr.'s office, or contact info? I definitely need to start her on keppra it sounds. I just want to be sure of the fact that: she thinks it's indicated at this point ( I'm thinking yes) , the dosages and frequencies, and doses for rectal diazepam ( we have injectable for dogs and cats, perhaps this could be used). Thank you again , all of you

[Chickenlegs]

Poor sweetie--specially hard when you get caught in the middle of seizure activity. That thumb is gonna be talkin to ya for awhile. Maybe give her one of your dirty t-shirts so she always has mama near

[HRT4SQRLS]

All of this is very, very helpful; thank you so much/ do you possible know the name of this Dr.'s office, or contact info? I definitely need to start her on keppra it sounds. I just want to be sure of the fact that: she thinks it's indicated at this point ( I'm thinking yes) , the dosages and frequencies, and doses for rectal diazepam ( we have injectable for dogs and cats, perhaps this could be used). Thank you again , all of you
Yes, this was from a conference that Dr. Emerson spoke at. I'll send her contact info but it will be a while before she is available. I'll explain in a PM. :)