Need immediate help with baby Neuro-Squirrel

[LARoxie]

I am currently rehabbing about a 6 week old squirrel that we believe is a neuro-squirrel. She has the head tilts, circles, flops over on her back when she tries to walk, extremely fidgety so she doesn't really eat the soft food I've been putting down without me helping her, and I believe she's had 1 seizure that I know of. I've read from some threads that good nutrition can be beneficial. My immediate concerns/questions are:

(1) can anyone give me suggestions on how to handle her and give me ideas on how to help her be able to get more stable (i.e., nutrition, vitamins/supplements, stimulating her like playing with her or toys, etc.);

(2) what to do when she's having a seizure;

(3) what is the best housing for her right now (I know squirrels want to climb but I'm scared of her climbing right now); and

(4) she's currently housed with 2 other normal baby squirrels (who will be released at some point) that she cuddles with when sleeping but I'm thinking maybe we should remove those squirrels now as opposed to later (so she won't go through a grieving process that could agitate her because of missing them) and put a couple of small stuffed animals in her box.

Any help on my poor neuro baby is most welcome and appreciated! I'm new at this rehabbing thing and definitely new at having a "special" squirrel.

Thank you.

[Gray Squirrel]

I am currently rehabbing about a 6 week old squirrel that we believe is a neuro-squirrel. She has the head tilts, circles, flops over on her back when she tries to walk, extremely fidgety so she doesn't really eat the soft food I've been putting down without me helping her, and I believe she's had 1 seizure that I know of. I've read from some threads that good nutrition can be beneficial. My immediate concerns/questions are:

(1) can anyone give me suggestions on how to handle her and give me ideas on how to help her be able to get more stable (i.e., nutrition, vitamins/supplements, stimulating her like playing with her or toys, etc.);

(2) what to do when she's having a seizure;

(3) what is the best housing for her right now (I know squirrels want to climb but I'm scared of her climbing right now); and

(4) she's currently housed with 2 other normal baby squirrels (who will be released at some point) that she cuddles with when sleeping but I'm thinking maybe we should remove those squirrels now as opposed to later (so she won't go through a grieving process that could agitate her because of missing them) and put a couple of small stuffed animals in her box.

Any help on my poor neuro baby is most welcome and appreciated! I'm new at this rehabbing thing and definitely new at having a "special" squirrel.


If you think nutrition might help and want advice I think you should let people know what you have been and are now feeding her.

[Spanky]

If you think nutrition might help and want advice I think you should let people know what you have been and are now feeding her.

:yeahthat This is most critical info right now.


I am currently rehabbing about a 6 week old squirrel that we believe is a neuro-squirrel. She has the head tilts, circles, flops over on her back when she tries to walk, extremely fidgety so she doesn't really eat the soft food I've been putting down without me helping her, and I believe she's had 1 seizure that I know of. I've read from some threads that good nutrition can be beneficial. My immediate concerns/questions are:

At six weeks old they should not really be eating much other than formula (normal or not). And the first and only "solid food" should be a high quality rodent block and nothing else until they eat the block very well.

How long have you been caring for them? Has the neuro one always been neuro and are there any suspected causes (a fall, injury or something?!?!).


(1) can anyone give me suggestions on how to handle her and give me ideas on how to help her be able to get more stable (i.e., nutrition, vitamins/supplements, stimulating her like playing with her or toys, etc.);

Need more history info and current diet info, as well as how long has she been neuro?


(2) what to do when she's having a seizure;

Molasses (Best), honey (better) or syrup (will work) rubbed on their gums and mouth should help end the seizure.


(3) what is the best housing for her right now (I know squirrels want to climb but I'm scared of her climbing right now); and

A smaller cage or a large plastic tub.. at six weeks you likley need a lid for a tub (or soon will) so lots of air holes. Here is the type of cage I use at this age:
https://www.chewy.com/ware-chew-proof-small-animal-cage-25/dp/128641?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=Ware&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq7XMBRCDARIsAKVI5QY7iVD1WOmJ2fYAOdlf mxk4gAkJo2wnDR1EWYfAxeicTNyq0nfGgooaAmbsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds



(4) she's currently housed with 2 other normal baby squirrels (who will be released at some point) that she cuddles with when sleeping but I'm thinking maybe we should remove those squirrels now as opposed to later (so she won't go through a grieving process that could agitate her because of missing them) and put a couple of small stuffed animals in her box.

If they are not hurting her and she is not hurting the, please leave them together for now..


Any help on my poor neuro baby is most welcome and appreciated! I'm new at this rehabbing thing and definitely new at having a "special" squirrel.

Thank you.

Pictures and / or videos of her behavior will help tremendously.

:thankyou for caring for these little ones.

[LARoxie]

If you think nutrition might help and want advice I think you should let people know what you have been and are now feeding her.

I am just feeding her Esbilac formula with some feedings have oatmeal baby cereal in it. I ordered some Rodent Blocks and waiting to get them hopefully next week. But not sure she's old enough to eat hard food yet anyway.

[LARoxie]

:yeahthat This is most critical info right now.

At six weeks old they should not really be eating much other than formula (normal or not). And the first and only "solid food" should be a high quality rodent block and nothing else until they eat the block very well.
Right now she's just on formula and a formula/baby cereal mix but she has "tasted" avocado, yogurt, applesauce and a strawberry.


How long have you been caring for them? Has the neuro one always been neuro and are there any suspected causes (a fall, injury or something?!?!).
I care for her with a few other volunteer fosters for a rehabber when she was very tiny (slightly older than a pinky) and eyes shut and not moving much so very hard to tell anything at that time. It is my belief she fell out of a tree and came to the rehab like this because when I got her about a week later and a little older and moving a little more I noticed she just wasn't quite right. Our Rehabber has confirmed neuro and we're taking her to a vet today to get another opinion/confirmation.


Need more history info and current diet info, as well as how long has she been neuro?

Molasses (Best), honey (better) or syrup (will work) rubbed on their gums and mouth should help end the seizure.
Thanks! I'll keep some of that on hand! It was very scary and seemed to last 30-40 min.


A smaller cage or a large plastic tub.. at six weeks you likely need a lid for a tub (or soon will) so lots of air holes. Here is the type of cage I use at this age:
https://www.chewy.com/ware-chew-proof-small-animal-cage-25/dp/128641?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=f&utm_content=Ware&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq7XMBRCDARIsAKVI5QY7iVD1WOmJ2fYAOdlf mxk4gAkJo2wnDR1EWYfAxeicTNyq0nfGgooaAmbsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
She's currently in a large tub with a lid with holes in it.


If they are not hurting her and she is not hurting them, please leave them together for now..
So you really think keeping the other squirrels with her will help her? Our rehabber basically said it was up to me on whether I wanted to keep the squirrels with her and have them to take care of too (I also have several other babies I'm currently feeding). But I'll do whatever is best for her.

Any help on my poor neuro baby is most welcome and appreciated! I'm new at this rehabbing thing and definitely new at having a "special" squirrel.

Thank you.


Pictures and / or videos of her behavior will help tremendously.
I am SOO new to this site and don't know how to attach a pic or video. I do have one and I'm going to be getting her later today from the other very caring foster who is just as worried about her as I am.

Thank you so much for answering me and please be patient because I'm winging it by taking care of neuro girl and also not as technically capable as I would like to be.



:thankyou for caring for these little ones.

[Shewhosweptforest]

This baby is blessed to have you...first, because you are exploring all the avenues needed :great you are doing your homework...and that is more than half the battle. Spanky gave you great info :great

As far as posting pics....it varies by what device you're on....with videos you can just post them on YouTube and then copy and paste the URL number:great

Thank you for helping this little one :please

[LARoxie]

This baby is blessed to have you...first, because you are exploring all the avenues needed :great you are doing your homework...and that is more than half the battle. Spanky gave you great info :great

As far as posting pics....it varies by what device you're on....with videos you can just post them on YouTube and then copy and paste the URL number:great

Thank you for helping this little one :please

Thank you! I am loving my rehabbing but it is also heart breaking too. This baby is so sweet and I just want to help her. She saw a vet for the first time today and he is treating her for ear mites and parasites just in case. That might help her head shaking and tilt some but he does believe she was probably damaged out of the nest.

Thanks so much for responding!

[Spanky]

So you really think keeping the other squirrels with her will help her? Our rehabber basically said it was up to me on whether I wanted to keep the squirrels with her and have them to take care of too (I also have several other babies I'm currently feeding). But I'll do whatever is best for her.

Yes, as long as none are hurting the others... it can only help. In a few more weeks when they get a little more rambunctious keeping them together should be revisited.


I am just feeding her Esbilac formula with some feedings have oatmeal baby cereal in it. I ordered some Rodent Blocks and waiting to get them hopefully next week. But not sure she's old enough to eat hard food yet anyway.

Just to be absolutely certain: It is the powdered version of the Esbilac.. and not Goat Milk version or anything else? The can looks like this:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=291318&stc=1

I have never known anyone to mix in baby oatmeal cereal, sometimes rice cereal but usually only if there are GI issues. Otherwise we provide simply the Esbilac with a bit of heavy cream added in for extra fat.

I will be praying that the mite/parasite treat results in extreme improvement for this little one!

[Mel1959]

Did your vet recommend prednisolone? It is doing a good job of helping my neuro girl after a fall over a week ago. I'm not sure it it needs to be administered immediately upon onset of neuro symptoms or not, but it's worth a shot, IMHO. My girl received an injection of dexamethasone and is taking prednisolone for about 6 more days.

I hope your little one gets better.

[LARoxie]

Yes, as long as none are hurting the others... it can only help. In a few more weeks when they get a little more rambunctious keeping them together should be revisited.


Ok, we will keep all 3 squirrels together right now and revisit later. Thanks!

Just to be absolutely certain: It is the powdered version of the Esbilac.. and not Goat Milk version or anything else? The can looks like this:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=291318&stc=1

Yes, it is the powdered Esbilac and not the ready-made in a can.

I have never known anyone to mix in baby oatmeal cereal, sometimes rice cereal but usually only if there are GI issues. Otherwise we provide simply the Esbilac with a bit of heavy cream added in for extra fat.

I have some heavy cream from when I was feeding bunnies. Should I mix that with the Esbilac instead of putting baby cereal(I also have rice cereal) in it to add more sustenance? If so, should I feed to all the squirrels? And what would be the ratio?


I will be praying that the mite/parasite treat results in extreme improvement for this little one!


Thank you so much for all your comments. I'm learning as I go and this is a great tool to talk with people who love squirrels and who are knowledgeable!

[LARoxie]

Did your vet recommend prednisolone? It is doing a good job of helping my neuro girl after a fall over a week ago. I'm not sure it it needs to be administered immediately upon onset of neuro symptoms or not, but it's worth a shot, IMHO. My girl received an injection of dexamethasone and is taking prednisolone for about 6 more days.

I hope your little one gets better.

I don't know what meds the vet has prescribed yet but I'll find out and try to post it. Thanks so much!

[LARoxie]

Hi all! I wanted to give an update on my neuro squirrel (Roxie) and ask a few more questions. She is doing much better than she did just a week or so ago. She's not walking in circles and falling over on her back when walking. She doesn't shake her head anymore. But she does still tilt her head to the right and looks up and is still wobbly. A little more steady on her feet and even climbs up on me and the couch but still not steady enough to sit up and eat without falling over. Hoping she'll still continue to improve even more. I have been giving her the powdered Esbilac (sometimes mixed with cereal) along with rodent blocks (however not sure she's eating them or just chewing on them right now). My rehabber suggested I take the other 2 squirrels out since she told me to put soft food (yogurt and applesauce) down and we were scared that Roxie could be harmed if she got any of that up her nose and such because she's still so unstable. Trying to keep her stimulated with toys and an apple wood stick which she has responded to. The vet said there was a lot of gunk in her ears so he cleaned that out and prescribed Trimethoprim just in case there's bacteria in there. He also prescribed Metacam for inflammation. And he gave her a de-worming med that day also.

Questions:

1. How do I introduce water into her box right now? Should I get a water bottle or try the more natural way in a bowl? Since we don't know whether she'll get well enough to be released, I'd like to try to stick as close as I can to the more natural way but when I'm not around I worry. Am I just making more out of this than necessary and just put a small bowl down with a little water in it monitored at first?

2. Any suggestions on healthy foods to feed her right now to start weaning? She almost 7 weeks old (I believe).

3. Has anyone had any experience with Vetri DMG Liquid (immune health and possible brain/nerve health) and can it help with neuro squirrels? Someone on this site had mentioned it but never went into detail. I got some drops but (a) I'm not sure it's supposed to be for squirrels (the bottle says for dogs, cats and birds) and (2) if safe to give to squirrels, what dosage? I obviously don't want to give to Roxie if not safe.

Thanks for all your help and concern! I'm really hoping to do right by this sweet little girl and want to give her the best care I can so she can be as independent as possible and "be a squirrel".