Help with injured baby squirrel. Neuro/paralyzed/head trauma(?)

[Soumeikyoku]

I work at an animal clinic and a client brought in an injured baby squirrel on Friday. She was flat out, not moving- only breathing. Apparently cat got a hold of her and the owner swiped the baby up and brought her in. They were going to euthanize her but I use to work with wildlife and know these guys can be shocky and bounce back so I said to wait and give it some time. So, now I'm taking care of her. She looks around 11-12 weeks old? No top front teeth, all other teeth have erupted. So, not sure...
She is not able to walk at all, she army crawls and has spastic movements in her right hind leg. She can jump when she gets playful and frisky though.

She has got better, today she was able to sit up on her own and groom without falling over. She is definitely neurological, she can move and feel all her legs but not in the ways she wants them to move and falls to one side. Her front left elbow is dislocated. We don't see any fractures in X-Rays. She got a dose of Dex and is on Baytril. She has poor bone density so we're thinking possible MBD. So it's kind of chicken or egg. Did cat find her and cause trauma or did cat find her because she already has preexisiting issues?

So, I'm wanting to continue with her since she has improved. Just curious on opinions of the situation.

Is it fair to keep her going? She does not at all appear to be painful. She eats like a champ. She gets excited and chatters when she thinks she's getting food. She's playful and tries to tussle with the stuffed toy that's in there with her. She does like to curl up and sleep on my lap. She seems happy.

Assuming this is MBD, what would be the best food for her? Because she has a hard time holding food to her mouth I soften the hard rodent pellets for her and she smacks them down. I've also been giving her KMR, its all we had on hand. I live in Florida and as most know Hurricane Irma came through all weekend so I've not been able to get out and get out and get her more appropriate formula or pellets. So, what would be best for her?

She has at least tapeworms so we're treating her for that. Is there any other medications she should have? She's only had the one dose of Dex and the Baytril she gets once a day.
Any other dewormer that wouldn't hurt her to have, regardless of whether she's got them or not. Her fecals are so small we couldn't get a good enough one for the scope.

Thanks in advance for anyone's input! I appreciate it. If you would like video or pictures I can do that later. She's pitiful to watch but once she's got her legs under her and she sitting she's fine and acts mostly normal. Otherwise she's on her side pushing herself everywhere. But it's better than when I got her when she just laid on her side and nothing had feeling, not even spastic movements.

[Binkers mom]

Hi, I'm only a junior member. But I do know if you suspect MBD your baby needs to be on a special diet asap. Henry's Healthy Pets sells rodent block especially made for MBD. They also sell Fox Valley squirrel replacement formula 20/50 ONLY, ..... (DON'T GET THE OTHER ONE ( by Fox Valley ) IT ISN'T RECOMMENDED..)..also recommened is PetAg , powdered only, puppy replacement formula, it says " with pre and probiotics with a blue banner, and a white puppy on the container.
I also was recommended to give Tums tablets temporarily, until I got the correct supplies. If you search the forum, you will find info for MBD. Also Henry's Healthy Pets website has very good information.
Thank you for helping the little one. She sounds like she wants to live.
I had a baby found in my yard, nothing functioned in either front legs, and one hind leg was bad. She got better day by day. I helped her by moving the limbs as she would thru her range of motion. Did massage , and helped her sit up...she was fighter and recovered from her injuries. Good luck!

[Soumeikyoku]

Hi, I'm only a junior member. But I do know if you suspect MBD your baby needs to be on a special diet asap. Henry's Healthy Pets sells rodent block especially made for MBD. They also sell Fox Valley squirrel replacement formula 20/50 ONLY, ..... (DON'T GET THE OTHER ONE ( by Fox Valley ) IT ISN'T RECOMMENDED..)..also recommened is PetAg , powdered only, puppy replacement formula, it says " with pre and probiotics with a blue banner, and a white puppy on the container.
I also was recommended to give Tums tablets temporarily, until I got the correct supplies. If you search the forum, you will find info for MBD. Also Henry's Healthy Pets website has very good information.
Thank you for helping the little one. She sounds like she wants to live.
I had a baby found in my yard, nothing functioned in either front legs, and one hind leg was bad. She got better day by day. I helped her by moving the limbs as she would thru her range of motion. Did massage , and helped her sit up...she was fighter and recovered from her injuries. Good luck!

Fox Valley, I've heard about, just wasn't sure what would be best for her since I know one isn't recommended but didn't know which. What do you think would be the best formula for her, or a combo? I figure I'll have to do 'boo balls' since those top teeth don't seem to want to cut even though they should have.
Do you know what specifically the Tums are meant to do for her? And any certain brand? Like, I have Tums Smoothie flavor on hand but not regular good ole Tums.

And thank you for your response, anything helps! I'm glad your squirrelly made a recovery! I don't think this little girl will ever be able to be released, her dislocated front arm is never going to heal, it looks like an injury older than her recent cat trauma. Growth plates look like they're fusing to the position she keeps her arm. I'm hoping for the best for her though!

[Binkers mom]

I think 750 mg, fruit flavor. I checked an older post, I don't know how to re-post it ...sorry.
It stated dosage should have 500 mg of element calcium. If you use a calcium tablet, it should NOT have vitamin d.
I think Henry's Healthy Pets has a very good page on treating MBD. Or call them ...Leigh is awesome and has good answers to many questions.

[Binkers mom]

I used PetAg puppy esbalic until mine were 4 weeks old then transferred to FV 20/50. They all tolerated it fine.
I have read that other formals don't provide proper nutrition.
When I switched formula, I made batches of each one separately and pulled it into the syringe to combine. So I could make the switch over several days.
MBD is painful, maybe it is the root of her problems.

[Binkers mom]

The Tums are meant to get calcium into her system.
Sorry for the disjointed posted....I'm still learning how to use the forum.

[Binkers mom]

Try " emergency treatment for MBD " in the search bar.

[cava]

The body needs calcium to function. If it isn't received nutritionally, the body will rob the bones of it and that is what happens during Metabolic Bone Disease. Certain foods high in phosphorus will deplete the body of calcium which is why a proper diet is not only important in normal development, but vital in recovery from MBD. Check out the suggestions given and come back with any questions. Here is the MBD protocol: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?31501-Emergency-Treatment-of-Metabolic-Bone-Disease-(MBD)

KMR is kitten milk replacement which is milk for obligate carnivores. It has too much protein and will deplete baby and make her sick. You can make a temporary goat's milk formula from store bought items, or you can buy Powdered Esbilac Puppy Formula (made by the kmr people) at the pet store. It is fine to use that by itself (no combinations) because she is older. Temp goat milk formula: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29904-TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***&highlight=temp+goat+milk

Also, about formula in general:https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?55026-Formula-Warnings

Cat bites can be deadly to squirrels. Do a search on here for proper course instructions for antibiotic or wait for someone else to answer here.

I used to be a vet tech also and we dewormed everything but I'm not sure you have to give anything else. Did you use Panacur? I'll let someone else chime in on that one.

It sounds like she is very happy. You can do exercises with her bad arm to help maintain range of motion as she heals. The steroids are probably helping with the pain, for sure. Thanks so much for helping her!

[Soumeikyoku]

The body needs calcium to function. If it isn't received nutritionally, the body will rob the bones of it and that is what happens during Metabolic Bone Disease. Certain foods high in phosphorus will deplete the body of calcium which is why a proper diet is not only important in normal development, but vital in recovery from MBD. Check out the suggestions given and come back with any questions. Here is the MBD protocol: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?31501-Emergency-Treatment-of-Metabolic-Bone-Disease-(MBD)

KMR is kitten milk replacement which is milk for obligate carnivores. It has too much protein and will deplete baby and make her sick. You can make a temporary goat's milk formula from store bought items, or you can buy Powdered Esbilac Puppy Formula (made by the kmr people) at the pet store. It is fine to use that by itself (no combinations) because she is older. Temp goat milk formula: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29904-TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***&highlight=temp+goat+milk

Also, about formula in general:https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?55026-Formula-Warnings

Cat bites can be deadly to squirrels. Do a search on here for proper course instructions for antibiotic or wait for someone else to answer here.

I used to be a vet tech also and we dewormed everything but I'm not sure you have to give anything else. Did you use Panacur? I'll let someone else chime in on that one.

It sounds like she is very happy. You can do exercises with her bad arm to help maintain range of motion as she heals. The steroids are probably helping with the pain, for sure. Thanks so much for helping her!


Yeah, I know cat formula isn't good long term, just all we had at the clinic. So, I'll go by pet store tomorrow and at least get her transitioned to the puppy formula.

She doesn't have any external wounds, no scratches or bites. I'm guessing cat was batting her around like a rag doll.

Yeah, we used Panacur. :)

And I'll start reading the MBD article, thanks!

[Soumeikyoku]

The Tums are meant to get calcium into her system.
Sorry for the disjointed posted....I'm still learning how to use the forum.

It's fine! I'm sure I'm not too good at navigating on here either. The MBD article gives the dosing of the Tums so I can start that at the very least. :)

[Soumeikyoku]

So, baby squirrel is doing well now. Her front leg doesn't seem like it will regain any function. She can move the shoulder but elbow and below stays held to her body. Doing full motion therapy with it anyway. Still some neuro issues, unsteady balance. She's pretty laid back as far as squirrels go but gets her frisky spurts.

Thanks for all the help guys! She's started on Henry's. She likes carrots, cauliflower, and squash. Will not touch brussle sprouts, mushrooms, or broccoli. I'm still giving her formula twice a day and calcium once a day. Apples are her preferred treats.

She's also now in the top half of a ferretnation enclosure I got her. Once she gets bigger I'll give her access to the bottom half to. I'm very glad we gave her a chance. 293575

[Chickenlegs]

Aaaaaaah!!!! She's PRECIOUS! :klunk

[cava]

Hi there. She looks so small. How old is she or how much does she weigh now? I'm wondering if she should receive more than twice a day formula feedings.

[Soumeikyoku]

Hi there. She looks so small. How old is she or how much does she weigh now? I'm wondering if she should receive more than twice a day formula feedings.

She's about 11 or 12 weeks old, we gauge. I give her about 11cc each feeding, that's about the time she usually gets bored. She is small and she has her problems, for instance, her top incisors only starting cutting about six days ago. They should have cut long before then. There's also her MBD problem. She's about 200 grams. So, she's definitely on the small side. Do you think I should increase her feedings to three times?

[cava]

I do!:Love_Icon

[Soumeikyoku]

I do!:Love_Icon

I can do that. :)

She's never made any noise, which I find odd. All the squirrels I've ever helped raise up were vocal at least when they were hungry. She is very dependent on me though. She doesn't like to explore whether she's inside or outside. She just stays on my lap and likes to be scratched. She's very mellow compared to any of the others.

[Mel1959]

Have you considered putting her on daily dosing of prednisone or prednisolone? The steroid anti-inflammatory properties work very well for spinal or head trauma. I would start it immediately. I have a 6 math old squirrel that took a fall after being released and suffered head trauma. The vet gave her hypertonic saline, dexamethasone and I gave daily prednisolone for several weeks. She has made almost a complete recovery. She still has a slight head tilt, but it could be because her one eye isn't as acute as the other. She is completely mobile, though.

Thank you for taking the time to help this little one. She's adorable.

[Soumeikyoku]

Have you considered putting her on daily dosing of prednisone or prednisolone? The steroid anti-inflammatory properties work very well for spinal or head trauma. I would start it immediately. I have a 6 math old squirrel that took a fall after being released and suffered head trauma. The vet gave her hypertonic saline, dexamethasone and I gave daily prednisolone for several weeks. She has made almost a complete recovery. She still has a slight head tilt, but it could be because her one eye isn't as acute as the other. She is completely mobile, though.

Thank you for taking the time to help this little one. She's adorable.

The vet didn't want to put her on any pred. She just wanted to stick to the Baytril, Dex, and Panacur, also daily dosings of calcium. The arm there's nothing to be done about and the neuro problems have got much better from when we got her when all she could do was flop onto her side and kick her legs. It's hard to gauge what's neuro and what's her just having bad balance being both young and only having three legs that work, plus just being a MBD suspect. If she didn't get better then she was going to try other meds. She's still in contact with an exotic vet though to see if she suggests anything else but as of right now the vet is withdrawing from using any other meds just yet.

[Soumeikyoku]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ehg2pd0cpvM

Let's see if I can get this video thing working. This was her two days after I received her.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5y7Hcu5rVGc

A week and a half after.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gt_ep4bd32A

And this was a couple days ago.

[Jen413]

She's come a long way!! Looks like she's managing really well.:clap

[cava]

She sure looks much better!! Great job!:blowkiss