Urgent: Anyone have an answer to self mutilation?

[Coralreefer]

We rescued a squirrel attacked by multiple cats a year ago. She made a miraculous recovery. Has one bad arm but otherwise was ok. Slowly though she started self mutilating. It's been a long battle. Went from her Stomach to her leg. She is now mutilating her hand. Every time we take away one area she just moves to another. Weve tried vests, wraps, cones and vets have prescribed Gabapentin but nothing has worked.

She almost completely chewed off one of her fingers tonight. I'm sick to my stomach and at my wits end.
I don't want to put her down but I'm just out of answers.

Has anyone had success stopping one of their squirrels from doing this to themselves?
Please share what you did if you have.

[SammysMom]

I have some thoughts that Gabapentin can help this issue. I have ms and take it for nerve pain and annoyance. I wonder if you might have a vet in your area who could help with this.
Message me for more information if interested.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom. Poor little Braveheart. :(

Have you tried Prozac or Zoloft? I'm sure a vet would prescribe it. They are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
They have been used for obsessive compulsive disorders. (OCD). If a vet thinks it might work, it would take at least a month before you would see improvement. I know you're running out of options.

Here is an article about a OCD mouse as a model for human OCD. They mentioned the SSRI as a treatment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2853748/

[TubeDriver]

Both of the meds mentioned might help (Gabapentin or an SSRI). I might start with Gabapentin first since it is much faster acting (about a week to start kicking in). SSRIs can take at least 3-6 weeks before starting to work for depression/OCD (at least in humans).

[Coralreefer]

The Gabapentin has been tried at multiple dosages and has not deterred her at all.

The OCD medications are not something I had thought of. If I can keep her from killing herself long enough I'll give that a try. This has been one of the most frustrating and saddening experiences.

Thanks for the input all.

[Coralreefer]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom. Poor little Braveheart. :(

Have you tried Prozac or Zoloft? I'm sure a vet would prescribe it. They are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
They have been used for obsessive compulsive disorders. (OCD). If a vet thinks it might work, it would take at least a month before you would see improvement. I know you're running out of options.

Here is an article about a OCD mouse as a model for human OCD. They mentioned the SSRI as a treatment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2853748/

Thanks Patti.
This is at least some new hope.

[TubeDriver]

That is too bad, I hope an SSRI will help your little one!


The Gabapentin has been tried at multiple dosages and has not deterred her at all.

The OCD medications are not something I had thought of. If I can keep her from killing herself long enough I'll give that a try. This has been one of the most frustrating and saddening experiences.

Thanks for the input all.

[LR]

Are you giving her any pain medication for her foot?

The outside of her may have healed up well from the cats but her nerve lines inside may not have. I can tell you from personal experience that Gabapentin does not always relieve nerve pain even to an acceptable level much less alleviate it. Have you tried any other types of long term pain meds?

[Rexie]

maybe do some research about essential oils and herbs. I know some holistic veterinarians use both and acupuncture

[crazy4squirrels]

I really would like to try CBD oil. Pain neds for now but....CBD is a great help

[Diggie's Friend]

It does have a sedative effect, yet not a hallucingenic one, as that compound has not been included in the oil. There is a company out in the west I was introduced to recently at a horse show event. It is an organic oil CBD source made for pets. Let me see if I can find the brochure, or website.

[Diggie's Friend]

Zoloff and other psychotrophic drugs tend to work for awhile for some, yet after sometime they stop working as well, and also come with negative side effects, both of which may require the patient to go through a period of withdrawl to get off them.

CBD oil doesn't appear to have such issues, and has been recommended for pets by veterinarians, and used with success. There are atomizers that are available that some of the produces of this source offer that can be used externally much like Rescue Remedy spray from Bach Flower essences is used. For small mammals using a cue-tip to apply a small drop of the oil on the upper inside surface of the outer ear makes application very easy.

[Diggie's Friend]

I thought to add here that in adding in more magnesium (citrate) in the diet, will support the brain to be more calm and the nerves in the body also. This can be used with CBD.

[muggsy'sgm]

I HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD GREY THAT IS SELF-MUTILATING HIS TAIL. No parasites, change of environment...healthy food pyramid, etc...

What dose CBD oil would I use to try to calm him a bit? I can find dosing for dogs and cats...but nothing for rodents. I'm willing to try anything.

How are y'all's babies doing, by the way?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Muggsys'gm, as far as I know this treatment has never been used. It would be entirely experimental so it is unlikely that you would find dosing information. Coralreefer has tried almost all of the usual treatments without success. He is rapidly reaching a point 'of last resort'. When you are there it's like a Hail Mary pass. Try it and hope for the best.

You're at the start of this and I definitely hope Muggsy doesn't get as bad as Braveheart. Their experiences would be a good resource for you though.

[Diggie's Friend]

No more than one drop and I would not give it orally, at least not initially, but using a cue-tip, apply it to the upper side of the inside of the outer ear. It isn't that it couldn't be given to pets before, for Veterinarians are prescribing it for use in pets outhere in the West. Westlake, Ca., yet with squirrels it hsn't be as yet used and it is a strong source that you 'feel' its effects. I know a pharmacist wanted me to try a source that included CBD, not the pure oil. That didn'' work well for me, but again it wasn't the pure CBD oil. Personally I don't like any feeling of being drugged, save I need it for serious pain. Yet at times such may be needed in emergency situations.

Other sources that are known to reduce anxiety in Tree squirrels that have been used for pets, and some for squirrels on a regular basis include: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?59254-MUGGSY-EATING-TAIL-AGAIN-HELP!&p=1246203#post1246203

In addition, Magnesum citrate has been found in rat research studies to support a calmer brain, and nerves in the rest of the body. It also has been found in rat research to be key in supporting the mineralization of calcium in the bones.

[farm mom]

Have you tried spraying the affected area with apple bitter. I've used it on bandages and skin with stitches on everything from Bunnies to Horses. And a fox with a bone pin sticking out of her shoulder. They don't like the taste.

[muggsy'sgm]

So...wrapping an affected appendage in some type of self-adhesing bandage...then coating it with the apple bitters...will stop an animal from chewing on itself? Anyone else have experience with this? It sounds exciting!

[SophieSquirrel]

Here is an interesting article on the subject: http://newfoundlandnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/self-harm-seen-in-animals-too.html

If the situation become life threatening perhaps removing her incisors or keeping them severely blunted is the only option. There will be many that disagree, but if all else fails it better than open wounds, infection and possible death. Either Dr. Emerson from Ravenwood in Port Orange or Dr. Diaz from Orlando Exotic Animal Hospital can do this procedure. Severely blunting must be done under anesthesia and will require regular maintenance. Also molars will need to be check frequently for spurs. Removal or blunting is a drastic measure and will require diet modification and dedication to assist with feeding.

[Coralreefer]

I'm sorry to hear that Tom. Poor little Braveheart. :(

Have you tried Prozac or Zoloft? I'm sure a vet would prescribe it. They are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
They have been used for obsessive compulsive disorders. (OCD). If a vet thinks it might work, it would take at least a month before you would see improvement. I know you're running out of options.

Here is an article about a OCD mouse as a model for human OCD. They mentioned the SSRI as a treatment.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2853748/


So the Vet prescribed Clomipramine to go along with the Gabbapentin.
This is used on birds that have developed a behavior of pulling out their own feathers apparently.
Fingers crossed again.

[Coralreefer]

Have you tried spraying the affected area with apple bitter. I've used it on bandages and skin with stitches on everything from Bunnies to Horses. And a fox with a bone pin sticking out of her shoulder. They don't like the taste.

Yeah we've tried.
A paste with Cayanne Pepper was suggested by the vet too.
Her drive to chew herself overcomes any of the affects of the distaste unfortunately.

[Mel1959]

Praying that this medication will work. :sqrrl11

[SophieSquirrel]

Yeah we've tried.
A paste with Cayanne Pepper was suggested by the vet too.
Her drive to chew herself overcomes any of the affects of the distaste unfortunately.

Call Dr Diaz at the Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando. Ask him to sedate her (Iso) and drastically blunt her incisors. He is an expert in his field and will know how far to go without damaging the enamel and dentin. I am sure you know it's a stop-gap measure but it beats open wounds, sepsis and death. She will still bite at the target area but the trauma will be minimal to none if blunted enough. Don't try it yourself or you can split the tooth laterally to the root and then incisor removal is the only option. This will buy you time to try different medications. Sounds like a nerve issue. I would call Diaz ASAP.

[Diggie's Friend]

I would try adding magnesium citrate to her diet first, it really does calm the brain activity down. Also Inositol, a vitamin like chemical that the brain needs to relax normally; it has been used to counter Obsessive compulsions like self chewing in pets.

For dosages on these two key support nutrient sources, contact me by PM.

[Diggie's Friend]

Milk Thistle Decreases Symptoms of OCD

Milk Thistle is a plant with the flavonoid complex silymarin that increases the levels of serotonin in the cortex of mice.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J9MKEUG/ref=sxts_bia_sr_1_a_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3182441022&pd_rd_wg=JHptX&pf_rd_r=2V9XGKCWD0WJTS4XBZAW&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00J9MKEUG&pd_rd_w=KWxZc&pf_rd_i=milk+thistle+seed+elixir+oregon+wild+harve st+organic+liquid&pd_rd_r=TRMY91519C6BWY2M2BK0&ie=UTF8&qid=1505108991&sr=1


Light Therapy Might Help with OCD
A single case report exists of a woman who developed OCD during the winter season. She also had seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Light therapy was an effective treatment for SAD and doctors prescribed 30 minutes of light therapy for five days. After two weeks, the woman felt a noticeable difference and no longer had symptoms of obsession.


Glycine Is Helpful for Relieving OCD Symptoms

Glycine is an amino acid that reduces glutamate function in the cortical region of the brain [R].

In a 12-week study, 24 OCD patients were given 60 grams of glycine or placebo daily along with their regimen. Ten patients dropped out of the study due to bad taste and nausea with the glycine. Overall, there was a minor decrease in OCD symptoms.

Since Glycine is often low in those with OCD. The use of Magnesium Glycinate a very well absorbed source pairs Magnesum and the Glycine in one source.

[muggsy'sgm]

CoralReefer and DiggiesFriend:

I started oral CBD supplement protocol on my grey today. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm working with the company (CannaPet) that puts it out for larger pets.

I'll keep notes on Muggsy's behavior and contact CannaPet again on Friday to discuss side effects, effectiveness at deterring self-mutilation, and adjusting the dose.

Maybe, if successful, this could help someone else out there.

[muggsy'sgm]

How's CoralReefer's squirrel? Any word?