Lethargic and vomiting 3 month old Flying Squirrel

[DashMech]

Found my sweet girl vomiting up some light green paste. At this point she is only throwing up water and is low energy but responsive. I had sprayed some fabric deodorizer in my closet where she likes to hide but he wasn’t in the closet at the time. She eats a very diverse diet which I had introduced avocado cherry and lime. Is avocado seed toxic to southern flying squirrels? What should I expect with her getting sick? She squeaks painfully when she starts heaving. She’s vomiting up water periodically. Will she be okay?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, avocado pit is toxic. Did she eat that?

[DashMech]

YES she did. Quite a bit of it. She’s up and active now. But still vomiting up water periodically . I think she was able to purge most of it from her system. I’m keeping a close eye on her and making use she drinks water. Gave her just a little bread to maybe help.

[island rehabber]

Yes, avocado pit is toxic. Did she eat that?

HRT4SQRLS it sounds as if she did. The Merck Manual says the following:

NSAIDs and analgesics may benefit animals with mastitis. Treatment for congestive heart failure (eg, diuretics, antiarrhythmic drugs) may be of benefit but may not be economically feasible in livestock.

Do we think infant ibuprofen (NSAID) or the like could help with this? Poor baby....

[DashMech]

I think I got lucky this time. I think at this point she just needs to rest. Could some one direct me to a list of toxic items for flying squirrel?

[Nancy in New York]

YES she did. Quite a bit of it. She’s up and active now. But still vomiting up water periodically . I think she was able to purge most of it from her system. I’m keeping a close eye on her and making use she drinks water. Gave her just a little bread to maybe help.

How long ago did this happen?
Keep hydrating her, and if she will
allow, stimulate her to pee to get the toxins out faster.

You said in your other post that she likes to hide in your
closet. Does she have free roam?

[DashMech]

She has a cage and free roam some of the time, restricted to my room. She’s isn’t drinking water but vomits shortly after. But she seems to be feeling better. She’s very affectionate and was cleaning me. I take this as a good sign. This has been going on for the past four hours to my knowledge but showing signs of positives progress. What changes in behavior should I stay alert for?

[Nancy in New York]

I think I got lucky this time. I think at this point she just needs to rest. Could some one direct me to a list of toxic items for flying squirrel?

This was just listed the other day.
These are the safe foods to feed.
Never give them any kind of pits (avocado, cherry, peach, etc) they can be toxic.
IF in doubt ask here.


An extensive list of the best foods for flying squirrels in captivity:



Healthy Diet for Pet Flying Squirrels



Your pet needs a balanced diet containing the right amounts of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet should include the following, provided fresh on a daily basis:




A variety of healthy vegetables and fruits
Wild foods from outside
A source of protein
A source of calcium
Treats (not necessary to provide daily)




Vegetables: These add fiber, fresh vitamins, and micronutrients. Variety is key! Don't let your pet get hooked on just one veggie.




arugula (Rocket)
asparagus
avocado (important for fur health)
bok choy
broccoli rabe (rapini)
brussel sprouts
cabbage
carrots*
canola/rapeseed
cauliflower
celery
chayote
cherry tomato
chicory
Chinese cabbage (gai-lan)
cilantro, fresh
collard greens
cucumber
dandelion greens
daikon
endive
escarole
fennel
field pepperwood
flowering cabbage
garden cress
green beans
kale (important source of calcium)
kohlrabi
lettuce (all kinds)
maca
mushrooms (all kinds) (important source of Vitamin D)
mustard greens
okra
parsley (fresh)
pumpkin*
purslane
radicchio
radishes
rhubarb
romaine
radicchio
radishes
romaine
tatsoi
snow peas
soybeans
squash, winter*
squash, yellow*
sugar snap peas
sweet potato*
Swiss chard
watercress
zucchini


*items marked with asterisks * are either high in sugar or have high concentrations of minerals or vitamins and should be fed sparingly


Fruits:


apple
apricot
banana*
blackberries
blueberries
cantaloupe
cherries (sour and sweet*)
cranberries
grapefruit
grapes*
honeydew
kiwi
kumquat
lemon
lime
mango*
nectarine
oranges
papaya
peach
pear
pineapple
pomegranate*
raspberries
strawberries
tomato*
watermelon


*items marked with asterisks * are either high in sugar or have high concentrations of minerals or vitamins and should be fed sparingly


Wild Foods: These provide extra nutrients, amusement and exercise. Before you feed an unfamiliar wild food, always make sure it's not toxic! Do not use flowers from a florist because they are often treated with unhealthy chemicals

Safe plants and flowers:


bottlebrush flowers
camelia
carnations
chrysanthemums
clover (red and white)
crabapples
daisies
dandelion greens
hibiscus (all parts)
lambs quarters
magnolia cones
marigold
maple seeds
moss rose
natal plum
petunia
plantain
primrose
purslane
roses
rose hips
wood sorrel


Safe Trees (branches):


apple
aspen
birch
black walnut
bottlebrush
cherry
dogwood
hickory
locust
magnolia
maple
mulberry (all parts)
oak
orange
palm nuts & fronds (NOT the cycads: sago palm, cardboard palm, etc. are deadly)
pine cones
pear
pine (3-needle and 5-needle pines)
poplar
portulaca
raintree
spruce
torenia
walnut





Protein: An important source of protein, grubs or insects must be included in a flyer’s daily diet. Sprinkle calcium powder on insects to reach a proper calcium/phosphorus balance.



cicadas
crickets
egg (hardboiled)
grasshoppers
grubs
mealworms
moths
waxworms
cooked chicken or turkey



Calcium: A must for preventing metabolic bone disease


calcium powder (sprinkled on fruit)
cheeses (shredded, small pieces, cream)
cuttlebone (sold at pet stores for birds)
deer antler
Fox Valley formula (can be fed to adults) (as powder or liquid)
sour cream
yogurt (plain) Make sure it is full fat and does not contain aspertame or other artificial sweeteners



Tooth health food: Thesehelp keep teeth worn down.


chicken bones (cooked)
deer antlers (often available on ebay)
rocks (cleaned)
sea shells
tree branches (see wild foods)



Rodent blocks: Offered as a supplemental food and NOT a main food.


Harland Tekland 2018
Henry’s Healthy Blocks Flyer Formula





Mazuri - rat and mouse blocks (blue bag)
KayTee FortiDiet - rat, mouse and hamster blocks



Treats: These fun foods can help with bonding, but should always be fed in small amounts.


nuts and seeds
dried fruits (raisins, cherries, banana chips etc.)
A box of clean dirt provides exercise, enrichment, surprises to chew on and minute amounts of trace minerals.


Treats: Nuts/Seeds/Grains: To be given in small amounts as treats, no more than two a day.


almonds
black walnuts
Brazil nuts
chestnuts
flax seed
hazelnuts (filberts)
oats (raw/dry/unflavored/unsweetened)
pecans
pine nuts
pumpkin seeds
safflower seeds
sesame seeds
soy nuts
squash seeds
walnuts


Last edited by stepnstone (https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/posthistory.php?p=815136); 10-17-2015 at 06:24 PM.

[DashMech]

Thank you so much for the list!!

[Nancy in New York]

She has a cage and free roam some of the time, restricted to my room. She’s isn’t drinking water but vomits shortly after. But she seems to be feeling better. She’s very affectionate and was cleaning me. I take this as a good sign. This has been going on for the past four hours to my knowledge but showing signs of positives progress. What changes in behavior should I stay alert for?

I take that as a good sign as well.
The signs of poisoning would be pretty
much the same for any animal I suspect.

Drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea.
Lethargy, weakness, seizures, coma
Pale or yellowish gums.
Excessive thirst or urination.

[DashMech]

Correction: she is drinking water. She’s tucked away somewhere napping for now. She isn’t showing any other signs of poisoning. Her bum was clean when I checked. I think we’re almost in the clear. Thank you all so much for your help. It’s always scary to see someone you love be sick, person or animal. May everyone have a great 2018. Thank you again

[HRT4SQRLS]

I would keep a VERY close eye on her. She isn't out of danger yet. I wouldn't feel comfortable for at least 24 hrs.

Is she still taking formula?

[HRT4SQRLS]

If she will take it I would give her some hydration fluid because of all the vomiting.

Homemade Rehydration Fluid
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or apple juice
2 cups warm water
Store in refrigerator. Discard after 24 hours.

[DashMech]

If she will take it I would give her some hydration fluid because of all the vomiting.

Homemade Rehydration Fluid
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or apple juice
2 cups warm water
Store in refrigerator. Discard after 24 hours.

Thank you all again for the support. I will be keeping a close eye on her. After a long cuddle and nap, including a belly rub, she is back in her habitat for observation. She is being more active, vomited a little stomach foam up but then proceeded to eat 2 dried crickets, a raspberry, and some apple and hasn't vomited yet since. She also urinated so that's a good sign of not being dehydrated. I will make up some of that fluid and put it in her dish. And will update you on her health in the morning or if anything changes sooner.

[BCChins]

I am a little late now but wondering if Activated Charcoal would have been a helper in this?

I was reading what the pit contains and this is what I read on Dr. Google:
Persin is an oil soluble compound found in the leaves and bark of the avocado plant as well as the pits. It acts as a natural fungicide. ... In addition to persin and tannin, avocado seeds also contain small quantities of hydrocyanic acid and cyanogenic glycosides, which can produce toxic hydrogen cyanide.

I would also be worried it could effect her organs?

Here is an old thread that popped on on Google about it:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?27031-Help-Squirrel-eating-Avocado-pit

[island rehabber]

I am a little late now but wondering if Activated Charcoal would have been a helper in this?



I had the same thought, BCChins, but I believe it has to be given within a couple of hours to actually be effective and no one ever has it in their house already. I have it on hand because I'm a rehabber, but it's not easy to get otherwise, in an emergency. Definitely something anyone who works with animals or has pets should have in the medicine chest, though.

[Nancy in New York]

I had the same thought, BCChins, but I believe it has to be given within a couple of hours to actually be effective and no one ever has it in their house already. I have it on hand because I'm a rehabber, but it's not easy to get otherwise, in an emergency. Definitely something anyone who works with animals or has pets should have in the medicine chest, though.


I completely agree.
I asked how long ago this little one ingested this,
and she said 4 hours.
One of the very first things I put in my "medicine cabinet"
was ToxiBan.
It's a great product to have on hand when time is of the essence.
Easy to use too.
It's already in suspension, just shake and administer by ~weight.

297520

[Nancy in New York]

How's the little one doing this morning?

[DashMech]

She woke up a few times during the night to vomit and then eat and drink water. She reminds me of a little drunken person combating a bad hangover.. Since she is already vomiting, I don’t see the need to enduse vomiting with activated charcoal but if I ever have the need to make her purge that is a good suggesting. I do know that in humans there is a chance for bowel obstruction when ingesting activated charcoal. I wonder if flying squirrel would run the same risk. I’m going to continue keeping an eye on her. I’ll keep you updated. Here’s hoping she’ll just sleep it off.

Thank you for the forum link. It was very informative

[BCChins]

Hoping she steadily gets better.

Activated charcoal is not used to induce vomiting it is used to absorb toxins out of the system. The toxins bind to the charcoal not the organs then moves out of the body.

[DashMech]

After sleeping in all day she is now up and active. No more vomiting, going potty normally, and no longer in deress. Thank you all for the warm thoughts and advise! It’s helped me a lot to know you were all there for me. Thank you again

[HRT4SQRLS]

Dash, I'm very happy to hear this.

While you're here I think we should go over the diet. The diet is by FAR the most important thing when it comes to flyers and squirrels. Your girl needs a rodent block of some type. My boys eat the Henrys Pets picky eater block. Henrys makes a block specifically for flyers but my boys don't like them. Even though my boys don't eat them I would still recommend that you try them. They have increased protein in them that flyers require. A bag lasts a long time because a flyer only eats one block per day. They are a supplement block and are packed with vitamins and minerals as well.
Your girl also needs mushrooms for Vitamin D.
She also needs protein in the diet. This can be mealworms, WaxWorms or baked chicken. My boys eat a dried dog treat called PureBites chicken.
She should get an assortment of healthy veggies. Nuts should be limited because they are very unhealthy. My boys get 1/2 of an almond as a treat in the morning before I leave for work.

I also want to warn you about the toilet. THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH OF FLYERS IN THE HOME IS DROWNING IN THE TOILET!!!
As you can tell, I'm passionate about warning about this. It has happened far too many times. It breaks my heart every time I hear about another loss. :sadness