Oldblacksquirrel... post in visitor messages

[HRT4SQRLS]

I found this in the visitor messages so I'm posting it here so that it can be viewed on the board.

Welcome Oldblacksquirrel. It sounds like you have done a great job with your friend.... 11 years. :)
Sometimes illnesses are linked to the diet. Could you share what your friend eats? Often something as simple as adding calcium to the diet will turn them around.

Oldblacksquirrel - Today 02:48 AM Report
Hi all, new to this group! In short- I have an 11 yr old squirrel - has seizures since finding him in the middle of the road as a 4-5 month old. He has maybe 2 a week- short lived. He has cataracts now- is still eating well with the exception of today. He woke up - making growly noises- did not want to eat breakfast and then had a seIzure. As always- recuperated ( or so I thought) he did have half of his dinner tonite but remains figity and making on going noises. Not quite crying but best way to describe is growly. I'm at a loss- He doesn't seem "sore". Bowel movements normal- wondering if this is a precursor to a bigger seizure. Whether I should consider phenobarbital. I have not used it prior. Any suggestions would be appreciated
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[Oldblacksquirrel]

Hi, yes- he's eating rodent block (oxbow) assorted fruits (limited) limited nuts- does not like any type of vegetable so I occasionally blenderize dark leafy veggies into a sluree which he'll eat in syringe. Today he is growly again- does not appear "as pain". More neurological- like they sounds he a,wks while in a seizure.

[stosh2010]

I found this in the visitor messages so I'm posting it here so that it can be viewed on the board.



WHAT and Where is the "Visitor Message" site ?
News to me.....
Thanks

[JPlagg]

WHAT and Where is the "Visitor Message" site ?
News to me.....
Thanks

Click on "New Posts" then "Activity Stream" scroll down. The post in question shows up there.

[Oldblacksquirrel]

I'm sorry! I am NOT techy and trying to navigate on a tiny ipad with bad eyes;)
No idea how or where I was - I was just trying to,post on main thread...

[Diggie's Friend]

Growling can be from pain.

Does he strain at all or have any problem relieving himself? If the mean pH of his urine is high over 7.0, , the pain could be from bladder stones, if lower than 6.0

another form of kidney stone. To get the 'mean' urine pH, you take three readings an hour after meals the first day, then the very next morning take a reading

from the first urination before the first meal. Add up the reading values and divide by 4 for the mean urine pH value.

If he urine pH is high you will need to lower the pH of the diet. Do this by not giving raw greens or vegetables,

but feed boiled versions instead till they are tender, but not over cooked to where they turn into green glop.

Blanch organic baby leafy greens for 1 1/2 minutes no mores.

Pain can also be from arthritis in the joints from calcium deposition in the joints.

There are of course other causes of pain, like spurs that develop on the molars that can cause pain when eating, and so avoiding eating to avoid the pain.

Try giving him soft foods for now, like organic plain unsweetened (no artificial or regular sugars added) apple sauce.

Also baked butternut or acorn squash, both are lower in carbs and higher in calcium than root vegetables that are the opposite like yams, and sweet potatoes.

Lab rat testing supplies: https://www.amazon.com/Litmus-Strips-Universal-Application-Packs/dp/B00S730YWG?keywords=labrat+supplies&qid=1540682170&sr=8-1&ref=sr_1_1

How much does your squirrel weight?

Have you heard of Pycnogenol available from Organika in liquid form on Amazon.com. This is a high anti inflammatory I recommend for the diet of older squirrels especially.

https://www.amazon.com/Organika-PYCNOGENOL-EXTRACT-LIQUID-30ML/dp/B00J37U8RQ

http://www.seedoilcompany.com/pumpkin-seed-oil.html I also recommend this for older squirrel. See offers on Amazon.com

[Oldblacksquirrel]

Brilliant!!! Will get on all this tomorrow- tonite he is quieter- I'm feeding blenderized oxbow / organic applesauce. Every 2-3 hrs. Has stopped growling. Lifting his leg back for chest scratches. Such a worry- but am so thankful to all in this group. Now lol,I have to domis figure out how to upload and post pictures! Thnaks again

[Diggie's Friend]

I found this tonight in my older files on the causes of seizures; looking particularly at, "Excitotoxins", aka neurotoxins in the diet, since most rodent block diets contain high amounts of neurotoxic sources as key ingredients. Not suggesting you stop feeding your squirrel block, yet wanted to bring this to your attention all the same. For if reducing the key sources of neurotoxins in the diet it were to reduce the frequency of the seizures, it would be worth testing to see if it did. No expert in this, just read what those who are have to say about it.

You may want to scroll down to the heading lower on the page on seizures that addresses this issue.

http://www.alternativepethealth.com/seizures.html

Also check out Dr. Russell Blaylock on: "Excitotoxins".

ps. I would stop the scratches for now as this article notes that this may be a trigger for seizures in animals predisposed to having them.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?61630-The-many-possible-causes-of-Seizures&p=1280692#post1280692

[Oldblacksquirrel]

Wow- so much to take in!;(. Off to get ph sticks- so far so good today. No growling- breakfast as usual. Thank you again for all this research material

[Diggie's Friend]

Yes, we don't want any growling! :grin3

[Diggie's Friend]

As for his seizures, since diet has been known to promote seizures of animals with neuro injuries, it is something that should be looked at

to ensure it isn't the diet that is promoting them from either elevated blood sugar and/or Neurotoxins (excitotoxins).

Getting the mean pH on target plays right into supporting a normal blood sugar level, and reducing the level of neurotoxins in the diet of neuro squirrels.

By lowering just one source of the neurotoxic sources in his diet, it may become clear whether it is his diet is triggering seizures or not.