Falling over.

[ravenraskin]

My original post is in non-life threatening but I feel like this may be time sensitive I'm not sure. I got home from work and fed fall as usual. I heard her jump loudly so I went into the room and she was on her hind legs with food in her mouth acting like she wasn't able to move. All she was doing was lifting up her hind paw a little, randomly. When she did start to move it was like she was drunk. She kept reaching for the food bowl like it was right in front of her but it wasn't. It seemed like her depth perception was off. Then after I picked her up to stabilize her she just kept eating like nothing happened. Her jumps are a little shaky and she keeps holding her front paw out and stretching it. She also keeps stretching and yawning. I've been taking her to the vet to get her teeth trimmed since she has malocclusion from biting her cage too hard when I moved into a new place. Could this be related? I don't believe it's MBD because the vet said she has great bone density and that I'm feeding her properly. (HHB topped with almond butter that's been mixed with vitamin powder from HHP, carrots, sugar snap peas, blueberries, butternut squash, broccoli, and a walnut when she goes back into her cage.) Also, nothing in her cage has changed so I'm not suspecting poisoning either. She is also not lethargic in the least bit and is eating and drinking as normal.

[Mel1959]

It sounds like she may have fallen. If the vet says her bones are good, did he do an X-ray? If she could have fallen, prednisone is the preferred drug to treat her with. Since you have vet access it might be a good idea to take her in and get the vets opinion.

[ravenraskin]

It sounds like she may have fallen. If the vet says her bones are good, did he do an X-ray? If she could have fallen, prednisone is the preferred drug to treat her with. Since you have vet access it might be a good idea to take her in and get the vets opinion.

Yes X-rays were done of her whole body. I will contact the vet tomorrow since they're already closed. I was trying to avoid taking her to the vet since it's stressful on her and I wasn't sure if there was something I could do for her right now.

[RockyPops]

Thank you for taking care of this baby!:w00t

I can't help with a diagnosis but some others on here will likely chime in. Meanwhile, baby's weight if you can get it for possible med dosing, and pics or better yet videos of her behavior may be of value as well.

Her name is Fall?

[ravenraskin]

Thank you for taking care of this baby!:w00t

I can't help with a diagnosis but some others on here will likely chime in. Meanwhile, baby's weight if you can get it for possible med dosing, and pics or better yet videos of her behavior may be of value as well.

Her name is Fall?

She weighs 1.4 lbs. She is overweight so the vet suggested I just cut down on how much I feed her. Which I have done. I can't upload a video so I'm posting a link to it. I think it's her teeth? But I can't tell. And yes her name is Fall, which is unfortunately fitting.
http://imgur.com/gallery/TqQgWaN

[HRT4SQRLS]

It’s really difficult to say what the problem is. A vet visit is definitely in order. It sounds like you have the diet under control. The only thing I would recommend is to not add vitamin powder to the almond butter. You don’t want to overdo a good thing. As long as she eats the blocks and healthy veggies and isn’t getting too many nuts she is getting all the vitamins and minerals she needs. You don’t want to cross over the line and get into over supplementing. That can be harmful as some vitamins are stored in the body.

[HRT4SQRLS]

How old is Fall?

[frankc]

Yes X-rays were done of her whole body. I will contact the vet tomorrow since they're already closed. I was trying to avoid taking her to the vet since it's stressful on her and I wasn't sure if there was something I could do for her right now.

Please keep us posted as to what the vet has to say. I know we all would be very interested in what is causing this. Your information could be very helpful to all of us in the future.
Good luck and I hope it is not something serious.

[ravenraskin]

How old is Fall?

I will be giving the vet a call tomorrow. She seems really uncomfortable. I didn't think anything of the supplements since the vet never mentioned anything. The reason why I do it is because she has a habit of flinging the block pieces everywhere and not eating the majority of the block so I use those to supplement what she's not eating. She's 4 years old.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Make sure they do X-rays including the head. At 4yo, cage chewing and maloccluded she is at risk for odontoma.

[ravenraskin]

Make sure they do X-rays including the head. At 4yo, cage chewing and maloccluded she is at risk for odontoma.

That's what she has, I got confused with maloccluded. The vet said to watch out for her messing with her mouth. If she starts that I have to go see Dr. Emerson to get her teeth removed. Is she just trying to mess with her mouth because she's in pain? I don't see how that would make her fall over and lose balance.

[RockyPops]

She does seem to continuously paw at the side of her face, jaw area.

She's an amazing little girl...and beautiful!

Praying for a good report and outcome for Fall! :please

[HRT4SQRLS]

Odontoma and infection/inflammation associated with them are very close to the brain. You might be seeing neuro issues. Call your vet first thing in the AM. Yes, Dr Emerson is the best! Odontoma is her specialty.

If the top teeth have stopped growing and the vet is trimming the bottoms, it’s an indicator of odontoma. The bottom teeth might be puncturing the palate. This causes odd head movements and pain.

[ravenraskin]

Odontoma and infection/inflammation associated with them are very close to the brain. You might be seeing neuro issues. Call your vet first thing in the AM. Yes, Dr Emerson is the best! Odontoma is her specialty.

If the top teeth have stopped growing and the vet is trimming the bottoms, it’s an indicator of odontoma. The bottom teeth might be puncturing the palate. This causes odd head movements and pain.

The issues is with the top teeth, her bottoms are fine apparently. I was just told to watch for her putting her paws in her mouth, food falling out of her mouth, and her pawing at the sides. I didn't realize it may cause her to act the way she is. I fall proofed her cage for the night until we can go to the vet in the morning. Earlier she was only losing balance occasionally but as the night went on it's gotten worse. Is there some sort of antibiotics or anti inflammatory I can give her tonight? Or anything I can do really?

[HRT4SQRLS]

We don’t really know if this is the problem so I wouldn’t want to randomly treat. I’m glad you have a vet.
Have you noticed respiratory or sinus issues recently?
White tears in the eye? These are also indicators of odontoma. Odontoma are only treated (removed) if they are causing problems.

[ravenraskin]

We don’t really know if this is the problem so I wouldn’t want to randomly treat. I’m glad you have a vet.
Have you noticed respiratory or sinus issues recently?
White tears in the eye? These are also indicators of odontoma. Odontoma are only treated (removed) if they are causing problems.

That makes sense. She hasn't had any of that yet. She's still acting like normal just seems to be wanting to be on someone more than usual. She's even managing to keep her top teeth that are splitting trimmed down so they don't effect her eating or drinking. Everything was normal until after I fed her.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Those (respiratory/white tears. pain) would be the first signs of a problematic odontoma. I haven’t seen a squirrel falling over as a symptom of odontoma. Maybe she fell and injured herself.

[Mel1959]

If the odontomas are flaring up, then dealing with them quickly can sometimes make a difference. As time goes on there can be other issues, like infection and the size of them that becomes more problematic.

Please keep us updated. :hug

[island rehabber]

she was on her hind legs with food in her mouth acting like she wasn't able to move. All she was doing was lifting up her hind paw a little, randomly. When she did start to move it was like she was drunk. She kept reaching for the food bowl like it was right in front of her but it wasn't. It seemed like her depth perception was off.

I hate to bring this up but this sounds like petit mal seizure activity to me, resulting in neurological symptoms that you're seeing. Please tell the vet about it asap and see if he/she agrees. If she is having small seizures, which could be the result of ANY fall she ever took, even 4 yrs ago, they can be treated with medication but until they are she is a very bad risk for falling again.

[ravenraskin]

I hate to bring this up but this sounds like petit mal seizure activity to me, resulting in neurological symptoms that you're seeing. Please tell the vet about it asap and see if he/she agrees. If she is having small seizures, which could be the result of ANY fall she ever took, even 4 yrs ago, they can be treated with medication but until they are she is a very bad risk for falling again.

Thank you all for the responses. I called the vet but she's out of town for the week. They suggested taking her to blue pearl but should I just call Dr. Emerson? She's about 2-3 hours away from me but I feel like she may get better care if I can take her there. Unless there's another vet in the Tampa, Florida area I can take her to for now.

[Mel1959]

Absolutely! Dr. Emerson is the best! Many vets in the area send their clients to her when they can’t figure out what’s going on. Besides, she’s one of the best squirrel vets in the country and specializes in teeth issues, if this is the problem. Her number is 386-788-1550. Please advise the receptionist about the severity of the situation. Many times they can work you in.

[ravenraskin]

Absolutely! Dr. Emerson is the best! Many vets in the area send their clients to her when they can’t figure out what’s going on. Besides, she’s one of the best squirrel vets in the country and specializes in teeth issues, if this is the problem. Her number is 386-788-1550. Please advise the receptionist about the severity of the situation. Many times they can work you in.

I called and left a message explaining the situation so hopefully I will receive a call back soon.

[frankc]

If it were me I would at this point get her to the other vet ASAP. Please keep us posted on her condition. Two to three hours is a small price if it helps get her stabial and maybe saves her life. I would do a quick check in your area for a vet but would be ready to start traveling. Prayers are with you both.

[Mel1959]

I called and left a message explaining the situation so hopefully I will receive a call back soon.

If you don’t hear back from them soon, call again. They’re there, just busy. I believe Dr. Emerson’s day off is tomorrow, so you definitely want to see if Fall can get in today.

[ravenraskin]

If you don’t hear back from them soon, call again. They’re there, just busy. I believe Dr. Emerson’s day off is tomorrow, so you definitely want to see if Fall can get in today.

I called back and still no answer. I'm going to start calling other vets in the area.

[Mel1959]

I called back and still no answer. I'm going to start calling other vets in the area.

Tell me where you’re located. I’m also in Fl.

[frankc]

Hi
If you have not already found a vet or this info this is what I just came up with. I hope this helps.



Locations Nearby
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Brandon
607 Lumsden Professional Ct
Brandon, FL 33511
813.571.3303
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Clearwater
4525 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL 33762
727.572.0132
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Sarasota
7414 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
941.923.7260
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Fort Myers
9500 Marketplace Road
Fort Myers, FL 33912
239.947.0588
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Gainesville
7314 W. University Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32607
352.672.6718
Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida
10130 Market Street
Naples, FL 34112
239.263.0480

[Mel1959]

Just an FYI. Blue Pearl vets are pretty expensive and not all of the offices will treat squirrels from an unlicensed individual.

[Mel1959]

I have sent some pm’s to the Finder with a couple of other vets that Nana3 and HRT4SQRLS recommended in her area, that aren’t at Blue Pearl.

Dr. Helmer was a recommended vet at Blue Pearl, but as was said, they are expensive.

[RockyPops]

Hang in there little Fall...hopefully help is on the way...:hug

[ravenraskin]

Hi
If you have not already found a vet or this info this is what I just came up with. I hope this helps.



Locations Nearby
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Brandon
607 Lumsden Professional Ct
Brandon, FL 33511
813.571.3303
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Clearwater
4525 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FL 33762
727.572.0132
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Sarasota
7414 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34231
941.923.7260
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Fort Myers
9500 Marketplace Road
Fort Myers, FL 33912
239.947.0588
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Gainesville
7314 W. University Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32607
352.672.6718
Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida
10130 Market Street
Naples, FL 34112
239.263.0480

So I took fall to care and the Dr. Brunson doesn't actually know what's wrong with her. She said it may be a really bad bladder infection so she may be walking like that because she's in pain. I couldn't do x-ray's because of the sedation. It may cause more issues to sedate her in the state she's in. I'm giving her antibiotics and pain/anti inflammatory meds so I should see an improvement within 2 days if it's a spinal, brain, or bladder infection.

[Mel1959]

Were you not able to speak to anyone at Dr. Emerson’s office? I am not 100% certain that her day off is tomorrow, but if you don’t see any improvement I think you need to get Fall up to her so she can take a look. Most vets are not familiar with sedating squirrels, so probably good that it wasn’t done.

I thought you said the vet at Care that normally sees squirrels was out till Thursday?

[ravenraskin]

Were you not able to speak to anyone at Dr. Emerson’s office? I am not 100% certain that her day off is tomorrow, but if you don’t see any improvement I think you need to get Fall up to her so she can take a look. Most vets are not familiar with sedating squirrels, so probably good that it wasn’t done.

I thought you said the vet at Care that normally sees squirrels was out till Thursday?

No and still no call back. Yes but when I called back and requested Dr. Brunson they said she could see Fall today. I guess there's two vets there that see squirrels and the person at the front desk was not going to inform me of that until I requested the specific Dr.

[RockyPops]

A big fuzzy THANK YOU to ravenraskin for going the extra mile to help her baby Fall! :serene

[stepnstone]

I'm giving her antibiotics and pain/anti inflammatory meds so I should see an improvement within 2 days if it's a spinal, brain, or bladder infection.

Would you share what the antibiotics and pain meds prescribed are?

[ravenraskin]

Would you share what the antibiotics and pain meds prescribed are?

Metacam 1.5/ml oral and I give her .07 MLS of that once a day for 5 days. And then antibiotic is SMZ TMP 48mg/ml and I give her .3 mls of that every 12 hours. I see no improvement in her condition so far.

[Mel1959]

Did the vet examine her teeth? It will take more time than that to see results. SMZ is a slow acting antibiotic.

[ravenraskin]

Did the vet examine her teeth? It will take more time than that to see results. SMZ is a slow acting antibiotic.

Yes, and she said on the outside they're fine. Not puncturing anything. They are split but as long as she can eat and keep them trimmed then it's okay for now until they stop growing or cause discomfort.
She did say her neck seems to be bothering her but nothing feels broken. I wish I could've gotten x-rays because isn't there a possibility that her teeth could be growing up instead of down? Or are there other signs before that? I'm just not understanding how she's fine one second and the next she's falling apart. Do squirrels act like this due to ear infections? I see nothing wrong with her ears. If it's inner then it may mess with her equilibrium?

[Mel1959]

Yes, teeth can grow the opposite direction, which is called odontoma. They can penetrate the nasal cavity and the brain. Yes, typically there are other signs like white tears and respiratory issues associated with that.

Yes, squirrels can get inner ear infections. They can be particularly hard to clear up and some folks have had to have surgical procedures done to help clear them up, in conjunction with long term antibiotics.

I don’t think you’ll know what’s really going on with Fall until you have a head X-ray done. Please continue to call Dr. Emerson so that she can do a thorough exam, unless you intend to take Fall to Dr. Zellner when she returns.

[ravenraskin]

Yes, teeth can grow the opposite direction, which is called odontoma. They can penetrate the nasal cavity and the brain. Yes, typically there are other signs like white tears and respiratory issues associated with that.

Yes, squirrels can get inner ear infections. They can be particularly hard to clear up and some folks have had to have surgical procedures done to help clear them up, in conjunction with long term antibiotics.

I don’t think you’ll know what’s really going on with Fall until you have a head X-ray done. Please continue to call Dr. Emerson so that she can do a thorough exam, unless you intend to take Fall to Dr. Zellner when she returns.

So Dr. Emerson's office finally answered. Those appointments are too far out and only on Mondays and Tuesdays. I can't wait that long. So I'm taking fall to FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital today at 5:30. They were recommended through Dr. Emerson's office. She's only eating certain things like squash and not drinking water. I had to give her the medicine through the syringe along with water.

[frankc]

My prayers are with you both, and will be waiting to here the results.

[Mel1959]

So Dr. Emerson's office finally answered. Those appointments are too far out and only on Mondays and Tuesdays. I can't wait that long. So I'm taking fall to FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital today at 5:30. They were recommended through Dr. Emerson's office. She's only eating certain things like squash and not drinking water. I had to give her the medicine through the syringe along with water.

I’m glad Dr. Emerson’s office recommended someone and you were able to be seen today. Anxious for the update. Prayers for you and Fall. ❤️

[Mel1959]

Any news on what they found wrong with Fall?