Baby squirrel had seizure last night

[Sblaine]

Hi. We rescued a baby squirrel in our back yard, about a month ago. He's about 5 weeks old now, and we've been feeding him the puppy formula mixed with pedialyte. He flew out of our arms last night around midnight, and was flipping and flopping around, then acting sedated and not normal at all. We found, on here, that it was probably calcium, so we ran to the store and got tums to give him this morning. Super quick turnaround. Question is, what form of calcium do we continue to give him? What food do we transition to? We've got rodent blocks in his cage, which we fed him last night before we could get to the store this morning. Any suggestions helpful!!

[Mel1959]

Have you been using pedialyte to mix up his formula since you got him? Or are you saying you give pedialyte in between feedings and the formula is mixed with water? If you’re using it to mix the formula this could very likely be the problem. Pedialyte is only to be used for 24 hours for rehydrating and NEVER mixed with formula. I realize there is some erroneous info on the internet that recommends doing this, but it is not recommended here. Pedialyte has far too much sodium and sugar for it to be a steady diet.

I would recommend giving him some plain water to flush his system and mix up new formula using just plain water.

Squirrels that are on formula rarely have low calcium, with the exception of last years Esbilac. What formula are you feeding? If it’s powdered Esbilac what is the expiration date? Last Fall there was a problem with powdered Esbilac. The calcium in it was not being absorbed by baby squirrels and they were developing metabolic bone disease and dying.

[Spanky]

Mel is spot on with the advice not to mix pedialyte and the formula!

At 5 weeks old he will need formula for 3 - 7 weeks more... we don't wean them, we let them wean themselves.

Which (specifically) puppy formula are you using? This may well be why his calcium is deficient... I suggest you order some Fox Valley 20/50:

https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/

[Mel1959]

Here’s the link for emergency MBD treatment https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17680-Emergency-Treatment-for-MBD-(Updated-3-31-09)

[Sblaine]

Hi Mel. Thank you so much for your reply! I will stop mixing the formula with pedialyte immediately! Apparently, his other mom had already done so, about 3 days ago, and was using plain water. He was drinking tons of water from his water bottle last night before this event happened. I guess he was trying to flush out his own system. I clearly got some bad info on the internet and am thrilled to have found this forum. I ran to check the bottle of Esbilac, and we're in the clear. Exp date of 2021. We just finished that can and all we could find today was PetLac. I'll be devastated if we have caused this baby to have metabolic bone disease. :-(






Have you been using pedialyte to mix up his formula since you got him? Or are you saying you give pedialyte in between feedings and the formula is mixed with water? If you’re using it to mix the formula this could very likely be the problem. Pedialyte is only to be used for 24 hours for rehydrating and NEVER mixed with formula. I realize there is some erroneous info on the internet that recommends doing this, but it is not recommended here. Pedialyte has far too much sodium and sugar for it to be a steady diet.

I would recommend giving him some plain water to flush his system and mix up new formula using just plain water.

Squirrels that are on formula rarely have low calcium, with the exception of last years Esbilac. What formula are you feeding? If it’s powdered Esbilac what is the expiration date? Last Fall there was a problem with powdered Esbilac. The calcium in it was not being absorbed by baby squirrels and they were developing metabolic bone disease and dying.

[Sblaine]

Thank you Spanky! I was using Esbilac and we finished it, and could only find PetLac today. Do I need to order this Fox Valley you provided a link for? OK....we won't wean and will let him wean.




Mel is spot on with the advice not to mix pedialyte and the formula!

At 5 weeks old he will need formula for 3 - 7 weeks more... we don't wean them, we let them wean themselves.

Which (specifically) puppy formula are you using? This may well be why his calcium is deficient... I suggest you order some Fox Valley 20/50:

https://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-20-50-for-baby-squirrels/

[Sblaine]

THIS is what we found last night! Life saver! Thank you for posting it here so I have it handy. Whew.




Here’s the link for emergency MBD treatment https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17680-Emergency-Treatment-for-MBD-(Updated-3-31-09)

[Mel1959]

I wouldn’t advise using the PetLac. It is a very different product than the Esbilac. If you can’t find anything else then you have no choice. Tractor Supply sells Esbilac, as do many feed stores, pet stores and vet offices. There is a chance of it causing GI issues which can happen anytime you switch formulas. If you have to use it I would only do so temporarily and order the Fox Valley 20/50 immediately. You can purchase it from Henrys Pets online. They charge a flat shipping fee, so it would be a good time to also order some Picky Eater or Hazelnut blocks as this is the first food that should be introduced to him.

He will be on formula till he’s about 9+ weeks old. Squirrels wean at different ages, but the longer they’re on formula the better because it’s 100% complete nutrition. Any unused powdered formula can be stored in the freezer for next time. :grin3

[SammysMom]

NEVER PetLac. If you were using Esbilac, get the powder and be sure it has an expiration date of 10/21 or later. No need to change, but if you can, get fox valley 32/40 and mix with the esbilac and heavy cream, it is about as close to mother's milk as we can get. I can give you the mixing instructions if you need them. You can message me here or text at 203.214.7427

[Sblaine]

Thank you Mel. It's ordered and will be here in a few days.


I wouldn’t advise using the PetLac. It is a very different product than the Esbilac. If you can’t find anything else then you have no choice. Tractor Supply sells Esbilac, as do many feed stores, pet stores and vet offices. There is a chance of it causing GI issues which can happen anytime you switch formulas. If you have to use it I would only do so temporarily and order the Fox Valley 20/50 immediately. You can purchase it from Henrys Pets online. They charge a flat shipping fee, so it would be a good time to also order some Picky Eater or Hazelnut blocks as this is the first food that should be introduced to him.

He will be on formula till he’s about 9+ weeks old. Squirrels wean at different ages, but the longer they’re on formula the better because it’s 100% complete nutrition. Any unused powdered formula can be stored in the freezer for next time. :grin3

[Sblaine]

So I can't use PetLac for a few days while the Fox Valley ships to me? I will find Esbilac locally if I have to drive all around. The pet store we went to yesterday didn't have any Esbilac left so we grabbed the PetLac after comparing ingredients.


NEVER PetLac. If you were using Esbilac, get the powder and be sure it has an expiration date of 10/21 or later. No need to change, but if you can, get fox valley 32/40 and mix with the esbilac and heavy cream, it is about as close to mother's milk as we can get. I can give you the mixing instructions if you need them. You can message me here or text at 203.214.7427