My squirrel is having seizures.

[Buds Mom]

I need help. I have some prednisone but I do not know how much to give him. I also need to know how much cbd to give him also. He is five years old and I do not want to lose him. Buds Mom

[Charley Chuckles]

Ok first sorry slow response, many who do dosing etc are away at the squirrel gathering.
I've been dealing with seizure squirrels for many years.
I'm assuming you have CBD do you also have any RX?
Only asking to find out what you have what you do not have.
I believe I can help

[Charley Chuckles]

I do see you have prednisone.
I unfortunately have no way of dosing.
CBD oil is easy I've been doing it for years.
Others may not agree with me but I'm going to say I take a HHB OR anything your squirrel will eat, put 3 to 4 drops of CBD on the piece of food, let your baby eat it make sure they eat it all.
If possible keep your squirrel hydrated and warm.
I find with CBD oil ( I use peanut butter flavor CBD) but whatever you have is fine. I do this 2 times a day, and if all goes well once a day👍
I've transformed my seizure squirrel off of phenobarbital to healthy CBD👍she is now 10 years young ❤️
I still use a small amount daily of phenobarbital in the mix but mostly it's CBD keeping her seizure free👍

[Charley Chuckles]

another thought, what's his diet like🤷
Lack of proper nutrition for squirrels can bring on seizures.
When I first got on TSB I was not feeding my darling Charley Chuckles properly, but I didn't know any better. I corrected his diet and he lived many healthy years 😀

[Charley Chuckles]

Just one other fast thing, molasses or honey on his lips can bring them out of a seizure.
How is he doing 🙏

[Charley Chuckles]

I'm bumping your thread.
Yes prednisone I believe can help with seizure issues, can someone help with dosing of Bud.
They will need his weight 👍

[Buds Mom]

Hi everyone, I appreciate any help I can get. I weighed Bud and he is 1 lb and 4 oz. Please help with dosage I love him so much I do not want to lose him. I need also to see how much cbd drops to give him. Buds Mom

[Mel1959]

What is the strength of the prednisone?

[Mel1959]

It was posted to use 3-4 drops of CBD oil. I don’t have access to the prednisone dosing, but I have reached out to someone to help you.

[Buds Mom]

What is the strength of the prednisone?

The prednisone I have is 5 ml. Where can I buy peanut butter cbd oil? Buds Mom

[Charley Chuckles]

Sorry for the late response, any CBD oil is fine, I use about 3 drops on any food my squirrel will eat. ( Even a treat like bread with almond butter etc.) Twice a day👍

[Mel1959]

Please post what your squirrels diet is? What does it routinely EAT, not just what it’s given? Has Bud had seizures before or is this something new? I don’t want to advise prednisone treatment if something else is indicated. Seizures can be a symptom of many conditions so we want to be sure we are treating the underlying issue, if there is one, and not just the symptom.

[Buds Mom]

Please post what your squirrels diet is? What does it routinely EAT, not just what it’s given? Has Bud had seizures before or is this something new? I don’t want to advise prednisone treatment if something else is indicated. Seizures can be a symptom of many conditions so we want to be sure we are treating the underlying issue, if there is one, and not just the symptom..

I give Bud Henry's blocks, calcium and vitamins from Henry's, also salads some grapes, bananas,
and blueberries. I also have given him some pecans which I dampen and coat with the calcium. He has had seizures for the past 2 years but lately they have gotten bad. I am very worried. I have tried to read up on this but he is my first squirrel baby and the squirrel board where I turned too. Martha

[Mel1959]

Has Bud ever been seen by a vet? Had a blood panel done? Would you be willing to take him to one if we found you a squirrel safe one? Seizures can be controlled with a variety of medicines, some may be better than prednisone. And he does actually eat the block and not just shred it?

Did he have head trauma as a baby?

[Buds Mom]

I did take him to a vet as far as he could tell he was fine. Clean bill of health, but its against the law in Alabama to have wild animals. He showed him as a cat, but I dont think he would help me he would have to go Auburn. I also thought he hit his head when he fell out of the tree with his brother that the cat killed. He may go 2 or 3 days or more before he has a seizure and again he has had lately 3 to 4 in 24 hours. The vet said that was all he could do. The other vets here refused to see him. I finally got into the squirrel board the past weekend for help. I also went in and reads but not sure what I was doing but I did it. I do not real good eye sight. I really dont know if I could take him out of state, I was hoping to try this to see what would help. I do not let many people know I have him. When he has a seizure he goes wild running in his cage; he has had sieizure on his log at top of cage and fell and hit the bottom. I do have several hideaways and hammocks to try to catch him when this happens, after 2 or 3 mins he settles down and he is very still. sometimes he shakes his head like he has a headache, it last about a minute. then he goes to sleep, he seems give out. I always get him no matter what time this happen and lay down on the bed with him and cover him up. He does sleep with us now and again, I love him so much. If you think this will help I would like to try it. If he got to where he was not having sieizures we could slowly take him off of the medication. I know the board has seen so many problems and helped so many fur babies, I was going to contact you too. Martha

[Mel1959]

I’m going to send you a private message.

[Mel1959]

Dosing sent in a pm.

[Diggie's Friend]

Perhaps this info may also be helpful towards inhibiting seizure activity in this squirrel.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?61630-The-many-possible-causes-of-Seizures.

Also recommend including, "Pet Flora" from Vitality Science; it is the missing piece of the wild diet not commonly included with the captive diet.
https://www.amazon.com/Vitality-Science-Pet-Flora-Gastrointestinal/dp/B005PJN2HO

This source of, "oil based organism forms (good bacteria, makes up over 70 percent of the whole body's immune system. This source also contains a prebiotic which doesn't promote the growth of bad bacteria along with the good forms, as sugar based probiotics are know to do. The base for the prebiotic also provides a source of trace minerals.

Also recommend in support of the immune health, organic food grade Chia oil from, "Foods Alive". This source has been used to significantly reduce inflammation in the body.

https://www.amazon.com/Foods-Alive-Organic-Essential-Dressing/dp/B007788AZA/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=chia%2Boil%2Bfoods%2Balive&qid=1679356841&sr=8-2&th=1

[Buds Mom]

Thank you so much. Buds Mom

[Mel1959]

I forgot to add…..members who have had seizure prone squirrels found that there is an ingredient in almonds that actually helps control seizures. Try giving Bud a couple of unshelled almonds every day.

[Charley Chuckles]

I forgot to add…..members who have had seizure prone squirrels found that there is an ingredient in almonds that actually helps control seizures. Try giving Bud a couple of unshelled almonds every day.

I do give my seizure girl a couple almonds a day, in fact it was you Mel that told me about that years ago 👍

[Diggie's Friend]

The ingredient that is higher in almonds is the mineral magnesium, which has been found to be key in inhibiting seizures in mammals. Best way to get magnesium at the strength needed which also supports optimum bone health to prevent MBD, is to add it as the mineral compound. Almonds in particular are very high in oxalic acid that is found in higher levels in some nuts, of which Almonds are second only to European pine nuts in the level of oxalic acid that they contain, thus resulting in no benefit to the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio, but rather a negative as all nuts have when they are added to an existing rodent block diet. If then the higher level of oxalic acid contained in almonds isn't taken into account, one might assume that it is a good nut to add to the diet daily. The data from the research on this nut and others unfortunately has been shown with great consistency to result in a loss of calcium rather than a gain due to the loss of the calcium this nut contains being lost to bonding with the oxalic acid in the nut and in other sources consumed at the same time also.

For these reason and especially with potential MBD, the optimum means to support with magnesium in the diet is to add it directly to a wet food twice daily, not to add nuts of any kind when feeding a rodent block diet, for these diets are already too close to support a minimum of 2. 25:1 Ca:P when any food that has a higher level of phosphorus to calcium is added to the diet. The HHB diet has a higher ratio than 2:1 vs. Teklad Rodent diets like 2016 that has a ratio of 1. 42:1 Ca:P ratio. The closer (lower) (Ca:P) ratio Rat lab diets, don't lend optimum support by themselves to juvenile tree squirrels rehabbed to release; let alone when foods higher in phosphorus added to these rat lab diets. For it only takes a few foods that are higher in phosphorus than Calcium to tip the Ca:P ratio to near equal where excess calcium is lost into the urine which in turn promotes the formation of kidney and/or bladder stones. Considering this, adding a nut known to contain a very high level of oxalic acid that promotes the loss of the calcium it contains from it bonding to form Calcium oxalate, a form of calcium that is not available to the body use; it isn't worth adding the almonds for though magnesium is increased, calcium is lost. The best choice is to add a supplement of magnesium that has been found to best cross the blood brain barrier.
(For more information on this, follow link to thread that explains this in greater detail.

[Diggie's Friend]

For clarification, adding both lower oxalate lower phosphorus whole foods to the HHB diet, while limiting those higher in phosphorus to the smallest portion of the diet, lends support to metabolic and bone health. To my knowledge, the only diet presently available, that doesn't promote this imbalance, is the HHB diet.

With, "Teklad 2016 Rat Diet with a (1. 42:1) Ca:P ratio; it isn't just nuts, but also other grain and vegetables higher in phosphorus than calcium by a significant ratio, like sweet potatoes; which tree squirrels prefer over the low protein low fat leafy greens, can easily lead to the development of MBD. The Squirrel manual notes 2:1 as the healthy Ca:P ratio for juvenile tree squirrels, not that for Teklad formulated for rats.

Also, a slightly acidic mean urine pH (6.4), found in wild gray squirrels, lends optimum support to absorption of nutrients, while not lending to over acidification of the diet by overfeeding of foods that are higher in phosphorus than calcium.

Of course there are also other causes of seizures in rodents, of which magnesium forms found to well cross the blood brain barrier (Magnesium L Threonoate) is the best option to lend support to inhibiting the frequency of their occurrences.

[Buds Mom]

[QUOTE=Mel1959;1356946]I forgot to add…..members who have had seizure prone squirrels found that there is an ingredient in almonds that actually helps control seizures. Try giving Bud a couple of unshelled almonds every day./QUOTE]

I can't tell you just how much the Squirrel Board has helped. I will get him some almonds. I feel like I have found the answers for his seizures. He did have one last nite and I hope it will his last. I wish I could help you guys out if you have a problem but I have a lot to learn and I have found the best teachers. Buds Mom

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Has Bud ever been seen by a vet? Had a blood panel done? Would you be willing to take him to one if we found you a squirrel safe one? Seizures can be controlled with a variety of medicines, some may be better than prednisone. And he does actually eat the block and not just shred it?

Did he have head trauma as a baby?

Hello Buds Mom:
I would like to offer my opinion especially in light of the fact that Bud has a relatively long two year history of seizures following what is a strong suspicion of a head injury. Although there are a number of supplements and medications that may potentially help with seizures, I would recommend using a medication definitively in the class of medications called anticonvulsants or anti-seizure medications! For a Squirrel, the medication I would suggest is phenobarbital. I wish it was as easy for me to say this as it would be for this to come to pass, but I'll say it anyway and that is to facilitate this coming to fruition; I would also recommend trying to get Bud in to a Vet ASAP. This should be someone who is at least comfortable with Squirrels and would not confiscate or euthanize Bud. There are some Members of TSB who have databases of Vets and they may be able to help. My goal in making this recommendation would be for Bud to be expeditiously treated with a true anti-seizure medication such as Phenobarbital! There is ample evidence of its use and benefits in Squirrels! Please read through this thread as I believe it may be enlightening and encouraging to you: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?68318-Need-help-squirrel-seizing-not-MBD&highlight=phenobarbital
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Mel1959]

[QUOTE=Mel1959;1356946]I forgot to add…..members who have had seizure prone squirrels found that there is an ingredient in almonds that actually helps control seizures. Try giving Bud a couple of unshelled almonds every day./QUOTE

I can't tell you just how much the Squirrel Board has helped. I will get him some almonds. I feel like I have found the answers for his seizures. He did have one last nite and I hope it will his last. I wish I could help you guys out if you have a problem but I have a lot to learn and I have found the best teachers. Buds Mom

I concur with STS. A long term fix for Bud’s seizures would ideally be a medicine other than Prednisone. There is also a newer drug called Keppra for seizures, I’m unclear of its use in squirrels, though.

I encourage you to reach out to the vet I recommended for assistance. I know this vet is familiar with squirrels and has treated another squirrel for seizures.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Just a couple more comments about seizures.
While steroids (prednisone is a steroid) have been used and continue to be used in human medicine for a certain types of pediatric seizure disorder that may be intractable (there is still seizure activity even with use of specifically anticonvulsant medications) to "usual" anticonvulsant medications and also for treating certain seizures with neuroinflammatory (such as brain swelling) components; steroids are NOT in themselves anticonvulsant medications! Further, there are a multitude of potential side effects to use of steroids!

I have tried in the past to find some guidelines to using Keppra in small rodents such as Squirrels or Rats but I have not been satisfied with what I have found and for that reason, I have some concerns about using Keppra with our Squirrels. It would be tremendous if other on TSB have some experience with Keppra and could post this. An exception for my current feeling about Keppra would be for Keppra being prescribing by a Vet with experience using this medication with Squirrels (and there are some who do). Phenobarbital is still my "favorite" for use in Squirrels because there is a considerable experiential database with using this medication.
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Charley Chuckles]

I adopted my girl around 4 years ago she is now 10. I took her knowing she had seizures and I've raised a seizure squirrel before, my Little Girl who had bad head truma from a pinkie.
For the girl I have now she was on phenobarbital ( and still is) she also has Diazepam in case she goes into a grand mal seizure which occured once in awhile on her arrival. She does go to my vet and if there is any way for you to get Bud to a SAFE VET I would try.
Seizures are unpredictable, that said I'm extremely happy how my girl is doing. With help from my vet we have been able to lower the amount of phenobarbital by adding CBD to the mix and I'm not saying for every seizure situation it would work out the same.

You now have a lot of information and I know it can be overwhelming but take a step at a time, sometimes there is a trigger that can cause a seizure....
Any dogs in the house that bark?
New pets?
New noise? Squirrels are very susceptible to new or loud nosis.
Weird thought new smells like different laundry detergent, I only use unscented.
It may be none of those things just trying to cover all bases👍
Praying for Bud 🙏

[island rehabber]

Nancy in NY discovered the anti-seizure benefits of almonds when she was squirrel sitting my NR, Owena Owie-Head. Owena was a head trauma baby who had several seizures per week as soon as her eyes opened. We dealt with it until they increased so dramatically while Nancy had her that Nancy thought, give her whatever she wants -- her life will be short, so she gave her unshelled almonds. (I withheld nuts from Owena because I was terrified of MBD.) After a day or two of 4 almonds per day, Owena's seizures reduced from 3-4 per week to once a week, then once a month, then over two months in between. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I would not have believed the power of magnesium ​in a natural form.

[Charley Chuckles]

Nancy in NY discovered the anti-seizure benefits of almonds when she was squirrel sitting my NR, Owena Owie-Head. Owena was a head trauma baby who had several seizures per week as soon as her eyes opened. We dealt with it until they increased so dramatically while Nancy had her that Nancy thought, give her whatever she wants -- her life will be short, so she gave her unshelled almonds. (I withheld nuts from Owena because I was terrified of MBD.) After a day or two of 4 almonds per day, Owena's seizures reduced from 3-4 per week to once a week, then once a month, then over two months in between. If I didn't see it with my own eyes I would not have believed the power of magnesium ​in a natural form.
Thank you for sharing, I knew almonds work I've seen it with my girl but had no idea it came from our darling NANCY❤️
I'll never look at an almond again without smiling😊

[Snicker Bar]

I’m offering only what I know from my one and only seizure girl (“Snickers”). She was a head trauma baby and had many issues that seemed to almost completely resolve by the time she was about a year old if I remember correctly?

And then, the seizures came. At first I had no idea this was seizure activity? They were brief, almost fainting spells? Or so I thought? Not the classic jerking /shaking/chewing gum activity we usually see in our other animal friends. She would just make a brief vocalization, and then would appear lifeless.

This happened twice; I posted here and they told me it was a seizure but I doubted because it just didn’t look like one? I started the daily almonds just in case.

But by the third episode it became worse; the twitching and eye movement’s came. And it lasted so long. I held and cuddled my girl; tried to give her glucose.
And btw , be careful when handling ! They can still bite during an episode! This was the ONLY bite I ever got from my Snickers; she wasn’t able to help it :(

I posted here again and was directed to Dr. Emerson in Fla. They were kind enough to give me dosing over the phone for Keppra. The one thing I like about Keppra is it gets to therapeutic levels quickly . It’s also safer if the animal has any preexisting issues with the liver or kidneys. The downside is, it usually has to be dosed three times daily (the regular version). I’m not sure? I don’t think a compounding pharmacy can make the extended release version…? But it can’t hurt to ask? They can come up with about anything these days it seems :)

Anyhow, I started the Keppra that very day, and she seemed to improve significantly. It’s been a few years… So I can’t remember how perfectly controlled she was at first?? I just know she got much, much better.

But then in time (it was only about two years) I started noticing strange little rubs on her head, her face. No known bullies; no known trauma. Just unexplained “scuffs”. I was working more then; not home as much. And could only dose twice daily …. And this was a challenge in itself. It tastes horrible! But if interested, I will be glad to share some of the creative ways we got yucky meds in Snickers lol!

Before, when I was mostly home, if I heard her? I would run and cradle her; talk to her. And she would ease out of it quicker. But one summer evening, on a week she seemed to be having some breakthroughs (and I believe I had gone up on the dose) and on a day she seemed perfectly fine, I lost my girl. We were only gone 90 min. She was fine when I left; and found her in such a way, that it appeared to be due to the seizure.

I wish I could remember if I even asked Dr . Emerson , if there was a reason as to why she chose Keppra over phenobarbital? I will do some research today if time allows; look up my messages from her if I still have them.

But STS mentioned there is more research describing the use of Phenobarbital. If I had it to do over ? And she was not having such a prolonged (and seemingly increase in frequency) episode? I might would go with it instead. Because it IS effective dosed just twice daily. But it can take up to two weeks to get to effective levels in the blood.

Just happened to see this; hope my girl’s experience is of some help. Just typing this post brings back a flood. God , I loved that girl. And thank you God, for sending her to me:Love_Icon