Nocturnal Seizures?

[sundoesshine]

Hi All, So I know of a squirrel currently in rehab for a fall from tree where she hit her head hard on the nest box. She was walking off kilter etc. She has recovered except now we notice that she will sploot on her nest box and hang her head over the edge to sleep. During this sleep she will jerk awake and flip into the air as if she were laying on a catapult. Her body is relaxed during her flight with legs extended out usually. Her cage is 6 x 6 x 3. This happened one evening, then twice the next day in the afternoon and the same the following day so 5 times so far in a couple of days. Now I'm wondering if she was splooting and fell during the fall that sent her to rehab so it's the reason she fell.

She seems to be learning to catch herself before drifting too much asleep, and will move to another place which is good. She's 14 wks now and has been in rehab for about 4 weeks now. She's extremely active and growing strong except for this. She eats 2-3 picky blocks and eats broccoli, spinach (just discontinued), salad greens, cuke, sweet potato then apple, grape, and 1-2 nuts once the good stuff is eaten.

All I can think of is a seizure that only happens during a certain phase of light sleep. Just wondering if anyone has heard of such a thing?

[Charley Chuckles]

Yes my Little Girl was a pinky came in with purple head from a fall out of her nest. She had seizures on and off her whole life. She lived for 7 years and had occasional seizures her whole life which I treated her with meds.
Not sure what your asking but I'm sure she's a non- releasable.

[tgramsey]

Hi there, coincidentally, I just logged on to post about this exact same squirrel. Sundoesshine described what's happening very thoroughly. I'll just add a little more info. This squirrel received a course of Prednisone and three weeks of rest after her original head trauma. She recovered beautifully and was doing great. I mean, this kid is a firecracker - super coordinated and energetic, soaring around her release cage like a champ. This jerking awake and falling behavior just started and only happens when she is asleep. Like a child startled by a nightmare. Links to a few of the episodes below. Doesn't look like seizure activity to me, but I'm certainly no expert. Maybe she is feeling sharp zaps of pain? Hard to know - just hoping someone with head trauma experience can offer advice. Is this something she can get over with more time to heal? What treatment/meds are suggested? Gabapentin, maybe? Thank you!
Links to recent falls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FLChxmyxV4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H16dYXWHgjo
https://youtu.be/q-2zzsS53eA





]

[Chirps]

Wow. That looks like an owie from that short distance. Yet she seems unfazed by it. I've been watching some of my guys sleeping/lounging horizontal on a branch lately. I can't imagine one of them doing that from the height of the branch it was on and not getting hurt.

[Mel1959]

Hi there, coincidentally, I just logged on to post about this exact same squirrel. Sundoesshine described what's happening very thoroughly. I'll just add a little more info. This squirrel received a course of Prednisone and three weeks of rest after her original head trauma. She recovered beautifully and was doing great. I mean, this kid is a firecracker - super coordinated and energetic, soaring around her release cage like a champ. This jerking awake and falling behavior just started and only happens when she is asleep. Like a child startled by a nightmare. Links to a few of the episodes below. Doesn't look like seizure activity to me, but I'm certainly no expert. Maybe she is feeling sharp zaps of pain? Hard to know - just hoping someone with head trauma experience can offer advice. Is this something she can get over with more time to heal? What treatment/meds are suggested? Gabapentin, maybe? Thank you!
Links to recent falls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FLChxmyxV4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H16dYXWHgjo
https://youtu.be/q-2zzsS53eA





]

I think you should try Gabapentin. If you can list the strength you have and the weight of the squirrel, if you have it, someone can help you dose it. I think every possible option should be tried for head trauma. Who knows what will work and what won’t. :dono:dono

[sundoesshine]

She had seizures on and off her whole life.. Did her body tense up or did she flail around? This squirrel almost seems relaxed during the episode which seems contrary to a seizure but I've only witness (countless) grand mals in a human, so I'm not sure about others. It does seem weird she doesn't just seize up. Good news is yesterday she had none! She's very smart and I think she's become aware of them, and seems to go into her nb more now if she wants to doze off.

[sundoesshine]

Doesn't look like seizure activity to me, but I'm certainly no expert. Maybe she is feeling sharp zaps of pain?


Hi! Well I can't believe I didn't google this earlier. I had no idea these existed, although it does say they're rare.
A myoclonic seizure is where some or all of your body suddenly twitches or jerks, like you've had an electric shock. They often happen soon after waking up.

It does seem like it happens just as she's waking briefly. Hers are definitely major compared to the ones I saw in videos, but it does seem to match.

[tgramsey]

Do the references you found say this can happen as a lingering result of head trauma? She doesn't tense up to my eye -- just gets startled/zapped/jolted and jumps.



Hi! Well I can't believe I didn't google this earlier. I had no idea these existed, although it does say they're rare.
A myoclonic seizure is where some or all of your body suddenly twitches or jerks, like you've had an electric shock. They often happen soon after waking up.

It does seem like it happens just as she's waking briefly. Hers are definitely major compared to the ones I saw in videos, but it does seem to match.

[tgramsey]

I have Gabapentin 300 mg per capsule, but tough to get a weight on her without losing a limb:) She is 14 weeks old - average size in every way, so 300 grams is a good guesstimate. Dosing appreciated! Thank you



I think you should try Gabapentin. If you can list the strength you have and the weight of the squirrel, if you have it, someone can help you dose it. I think every possible option should be tried for head trauma. Who knows what will work and what won’t. :dono:dono

[sundoesshine]

Do the references you found say this can happen as a lingering result of head trauma? She doesn't tense up to my eye -- just gets startled/zapped/jolted and jumps.

Sounds like seizure activity can occur after head trauma (PTE/Post Traumatic Epilepsy) 1 in 10 times and about 50% of those cases resolve on their own and go away. Of course these are human sources, like CDC NIH etc.

[Mel1959]

Sending dosing in a pm

[Mel1959]

Sending dosing in a pm

Dosing sent.

[Diggie's Friend]

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[sundoesshine]

Hi all,
So while sleeping in her nb, she'll have episodes like this, 1 or 2x a night. Sometimes they're less dream like and she'll just jump forcefully.
Does this look like seizure activity?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMO4RDB2qRQ

[Diggie's Friend]

This manifestation looks like it fits a particular form of seizures associated with a form of epilepsy that causes neural shocks.


traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic epilepsy in rodents

Polyphenol sources that have been found to reduce inflammation from TBI in rats, and so the severity and frequency of Epileptic seizures.

One noted polyphenol source are tannins which are highest in Red acorns.
Cracking open a Red acorn to make sure it is not compromised by fungus, would be best to avoid giving a bad acorn.
It is common to see a change in the color of the urine of squirrels that consume acorns, to a pinkish-red.

Another source of tannins and other polyphenol compounds, is whole berry wild cranberry powder. This is not powdered cranberry juice where much of the tannin content has been removed to improved the taste, thus lowering the medicinal value of whole cranberry; but dehydrated whole berry wild cranberry powder.

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Cranberry-Powder-Extract-Concentrate/dp/B08RMNF3VX/ref=asc_df_B08RMNF3VX/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508203642414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8722898761465273852&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031634&hvtargid=pla-1189633592391&psc=1

To include this source in a squirrel's diet, add (1/64 Tsp.) of the whole berry powder mixed into (1/4 Tsp.) of Stonyfield" Creamy Low Fat Plain Organic Yogurt daily

"Pycnogenol", a powerful, "nutraceutical", is a high source of Polyphenols, which reduce inflammation in the body. This source has also studied in TBI in rats, was found t reduce inflammation, edema and swelling in the brain of rats with TBE. Recommend Pycnogenol from, "Healthy Origins" 30 mg. capsules available at Amazon.com

[tgramsey]

Thank you for the info, DF.


This manifestation looks like it fits a particular form of seizures associated with a form of epilepsy that causes neural shocks.



Polyphenol sources that have been found to reduce inflammation from TBI in rats, and so the severity and frequency of Epileptic seizures.

One noted polyphenol source are tannins which are highest in Red acorns.
Cracking open a Red acorn to make sure it is not compromised by fungus, would be best to avoid giving a bad acorn.
It is common to see a change in the color of the urine of squirrels that consume acorns, to a pinkish-red.

Another source of tannins and other polyphenol compounds, is whole berry wild cranberry powder. This is not powdered cranberry juice where much of the tannin content has been removed to improved the taste, thus lowering the medicinal value of whole cranberry; but dehydrated whole berry wild cranberry powder.

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Cranberry-Powder-Extract-Concentrate/dp/B08RMNF3VX/ref=asc_df_B08RMNF3VX/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=508203642414&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8722898761465273852&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031634&hvtargid=pla-1189633592391&psc=1

To include this source in a squirrel's diet, add (1/64 Tsp.) of the whole berry powder mixed into (1/4 Tsp.) of Stonyfield" Creamy Low Fat Plain Organic Yogurt daily

"Pycnogenol", a powerful, "nutraceutical", is a high source of Polyphenols, which reduce inflammation in the body. This source has also studied in TBI in rats, was found t reduce inflammation, edema and swelling in the brain of rats with TBE. Recommend Pycnogenol from, "Healthy Origins" 30 mg. capsules available at Amazon.com