senior age??

[Rexie]

Does anyone know at what age are foxers considered a senior??

[stepnstone]

Does anyone know at what age are foxers considered a senior??

Considering the life span between wilds and "captives" that's a hard question to answer....
Squirrels are sexually mature and able to reproduce at 11 months, typically "captives" live longer
then wilds as they don't have the challenges that face those in the wild.
I would think five years in the wild could be considered a senior with eight years for captives but
that's just an uneducated guess on my part from those I've observed on the board.

[Rexie]

i agree that is a good guess.

[Diggie's Friend]

That's a good question. Our former and first Vet told me that he thought 6 years old was ancient for a fox squirrel, yet our girl lived to 11 years of age. In our area another fox squirrel a male lived to 16 years, and a gray we assume to 17 years. I consider 5 years of age the youth of middle age, where sadly as veterinarians note health issues involving kidney stones first present.

This can occur in both extremes of urine pH. Be it below 6.0, or above 7.0 it is not a healthy range for mean urine pH for these animals. In a study done in the mid 70's 6.4 was found to be the mean urine pH for Eastern Gray Squirrels. Veterinarian medicine notes 6.5 mean urine pH for small mammals. If the diet is off in urine pH it can lead to renal damage and early mortality. Metabolic Bone disease can as well.

To test for mean urine pH, take three readings during the day beginning at least one hour after the first meal of the day is consumed. Then the following morning before the first meal, take the last reading from the first urine of the day. Then add the four readings and divide by four to get the mean urine pH for that day. By taking up to 3 sets of readings a week you can average them by adding them up and dividing the number in half. That will give you a good idea as to where the diet is. Then adjust the diet to support the mean urine pH to fall within (6.4 to 6.8) In doing this it will lend to inhibiting the formation of urinary calculi (stones).

For diets that are too acidic, below 6.0, begin by lowering the portion of grain sources in the diet, and raising the leafy greens and tree fruits and vegetables portions.

Likewise for diets too high in mean urine pH above 7.0 lower, lower the daily portion of leafy greens, or Blanch them to reduce their pH; also lower the portion of tree fruits fed daily.

Keep in mind that the darkest greens promote the highest urine pH values, and that grains promote the lowest pH urine values. It is in balancing both extremes in the diet that lends to the mean urine pH to remaining within the mid to high 6 range, that promotes good urinary tract health pH wise. Eliminating highly processed foods that are high in salt, fats, and sugars, especially artificial sugars, most of which are toxic to rodents, will also promotes health and longevity, as does feeding an organic whole foods instead of conventionally grown according to a study done in wild rats that compared the effects of the three diets upon health and longevity.

[stepnstone]

[Rexie]

Thank you Diggies friend. This is great information, helps give us a baseline to go for and do the best we can to keep the PH at a optimal range.