My 7 year, male gray squirrel is lethargic, please help

[orquid009]

He is getting worse Very slow. I prepared the rice buddy and he is there. His eyes are halfway closed. I am doing everything I can to keep him awake for now. He has not eaten anything else since this morning, when he ate a bit of sweet potato and zucchini...jut a bit one or two pieces. He probably feels worse.. I don't know.

[TubeDriver]

Try giving him some DIY pedialyte (recipe posted above in previous post) and give him some calcium from a Tums tablet. Make him comfortable. Do you have vet access?

He is getting worse Very slow. I prepared the rice buddy and he is there. His eyes are halfway closed. I am doing everything I can to keep him awake for now. He has not eaten anything else since this morning, when he ate a bit of sweet potato and zucchini...jut a bit one or two pieces. He probably feels worse.. I don't know.

[orquid009]

Thanks TubeDriver. I don't think he is having seizures (I haven't seen how seizures look on them)
I had a female squirrel that had respiratory infection, her breathing and clicking were very bad, Manolo is not clicking, but he does like blowing his nose, not constantly, but he is doing it.
Ive already gave him Pedialyte, just a teaspoon. Right now he doesn't want any..but a couple of hours ago I put water in my hand and he licked a lot. I check the water bottle, it is working.
Ill keep him warm, and make sure he drinks. I did the test on the back of his neck, doesn't seems like dehydration.


I appreciate everything.

[Mel1959]

Do you have a vet you can take him to? There is a vet in Orlando that will see squirrels and another one in Port Orange. If you have a regular vet you might try to have him seen. The vet in Orlando is Dr. Diaz at Exotic Animal Hospital and Dr. Alicia Emerson at Ravenwood Vet Clinic in Port Orange.

I hope you can figure out what’s going on with your baby.

[Diggie's Friend]

https://www.amazon.com/Urine-Strips-...ne+test+strips

These strips may help to determine the cause of his feeling bad, I wouldn't wait though to go to see dr. Emerson, rather make it the priority.

Do you have 'organic' maple syrup, or "Brer Rabbit" molasses (no blackstrap)?

You won't need to open his mouth, just put a drop on your finger tip and push it into his mouth just behind his front teeth where there is a space with no teeth.

What kind of mushrooms do you feed him; please be specific by name.

[lukaslolamaus]

Thinking about you and Manolo this morning.

[TubeDriver]

Any updates?

If you have been giving pedialyte for over 24 hours, I would switch back to regular water. Too much pedialyte for too long will start stressing kidneys.

I would try to get a vet appointment. Do you have any antbiotics available (not sure they are needed but just in case it is helpful to know what you have on hand)?

Hope your little one is doing better.

[Rocky1]

Do you have a vet you can take him to? There is a vet in Orlando that will see squirrels and another one in Port Orange. If you have a regular vet you might try to have him seen. The vet in Orlando is Dr. Diaz at Exotic Animal Hospital and Dr. Alicia Emerson at Ravenwood Vet Clinic in Port Orange.

I hope you can figure out what’s going on with your baby.

The lack of an update makes me fear for the worst, but I hope he's doing okay or even better. If you are capable of bringing him to a squirrel-friendly vet, such as one recommended by a member on this forum, that is what I would do. Spiky hair and squinting mean that a squirrel is really not feeling well. The members on this board are extremely competent, and in my observation, the best ever, but sometimes there is no substitute for a vet that can see the squirrel in person and offer prescriptions right then and there. That being said, I am not a rehabber but just a long time member who has followed a lot of threads. If you can't take him to the vet for some reason, it is okay to let us know.

[orquid009]

I truly apologize for not giving a sooner update. I have not been able to take Manolo to a vet but I have followed all your indications. He is still not feeling well, I gave him Pedialyte for 3 days and then water. I have been giving him tums mixed with juice making a paste. I have to use the syringe for that. He has a warming pad in low, He is in there always. I was able to order the kit from Henry's to try and help him. I have been giving him water myself, like, I bring the water bottle to him. About two or three days ago, I saw him going down to get water for himself, but not anymore... He is eating tomatoes, oranges and almonds (because it is the only thing he really likes now) His nose is clean, no clicking at all. But when he stands up to eat his body inclines to the front, and he stops eating, with the food on his hands, he closes his eyes, then after a few seconds or if I talk to him, he opens his eyes again and continues eating.

I will post a picture.

I know how horrible it sounds to not been able to take him to the vet, but I just can't.

Thank you all

[TubeDriver]

Thank you for updating us on his condition. I know you love your little friend, but his diet of tomatoes, oranges and almonds will slowly kill him. It just does not provide what his body needs even with the calcium you are giving. If this is MBD, he absolutely MUST get on a diet primarily of healthy rodent blocks, it is critical. This is in addition to calcium supplements.

We also sometimes see where older squirrels seem to develop what might be called congestive heart failure or advanced cardiac disease. In these cases, not much can be done other than make him comfortable and try to provide a healthy diet.

A vet could rule out one or the other. But in either case, a good diet composed of rodent blocks and veggies would help. Is he losing weight? I hope he is not suffering too much and that he will recover but he is dependent on your care and also sometimes on your tough love to get him to eat healthy (but less tasty) rodent blocks.

I truly apologize for not giving a sooner update. I have not been able to take Manolo to a vet but I have followed all your indications. He is still not feeling well, I gave him Pedialyte for 3 days and then water. I have been giving him tums mixed with juice making a paste. I have to use the syringe for that. He has a warming pad in low, He is in there always. I was able to order the kit from Henry's to try and help him. I have been giving him water myself, like, I bring the water bottle to him. About two or three days ago, I saw him going down to get water for himself, but not anymore... He is eating tomatoes, oranges and almonds (because it is the only thing he really likes now) His nose is clean, no clicking at all. But when he stands up to eat his body inclines to the front, and he stops eating, with the food on his hands, he closes his eyes, then after a few seconds or if I talk to him, he opens his eyes again and continues eating.

I will post a picture.

I know how horrible it sounds to not been able to take him to the vet, but I just can't.

Thank you all

[SammysMom]

Are you just unable to transport him to the vet or do you not have a vet? He really needs a vet.

[orquid009]

Thank you for your good thoughts. Manolo is still alive. His movements are erratic, like he starts eating the block, then stops....with the block in his hands...he body wobbles a bit. He is drinking water well, although most of the time I bring the water bottle to his bed. I have seen him going down to drink water.
I ordered the MDB treatment from Henry's. I did start the tums right away you guys tell me. Now I have started with the calcium the packet brings...also picky eaters blocks and he is eating them well (I was very excited!). The other blocks were not so attractive to him. Also giving the blocks in smaller pieces.

I feel so bad for giving him the tomatoes, it is now the only thing he eats and now the blocks. I don't know if Manolo will make it, but I am keeping them very comfortable with a heating pad in low in his bed. He sleeps most of the time. I work only half a day, I give him blocks and I am not keeping a food bowl anymore.
Something caught my eye.... while I was giving him the tums, he was not happy. The calcium I got he liked! and just took him very easily which makes me happy not to add more stress. As soon as I get home, I go and check up on him and give offer water and give him the calcium and block.


I think he is getting seizures because he stops and shivers a bit.

What can I offer him from outside?


His heart is running fast, his weight can be a little less but he looks normal, he is not dehydrated. When I grab him to feed him he still has some strength to grab himself to the cage. But he cant not hang around like a normal squirrel.

I don't know what else to do and it is very stressing and so sad to see this beautiful squirrel having such a rough time. Manolo came to me in a stormy day. He was found in the middle of the street crying, these generous people knew that I had another squirrel and ask if I wanted it. They were giving him evaporated milk...……………………………….


What can I do for him. It would be horrible to see him like this. maybe pain, maybe the seizures maybe MBD. Dear Lord! I will keep him comfortable. I don't know if Manolo will resist. I just know he has given me so much happiness and love.


Thank you ahead for any help.