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Thread: Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

  1. #1
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    Default Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

    I need help with an adult male ground squirrel that has been in rehabilitation for several months now. He came in before winter after being found in someone’s garage, scrounging for cat food. He appeared to keep some weight off of one leg and acted neurological so I treated with typical protocol for if he had been car hit, and prayed it wasn’t poison. He didn’t appear to have dog or cat wounds like punctures but I could never rule it out. He overwintered with me, and his leg got stronger but his neurological symptoms never went away.

    He is still very aware, aggressive and frightened, eating and drinking, but sometimes flips on his back or trips. I know things like rabies, plague, and west Nile can cause neurological symptoms but he never became more ill or displayed secondary symptoms. My best guess is that he suffered head trauma of some sort, like a crash, and has healed to his best ability but isn’t perfect. I would love some suggestions or feedback though, as well as any potential things to look out for, and will try to get a video soon.

    Thanks from Teddy and the ground squirrels Jim.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

    Thank you for the overview of this ground squirrel's condition.

    Be assured, if he had rabies or plaque, he would have passed by now. Some ground squirrels have been found to be immune to plague, so you may want to get his blood tested just in case. West Nile is possible in adults, usually lethal in the babies.

    One way to help him is to give him nutrient support, is with this source:

    https://www.amazon.com/Trace-Mineral.../dp/B01MCYXPDB

    Vitamin B 12 has been known by the medical community for a long time to help with joint, and back pain, but also with neurologic pain from TBI (traumatic brain injury) Though best to give this soon after the injury, it is still a supportive source worth including in the diet of a neuro-squirrel.

    If his weight is 775 g. or under at normal, not obese weight, then 1 drop from a needle ml 1 cc syringe (6.26 mcg.) B 12 daily may help his symptoms. Be sure NOT to use the dropper this source comes with, as it is many times greater than this dose is.

    Folate is important also; if he eats sufficient greens he should be getting enough Folate in his diet.

    They are also grub worm eaters, which is also a source of the amino acid Taurine. Camilles Vit-mealies is a source I have used and recommend for other that care for NR ground squirrels. I'm told they really go for them, just don't overdo it, but limit them to 2 or 3 daily, or will not increase his weight too greatly, or put him off eating other nutritious food sources in anycase.

    https://vita-mealie.weebly.com/dried...-listings.html

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

    Is your squirrel a California Ground squirrel (longer tail than other ground squirrel species in your region, with white saddle marking over shoulders)?

    Or is your squirrel a Colombia ground squirrel (smaller, tail short) or another similar species perhaps?

    http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/cal...ndsquirrel.htm

    Sorry for these pest control sources; I included these links since they provide good descriptions of ground squirrel species for identification purposes.

    http://www.pestproducts.com/columbia...d-squirrel.htm

    http://www.pestproducts.com/californ...el.htm#Beechey


    Recommend supporting your squirrel with this source of Soil Based Organisms a pre/probiotic Pet Flora, by Vitality Science Pet Flora.

    https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Flora-cap.../dp/B005PJN2HO

    Just (1/64 Tsp.) powder daily from this capsule source.

    Mini Teaspoon measuring spoonshttps://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stainl.../dp/B0009X1P9S


    As for recommending meds, I leave that to the rehabbers here to address.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

    Thank you both for your insight! I’ll try B12 and getting the bugs. He is a California ground squirrel. I’m definitely hoping that by getting better supplements and more micronutrients in to him that it will help to improve his neurological condition.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Help with neurological adult ground squirrel

    Sorry I forgot to ask; what is the main source of nutrition you are feeding him, does it include a pellet or block source with calcium?

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