Help: Just started walking in circled and shaking

[ppodcor]

Simon started showing possible neurological issues. Having issues walking. Seems to move in a circle. Clear but thick saliva coming out of the mouth. When I pick him up he shakes likes he's having a seizure or something. He cannot walk straight. He was fine this morning.

He did recently have a white potato.

Video https://youtu.be/JOO_mol8a78?si=3jd6NW4ZKt0vNfN4

He has never had issues before. We have had him since he was two weeks old.

[ppodcor]

Putting his head down to the side and laying on left side. Tried getting a video of him at the bottom of his cage.

https://youtu.be/2cguNj9xEc4?si=PeR1Ap67Cj3CDM5T

It's almost like it' comes in waves. He's twitching one minute and then has like an episode.

He has had his normal Henry's block, and rat blocks. We offered the potato 2 days ago. He usually does fine. Never had an issue.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Never had a potato before?

Has he been anywhere where poison might be? Have you checked his breathing? Might there be a chunk of potato lodged in airway? This one is over my pay grade and an admin will pick up - just some questions to consider.

[ppodcor]

Sorry. Eastern Grey he's about 6 months old.

Dandelion greens on occasion, Henry's blocks, mazuri rat blocks, has had an occasional strawberry, blueberry, banana. And had a potato two days ago. Never had issues before.

[CritterMom]

This is not squirrel specific, but...:

https://lortsmith.com/need-help-now/...oods/potatoes/

[ppodcor]

Never had a potato before?

Has he been anywhere where poison might be? Have you checked his breathing? Might there be a chunk of potato lodged in airway? This one is over my pay grade and an admin will pick up - just some questions to consider.

He has had a potato before. Nowhere near posion. He has his own room.

Could this be mbd?

[TomahawkFlyers]

On the safe side - go get Tums in fruit flavor and let him have all he will take. If he won't eat it, grind it up, put it in a little water with a pinch of sugar and feed it to him with a syringe.

Tell us specifically about diet. Specifically. What he's actually eating vs. what you are giving him.

In case the potato has anything to do with this, get as much water in him as he will take.

Waiting for admin. Do you live near a squirrel-friendly vet? If it is the potato, he will maybe need direct veterinary care on an emergency basis.

[TomahawkFlyers]

This is not squirrel specific, but...:

https://lortsmith.com/need-help-now/...oods/potatoes/

Just read this. Squirrels can only regurgitate - not vomit? Potato has descended beyond the esophagus to the stomach - regurgitation not possible. Should not attempt to induce vomiting?

[ppodcor]

On the safe side - go get Tums in fruit flavor and let him have all he will take. If he won't eat it, grind it up, put it in a little water with a pinch of sugar and feed it to him with a syringe.

Tell us specifically about diet. Specifically. What he's actually eating vs. what you are giving him.

In case the potato has anything to do with this, get as much water in him as he will take.

Waiting for admin. Do you live near a squirrel-friendly vet? If it is the potato, he will maybe need direct veterinary care on an emergency basis.

Just finished a tums tablet with a little water in a syringe. He took all of it. But we had to stop in between seizures. Started to syringe just plain water with a little honey on the tip of the syringe.

He eats 2 Henry's Heathly blocks, a handful of mazuri rat blocks, handful of dandelion greens or 2-3 brussel sprouts, sometimes a blueberry, a strawberry, or piece of banana. He has had two potatoes. Did not have any issues with the first one a month or so ago. Just gave him a second one two days ago.

He eats the Henry's block, he sometimes hides the mazuri blocks, both mostly eats them, and often nibbles on the veg. Will eat a full brussel sprout. It honestly just depends on the day. Sometimes he only eat a little greens, other times it's more.

I know of no squirel friendly vets. When we first rescued him no one would take him. I live near Annapolis, MD.

[TomahawkFlyers]

OK - Start Googling - I'll help you check around. Water, water, and more water. STOP for awhile when he refuses. You are attempting to dilute the toxic material.

Potatoes are members of the Nightshade family. when raw, they contain alkaloids. Alkaloids are toxic to rodents especially, since their systems are small and cannot tolerate them. Once cooked, the toxicity no longer exists. I am proceeding on the basis of what you have described for diet, and the fact that a raw potato is in play. That he tolerated the first one does not rule out trouble with the second one - especially if the second one had any green under the skin.

Water, Google. Water, Google. Repeat.

[TomahawkFlyers]

https://marylandexotics.com/animal-h...ient-forms.php
https://www.baycountryvets.com/about-us/
https://annapolisvet.com/

Start with these. Check DC, Baltimore, VA, etc. Johns Hopkins has a veterinary school and hospital. I'm posting a request here on TSB to see if anyone has experience with a specific vet.

[CritterMom]

No, don't try to make him vomit - especially since the potato was ingested days ago. I wish I knew how long it can take for symptoms to appear.

The problem is that some potatoes have large quantities of the solanine and some don't and that can be true on one plant, so it is virtually impossible to tell just from looking. The same is true with the skin and pits of avocados - some are fine and some will kill them and those can both be from the same plant.

Liquids are good. If he is having seizures, get something sweet into him - stronger sugar water, syrup, etc. Not a lot, but it will help them recover. I would also do everything you possibly can to keep him calm and quiet - encourage him to sleep. Hopefully he can ride this out.

Could he have taken a fall and hit his head?

[ppodcor]

No, don't try to make him vomit - especially since the potato was ingested days ago. I wish I knew how long it can take for symptoms to appear.

The problem is that some potatoes have large quantities of the solanine and some don't and that can be true on one plant, so it is virtually impossible to tell just from looking. The same is true with the skin and pits of avocados - some are fine and some will kill them and those can both be from the same plant.

Liquids are good. If he is having seizures, get something sweet into him - stronger sugar water, syrup, etc. Not a lot, but it will help them recover. I would also do everything you possibly can to keep him calm and quiet - encourage him to sleep. Hopefully he can ride this out.

Could he have taken a fall and hit his head?

Got it. We have been pushing water with some honey.

It is possible. He has run of his room during the day. But he has no obvious injuries.

He also has not slept. Just on and off seizures.

[ppodcor]

This where we are now

https://youtube.com/shorts/OR0FAwMIT...TX8zMiA1WAnsV0

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hang in there. If this is from the potato it will take quite a few days/weeks to pull out of it. You really need to find a vet.

[ppodcor]

Hang in there. If this is from the potato it will take quite a few days/weeks to pull out of it. You really need to find a vet.

Thanks for your assistance. He is doing well pushing water w/ honey. Do we continue this until we see marked improvement?

Should we incorporate some formula back into his diet if he's not physically eating?

How much/when should that get started?

[ppodcor]

Hang in there. If this is from the potato it will take quite a few days/weeks to pull out of it. You really need to find a vet.

Yes. Recommendations for a vet would be great. I am going to call the exotics one you posted when they open tomorrow.

[TomahawkFlyers]

The water/honey is for hydration, of course; however, at this point the primary purpose of the water is to flush the toxins from his body. Do give him all that he will take, and keep at it for a few days. He'll let you know when he's had enough each time. No forcing, and remember: Head down syringe up. Back off just a tiny bit on the honey each day - too much of anything is not good. Just enough to attract him to and make him want to drink the water. ALL of the toxin has to be expelled for a proper recovery. You have a ways to go. Damage has been done to his system - you will likely not see marked improvement until the toxins are gone and the body has had a chance to heal itself.

BTW - "Yes" to the formula. Remember, Henry's has a terrific sheet on proper diet, including things to avoid. The people at Henry's are a gentle, loving bunch. When they use the term "avoid," it really means "Do Not Feed!" :-) https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/

[TomahawkFlyers]

Please see your PM IMMEDIATELY. I have a vet for you. He will see you TONIGHT!

[ppodcor]

The water/honey is for hydration, of course; however, at this point the primary purpose of the water is to flush the toxins from his body. Do give him all that he will take, and keep at it for a few days. He'll let you know when he's had enough each time. No forcing, and remember: Head down syringe up. Back off just a tiny bit on the honey each day - too much of anything is not good. Just enough to attract him to and make him want to drink the water. ALL of the toxin has to be expelled for a proper recovery. You have a ways to go. Damage has been done to his system - you will likely not see marked improvement until the toxins are gone and the body has had a chance to heal itself.

BTW - "Yes" to the formula. Remember, Henry's has a terrific sheet on proper diet, including things to avoid. The people at Henry's are a gentle, loving bunch. When they use the term "avoid," it really means "Do Not Feed!" :-) https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/

Thanks. Hoping he can pull through. He is still just seizing. We set him up in a low plastic box with soft fabric on the bottom for now. Trying to see if he will relax and close his eyes. But no change so far.

We were getting his soft release cage designed for the spring. I feel terrible.

I was making sure to say away from the "toxic" items. I thought potatoes were just high in starch and to keep it to a minimum. I will be for vigilant in the future.