Help! Squirrel is Lethargic

[hellohoneydew]

Please help!

My fox squirrel, Bean (nearly 4 months), has been lethargic today with some lack of appetite. The only thing he wants is fruit. I have offered HHB and HPB but he only nibbles at them and drops them.

His usual diet consists of:

Henry’s Squirrel Block (2-3 a day)
Brussel sprouts
Chayote
Cabbage (green and red)
Squash
Zucchini
Blueberries (one a day)
Cranberries (two a day)
Almonds (two a day)

With his almonds and fruits I usually add Henry’s calcium powder to coat them.

Right now, when I pick him up, all he wants are cuddles. He just wants to sleep, which isn’t like him. He is usually pretty active and playful. This change literally happened overnight. Usually he greets me in the mornings, but today he couldn’t get out of his nest.

He also has slightly runny stools. They’re still holding their shape, but they’re not the usual pellet shape.

If anyone has any insight to what this could be, please let me know.

Thank you!

[Charley Chuckles]

[Mel1959]

Do you see your squirrel actually eat the blocks? Have you checked his cage and sleeping area for stashed blocks and other foods? When you hold him up to your ear like a phone do you hear any wheezing, clicking or crackling with his breathing? Is he getting around ok? No hind end paralysis?

My concern would be MBD, if you don’t hear any abnormal breathing. I’d hold off on the almonds for a while. You can always begin the emergency MBD treatment as it won’t hurt him if it’s not MBD. The Henry’s Pets website has the MBD treatment protocol.

I hope others will see this and comment.

[RamiS]

Agree with Mel. I would also see if he is going to the bathroom normally, does it look normal? whats his water intake like? any bloating? and yes 100% hold off the nuts and check if he is hiding his HHB instead of eating it, wish a quick recovery for your boy.

[supersquirrelgirl]

At ~4 months old, hydration is dish not syringe. At mentioned above, look for spoiled food item and clean out any stash. For completeness, check for breathing noises like suggested. Any aspiration events ??

Post update soon......

[hellohoneydew]

Thank you for all replies.

I’ve always seen him eat his squirrel block. He’s usually pretty good about it. There are times he leaves small ends, but it isn’t often.

Right now his stool is soft, but not completely loose. It’s dark brown in color.

As of now, he has stopped eating. He is nibbling here and there but remains uninterested. He also is even more lethargic, but had moments where he is moving around.

He doesn’t have hind leg weakness and is able stand. He also doesn’t have any clicking or rasping sounds as he is breathing. I keep holding him up to my ear and checking.

I have a reptile uva/uvb bulb on him because he is wanting warmth.

These symptoms literally started overnight . The night before last he was playing and perfectly fine.

I’m going to attempt to force down some water and tums.

[supersquirrelgirl]

Any update ??

[hellohoneydew]

Any update ??

Hello!

Yes, update!

Bean is back to being himself as of yesterday evening. I started him on Cipro as a precaution, and by the 2nd dose he has made a full recovery. I’m thinking he probably had a UTI.

Thank you for checking on him! I appreciate your help!

[supersquirrelgirl]

Hello!

Yes, update!

Bean is back to being himself as of yesterday evening. I started him on Cipro as a precaution, and by the 2nd dose he has made a full recovery. I’m thinking he probably had a UTI.

Thank you for checking on him! I appreciate your help!

Good to hear that Bean is back to himself but speaking frankly, 2 doses of cipro clearing-up an UTI is too quick. I still wonder if he had something else going on ??

Thank for the update.

Mr.SSG

[hellohoneydew]

Good to hear that Bean is back to himself but speaking frankly, 2 doses of cipro clearing-up an UTI is too quick. I still wonder if he had something else going on ??

Thank for the update.

Mr.SSG

At this point, it is a possibility. I don’t know what it was. He’s back to eating and being active. His droppings are also normal “pellets” now. But I’m going to keep him on the Cipro for the next couple of days and will keep an eye on him.

I’m praying his symptoms won’t come back.

If anyone has any information about what else it could’ve possibly been, I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

[supersquirrelgirl]

My initial thought was spoiled food from a stash.....ie, food poisoning. Sounds like it passed and possibly the AB cipro helped ??

I'm a fan of using AB as last resort to prevent resistance.

In any case, Bean is feeling good and back to normal.

P.S. Cipro taste real yukky so how do you administer it ??

Thanks!!

[hellohoneydew]

My initial thought was spoiled food from a stash.....ie, food poisoning. Sounds like it passed and possibly the AB cipro helped ??

I'm a fan of using AB as last resort to prevent resistance.

In any case, Bean is feeling good and back to normal.

P.S. Cipro taste real yukky so how do you administer it ??

Thanks!!

So for Cirpo I put it on a slice of his favorite treat: grapes. I cut the grape in half and then dipped the middle in the measured powder. He ate it without any issues.

If not I would be fighting with him lol.