12 week old squirrel randomly lethargic and bloody stool

[lillie]

i posted this under a different forum as well i just want to get as much help as possible


so ive been taking care of this baby squirrel like i have before dozens of times and hes been doing really good hes pretty much weaned and eating very good and within the last eightish hours hes became i little lethargic and has blood coming from his bottom but he still has an appetite and was acting completely normal this morning i don't think its a diet issue because he still is getting his milk and plenty of water hes also loves his rodent blocks and the rest of his diet but im very concerned hes been a very dramatic squirrel since ive got him i believe its a neurological issue like one time he was drinking and got his front legs wet and refused to use them until i got him on a heating pad and dryed them off and eailer he stopped using his back legs while l was checking his bottom but then 1 minutes later he was climbing around his cage so im pretty positive hes non releasable im hoping hes okay and its a small injury but im not sure so i need some help

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Lillie,

What kind of milk and rodent block are you feeding your squirrel? Specifically, what brand and type? You also mention not using back legs all the time. Does this happen often? Do the legs just go limp?

Jamie

[lillie]

so for formula ive been giving him fox valley and for his blocks i get squirrel complete from exotic nutrition and i mix in some veggies as for his legs its not that they stop working its that he chooses to stop using them like the first time he stepped in his water so he held his front legs close to him and just scooted around like he didnt even have them and today it was his right back leg he held it up and stoped using it but once i left him alone he was climbing normally and these are the only times ive noticed it about thirty minutes ago he was climbing around eating but still has blood on his bottom

[lillie]

update Just checked on him again; no signs of any blood and very active. Still concerned, though, because he was acting strange before. I'm thinking he might have over groomed himself and licked himself raw, causing some bleeding, which is why he was so sensitive, When I was looking earlier, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case because he's been very particular and hates to use the restroom in his cage. He always likes to go whenever I let him out, and then he'll wipe himself after using the restroom or eating. I think it's a sensory thing because he loves to go on my cat's scratching pad and rub his entire body on the carpeted part.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Thanks for the answers, Lillie. I have two suggestions for you. First, if you are feeding Fox Valley 32/40, please stop and switch it out for 20/50. The 32/40 does have a history of causing serious digestive difficulties in younger squirrels. Digestive difficulties can keep important nutrients from making it into the squirrel's system and result in malnutrition and MBD. If you are feeding 20/50, good! Keep on keepin' on. Second, for a long and healthy life free from medical issues and crises, a diet of excellent food of the proper type and in the right quantities and proportions is critical. It is my strong belief and that of several of us that Exotic Nutrition food products do not do the best job of meeting these requirements. Please consider switching to Henry's Healthy Blocks in conjunction with supplemental foods found on the healthy foods pyramid found here: https://henryspets.com/healthy-diet-for-pet-squirrels/ Print this out and tape it to your fridge. If you're wondering whether a particular food is safe, if it is not on the list, don't feed it.

Pam and I feed a lot of squirrels every day - some wild and some not. Getting Henry's blocks premade for this many squirrels is pretty pricey for us. Instead, we buy their pre-mixed vitamins and their protein powder and use them to bake our own blocks. Same premium and tasty food at a price we can afford. Frankly, our squirrels are probably healthier than we are. If you'd like the recipe, let me know and I'll put it up for you. Good alternatives include Mazuri Rodent and Mouse Blocks" https://mazuri.com/products/mazuri-rat-mouse-diets and Harlan Teklad (now Envigo) 2014 or 2018. 2018 for growth, 2014 if your squirrel is getting a little chunky: https://www.amazon.com/ENVIGO-Harlan...35177858&psc=1

A good rule of thumb: If it comes in a bag that says "Squirrel Food," it isn't. Anything that looks like bird seed or bird seed mixed with dried fruits, nuts, insects, and or sunflower seeds will make your squirrel sickly and lethargic, dramatically shorten its life, and might very well lead to MBD and premature death. I do hope this helps to get you on the road to a long and happy life with your squirrel. Questions? Ask away!

By the way, can you please post a clear closeup photo of the area that has been groomed to the point of bleeding? A picture with the fur pushed up and away from the skin so the irritated skin is clearly visible will be helpful as we look to see what is causing this issue. Out of curiosity, is your cat strictly an indoor cat? Does it sometimes go outside? Is it ever exposed to animals from outside? Does it scratch itself a lot? Are there bald or raw spots? Does any other animal come in contact with the scratching post?

Also, a picture of the squirrel's poop will be of help. I assume it is peeing regularly and the pee is not darker than dark amber?

Jamie

[lillie]

I just want to say thank you so much for the information. I really appreciate it, and I would love to know the recipe for your rodent blocks. I order food for my pig and other exotics through Mazuri, so if those are just as good, I can switch to them ASAP, and I have been using the 20/50 for a while now. After I heard the news about the 32/40, I just got the exotic nutrition one for him since I have used them for my sugar gliders for their HPW and calcium, but I had no idea about the squirrel food not being good, as this is the first time I've had to keep a baby, and for my cat, she's strictly indoor, takes flea and tick meds, and has a great coat, as well as my dog, who never comes in my room anyways, and the cat hasn't been in my room since I put him in his larger setup. He also came with a healthy coat since the people who found him brought him to my local vet clinic immediately. I'm going to get some photos right now and see if there are any visible spots on him.

[lillie]

[lillie]

so as for the poop it looks good but had a bloodish residue on it but not in it i know those photo arnt the best but he did not enjoy being restrained like that and didnt want to cause him anymore stress i think the dark spot on the left side is where the blood was coming from normally his bottom is much more clean then that the dried blood is making his fur clump together and yes his pee is healthy and clear