Squirrel having seizures

[Conker]

Hi everyone,

My squirrel is 3 years old. I suspect he had a head injury when I took him in. His regular diet before his seizures started included broccoli, cauliflower, peas, carrots, Henry’s block, and squash. He eats 4 almonds and 2 berries for snacks

He had his first seizure in December. After that, I changed his diet to Brussels sprouts, edamame, Henry’s block, sugar snap peas, squash, and romaine lettuce. I have since removed the edamame.

I've contacted all the vets in my area, but wildlife laws prevent them from seeing him. I'm worried about reaching out to the wrong person and risking him being taken away. If someone can save him, that's fine, but I’d prefer for him to remain my pet.

His seizures have varied in frequency, sometimes happening once a month, every two weeks, or even a few times within a few days.

I’m looking for advice on what might be causing this or any possible solutions. Any help is appreciated!

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hi everyone,

My squirrel is 3 years old. I suspect he had a head injury when I took him in. His regular diet before his seizures started included broccoli, cauliflower, peas, carrots, Henry’s block, and squash. He eats 4 almonds and 2 berries for snacks

He had his first seizure in December. After that, I changed his diet to Brussels sprouts, edamame, Henry’s block, sugar snap peas, squash, and romaine lettuce. I have since removed the edamame.

I've contacted all the vets in my area, but wildlife laws prevent them from seeing him. I'm worried about reaching out to the wrong person and risking him being taken away. If someone can save him, that's fine, but I’d prefer for him to remain my pet.

His seizures have varied in frequency, sometimes happening once a month, every two weeks, or even a few times within a few days.

I’m looking for advice on what might be causing this or any possible solutions. Any help is appreciated!

Hi Conker and welcome to The Squirrel Board! Thank you for your care and love of this Squirrel! What is your Squirrel's name? What species of Squirrel do you have? What does your Squirrel weigh? For dosing medication and supplemental Calcium, an accurate weight obtained from a digital scale expressed in grams is essential!

Seizures are very frightening and are very serious! Why do you suspect that he had a head injury when you took him in? A head injury could certainly lead to seizures but there are other potential causes and one of the most common and most likely to occur in a captive (pet) Squirrel is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)! MBD is far more than a bone problem; it is severe nutritional disorder and assuming that your Squirrel's seizures are a result of MBD; it now an Emergency! MBD is an overall deficiency in Calcium and the bones which normally contain over 99% of an animal's Calcium are "robbed" of calcium and fractures can more easily occur. Calcium is also used by cells everywhere in the body and loss of appetite, weakness or paralysis or seizures are common signs of MBD! MBD results from insufficient Calcium, excessive Phosphorus or what usually in the case; elements of both!

It is also necessary to discontinue feeding all nuts, fruits and treats (yes, for a Captive Squirrel; nuts and fruits are treats and their use can easily lead to development of MBD!

Would you please describe the seizures in detail and their duration? Does it seem that the entire Squirrel is shaking or certain parts or what exactly seems to be going on. Does the Squirrel seem to able to interact with you or during the "seizure" or does he appear unaware of what is going on. Dose he defecate and/or urinate while he is having a seizure?

If this is generalized (involving most or all of the body and involving both sides) your Squirrel will lose all protective reflexes and must NOT be given anything to eat or drink during the seizure as aspiration (food or fluids entering the lungs) is very likely to occur!

Yes, there certainly is a possibility of your Squirrel having sustained ahead injury that lead to seizures or your Squirrel may have another form of seizure disorder that might be considered epilepsy BUT these will require treatment with anticonvulsant medications. Despite what you may have read; there are NO over-the-counter anticonvulsant medication and there are NO so-called natural anticonvulsant medications although there are some supplements that might be useful in conjunction with a true pharmacologic treatment regimen. Although it is far more unlikely to be able to find a friend or family member who has anticonvulsant medication available; it would be worth talking to friends or family about this BUT you must be very careful because if the "wrong" person hears about your Squirrel, you may be reported to authorities!

Again, the probabilities are far in favor of MBD! I have pasted a link to a page on Henry's Pets website that provides very concise information about MBD. Please read this short page now!

https://www.henryspets.com/what-is-m...-bone-disease/

Here is a link to another page on Henry's Website that describes an Emergency Treatment for MBD and I would strongly recommend that you begin this treatment IMMEDIATELY!

https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/

The Treatment for MBD is harmless if later it is determined that your Squirrel did not have MBD but it can literally be life saving if your Squirrel does have MBD!

It is good that you have Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHBs) as these are highly concentrated nutritional sources and will be an excellent maintenance source of Calcium! Your Squirrel will also need a Supplemental (extra) source of Calcium to begin replenishing lost Calcium! Henry's recommends utilizing Tums (calcium carbonate tablets) as an immediate supplement of Calcium. In the USA, Calcium carbonate tablets do NOT have Vitamin D. I do not know about those in Canada but it it important that the Calcium Carbonate Tablets do NOT contain Vitamin D! These tablets should be pure calcium carbonate and should NOT contain other minerals, vitamins or other "stuff!"

Please post a photo of the label of the Tums or Calcium Carbonate Tablets that you have or obtain as it can be confusing because sometimes the calcium content is expressed in elemental calcium and sometimes as calcium carbonate. To illustrate the issue; Calcium Carbonate contains only 40% elemental calcium!

I apologize for you not receiving a response until now! I wish the best for your Squirrel and for you! Please provide updates!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Conker]

his name is conker, he's an eastern grey, i suspect it was a head injury because he was running in a circle outside (he was normal before) and always had a bit of a tilt after that. his whole body shakes like hes running and springs around, i have seen him unrinate during an episode, i don't think he's aware or in control, hes usually very tired after and goes to sleep . i will try to get a photo of some tums we have and get his weight

[Charley Chuckles]

First I love the name Conker, my Conker left me one and a half years ago but he was 13 had a great run.

I've had two seizure squirrels, my Little Girl had them she had a head injury nest fell from tree. She lived for 7 years. She would make a dolphin noise when she would go into a seizure. My vet at the time had me use calcium glubinate (not sure of spelling) it's hard to find anymore in fact the last I bought it it came from Canada. I also used molasses I use a syringe and just a few drops on their lips, NOT DOWN MOUTH and it brought her out of a seizure quickly. However I know the idea is to try to prevent seizures.
Now I have a squirrel who would get very bad seizures she has been on phenobarbital she is around 11 years several years ago I started cutting back on the phenobarbital and started adding CBD oil with the pheno it's worked great I truly believe I could eliminate the pheno all together and just give the CBD oil but hate risking it. Very seldom she'll have a breakthrough seizure which is always mild when that happens I go back to the calcium glubinate. I believe adding the calcium helps.

I hope this may be of some help for your Conker 🙏

[Conker]

First I love the name Conker, my Conker left me one and a half years ago but he was 13 had a great run.

I've had two seizure squirrels, my Little Girl had them she had a head injury nest fell from tree. She lived for 7 years. She would make a dolphin noise when she would go into a seizure. My vet at the time had me use calcium glubinate (not sure of spelling) it's hard to find anymore in fact the last I bought it it came from Canada. I also used molasses I use a syringe and just a few drops on their lips, NOT DOWN MOUTH and it brought her out of a seizure quickly. However I know the idea is to try to prevent seizures.
Now I have a squirrel who would get very bad seizures she has been on phenobarbital she is around 11 years several years ago I started cutting back on the phenobarbital and started adding CBD oil with the pheno it's worked great I truly believe I could eliminate the pheno all together and just give the CBD oil but hate risking it. Very seldom she'll have a breakthrough seizure which is always mild when that happens I go back to the calcium glubinate. I believe adding the calcium helps.

I hope this may be of some help for your Conker 🙏

Thank you for your time and information 🙏

[Conker]

Hi Conker and welcome to The Squirrel Board! Thank you for your care and love of this Squirrel! What is your Squirrel's name? What species of Squirrel do you have? What does your Squirrel weigh? For dosing medication and supplemental Calcium, an accurate weight obtained from a digital scale expressed in grams is essential!

Seizures are very frightening and are very serious! Why do you suspect that he had a head injury when you took him in? A head injury could certainly lead to seizures but there are other potential causes and one of the most common and most likely to occur in a captive (pet) Squirrel is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)! MBD is far more than a bone problem; it is
severe nutritional disorder and assuming that your Squirrel's seizures are a result of MBD; it now an Emergency! MBD is an overall deficiency in Calcium and the bones which normally contain over 99% of an animal's Calcium are "robbed" of calcium and fractures can more easily occur. Calcium is also used by cells everywhere in the body and loss of appetite, weakness or paralysis or seizures are common signs of MBD! MBD results from insufficient Calcium, excessive Phosphorus or what usually in the case; elements of both!

It is also necessary to discontinue feeding all nuts, fruits and treats (yes, for a Captive Squirrel; nuts and fruits are treats and their use can easily lead to development of MBD!

Would you please describe the seizures in detail and their duration? Does it seem that the entire Squirrel is shaking or certain parts or what exactly seems to be going on. Does the Squirrel seem to able to interact with you or during the "seizure" or does he appear unaware of what is going on. Dose he defecate and/or urinate while he is having a seizure?

If this is generalized (involving most or all of the body and involving both sides) your Squirrel will lose all protective reflexes and must NOT be given anything to eat or drink during the seizure as aspiration (food or fluids entering the lungs) is very likely to occur!

Yes, there certainly is a possibility of your Squirrel having sustained ahead injury that lead to seizures or your Squirrel may have another form of seizure disorder that might be considered epilepsy BUT these will require treatment with anticonvulsant medications. Despite what you may have read; there are NO over-the-counter anticonvulsant medication and there are NO so-called natural anticonvulsant medications although there are some supplements that might be useful in conjunction with a true pharmacologic treatment regimen. Although it is far more unlikely to be able to find a friend or family member who has anticonvulsant medication available; it would be worth talking to friends or family about this BUT you must be very careful because if the "wrong" person hears about your Squirrel, you may be reported to authorities!

Again, the probabilities are far in favor of MBD! I have pasted a link to a page on Henry's Pets website that provides very concise information about MBD. Please read this short page now!

https://www.henryspets.com/what-is-m...-bone-disease/

Here is a link to another page on Henry's Website that describes an Emergency Treatment for MBD and I would strongly recommend that you begin this treatment IMMEDIATELY!

https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/

The Treatment for MBD is harmless if later it is determined that your Squirrel did not have MBD but it can literally be life saving if your Squirrel does have MBD!

It is good that you have Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHBs) as these are highly concentrated nutritional sources and will be an excellent maintenance source of Calcium! Your Squirrel will also need a Supplemental (extra) source of Calcium to begin replenishing lost Calcium! Henry's recommends utilizing Tums (calcium carbonate tablets) as an immediate supplement of Calcium. In the USA, Calcium carbonate tablets do NOT have Vitamin D. I do not know about those in Canada but it it important that the Calcium Carbonate Tablets do NOT contain Vitamin D! These tablets should be pure calcium carbonate and should NOT contain other minerals, vitamins or other "stuff!"

Please post a photo of the label of the Tums or Calcium Carbonate Tablets that you have or obtain as it can be confusing because sometimes the calcium content is expressed in elemental calcium and sometimes as calcium carbonate. To illustrate the issue; Calcium Carbonate contains only 40% elemental calcium!

I apologize for you not receiving a response until now! I wish the best for your Squirrel and for you! Please provide updates!
Regards,
Samthe

[/QUOTE]Squirrel[/QUOTE]




I picked up some new calcium tablets

The photo seems to have a hard time uploading but it's elemental calcium (carbonate) 500mg
Derived from 1300mg of calcium carbonate from oyster shells

Non medical ingredients are cellulose, coating ( carbohydrate gum, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, carnauba wax, mineral oil, polysorbate 80), crospovidone, mineral oil, magnesium stearate, carbohydrate gum, stearic acid


Please forgive my learning curve with posting here. We appreciate your time effort and responses

I've been having trouble weighing him, my scale is quite small even for a squirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

his name is conker, he's an eastern grey, i suspect it was a head injury because he was running in a circle outside (he was normal before) and always had a bit of a tilt after that. his whole body shakes like hes running and springs around, i have seen him unrinate during an episode, i don't think he's aware or in control, hes usually very tired after and goes to sleep . i will try to get a photo of some tums we have and get his weight

Thanks for this update Conker the Human and hello Conker the Squirrel! Again, you may be correct about the head injury or some other condition that has essentially resulted in Conker having epilepsy BUT it would, IMHO; be best regardless for Conker to have his diet best aligned with what would be optimal for a captive Squirrel and while at that; to provide some Supplemental (extra) Calcium along with a defined amount of Maintenance (everyday forever) Calcium. Doing so would serve two purposes, the first of course would be to optimize Conker's diet to ensure ideal nutritional support while helping to prevent MBD and the second, utilizing Supplemental Calcium would be to treat what may be currently existing MBD!

Utilizing HHBs for basic nutritional support, especially if appetite is depressed as it often is with MBD; is truly ideal! Two HHBs contains all the required and recommended nutritional components including full Maintenance Calcium. It is a plus that Conker apparently already eats these readily! Two HHBs contain approximately 250mg of Elemental Calcium (the label states 275mg) which should supply ALL of Conker's Maintenance Calcium! My Humble Non-Vet Opinion would be at this juncture; to provide Supplemental Calcium as well with the possibility that Conker's seizures are secondary to or provoked by elements of MBD! If you have read Henry's Treatment Protocol for MBD, you will have noticed that Supplemental Calcium along with Maintenance Calcium is essential for ensuring eventual resolution of MBD! If you gave Conker one additional HHB each day (three HHBs per day should be the maximum); Conker would get an additional 125-135mg of Elemental Calcium. I do not yet know what Conker's weight is and we really don't have specific calculations for determining the ideal Supplemental Calcium to use initially but I will give you my thoughts on this and I believe this is how Henry's looked at this as well! The "average" Gray Squirrel would require around 200-250mg of Elemental Calcium daily (I would opt closer to 250). This is based upon the recommendations of the article entitled Nutrient Requirements for Laboratory Animals (the Rat Chapter) from 1993. Henry's states on there Blocks label that they use this Guide to formulate their Blocks! For Supplementation, at least initially, the assumption can be made that we should provide an additional daily dose of Supplemental (EXTRA) Elemental Calcium equal to the Maintenance Calcium. This Supplemental should be divided into 4 servings given to Conker throughout the day!

If Conker would consume the entirety (or nearly so) of three HHBs each day, all that would be necessary would be to provide an additional 125mg (or so) of Supplemental Calcium as Conker would be getting all of his Maintenance Calcium from two HHBs and the third would provide half of his around 250mg of necessary Supplemental Calcium; leaving only 125mg to be supplied from Tums or preferably a pure Calcium Carbonate source withOUT Vitamin D. Such a source is available from Henry's as well!

Incidentally, HHBs contain an optimal amount of Magnesium. The reason I mention this component specifically is that low Magnesium has been implicated as a cause of some seizure activity! The reverse has not yet been shown to be true so giving adequate Magnesium will NOT necessarily be a treatment for Conker's seizure but it may help and certainly will not hurt!

The Calcium Carbonate tables that you have contain 1000mg of Calcium Carbonate which contain 400mg of Elemental Calcium! So one table alone would provide 4/5 (400mg of the 500mg total) of Conker's Maintenance Calcium plus his initial daily dosing of Supplemental Calcium! I would suggest that you break one the Tums tablets into 4 pieces and give one now and then one of the remaining pieces every 3 hours until gone. If you can talk Conker into consuming three HHBs per day; I would suggest breaking one of your Tums tablets in three pieces. Each of these will provide the additional Calcium needed beyond what the three HHBs are provided. You would then grind up ONE of these thirds and mix it with water, some formula or baby food (or whatever) and give an equal portion of this ONE THIRD Tablet 4 times daily.

Also, HHBs should be kept in the freezer until needed and what I would suggest is that the day before, you pull out three HHBs from the bag in the freezer and keep these three blocks in the refrigerator until placed in Conker's enclosure. All remnants of HHBs should be removed by the end of each day and look for stashes as well! HHBs have no preservatives and will spoil quickly!

Conker can also have other quality Blocks such a Teklad 2018 or Mazuri Rat and Mouse Diet once he consumes his HHBs! These can be free-fed (Conker can have as many as he wants)! For now, I would suggest completely eliminating nuts, fruits and other treats or "extras" to help maximize his Calcium utilization. Again, in order to prevent (always) or treat MBD; calcium "robbing" food such as nuts and most treats will work against treatment of MBD.

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Conker]

Thanks for this update Conker the Human and hello Conker the Squirrel! Again, you may be correct about the head injury or some other condition that has essentially resulted in Conker having epilepsy BUT it would, IMHO; be best regardless for Conker to have his diet best aligned with what would be optimal for a captive Squirrel and while at that; to provide some Supplemental (extra) Calcium along with a defined amount of Maintenance (everyday forever) Calcium. Doing so would serve two purposes, the first of course would be to optimize Conker's diet to ensure ideal nutritional support while helping to prevent MBD and the second, utilizing Supplemental Calcium would be to treat what may be currently existing MBD!

Utilizing HHBs for basic nutritional support, especially if appetite is depressed as it often is with MBD; is truly ideal! Two HHBs contains all the required and recommended nutritional components including full Maintenance Calcium. It is a plus that Conker apparently already eats these readily! Two HHBs contain approximately 250mg of Elemental Calcium (the label states 275mg) which should supply ALL of Conker's Maintenance Calcium! My Humble Non-Vet Opinion would be at this juncture; to provide Supplemental Calcium as well with the possibility that Conker's seizures are secondary to or provoked by elements of MBD! If you have read Henry's Treatment Protocol for MBD, you will have noticed that Supplemental Calcium along with Maintenance Calcium is essential for ensuring eventual resolution of MBD! If you gave Conker one additional HHB each day (three HHBs per day should be the maximum); Conker would get an additional 125-135mg of Elemental Calcium. I do not yet know what Conker's weight is and we really don't have specific calculations for determining the ideal Supplemental Calcium to use initially but I will give you my thoughts on this and I believe this is how Henry's looked at this as well! The "average" Gray Squirrel would require around 200-250mg of Elemental Calcium daily (I would opt closer to 250). This is based upon the recommendations of the article entitled Nutrient Requirements for Laboratory Animals (the Rat Chapter) from 1993. Henry's states on there Blocks label that they use this Guide to formulate their Blocks! For Supplementation, at least initially, the assumption can be made that we should provide an additional daily dose of Supplemental (EXTRA) Elemental Calcium equal to the Maintenance Calcium. This Supplemental should be divided into 4 servings given to Conker throughout the day!

If Conker would consume the entirety (or nearly so) of three HHBs each day, all that would be necessary would be to provide an additional 125mg (or so) of Supplemental Calcium as Conker would be getting all of his Maintenance Calcium from two HHBs and the third would provide half of his around 250mg of necessary Supplemental Calcium; leaving only 125mg to be supplied from Tums or preferably a pure Calcium Carbonate source withOUT Vitamin D. Such a source is available from Henry's as well!

Incidentally, HHBs contain an optimal amount of Magnesium. The reason I mention this component specifically is that low Magnesium has been implicated as a cause of some seizure activity! The reverse has not yet been shown to be true so giving adequate Magnesium will NOT necessarily be a treatment for Conker's seizure but it may help and certainly will not hurt!

The Calcium Carbonate tables that you have contain 1000mg of Calcium Carbonate which contain 400mg of Elemental Calcium! So one table alone would provide 4/5 (400mg of the 500mg total) of Conker's Maintenance Calcium plus his initial daily dosing of Supplemental Calcium! I would suggest that you break one the Tums tablets into 4 pieces and give one now and then one of the remaining pieces every 3 hours until gone. If you can talk Conker into consuming three HHBs per day; I would suggest breaking one of your Tums tablets in three pieces. Each of these will provide the additional Calcium needed beyond what the three HHBs are provided. You would then grind up ONE of these thirds and mix it with water, some formula or baby food (or whatever) and give an equal portion of this ONE THIRD Tablet 4 times daily.

Also, HHBs should be kept in the freezer until needed and what I would suggest is that the day before, you pull out three HHBs from the bag in the freezer and keep these three blocks in the refrigerator until placed in Conker's enclosure. All remnants of HHBs should be removed by the end of each day and look for stashes as well! HHBs have no preservatives and will spoil quickly!

Conker can also have other quality Blocks such a Teklad 2018 or Mazuri Rat and Mouse Diet once he consumes his HHBs! These can be free-fed (Conker can have as many as he wants)! For now, I would suggest completely eliminating nuts, fruits and other treats or "extras" to help maximize his Calcium utilization. Again, in order to prevent (always) or treat MBD; calcium "robbing" food such as nuts and most treats will work against treatment of MBD.

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

He generally already eats 2/3 blocks a day, he does shred them a bit but he does eat a good majority of them.

For the rest of his diet I can remove the fruit and nuts, is there an example of a good diet I can provide? Or are the things I'm feeding him currently alright? Red cabbage Lettuce, brussel sprouts, a squash, and few peas

I'll give some of the tablet now that he's up

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

The Calcium Carbonate tables that you have contain 1000mg of Calcium Carbonate which contain 400mg of Elemental Calcium! So one table alone would provide 4/5 (400mg of the 500mg total) of Conker's Maintenance Calcium plus his initial daily dosing of Supplemental Calcium! I would suggest that you break one the Tums tablets into 4 pieces and give one now and then one of the remaining pieces every 3 hours until gone. If you can talk Conker into consuming three HHBs per day; I would suggest breaking one of your Tums tablets in three pieces. Each of these will provide the additional Calcium needed beyond what the three HHBs are provided. You would then grind up ONE of these thirds and mix it with water, some formula or baby food (or whatever) and give an equal portion of this ONE THIRD Tablet 4 times daily.

Hi Conker; I just saw your "new" Preparation of Calcium Carbonate and with this; one tablet will provide 500mg of Elemental Calcium so to get the additional supplemental Calcium beyond three HHBs, you would need to break the tablet into four nearly pieces or simple crush one tablet and divide into four nearly equal "piles" of powder. IF Conker is only consuming 2 HHBs rather than three; you would supplement 1/2 of a "new" tablet (250mg of Elemental Calcium) and you then divide this half tablet into 4 servings to be given throughout the day (every 3 hours or so). The important consideration would be to AVOID giving a the Supplemental Calcium one or two large doses as much of it could possibly be passed in the stool without being absorbed!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Conker]

Hi Conker; I just saw your "new" Preparation of Calcium Carbonate and with this; one tablet will provide 500mg of Elemental Calcium so to get the additional supplemental Calcium beyond three HHBs, you would need to break the tablet into four nearly pieces or simple crush one tablet and divide into four nearly equal "piles" of powder. IF Conker is only consuming 2 HHBs rather than three; you would supplement 1/2 of a "new" tablet (250mg of Elemental Calcium) and you then divide this half tablet into 4 servings to be given throughout the day (every 3 hours or so). The important consideration would be to AVOID giving a the Supplemental Calcium one or two large doses as much of it could possibly be passed in the stool without being absorbed!
Regards,

SamtheSquirrel

Just started his first dose. Thank you for all your help
Would it be alright to message in the future for other concerns? Should I still ask around for anti convulsant

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

He generally already eats 2/3 blocks a day, he does shred them a bit but he does eat a good majority of them.

For the rest of his diet I can remove the fruit and nuts, is there an example of a good diet I can provide? Or are the things I'm feeding him currently alright? Red cabbage Lettuce, brussel sprouts, a squash, and few peas

I'll give some of the tablet now that he's up

Hi Conker:
Right now with the seizure activity and the possibility of MBD, I would simply eliminate all foods other than HHBs and after those are consumed; I would recommend using other Quality Blocks such as the Teklad 2018 or Mazuri Rat and Mouse Diet mentioned in my other post! The Mazuri is available at most pet stores including PetSmart and PetCo. The Teklad blocks are not usually available locally except possibly at a Feed Store in very large amounts. I use Teklad 2018 Blocks as a base for Blocks that I make and I have obtained them for many years in smaller amounts from an eBay seller named EcoSandy. Here is a link to he page on eBay but I would suggest just going to a pet store and getting the Mazuri Blocks as it will take a week at least to receive the Teklad blocks from EcoSandy!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/33559954224...Bk9SR7zZ8-TAZQ

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Just started his first dose. Thank you for all your help
Would it be alright to message in the future for other concerns? Should I still ask around for anti convulsant

Yes! BUT as I mentioned, you must be very careful and word things so that you do NOT put Conker at risk for being confiscated or euthanized!!!!
StS

[Conker]

First I love the name Conker, my Conker left me one and a half years ago but he was 13 had a great run.

I've had two seizure squirrels, my Little Girl had them she had a head injury nest fell from tree. She lived for 7 years. She would make a dolphin noise when she would go into a seizure. My vet at the time had me use calcium glubinate (not sure of spelling) it's hard to find anymore in fact the last I bought it it came from Canada. I also used molasses I use a syringe and just a few drops on their lips, NOT DOWN MOUTH and it brought her out of a seizure quickly. However I know the idea is to try to prevent seizures.
Now I have a squirrel who would get very bad seizures she has been on phenobarbital she is around 11 years several years ago I started cutting back on the phenobarbital and started adding CBD oil with the pheno it's worked great I truly believe I could eliminate the pheno all together and just give the CBD oil but hate risking it. Very seldom she'll have a breakthrough seizure which is always mild when that happens I go back to the calcium glubinate. I believe adding the calcium helps.

I hope this may be of some help for your Conker 🙏

I haven't found any vets in my area that will see him, do you know of some ways to acquire phenobarbital? I will be asking friends and family, obviously won't just start randomly giving it to him but would like to have it on hand or accessable if I need it

[Conker]

Yes! BUT as I mentioned, you must be very careful and word things so that you do NOT put Conker at risk for being confiscated or euthanized!!!!
StS

Would wildlife rehabbers be safe to contact/have access to anti convulsants? or are they likely to put him at risk

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Would wildlife rehabbers be safe to contact/have access to anti convulsants? or are they likely to put him at risk

I would be very careful about pursuing that option as it will be a "crap-shoot" at the very best! To use a Star-Trek term, the "Prime directive" of a rehabber is eventual release! A Squirrel with a seizure disorder can NEVER be release as a wild functional Squirrel and this will usually lead to euthanasia or simply a Hard Release (where the Squirrel is simply let out in the wild without any acclimation) as food for other wildlife! I would NOT recommend bringing Conker to a Rehabber regardless of what they might say and I would not provide any identifying information to a Wildlife Center or Rehabber! I will check on TSB for possible options for you!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Charley Chuckles]

https://cbdeaseoil.com/product-categ...MjkwNS4wLjAuMA..

NOT SURE IF THIS IS CLOSE TO YOU BUT I USE THE DOG/PET CBD OIL DAILY. I HAVE PEANUT BUTTER FLAVORED I USE TO USE A DIFFERENT FLAVOR, I'VE TRIED IT ITS YUMMY.
I'D START WITH A COUPLE DROPS ON A HHB ONCE OR TWICE A DAY, GO FROM THERE. IT DOESN'T MAKE THEM STONED 😁
If you decide to go this route 👍

[Conker]

https://cbdeaseoil.com/product-categ...MjkwNS4wLjAuMA..

NOT SURE IF THIS IS CLOSE TO YOU BUT I USE THE DOG/PET CBD OIL DAILY. I HAVE PEANUT BUTTER FLAVORED I USE TO USE A DIFFERENT FLAVOR, I'VE TRIED IT ITS YUMMY.
I'D START WITH A COUPLE DROPS ON A HHB ONCE OR TWICE A DAY, GO FROM THERE. IT DOESN'T MAKE THEM STONED 😁
If you decide to go this route 👍

What strength do you get? And does that matter?

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

How is Conker doing?
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Charley Chuckles]

What strength do you get? And does that matter?

Just looked at my bottle it doesn't say the strength 🤷 it's for pets but I have used regular CBD.
I just do a few drops like 3 to 5 but you might start out with 2 or 3 see how it goes 👍