National Flying Squirrel Association Messageboards

DinNorman

Supporting him is all you can do. Keep up the good work.

DinNorman

I think he is pulling/grooming the spot bald, due to some stimulation or irritation. Perhaps the moult started it. Some animals do moult weirdly but that doesnt look like moult. It may self-correctl. Try to notice if he grooms that area incessantly; if he is put some bitter apple (commercially avail...

DinNorman

First guess is low calcium, second guess is a type of epilepsy. Blood test might help. Work on calcium intake and go from there.

DinNorman

Not sure what to make of this or even to give you advice. I think I would just continue support for a while, making sure that she is getting enough calcium. The symptoms could be related to hypocalcemic episodes, or an idiopathic epileptiform condition.

DinNorman

Sound to me, that the anxiety of being out of his cage, is the instigator. Seizures are complex and have a variety of factors that may cause them. Calcium levels may also be involved, so be sure he is properly fed. If it is the anxiety, you can only contol by eliminating the cause, or by anti-seizur...

DinNorman

From the sound of it, she probably ate something that she shouldn't have and has an upset GI tract. If this is the case it may be self limiting with a day or so of diarrhea. Persistent symptoms would make me more worried, and you may need to find a vet. who does exotics. ( I have heard in some state...

DinNorman

Broken bones do not need to be handled as emergencies, so you so have time to react to injuries. Many breaks do heal themselves in 4-6 weeks with no intervention. An Xray will help but dont get anxious about dealing with it.
David

DinNorman

Often it is just habit, self perpetuated irritation. It could also be an indication of an inflammatory process that is not visible. Benadryl MAY help. Other things that we try on dogs and cats would be impossile on a flyer. Give her lots of attention and variety in her environment in case it is a pr...

DinNorman

I concur! If you can get the pepto down her, it will help. If she swallowed something indigestible, she may keep vomiting as long as it stays in the stomach; an Xray may be in order then.

DinNorman

Chocolate can be problematic, but the usual culprit is dark or baking chocolate which contains much more of the substance that can cause symptoms. Sounds like he has weathered this storm and showed you just how devious and sneaky they can be.

DinNorman

It would be a stretch to think he would lose toe(s). It sounds like first and second degree burn/scald. You reacted correctly and hopefully the little bit of cold water helped cool the tissues. I would expect it to heal fine although it could be slowly in the areas of deepest burn. It is possible th...

DinNorman

I would say: head (brain) injury. Keep the nutrition good and time will, or should heal it. Even with permanent brain damage, they can usually compensate and function nearly normal with time.

DinNorman

Surely, flyers can have stand-alone seizures or epileptiform seizures; but first and foremost concerns are those of hypocalcemia (aka MBD). I would try to get him seen by a veterinarian and recieve an injection of a calcium soulution under the skin. This may have to be repeaated several times. Hypoc...

DinNorman

Sounds likely to be dietary. A rehabber who has lots more experience at this, than I, can give you some valuable advice

DinNorman

Mastitis is not that common. Sounds like that is what you are up against, though. Antibiotics should help her out. Topically, will only help after the fact. By mouth or injection will hopefully stop further eruptions. I have seen animals slough some tissue over breast cancers too; so that is an outs...

DinNorman

Sounds like probable fracture. No way to keep a splint on a flyer. Fortunately most fractures will heal themselves, unless the bone ends are not aligned or there is too much movement to allow union. Best advice is to limit his activity the best you can and with some good luck, he will begin using it...

DinNorman

If he allows you to, soak in cold water several times a day. Antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection, can be applied. If the foot is already gangrenous, it won't reverse but it the tissues are still alive, it will get better.

DinNorman

My sincere condolences to you Joan, on losing your long time friend. I wish I had been able to meet Tom, he was such a diverse and interesting man, and shared our love of flyers.

DinNorman

Maple, oak, all fruit trees, and probably a lot more. Doesnt hurt to try different ones; if they are harmful or unpalatable they just wont chew on them. They tend to like the branches best when the sap is pushing out and the leaves are budding or fresh.

DinNorman

It is difficult to offer any soulution, but only to speculate. I have a feeling that the incoordination could be pre-existent to her falling from her nest. On the other hand, if she fell far, a head injury could have resulted, and not become obvious until now. I think that all you can do is give it ...

DinNorman

Eye cloudiness can be one of two things. Cataracts, which is clouding of the lens INSIDE the eye. The other thing is cloudy or opaque cornea which is the outer most window into the eye. Corneal opacitiy can sometimes be treated successfully. True cataracts cannot, other than surgery; Which I have ne...

DinNorman

I put two slabs of flagstone (feels like sandstone); one on each shelf of the cage. The nails get well filed this way and stay short.

DinNorman

My Pearl loses the hair along the tail bone every year..almost the entire length. It is evidently part of her moult as there is no problem associated with it. It will fill back in each fall but by late winter or early spring it thins away..only on the top line of her tail bone.

DinNorman

Should be traveling northwest toward Glacier National Park, then into Canada on whatever road goes to Alaska. This is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities and I hate to miss out but Canada's "no squirrels..no exceptions" policy has thrown a wrench into my plans. I know no HOF's ot...

DinNorman

Has anyone traveled with your flyer through Canada? I am planning to go to Alaska via RV with my two brothers this summer. I was planning on taking Pearl with me, but from what I can find out, it is illegal to import ANY squirrel into Canada...no exceptions. Gerbils are ok, but I hate to risk a clos...

DinNorman

Cataracts occur in the lens which is inside the eye, deeper than the cornea. Changes to the cornea (window into the eye) can look like cataracts to the untrained eye. If the cornea is clouded it can possibly be treated and reversed. If, in fact, it is true cataracts (in the lens), it is probably a p...

DinNorman

Well, I'll be! My question would be: Are the flyers using them? Good idea!

DinNorman

He may never have another seizure; but likely he will. Epileptiform seizures can be very hard on them. Some outgrow them; but others are haunted for a lifetime. I would recommend a veterinary checkup, and use medication if needed. Generally, we start with very low doses and only increase if indicated.

DinNorman

I travel with Pearl a lot; 2-3 weeks at a time, often moving daily. She isnt the happiest camper but she does well, eats well, and comes out of the cage to interact some. The only time I left her home for a week, she was skinny when I returned-I think from not getting her treats each morning as she ...

DinNorman

Gulp, dont know if it will harm but sounds like he is craving something dietary or to gnaw on or both. I have a couple of flagstone pieces on the shelves of Pearl's cage to keep her nails down and it works great. They may be sandstone.

DinNorman

As long as there is skin areas close, the stump will heal fine. If the uncovered stump is protruding well past the skin edges, it may or may not heal itself. The stump sometimes needs to be trimmed back to approximate skin edges; in this case the skin will be closed with sutures by a veterinarian.

DinNorman

Increased appetite and weight gain are typical in the fall. This helps squirrels endure the cold winters in nature. In captive environment, the weight gain tends to stay around, so limiting the food intake and calorie density is good to do. Diabetes secondary to overweight is not that uncommon in fl...

DinNorman

You may want to "rest" the stomach for a few feedings by just feeding pedialyte or something similar. If vomiting ceases, gradually add more and more formula.

DinNorman

The moths go through a larval and pupal stage in the environment (possibly on the floor of the cage or in food container). Over a period of time they emerge from the pupae and appear as flying moths. The moth traps I have tried worked well for the adults. Just remember that you will keep seeing them...

DinNorman

Pearl's was just like that for over 6 months; just now filling in. Moults show huge variations among individuals.

DinNorman

Joan's advice is good. Rest the G.I. tract and allow it to calm down. Next step is to feed bland diet for a day or two...use your judgement. If things get worse especially if no appetite and diarrhea persists, we may be dealing with an infection that will need an antibiotic from a vet. It just depen...

DinNorman

Looks like a malignant tumor from the picture. Removal of the eye and adnexa (associated tissues) could be life saving; but at this stage there is a good chance that it has metastasized.

DinNorman

I think he would benefit from 2-4 feedings of Esbilac daily. He looks pretty young, and still could use the balanced nutrients in the formula. Continue to introduce solids like Cheerios, Oatmeal, fruits and veg's, and pecan bits.

DinNorman

Sounds like an infection. I would recommend you see a vet. and get some antibiotics before thngs get worse.

DinNorman

Just a reminder. Once she starts eating regularly be sure to have her open her own pecans, hickories, etc. to help keep the teeth worn and prevent overgrowth. Doesnt sound like she was doing any of that in the pet store.

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