Seymore's Seizures

Watching a baby squirrel develop into an adult is similar to watching a video of your child grow up that's run in fast forward. One day the squirrel is a helpless looking rat like creature with a big head and closed eyes. The next day one eye slowly opens, then the other. Soon they're toddlers and no longer babies. Then comes the fun part, the school child age.

At the last writing, Seymore was exploring, eating new foods and showing us who was the boss. We let him out of the cage for short periods but didn't want him to become too attached and friendly since not all humans will react that way. Yes, we do have a neighbor that shoots squirrels. (Before I release Seymore, I'm buying him a little gun so he has a fighting chance and can shoot back.)

One night we let Seymore out for playtime. Of course, as he ran, he pooped. That was his habit. Mike's job was to play and mine was to follow Seymore with a paper towel to pick up the poop. He no longer wet on the paper towel when he fed, but waited until he climbed on Mike's back. You knew he was a bout to whiz because he paused, looked straight ahead with a blank stare and then piddled. He even had a favorite spot, right at the shoulder blades. (For those who have a problem with animal urine, immediately rinse the article of clothing and soak it in Oxyclean. Don't use detergent until after you soak and rinse.--I'm now the peepee expert.)

He ran on Mike and I for about 15 minutes but we were tired and ready for bed. Not Seymore. Catching the little boy to put back in the cage is like catching a greased frightened pig. You might think you have him but he slides right out of your hand. We finally put him in the cage and to my horror, he laid on his back with his hands and feet flailing in the air. He grabbed his tail as he rolled on his back and nipped at it. It was seizures. I was sure it was seizures.

Part of me thought, well maybe it's a temper tantrum, but I couldn't take the chance. Squirrels that lack calcium end up with MBD, metabolic bone disease. I read it earlier in my research. I went to YouTube to see if there was a video on it. There was one with adult squirrel and a despicable young man laughing at the squirrel. Immediately I googled squirrel seizures and found the squirrel rehabbers forum.

Of course, once I posted the question of potential MBD in young squirrels, there were all the normal responses. One person, you know the kind, chewed me out for feeding him kitty formula, improper diet and leaving him with the cats. Of course, my post noted that he was in a room by himself to avoid exposure to the cats. (My boys are too lazy to bother Seymore. At 14 and 21, they're more interested in watching ice capades on television and sharing snacks than running after a rodent. But, not all cats are like that and we don't want Seymore complacent.) Another poster noted that perhaps it was playful behavior. A third poster said it seemed too early for MBD, but just in case, force feed extra calcium and switch from the kitten formula.

I did change the formula over to Esbilac puppy formula with heavy whipping cream added. It resembled mama squirrels milk more closely. Of course, the next day, another poster noted it was the wrong formula and suggested squirrel formula. It seems rehabbers had problems with diarrhea from the new formula. I wasn't pleased since we had just purchased a $25 can of kitten formula and then a second $20 can of Esbilac.

After reading the research, I found that you had to mix it and let it sit from 4 to 8 hours before feeding it. The new formula didn't dissolve immediately and the process of dissolving took place in the tummy of the baby squirrel. We mixed and waited. Seymore loved it. He now took a full syringe and part of a second one.

Two more feedings brought my answer to the seizure. Seymore was out and climbing on me. I trapped him in my lap and he began another seizure. This time I put my hand at him and he grabbed it, nibbling and wrestling. I now knew we had a healthy squirrel that simply needed a playmate. Having older parents tends to create that problem.

Now knowing he wants to play, Mike wrestles with Seymore at least once a day and he loves it. You can see videos of Seymore thumb wrestling here. Every once in a while, Seymore (who we now believe may really be Seymorina) will wrestle with me, but there's nothing better than tussling with "Dad's" hands.