Tick paralysis- anyone have experience with rehab?

[RaccoonRebel]

I am the caretaker of a raccoon kit. He was found screaming outside a construction site in the pouring rain. I think he was about 3 weeks old when we took him in, now he's approximately 8 weeks old. The first few weeks I picked several tiny ticks (flea size) off him. He'd get lethargic and I'd do a tick check. Each time (3) this happened he'd bounce back somewhat from his lethargy. He has been completely tick- free for just over two weeks. He has not fully recovered his voice. Vet's immediate thought was tick paralysis and was surprised he is still alive.

The problem is - the last bout left him partially paralyzed and weak in his legs. He never really learned to walk like a big raccoon because of his young age and the ticks. Now we are trying to teach him to walk. I made a "walker" cage, with slings to help him "stand", out of Tinker Toys and we put him in it several times a day. He has some balance issues along with the leg problems. Today he purposely scratched his chin and licked his back foot, so that is some progress.

So, finally my question- does anyone here have experience with rehabbing an animal after tick paralysis?

[critters]

There have been some dogs with it; CarolC, the link queen, can probably come up with the links. Making him a standing frame or cart (wheelchair) is a GREAT idea. Does it have wheels, so he can move around? You might also check the "Exotic" board down below; I can't specifically recall a 'coon coming to Handicapped Pets, but somebody might have done so. There are also ideas for smaller critters down there, like ferrets, for instance, that you might adapt.

[RaccoonRebel]

Thanks. His walker does have wheels and he can get around on hard surfaces. I have to figure out how to strengthen his very weak front leg too. The back legs are getting stronger. He can stand but falls over due to right front leg being weak. He is improving but he needs to be mobile.

I have a narrow plastic carry bin I have been having him stand in. It helps strengthen his legs and keeps him from falling over.

I may try some "swimming".

[critters]

YES! Hydrotherapy (swimming) can be terrific, even when their walking isn't good. At the very least it can give them some freedom. I didn't even think of that, not for a 'coon. Dogs do it a lot, and cats not so much. I haven't a clue what a coon thinks of water! Have you considered splinting the arm in the position of function? He'd still have to build up some strength in his shoulder, I would think, but it might make it easier for him to actually walk. The board links are down, or I'd post the dog/cat splint link for you to look at. I don't know if the smallest splints would work for a coon or not.

[CarolC]

Swimming was just what I was going to suggest, too.

You may be able to do resistance exercises with him, for example just kind of high five his little front foot and see if you can get him to press back. It does not have to be a strong resistance, just do a lot of reps of light resistance and do it different times during the day.

You can also try ball exercise. Get a ball that is just big enough so that if you drape him over it he will have the instinct to try to stretch his legs to reach the ground.

Since they are designed for climbing, perhaps get a sisal rope cat tree or something he can practice climbing without getting lost in the top of a tall tree outdoors. At first maybe a small one that he will look at and think, "I can do that". Right now he probably doesn't know he can climb and has no concept of it, but if he sees the appropriate climbing configuration hopefully his instint will kick in and he will try it. Perhaps you can put a treat on the platform he has to climb to.

Here is a nice video of quadriplegic kitten rehab that may also just give ideas.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18185

Recovery from neurological injury takes more time than most of us realize when we get into this situation. Keep in mind that the nerves are healing a little bit more every day in the background even if he looks much the same, so don't stop doing the PT. Some cases can take months, and recovery literally goes on for years. With time and work and time and work and time and work I think you will get there! I would love to see pictures!

[RaccoonRebel]

I made him a new Tinker Toy walker. He outgrew the first one. When I figure out how to post a picture, I will.

[CarolC]

It would be precious to see it. There are some instructions on uploading photos here

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6764

If by chance your photos are a really big size, a good place to resize them is here

www.online-image-editor.com

[critters]

That's the beauty of homemade--it's always possible to upgrade to a newer model!

[RaccoonRebel]

Hopefully this works. This is his second version walker. This morning I put him in his walker at one end of the kitchen and worked on some art at the other end of the kitchen. It wasn't long before he was smashing his walker into my legs. He works hard and he manages to scoot around his "rooms." Lucky for him that he was taken in by me- a special education teacher! We do motion exercises and weight bearing exercises every day.

[CarolC]

That is about as cool as it can be!!!

[RaccoonRebel]

Thanks CarolC. He's growing pretty fast so I keep having to alter the design!

[critters]

Yeah, being from spedland helps loads. I'd suggest trying better wheels, if you can (and maybe you can't), so he could move better and more easily. Eventually you could use PVC pipe, which is easy to use, although not as easy as Tinker Toys! People have also used K-Nex kits for this purpose, especially for baby critters.

[RaccoonRebel]

Critters, I have been searching for better wheels but I haven't found any I like yet. I'm hoping to find some soon. I tried having rubberband "treads" but they just kept popping off.

[critters]

Hmm. That's the kind of creativity it takes! Before I built my Baby's wheelchair I haunted DIY stores, thrift stores, and the like looking for ideas, parts, etc. I used PVC pipe for hers, but it still needed a 2nd version immediately.

[FYI]

http://www.handicappedpets.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Homemade_quad_cart_for_a_severely_disabled_cat