I Love Lucy
11-03-2008, 07:33 PM
Your baby maybe suffering from low blood sugar so try to give it some molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup (not the natural one the Log Cabin type) or some honey. But it also sounds to me like the poor thing has developed Metabolic Bone Disease which is caused by a diet lacking calcium. MBD is extremely painful and is fatal if left untreated. You must stop the nuts, corn and seeds ASAP. All of these are meant as once in a while treats. Your baby is in desperate need of a healthy diet and must have calcium ASAP. Give your baby a TUMS with calcium or crush a calcium vitamin. You can give it in either pedialyte, Esbilac in an eye dropper or syringe or try have the baby eat some applesauce, yogurt or baby food with the supplement in it.
You have to do some MAJOR changes in your squirrels diet IMMEDIATELY, AND she also MUST go outside, in a cage, EVERY day for a couple of hours, and/or be under FUll SPectrum Lighting from morning until dusk. The light helps her body make Vit. D to help absorb the calcium she gets in her diet.
Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels
(Revised March 21, 2008)
Your squirrel needs a balanced diet containing protein, fat, and vitamins and minerals, including lots of calcium. Feed a variety of foods from each category in the amounts indicated. Note: Amounts are for a 450-gram (1 pound) squirrel, and should be adjusted as necessary depending on your squirrel’s weight. For squirrels that are older, overweight, or less active, you should limit foods that are high in sugars, starches, or fat.
1. Rodent Block—2-4 small blocks per day. Below are two of the best:
Harlan Teklad 2014 and 2018 Rodent Diets. The cadillac of rodent chows. Vegetarian formulas contain no preservatives, phytoestrogens, or nitrosamines. The 2014 is a low-fat, low-protein formula suitable for older squirrels. The 2018 is for growing squirrels (under 18 months old). Store in the refrigerator. $5.00 for 5 lbs at the Crafty Rat:
http://www.craftyrat.com/Merchant2/m...tegory_Code=FS
KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice. A tasty vegetarian rodent diet available at pet stores. If you’re having trouble getting your squirrel to eat blocks, it can be a good choice. Does contain added sugars such as molasses, as well as preservatives for long shelf life. $3.47 for 2 lbs at Petco:
http://www.petco.com/product/5906/Ka...-Rat-Food.aspx
2. High-Calcium Vegetables—5-7 thumb-sized pieces per day. Arugula, beet greens, Belgian endive, carrots, celery, chicory, chinese cabbage (bok choy), cilantro (fresh), chrysanthemum flowers, collard greens, dandelion greens, escarole, fennel, kale, lettuce (looseleaf), mustard spinach, parsley (fresh), purslane, radicchio, radishes, romaine lettuce, squash (butternut; raw or cooked), swiss chard, turnip greens, watercress.
3. Other Healthy Veggies—2-3 pieces per day. Asparagus, artichokes, avocado**, bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carnations, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green beans, mushrooms (1 per week), okra, pumpkin, squash (all types; raw or cooked), sugar snap peas, sweet potato* (raw or cooked), zucchini.
*Somewhat higher in sugars/starches
**High in fat; also the skin and pit are toxic
Avoid: Dried vegetables, fresh corn, garlic, onion, palm hearts, potatoes, sprouts, yams
4. Wild Foods—Unlimited while in season. Magnolia cones, pine cones, pine branches and bark, branch tips of nontoxic trees, roses from your garden, wild rose hips, purslane, plaintain, lambs quarters, and dandelion greens can be gathered fresh daily. Look to see what the wild squirrels are eating in your area. Make sure the area wasn’t sprayed, fertilized, or treated with any chemicals.
5. Animal Protein. Live or dried mealworms, crickets, or live moths (2 per day). Another option is eggs (hard-boiled or scrambled, with the shell), cheese, or plain yogurt mashed with some fruit (1 tsp. per day). Mealworms are available live or canned from pet stores and online at http://www.exoticnutrition.com/Treat-Department.htm
6. Fruit—2 slices per day. Apple, apricot, bananas,* blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries* (sweet), cherries (sour), crabapples,* cranberries, grapefruit, grapes,* honeydew, kiwi, kumquats, lemon, lime, mangos,* navel oranges, nectarines, papaya, passion fruit,* peaches, pears, pineapple, pomegranates,* raspberries, strawberries, watermelon.
*Somewhat higher in sugars/starches
Note: Pits and seeds can be toxic, except for berries.
Avoid: Dates, dried fruit of any kind, figs, fruit juice, persimmons, plums, prunes, raisins.
7. Nuts/Seeds—Two per day, preferably in the shell. Acorns, whole roasted pumpkin seeds, and almonds are the healthiest, followed by hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, English walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and peanuts, in that order. Unlike other nuts/seeds, sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium.
Avoid: Cashews, sunflower seeds, dried corn, pine nuts (will cause severe calcium loss).
8. Something to Chew On. Antlers, tree branches, sea shells, or a walnut-sized rock from outdoors provide trace minerals and keep teeth from overgrowing. A cuttlebone or other calcium/mineral block should be hung on the side of the cage.
Foods to Avoid Generally
-Packaged “squirrel food,” “pet treats,” or seed mixes.
-Starchy foods: pasta, bread, grains, seeds, rice, potatoes.
-Sugary foods: candy, cookies, dried fruit, banana chips, soda, fruit juices, sweetened yogurt, granola, sweetened breakfast cereals.
-Junk food: french fries, potato chips, pretzels, crackers, anything salted.
-Legumes: beans (kidney beans, lentils, etc.), peas, and soybeans; except for green beans and sugar snap peas in the pod.
-Artificial sweeteners like Nutra-Sweet or aspartame.
Also Important for Good Health:
Natural sunlight. 1 hour per day in an outdoor cage or screened porch during the warm months provides Vit D and will help keep your squirrel healthy. An open window screened with aluminum screening or hardware cloth is another option. Indoors, a full-spectrum light (FSL) for 8 hrs per day is the next-best thing; although it does not provide Vit D, it is believed to have other health benefits.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight. Being overweight causes all kinds of health problems and is a major factor in diabetes in older animals. “Healthy weights” may vary: northern squirrels tend to be heavier than southern squirrels, and foxers are heavier than greys. In general, your pet should look like the healthy wild squirrels in your area.
__________________
Here is the info on Full Spectrum Lighting....You may not find these exact bulbs in your area, but go by the color temperature, and the CRI listed below.
All you have to remember.....to be a full spectrum bulb, the color temperature must be 5000K or greater, and the CRI (color rendering index) must be at least 90.
I, personally, use the Ott Lite. It does NOT say Full Spectrum on the box, but the Rep. at the company said it DOES meet all these requirements, and IS Full Spectrum. They are not only Full Spectrum, but they are the closest light to natural daylight, and that is also what we are trying to simulate with squirrels in captivity. Chris, (a very experienced rehabber for over 25 years), uses and sells only these lights. I love these lights because they have a plastic, protective shield over them to prevent them from getting hot, and burning a squirrel that may get to close. I'll list where they are found, and a picture of them, as they come in two different boxes.
Any FSL must be within 24" of the squirrel, for them to get the full effect from it. I don't think the wattage really has anything to do with it. It just depends on how bright you want the light to be.
Here's a list from the OTT Light site of where to buy the OTT OLB-17 or OLB-17R bulb:
HOBBY & CRAFT
Babylock Machine Dealers
Joann Stores
Brewer Sewing Supply
Joann.com
Checker Distributorsj
Michaels
Lumenlight.com
Nancy's Notions
Elna Machine Dealers
PFAFF
Hancock Fabrics
Simplicity Machine Dealers
Hobby Lobby
Husqvarna Viking
Janome Machine Dealers
ART SUPPLY
Dick Blick
Jerry's Artarama
OFFICE/HOME OFFICE
Fry's Electronics
Lumenlight.com
Office Depot
DEPARTMENT STORES
JC Penney - Select Locations
Bed Bath & Beyond
Home Depot
And of course,
Chris' Squirrels and More (http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/)
Attached Images
Legomom
11-03-2008, 07:44 PM
I am not a licensed rehabber, but it sounds like it could be metabolic bone disease? (If I'm wrong, someone feel free to correct me.) Until they do, here is some info on emergency treatment if it is MBD.
(I copied this from another post on TSB.)
MBD Treatment-Week One
1. Provide emergency calcium. You can buy calcium carbonate supplement pills (600 mg) at any drugstore.
Dosage: Day 1--600 mg of calcium. Then 400 mg per day for a total of 3,000 mg of calcium for the first week.
How to give the calcium: The first day, crush up the pill in water and give by mouth with an eyedropper, one drop at a time, until he has taken the full day’s dosage. After that, if the squirrel is still eating well, crush up the pills and put in his food: yogurt, avocado, banana, even peanut butter will work. If squirrel won’t take the calcium in food, continue with the eyedropper.
[b]2. Provide natural sources of Vitamin D: mealworms, mushrooms, eggs, dairy products (especially yogurt--make sure the label says the yogurt contains Vit D).
3. Provide a liquid vitamin supplement. Buy the kind for rats and mice—available at any pet store. Dose per directions on the label.
4. Provide sources of Vitamin C. Oranges are good, but red or green bell peppers are the highest.
5. Eliminate all nuts, seeds and other unhealthy foods. Feed only foods from the recommended Diet.
6. Introduce a balanced rodent chow. try KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice. I recommend this because it is widely available at pet stores and it is tasty.
7. Follow the recommended Diet for Pet Squirrels. Make sure your squirrel is getting foods from every category.
Note: The emergency MBD treatment is calcium and Vit D. Changing your squirrel's diet will take time; he will have to learn to like the new foods.
I believe a getting him to eat a Tums tablet (crushed in esbilac?) would be a good place to get a quick jump on things.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.