Advice about MBD for rehabbers

[Caglemedic]

Before I begin I need to clarify a few things...

1. I am a rehabber with HOPE Wildlife in FL, but have chosen to remain off the board for personal reasons.
2. This squirrel has been seen by a vet.
3. If you have any questions, please ask me directly.

Okay, I get a call to pick up a injured squirrel in the evening. When I get there, a 9-10 month old male squirrel, with blood from nose and wounds on his feet, nose and testicles torn open, protruding out of the the nut sack. He was found against a pool screen next to a very busy road. I got him home and began rehydration, cleaning his nasals, I noticed he is very skinny, his feet were swollen, and his testicles were hardened in some area with necrosis. I applied a wet bandage to his testicles and placed him on heat. He was started on SMZ-TMP, metacam, and some homeopathic solutions. I called Loopy the next morning and we got him into the E-vet .

X-rays revealed his spine had been broken but was healing. We all agreed that the swelling could be from inflammation from Feet walking (thanks Loopy) with places on his feet worn down and possibly MBD. He was nuetered and scrotum removed, placed on Toradol for a few days with continued care. It was agreed that his injuries occured weeks ago, he had been crawling around, he had to have been crawling across the main road, never getting killed by predators.

As he has been home, he has began eating cherries, squirrel cookies mash and LR orally, he is showing signs of progress. He is though showing the MBD even more with his back legs sprawled out (he can move his back legs despite the back injury), he cries if moved, his digits all appearred to be broken, he lost the tip of his tail. He had been covered in mites and other small bugs but has been cleaned of those and his ears cleaned. He has signs of two puncture marks on his hips like a cat bite, I think he broke his back when I cat bit him but he got away. He has to be stimulated to urinate but is having bowl movements.

He story is amazing, the will to live. I have not been on here since my paralysized squirrel died. Simone was a very hard loss but has given me a path and experience for this little guy now named Marty. I am also contacting a homeopathic vet to attempt some cutting egde therapies for him. I have the same great setup for his continued care that I had for Simone when he is ready to leave the ICU caging.

Since I have not dealt with grown squirrel with MBD this severe also with these issues, any advice would be appreciatted. I have had experience with a baby that had it very severe but is now fully recoved and in the wild. However I feel any advice from experienced rehabbers is appreciated, I hope to pictures soon.

[mpetys]

Hi. I hope you are getting advice directly. You asked in your post that if anyone had any questions to contact you directly so I am guessing that is why there are no responses here. I have no advice to offer as I am a novice at even basic squirrel care; however, I do learn so much from reading the responses that others post in response to an initial posting asking for advice. I do hope you will get a chance to post an update with what happens to this baby! :) I'm hoping to hear good news. Thank you for taking care of this baby. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Michele in Tampa

[Lady Squirrelly]

Poor Marty. Thank you for helping. He sure has a list of problems.

No words of wisdom here, but a wish for a good recovery for him.
:grouphug

[Legomom]

No experience here, but lots of positive thoughts & prayers that Marty is able to make some kind of recovery & live a full, pampered life as a NR. Simone would be so proud of you! :Love_Icon

We have a member, Mars, I think, that works with a lot of homeopathic remedies in animals & personally, I believe. She's not on a whole lot, so you might try PMing her. I'm sure she'll have some ideas for you & Marty.

Good luck & keep us posted, please. Glad to see you again. :grouphug

[JLM27]

God bless you for helping this poor creature.

Have you tried giving him 15 minutes of sun (not too hot so he overheats) and mixed berry Tums crushed over his mash? My doctor told me my vitamin D was not high enough even though I am outdoors all the time. Can Vitamin D be supplemented in a squirrel? Trader Joe's has teeny little gel capsules that are very inexpensive.

Someone on here a long time ago had a little cart that they strapped under the squirrel's rear so that he could scoot all over without dragging.

[philomycus]

I would have probably euthanized the squirrel, but we are all different and if you have guaged his strong will to live, then I trust your judgement (sometimes in your hearts, we just know when we should still try to do everything we could).

I would have neutered the squirrel, it would be safer for risking infections in the long run.

I would do for him what you would do for any young, dehydrated, MBD baby squirrel...and then do a lot of praying. I'd also put him on baytril.

Sub-q fluids (if have have the capability) also reccommended.

[Secret Squirrel]

God bless you and him...poor little man. Prayes being sent for you both.:grouphug
I think all of his injuries occured after a trauma that broke his back. Good thing you got him when you did...he wouldn't have made it much longer with out you.
I too look for the smallest ray of hope in a downed squirrel....the will to live for him speaks volumes. I don't give up when the spark is present, however that mean alot of work usually follows that decision.:grouphug

I suggest natural calcium food, formula, cuttle bone, deer antler, seashells, femur bones. I am not one to suggest mega dosing calcium because too much calciun is as bad as not enough.
I would give rodent block and primate chow to him in his sleeping quarters so he can chew on them at night and not have to travel too far to get a snack.
If he will take formula it's a win win for him and you.
Good luck and blessings to you both.
I have had several paralized squirrels before and I know how special they are.:thankyou

[Caglemedic]

I am if I offended anyone, losing Simone hurt a lot and those of you that remember wil also know how hurt I was with all the circumstancess.

I do not get very many private messages but I do admit I have stepped on a few toes. :thankyou I am thankful for all of you that supported me with Simone, including those who were generous to us.

Philo- I considered it but he fought and is still fighting, so I will for him also but I have done everything else you suggested.

Secret squirrel, I will definately try those natural calcium sources. This is exactly why I came here because I knew that there were good people who could suggest things I have not considered or haven't had the time. He is using his back legs, has a little feeling, but needs assistances urinating. I do not know if he will ever fully recover but he has a chance to live a normal life. He is so sweet, it amazes me because he is wild. Its like he knows I care so I am the only safe one he trust. That is a wonderful feeling and as long as he believes in me, I will believe longer. Here are his pictures; you can see the abdominal after surgery, the back feet swollen, and his skinny little self.113858

113859

113860

[Caglemedic]

My favorite picture so far...113861

[Secret Squirrel]

No wonder you put all your effort in this little guy...he is absolutly precious !!! I would have done the same thing...his little face says...Please help me!!!
You are wonderful and don't let anyone try to tell you different:grouphug
Only time will tell what his recovery will be like. Keep up the good foods and TRY not to spoil him with nuts. He needs good nutrician...so get some formula or you can even give him vanilla or pecan Ensure with extra calcium for a sweet treat. But if he will take formula, I would give that first.
Best wishes...:thumbsup What is his name ???

[Ronda]

Prayers and hope for this little guy, he has a rough time ahead,but with you helping him-he will be safe warm and nourished... bless you for watching after him

[Chickenlegs]

Sweet little guy. He fell into the right hands. Will he take yogurt? Wonderful calcium source and maybe a treat if he likes it. It looks like he's getting good vet care and you are pouring your healing love into this baby. God speed to both of you.

[mpetys]

Oh, he is so cute. Oh my goodness, I cannot even imagine what he is going through and you too, for that matter, caring for a squirrel that needs so much care. Please keep us informed on Marty's progress. I am hoping and praying for the best. I have a squirrel that is 7 months old (his name is MonkeyButt) so it just breaks my heart to think of him going through what Marty is going through. Tell Marty we said hi and give him a hug from us.

Take care and keep in touch.

Michele in Tampa

[CritterMom]

Oh, my... Yes, absolutely, try to get him to take some Fox Valley. Jackie in Tampa has a squirrel - Hope - who is a long term MBD case - an older squirrel that survived but was deformed, no teeth, etc. She got her taking FV and she is doing great now and is even re-growing teeth! It will provide the calcium and magnesium he needs to grow bone and provide complete nutrients. If you have to, you can monkey around adding things like fruit baby food or a little maple syrup or whatever to initially tempt them to eat it, then you can gradually reduce the "junk" you have added until he is just getting the FV.

[Busysqrl]

Oh bless your heart for trying to save this precious little squirrel. I don't have any words of advice, but can offer my prayers. I too know rehabbers who give their sick squirrels Fox Valley. It's intersting that the sick squirrels will take the Fox Valley and then as they get well, most will refuse it again. Good luck with this little sweetie and many prayers coming your way :grouphug

[mugzeezma]

Bless you for taking on this babe.
His scrotum more than likely became irritated form dragging on the ground.
I can't imagine how long he's been doing this but a guess would be a week or more. It's a miracle that nothing got to him.
As far as MBD is concerned, I rather doubt that that's the issue being a wild. It is more likely to occur now that he is inside.
Personally I would offer the Booball recipe made into a paste that he can lap up for now.
1 part rodent block
1 part Fox Valley formula or other powdered formula
1/2 part finely ground nuts
enough fruit or vegetable baby food to make into a paste. most squirrelies like the strawberry banana.
Later you can make into balls that are denser and bake at 200 for an hour or so.

Hopefully his ears will pop back up and he will start feeling better :grouphug

[rusty's mom]

Not that this will help but I can't see how an animal who's been bitten,now has a broken back could get away from the kind of predator who could do that. It almost sounds like a horrible person did it and left him for dead. He is sweet this is a thread I'll be watch for updates. My prayer are with you two.

[virgo062]

:grouphug Poor Marty it breaks my heart to see a animal suffer. He may not understand why you have him but he certainly understands that he is safe right now:grouphug

[astra]

Not that this will help but I can't see how an animal who's been bitten,now has a broken back could get away from the kind of predator who could do that. It almost sounds like a horrible person did it and left him for dead. He is sweet this is a thread I'll be watch for updates. My prayer are with you two.
Completely agree! Just a week ago I heard a similar horrendous story about a dog. This dog somehow found its way in some tiny crevice under a roof of a 4-story apartment complex. People were trying to help her come out of there, but nothing would work - the dog wouldn't budge. Eventually, she died in that crevice. When animal services finally arrived to take her out of there, it turned out the dog was severely beaten - not one whole bone, every bone, literally every bone was broken. So, apparently, someone severely beaten this dog up that the poor animal needed to find such a place to hide like that cervice, where no human would reach her. And instead of coming out to the people again, it chose to just die there...Unfortunately, there are a lot of human - looking beasts out there...

[tomcics]

Very sad to read about suffering/beaten animals and I have seen it first hand growing up around abusive animal (dog) owners. Dogs being the most trusting of humans suffer so much his way. Very sorry for that dog that hid away Astra, breaks my heart to read about such a case. I agree, only humans can be that brutal.
Hope little Marty the squirrel can continue to improve, prayers here.

[Caglemedic]

While stimulating him, I noticed a clicking in his hips, this can be felt when the hips are broken. I pulled out the x-rays and took a closer look to see that his hip appears broken on one side. I spent all last night sewing together a brace, much like mine for your back and the ones they use on humans to stabilize the hips, including boning. Hes not happy but has been growling at me. I think he feels a little better because he was not vocalizing at all. I will call the vet for more stronger pain meds than metcam. I will send pics as soon as I can.

[CritterMom]

I strongly suggest Rescue Remedy for this little one, right along with any and all meds. It will help him deal with the pain without being stressed. You can rub it on bottom of feet, ears, really anywhere you can find bare skin, as well as mixing it with juice and fed by mouth. Really nice stuff to compliment all the other care.

[rusty's mom]

Has anyone heard anything about this little one.

[Caglemedic]

SAorry, I have been so busy trying to pull this rescue out of its hole that it was put in before me...

And now I have pinkies...

Marty is doing great!!!!! He can only crawl but is healing good. We are working on his ability to move his feet which shows signs of nerve damage but his ears are perked up and he enjoys chin lovins!

He is slowly putting on weight but only prefers night activity, so he is not tooo happy he get light therapy during the day.

He actually kissed my finger last night. I am going to buy him a hut he can hide in today, such a sweet traumatized baby. Any question you can call me at 352-307-4998 but please do not call from 9 am until 4pm as my hubby works nights!