Paralyzed Squirrel with MBD! HELP!!

[ShereeJacobi]

My daughter has a squirrel and she beleived what PetsMart told her about nutrition. Then about 4 days ago the MBD came on suddenly. It was fine, then 4 hours later it couldn't move it's back legs. It was in it's cage so they don't think it hurt itself but who knows. It was also having small siezures so we are pretty sure it's MBD. We got it on calcium that night after doing some research. She sorta moved or twitched one leg the next day. If she didn't have an injury, how long will it take for her to lose the paralysis? I just don't know what to do. We started her on calcium all day long..about 800mgs with smallest amount of vitamin D in it we could find. We also started her back on Esbilac. We had to force it down her. Today I started her on sweet potatoes which she snacked right up along with some apple. Tell me what to do so I can help her please. I have her on heat because I understand that she is in severe pain. There are no vets here that help wildlife.

[NaturesGift]

what kind of calcium are you giving her? Hydration is important since yes they do love the Xtra heat!

how old is she? any backround info>?

[ShereeJacobi]

what kind of calcium are you giving her? Hydration is important since yes they do love the Xtra heat!

how old is she? any backround info>?
Snuggles is probably around 10 weeks old. The calcium is a carbonate, Finest Natural 500-D.

[NaturesGift]

is it just calcium? or does it have other minerals? (it does matter)


offer her some yogurt. yummy calcium source.

[NaturesGift]

also how long have you had her? and what kind of diet has she been on?

[ShereeJacobi]

also how long have you had her? and what kind of diet has she been on?

We have had her about 1 1/2 months and she was on a fruit and nut mix....zero calcium after she was weaned. There are no other vitamins or minerals in the calium-d products. She was really doing great, then wap, in her cage and paralyzed with seizures. She does kinda hold her legs up a little..very little. Does MBD make them paralyzed for life or does it have to be an injury or birth defect that makes them paralyzed for life?
I will get her some yogart tonight. Can it have fruits in it?

[NaturesGift]

Yes the MBD can cause Paralysis. It is sometimes fixable but it is different depending on how bad she is.

yes the yogurt can have fruit in it. And you can mix it with her Esbilac to encourage her to drink more. But I would advise ordering some Fox valley Milkreplacer

http://www.henryspets.com/products/Fox-Valley-Day%252dOne-Formula-for-Squirrels-20%7B47%7D50.html

As well as a MBD Treatment Kit
http://www.henryspets.com/products/MBD-Treatment-Kit.html

or at least this
http://www.henryspets.com/products/Calcium-Carbonate-Powder.html

I have to go to work but someone will be here soon to continue to help you!

Mandie

[Rescue04]

Sounds like you are on the right track so far, we had one with it and it took abour 3-4 weeks before she started acting like a normal squirrel again. The fact that she is trying to move her legs is real good though. What kind of cage is she in, does it have pine bedding....ect? Watch her closely......if she is in an aquarium or in a cage with bedding or hangs out in a hammock bed - you will need to give her a bath regularly to keep a urniary infection from setting in (she will lay in her own pee and get it). Good luck with her.

[Jackie in Tampa]

heat is a must...
rub some karo, molasses or log cabin on her gums asap and after every seizure...just a dab
do you have tums?
the calcium with D is normally a no no, because the ratio is so off compared sqs to humans...
so your calcium carbonate with D is not advised..
however this is an emergency and she needs calcium now..
if you have a tums, do you know how many mgs it is...
mash it and mix with 2 ccs of water, syringe feed that spaced accordingly, start immediately...
the main goal is to get between 400-600 mgs in her thru out a 24 hr period...
keeping her quiet and NO SUDDEN OR LOUD MOVEMENTS OR NOISes...dark and warm and quiet are a must...
MBD, low cal sqs are very fragile and can go over the edge easy...so make her feel secure..
NO HIGH CAGES>>>
she must be restrained..
I will let the rehabbers help you, but wanted to throw some ideas and basics to help you get started...
good luck

[CritterMom]

OK. We have a couple of happy, healthy squirrels on here that had MBD related paralysis and you would never know now that they were ill. So first, you have identified the problem and good on you for that.

YES - keep her nice and warm - the heating pad is great.

Continue giving her the calcium. 800mg is a bit much - 500 for the next few days at least - until the paralysis begins to improve, administered throughout the day, not all at once.

I would absolutely get some of the vitamin mix on Henryspets.com. It supplies not only the calcium, but also the other minerals such as magnesium that are as important as calcium in fighting MBD.

Plain calcium without added D can be purchased at most good health food stores - I can buy it in powder form at mine. Henrys sells straight calcium as well.

Diet will need to be modified, and she is going to have to start eating blocks - we can help you with that if you stick around. For now, at least do not feed things that are going to sabotage her treatment - corn, nuts, peanuts, etc.

Keep her nice and warm.
Spread the 500mg calcium through the day.
Monitor her over the next few days. You should start to see some improvements fairly quickly.

MBD IS A LONG TERM COMMITMENT. But if you stick with it, success.

[muffinsquirrel]

Where in LA are you? I am just across the border in southeast Texas. If I can be of any help, please contact me. I've worked with squirrels quite a few years, and have what is needed to treat one with MBD.

muffinsquirrel

[Jackie in Tampa]

If you are close enough for Muffin to assist, take her up on any and all help! You'll be in the best of hands.
I have a sq that is 8 years old and has been in recovery from MBD for a few years now. So yes they can survive and regain use of their legs, it will take commitment from you both...you will have to amend your sqs diet, and he will need to adapt to it!
I hope that the seizures have stopped with the additional calcium.
Either way, you need to continue the calcium treatment until the blood calcium levels out and all seizures stop.
If his paralysis continues, you will have to continue to work with him and keep his muscles from atrophy.
Stay with TSB...always someone willing to help and advise.:Love_Icon
Saying prayers for you both and sending good vibes:grouphug
PS, I also have a SQ friend near Mandeville if that helps:Love_Icon

[ShereeJacobi]

Where in LA are you? I am just across the border in southeast Texas. If I can be of any help, please contact me. I've worked with squirrels quite a few years, and have what is needed to treat one with MBD.

muffinsquirrel

I just don't know what to do and someone said work with her or she will atrophy and another said something about urinary tract infections. I am so worried. She really isn't improving very much at all. There hasn't been siezures since the first day. She can kinda bring one leg up a little and she can kinda bring her tail over her back. When she does crawl her legs are behind her though. I have her on Esbilac several times a day with the added Calcium with Vitamin D. 500 mgs a day throughout the day. She drinks at least 3 ozs a day of the formula with the added calcium. I change her bedding at 3 times a day which is a clean towel made very soft and another hand towel she can get under with heat from a pack you warm up and I place it under the main towel. I just now put her in some warm water to rinse off her bottom and used no soap or anything. I just don't know what else to do or how often I should soak her bottom and for how long. I don't know about the atrophy. It has been 7 days I believe since this started. I have a cuttle bone, broccolli, sweet potatoe and apple in her cage. I also have a wood chew that she works on every now and then. She rarely eats anything else but the formula and she licks it out of a spoon. I am afraid I am going to hurt her or do more harm than help her because of diet and the calium with d. Please tell me what I should do to help her.

[ShereeJacobi]

Where in LA are you? I am just across the border in southeast Texas. If I can be of any help, please contact me. I've worked with squirrels quite a few years, and have what is needed to treat one with MBD.

muffinsquirrel
I am in West Monroe, Louisiana

[ShereeJacobi]

I am in West Monroe, Louisiana
I just checked on her to see what she is up to and she is eating her broccolli. If you tell me exactly what foods to give her I will get them. I know the sweet potatoe is suppose to be the perfect mix of calcium and phosphorous. Do I give her wild bird feed? I don't have a clue. How long do I continue to give her the calcium with d? She gets zero sunlight and I know they have to get D to absord the calcium.

[ShereeJacobi]

I am in West Monroe, Louisiana
My daughter says she seems alot better. She is not near as dehydrated as she was, she curls her back toes every now and then. When I first got her she couldn't do anything. No tail movement, nada. So, I guess she is getting better. Could she have broken her back? She was fine before all this happened and it happened when my daughter was gone for about 3-4 hours and she was in her cage. Her ears aren't down anymore, except for 2 days ago when I picked her up and her back part hung down. So I guess I hurt her because her ears were down for over an hour and she didn't move an inch. I hated that. I felt so bad. If her back or pelvis did break because of the MBD, how long will it take for the fracture to repair? I know humans are about 6-8 weeks. I just don't understand the toe curl every now and then. Is that pain or is she trying to move her hips? I am clueless. I really appreciate your help. I am so happy she is nibbling on food. She gets so much formula I am surprised she is eating. lol But I figure the formula has a balanced diet for the time being. Just giving her other things so she can get use to her new diet.

[4skwerlz]

You must give plain calcium without vitamin d. The calcium + d tablets have too much vit d relative to calcium and can make the MBD worse.

Please read the Emergency Treatment for MBD at the top of the Nutrition Forum, which has complete instructions.

[ShereeJacobi]

You must give plain calcium without vitamin d. The calcium + d tablets have too much vit d relative to calcium and can make the MBD worse.

Please read the Emergency Treatment for MBD at the top of the Nutrition Forum, which has complete instructions.
Okay. She is off the wrong Calcium with D. I bought Tums. She has been on 500 mgs of the wrong stuff for a week now. What should her dose be now of the Tums? 250mgs a day for a week? How is she going to get vitamin D now?
I have rodent blocks from petco. I guess I can use those til the others come in. Henry's Squirrel Blocks have been ordered. I read about Ebsilac and it states to add heavy cream to it. So I bought heavy cream cause I paid so much for the Ebsilac I want to use it. I bought vegetables for her and she can have all she wants of those, correct? Celery, cucumber, sweet potatoe, snow peas, parsley, kale, bell pepper.
I really need to understand the back toes curling. Have any idea about that? Everyone said she looks 100% better, but she has started rubbing her face against her bedding. Any idea about that? I noticed when I kept her before that she had started scratching and my daughter told me she had never done that before. Now she is doing it again, so could it have to do with the MBD and too much of the vitamin D? I don't think she could have lice, mites, fleas or anything like that. I guess it's possible tho.
What is a wild bird food I can get from walmart? I guess she needs that too right now?
I really appreciate your help. I am hopeful cause she can kinda move a leg now. I just want her to be healthy! Thanks again.:jump

[ShereeJacobi]

I am in West Monroe, Louisiana
Can you possibly tell me why she is curling her back toes? Not all the time but when she has her legs under her the toes curl. Thanks a million.mjs

[ShereeJacobi]

Sounds like you are on the right track so far, we had one with it and it took abour 3-4 weeks before she started acting like a normal squirrel again. The fact that she is trying to move her legs is real good though. What kind of cage is she in, does it have pine bedding....ect? Watch her closely......if she is in an aquarium or in a cage with bedding or hangs out in a hammock bed - you will need to give her a bath regularly to keep a urniary infection from setting in (she will lay in her own pee and get it). Good luck with her.
How often do I need to bathe her and do I just use warm water. How do you know if they get a urinary tract infection? Where do I get something to treat it if she does? I change her bedding which is a towel at least 3 times a day.
Thanks for your help.

[island rehabber]

NO WILD BIRD FOOD. It's really not good for any squirrels, let alone one with MBD, so don't waste your money.

If her pee is dark in color, stinky, and she tries to rub her underparts against her bedding she may have a urinary tract infection. It must be treated with antibiotics --- Sulfatrim is good, but you'll need a vet for that.

The toes curling...not sure, but someone else who has dealt with an MBD squirrel may have some thoughts on that for you. Keep up the HEalthy Diet and the good work you're doing.....it will take a while, but it WILL help her! :thumbsup

[ShereeJacobi]

NO WILD BIRD FOOD. It's really not good for any squirrels, let alone one with MBD, so don't waste your money.

If her pee is dark in color, stinky, and she tries to rub her underparts against her bedding she may have a urinary tract infection. It must be treated with antibiotics --- Sulfatrim is good, but you'll need a vet for that.

The toes curling...not sure, but someone else who has dealt with an MBD squirrel may have some thoughts on that for you. Keep up the HEalthy Diet and the good work you're doing.....it will take a while, but it WILL help her! :thumbsup

Her pee is not dark, no oder. In fact, because I clean her bed (towel) at least 3 times a day, I have to feel around to find a wet spot. Will the heavy cream in her esbilac make her have diahhrea? I am concerned about that since this is something I just started yesterday. Thanks so much for your help!:multi

[island rehabber]

It's hard to say what the heavy cream will do....each squirrel is different and I don't use Esbilac or add anything to my formula so I'm not a good judge of this. I'm sure others will be able to give you some feedback on it, though. In the meantime, if she stays on the strict MBD program and healthy diet she should start to improve in a couple of weeks! Be patient, and I know many of us will have her in our prayers. :)

[CritterMom]

If you are adding cream to the formula, do it in tiny increments at first, and if you see no problems, you can put a smidge more in.

[ShereeJacobi]

If you are adding cream to the formula, do it in tiny increments at first, and if you see no problems, you can put a smidge more in.
thanks so much!

[ShereeJacobi]

It's hard to say what the heavy cream will do....each squirrel is different and I don't use Esbilac or add anything to my formula so I'm not a good judge of this. I'm sure others will be able to give you some feedback on it, though. In the meantime, if she stays on the strict MBD program and healthy diet she should start to improve in a couple of weeks! Be patient, and I know many of us will have her in our prayers. :)
She is starting to move both legs a little. I think it's her back that is the problem? Is that what the MBD does is effect their lower spine and that makes them unable to bring their back up and move their legs? I have tried to research MBD but all I can find is being paralyzed is a symptom but NOWHERE can I find out why. I guess I need to understand the whole issue, just not to know the symptoms.
I am reading throughout the forums and what I gathered is squirrels take themselves off formula alot of the times? You can offer them the right foods but if they just drink the formula not to worry about the foods? I guess what we did was wean her off formula and should have never done that in the first place? We were thinking when she got her teeth it was time to get her on regular food (ofcourse now we know it was the wrong food). She eats very little other food right now since she is back on the formula. I would say she was born in August?

[Jackie in Tampa]

Calcium is needed, without giving a good diet...the calcium deprived body will steal calcium from the blood and then the bones and then the brain...
when you see seizures, you are at stage three...the sqs body is robbing itself...and the bones are weak and brittle...that is why I said before to not let her climb/have a big cage...
Yes I have seen scratching from a few sqs with MBD. This appears to be a symptom.
I highly recommend you read the sticky about emergengy treatment for low calcium and stick with it.
In a few days you will see improvement, but that is a tease...yes the sq will be feeling better, but his metabolism is so far from fixed...you must change everything diet wise from this day forward.
In order to really fix the issue, you need to understand nutrition and how the body metabolizes vitamns and nutrition...
you can give alot of Cal, but without the D {sunlight, fish, dairy and mushrooms} you will not absorb the calcium.
If you give too much calcium, you cannot absorb it either...
Sqs require 330mgs a day of Calcium...
I am not a licensed rehabber but f I can help you let me know, I have sq experience. Maybe too much, I started growing tufts on my ears recently!:D good luck...:Love_Icon
PLEASE!

[mugzeezma]

I started growing tufts on my ears recently!:D good luck...:Love_Icon
PLEASE!
:jump :jump :jump :jump

They have clippers for that you know! Now about that bushy tail.....

[CritterMom]

Yes, if you weaned her that early, it is absolutely what caused the MBD. The babies suckle off their mom for a long time - even after they are out of the nest and running around. My squirrel took formula until he was 20+ weeks old. Since the formula is a complete diet and provides everything needed for them, it is AFTER weaning that you need to make sure their diet provides the calcium and magnesium they need.

Squirrels (and reptiles, which are also prone to MBD) have high requirements for these minerals. If they are not provided by their diet, the body begins to leach the calcium from their bones to provide it. This is where your squirrel is right now.

I would make sure she is getting the additional calcium/magnesium she needs to re-supplement her bones and I would also see if you can convince her to try some formula again.

[ShereeJacobi]

Calcium is needed, without giving a good diet...the calcium deprived body will steal calcium from the blood and then the bones and then the brain...
when you see seizures, you are at stage three...the sqs body is robbing itself...and the bones are weak and brittle...that is why I said before to not let her climb/have a big cage...
Yes I have seen scratching from a few sqs with MBD. This appears to be a symptom.
I highly recommend you read the sticky about emergengy treatment for low calcium and stick with it.
In a few days you will see improvement, but that is a tease...yes the sq will be feeling better, but his metabolism is so far from fixed...you must change everything diet wise from this day forward.
In order to really fix the issue, you need to understand nutrition and how the body metabolizes vitamns and nutrition...
you can give alot of Cal, but without the D {sunlight, fish, dairy and mushrooms} you will not absorb the calcium.
If you give too much calcium, you cannot absorb it either...
Sqs require 330mgs a day of Calcium...
I am not a licensed rehabber but f I can help you let me know, I have sq experience. Maybe too much, I started growing tufts on my ears recently!:D good luck...:Love_Icon
PLEASE!
Hey, thanks for the info. Hope the tufts don't get too big! lol Now I understand it's the brain that is affected causing the paralysis. Yes, it's affected her bones and everything else, but it's the brain causing the paralysis most likely. Very good info!
Okay, now that she is not getting the Vitamin D in the Calcium, how do I make sure she gets enough? Nowhere does it tell you that. I guess there is enough in the formula with the added heavy cream? I am doing the regimen of correct calcium of 250mgs per day for the 2nd week by adding it to her formula.
Henry's Blocks were ordered yesterday. I read they like an occasional mealworm so those were ordered a few days ago. I bought vegetables delux. I have changed her diet because she is completely off the Petco stuff they said would be fine for her. Has been off the day the MBD kicked in where paralysis was brought on. She had zero symptoms of it except for scratching before..and Boom she was paralyzed. Are the blocks as healthy as the formula is my question. I completely understand the diet when she is more normal again. But, my understanding is the formula is as good for her as doing the whole diet regimen with blocks, vegetables, fruit, and an occasional snack. I also understand from reading different things that there is no hurry to get her off the formula. Just wanted to verify that. She is being offered everything that a normal diet consists of but I am not forcing her to eat it at this point. She is filling up on formula. Thanks so much for growing those tufts. They are greatly appreciated!:rotfl