Metabolic bone disease?

[sierramyst93]

Hi, I've had my squirrel since August and he's been great! But a few days ago he started being lethargic. I knew something was wrong. I've been giving him extra veggies and fruits. Yesterday he was acting very weak, especially in his back legs. Today it is hard for him to move around. I've read about metabolic bone disease and 20 minutes ago I realized that he could possibly have it. I rushed to the store and bought him tums to be safe. Does this sound like metabolic bone disease? What else can I do to make my baby better? Thanks!

[island rehabber]

If his diet has been low in calcium and high in phosphorous, and if he does not get natural sunlight for at least an hour every day (NOT thru a window or screen) it could very well be MBD> I would begin the emergency treatment immediately and we are here to help however we can!
Was he on formula? when was he weaned? Can you get him to take some formula again?

[NaturesGift]

Get the tums into him asap! Yes it sounds very much like Mbd
Give him the option of a heating pad. Getting some fox valley milk replaced would be an awesome idea!

Can u tell us what his daily diet is like?

[Tickle's Mom]

You need to immediately scroll down to the thread titled:

Specific Ailment Information, then read the thread on MBD and get calcium ASAP into your baby. It will/can make all the difference in the world. But you have to do it NOW! I have a paralyzed squirrel and her previous owners gave her to me too late, though I am trying all sorts of treatments. You are fortunate in that you have apparently caught it early enough. Read everything and then, read again.:D

There are more experienced friends on here so start reading, get calcium into her and keep checking back. Good luck. We're here for you. :grouphug

[sierramyst93]

I found him when he was about 5 weeks old and fed him formula until hecwas almost 11 weeks. His daily diet is oranges, pecans, he LOVES whole wheat salt-free pretzel rods, sometimes apples, and grapes very recenty. He likes chesnuts and the occasional acorn. It's hard to get him to eat veggies because he is so picky.

[Tickle's Mom]

Oh, sorry-where are my manners?
:Welcome :Welcome :Welcome :Welcome

[sierramyst93]

Thank you (:

[Lanatwo]

I found him when he was about 5 weeks old and fed him formula until hecwas almost 11 weeks. His daily diet is oranges, pecans, he LOVES whole wheat salt-free pretzel rods, sometimes apples, and grapes very recenty. He likes chesnuts and the occasional acorn. It's hard to get him to eat veggies because he is so picky.

What kind of formula was he on? Has he been on any kind of rodent block?

Besides the formula this does sound like a diet almost completely devoid of calcium - I would say this is MBD.

Start the emergency treatment for MBD right away, not a moment to lose in these cases. Don't want to freak you out but the situation really is dire. They will seizure and die without swift intervention and treatment, often only a short while after showing symptoms. I will post the treatment in a moment!!

[Lanatwo]

Emergency Treatment for MBD

Get calcium into the squirrel IMMEDIATELY, not later, not tomorrow, NOW. Delaying treatment can cause death or permanent paralysis.

You will need:

--Tums or calcium pills (any kind)
--a syringe, eyedropper, or spoon

Crush one Tums or calcium pill and add a little water or fruit juice. Use the syringe, eyedropper, or spoon to force-feed the mixture, a little at a time, until it is all gone. Feed a total of 600-800 mg of calcium, and spread it out through the day and night to keep his blood calcium levels as steady as possible.

If the squirrel is having seizures, weakness, or paralysis, the symptoms will usually improve within a few hours, but this does not mean the squirrel is cured. It will take many months to rebuild the calcium in the bones.

Long-Term Treatment for MBD

The next step to curing MBD is to fix the diet.

1. Remove ALL seeds, nuts, corn, and treats.

2. Follow the Healthy Diet For Pet Squirrels, which can be found at the top of the “Squirrel Nutrition” forum. (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=16093) Your squirrel MUST eat rodent block or squirrel blocks every day. If your squirrel doesn't like rodent blocks, you can try crushing them up with peanut butter or avocado temporarily. You can also make a tastier version of squirrel blocks using the recipe at the top of the Squirrel Nutrition forum.

3. In addition to the Healthy Diet, you will need to continue giving extra calcium every day for several weeks. Either use the syringe/eyedropper or you can try putting the calcium on a small piece of fruit.

Week 1: calcium = 500 mg per day
Week 2: calcium = 250 mg per day
Weeks 3-8: calcium = 100 mg per day

The cause of the acute symptoms—weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis—is a drop in blood calcium levels. If these symptoms return at any time, you will need to give another emergency dose of calcium.

More Tips
MBD causes brittle bones that break easily. Try to keep your squirrel away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone. Also, if he is in a tall cage, either place him in a smaller cage, or pad the bottom very well.

Heat is very soothing for a squirrel with MBD. A heating pad turned to low and placed so they cannot chew the pad or cord, or a rice buddy (a sock filled with dry rice/beans and microwaved for about 20 seconds) will work.

[sierramyst93]

Thanks everyone for helping me out! I gave him one Tum and he gobbled it up. Tomorrow I will cut it into fourths and give it to him throughout the day.

Can anyone tell me some calcium rich foods that I can feed him?

[island rehabber]

Kale, chickory, raddichio, endive, escarole, rapini, mustard greens. :thumbsup NO pecans for now -- he needs all the calcium he can get and they have too much sugar and phosphorous.

[sierramyst93]

As a baby he drank esbilac puppy formula.

[Lanatwo]

Kale, chickory, raddichio, endive, escarole, rapini, mustard greens. :thumbsup NO pecans for now -- he needs all the calcium he can get and they have too much sugar and phosphorous.


Since this squirrel is spoiled and picky, would a little yogurt be okay? Just a suggestion since the little guy might not want to eat that at first. (Blah, I don't even like kale! XD)

[Lanatwo]

As a baby he drank esbilac puppy formula.

But that's quite a while ago, right? He's 6 months old or so now?

What is his name? :)

[Jackie in Tampa]

If you haven't seen any seizures yet, I would follow the MBD protocol and do it NOW.:grouphug
I have seen many sqs turn around following this treatment and diet change. Please trust me, it can get worse and many sqs have died due to this vitamin deficency. Do not wait.
Provide as much supportive care as possible...and heat is a must!
good luck to the both of you.
You have been given good advise from all.:bowdown

[stepnstone]

TSB has saved many of our babies with MBD, let yours be another one by following their advice and you can definitely turn it around.
When it's time, feeding a good rodent block is also a very important part of their nutrition. If at first he won't eat them find the thread on "boo balls",
haven't heard of a squirrel yet who will turn down a good boo ball. :thumbsup

Sending your baby healing light and prayers... :grouphug

[sierramyst93]

Thank you! He already seems a little better. Can I keep giving him Tums for a few weeks?

(p.s. His name is Sparta (: )

[island rehabber]

Thank you! He already seems a little better. Can I keep giving him Tums for a few weeks?

(p.s. His name is Sparta (: )
Yes, but calcium tabs are much better. It's all described for you above:

3. In addition to the Healthy Diet, you will need to continue giving extra calcium every day for several weeks. Either use the syringe/eyedropper or you can try putting the calcium on a small piece of fruit.

Week 1: calcium = 500 mg per day
Week 2: calcium = 250 mg per day
Weeks 3-8: calcium = 100 mg per day

It can easily take 6 months or more for an MBD squirrel to return to anything like normal.....DON'T give up on the treatment! Consistency is the key.....good luck, sierramyst93!