help for older "pet" squirrel

[freddyfroo]

Hi everyone,

I signed up to get some help/information for a relative that has had a "pet" squirrel for the past 10 years. She found him as a baby fallen down her chimney, raised him, and then did not release him outside as she felt he was not wanting to go (kept coming back to her) and she was attached.

Long story short, he is now about 10 years old and still bonded to her, but had an episode a few weeks ago that like a paralysis in only his hind left leg and foot.

The foot and leg were completely useless, dragging out behind him, he did not react at all to pinches/squeezes, as if there were no feeling.

After about a week, he regained some movement in both the leg and foot, and is now using them again, although more stiffly than before.

I'm guessing this is a case of metabolic bone disease..but most of what I have read points to this being a problem prevalent in young/baby squirrels, so was not sure.

He eats a varied diet of fruits, veggies, and grains, but I would guess, like most squirrels that he goes for the corn, nuts etc. first before eating anything else. I have never seen him use/chew the mineral blocks my relative provides him.

Also, he does not get proper access to sunlight as she keeps him inside to keep him "safe" from injury/running away outside, and has a fear of leaving lamps on such as those that would provide the necessary uva/uvb.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Peaches]

It is totally possible for a 10 yr old to get MBD. They can get it at any age if their diet is not sufficiant. Of course its also possible that being a older squirrel his climbing skills are not what they used to be and he fell or maybe his nails are too long and got caught on something causing him to freak out and hurt himself.
Just in case though she should give him a calcium suppliment, only feed fruits and veggies, no corn and only one nut a day.
I also have a 10 yr old NR, a 14 yr old NR and a 16 yr old NR. They get a big mix of fruits and veggies every morning, large bird calcium perches to climb and chew on, cuttle bones, chilli chews calcium cones and a handful of rat and mouse blocks everyday. In the evening they get a piece of granola bar to chew on and a animal cracker :D

[SammysMom]

Emergency Treatment for Metabolic Bone Disease (updated 3-31-09)

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.

[pappy1264]

Could be MBD, but is there any chance he injured himself jumping? The reason I ask is because generally with MBD there is great pain involved, not just not being able to use one limb. The fact there was no reaction to pain stimulus, I would question if there was inflammation. I am just thinking out loud, I am sure others will chime in. Do you have a vet that is squirrel friendly? I am in MA, too. Ten years is a good age for a squirrel and he is definitely in his 'golden years'. Of course, it is never too late to make improvements in diet.

[Skul]

Could be MBD, but is there any chance he injured himself jumping? The reason I ask is because generally with MBD there is great pain involved, not just not being able to use one limb. The fact there was no reaction to pain stimulus, I would question if there was inflammation. I am just thinking out loud, I am sure others will chime in. Do you have a vet that is squirrel friendly? I am in MA, too. Ten years is a good age for a squirrel and he is definitely in his 'golden years'. Of course, it is never too late to make improvements in diet.
The bold part.:thumbsup

[Xepher]

Don't mean to jack the thread, but you said MBD can happen to a squirrel at ANY age? Even a 5 week old? I'm simply curious as to whether or not this could have been what took my most recent kit, as opposed to head trauma.

[CritterMom]

Don't mean to jack the thread, but you said MBD can happen to a squirrel at ANY age? Even a 5 week old? I'm simply curious as to whether or not this could have been what took my most recent kit, as opposed to head trauma.

No, no - not while on formula, which supplies them with what they need nutritionally - it is from weaning onward that you see this happen. What many people associate with squirrel food - peanuts, corn and nuts - are the biggest culprits,

[freddyfroo]

Thank you for the advice everyone! My aunt who owns the squirrel does have her canine vet who has said he would take a look at the squirrel, and to tell the office staff it's a ferret..but she and I both do not think that highly of his abilities regarding wildlife...plus the fact that technically she is not supposed to have a squirrel as a pet (she's not registered as a wildlife rehabilitator)

I will recommend the appropriate changes to diet; it is possible he had a fall when she wasn't at home and hurt himself and that there was inflammation. His leg was really "dead to the world" so to speak though at the time. Even with inflammation, I would think he would have responded to the pain test at least a little, I applied a good amount of pressure to see if it really was "paralyzed", but now better.

I have a paralyzed parrot I rescued, and even he can tell when you do the pressure test, it at least feels uncomfortable. Perhaps Fred was doing a really good job of hiding any pain since he is even more wild than a captive-bred parrot!

[TareChiMama]

I don't have any additional advice other than to echo that I think it would be in his best interest to see a vet and to say good luck! :grouphug