Possible MBD

[Eloise]

My squirrel is down in her back legs. She has jerking movements at times like she may be having a seizure. I have moistened two tums (500mg each) and given to her in a syringe. No change. What can I do. Small town and no vet available tonight.

[Tickle's Mom]

Where in SC? We have experienced members in SC.

[Nancy in New York]

My squirrel is down in her back legs. She has jerking movements at times like she may be having a seizure. I have moistened two tums (500mg each) and given to her in a syringe. No change. What can I do. Small town and no vet available tonight.

When did this start?
What is her diet?
How old is she?
Keep her in a quiet place and give her heat.
Either a heating pad set on LOW under half
of her container, or a rice buddy. Put 1 cup uncooked rice
in a sock, tie at top. Microwave it on high and squish the rice around,
once you remove it from the microwave, making sure there are no
hot spots. Put this in fleece and then near your squirrel.

[Eloise]

She is approx. 3 months old. Her diet consist of mostly nuts. They eat some raw veggies but not alot. Carrots Broccoli apples. I give them Healthy Bits for small animals. She was down this afternoon when I came home from work. She has a brother that seems perfectly fine.

[Eloise]

We are in Walterboro, SC, an hour away from charleston.

[Tickle's Mom]

I sent a private message to lillidukes, who is in SC. I have not heard from her yet. I have to leave for a few hours so if anyone can contact her, please do.

I also have an MBD squirrel whose diet was mainly nuts. If you act fast and get help from the rehabbers here, she has a good chance. :grouphug

[Tickle's Mom]

:bump :bump

[astra]

if her diet consists mostly of nuts, this is most likely MBD. Even if her brother "seems" ok, chances are, his bones are undergoing the same damage that will manifest themselves in similar symptoms (or worse).
Start Emergency MBD treatment.
Start right now, not later, not tomorrow.

IF it turns out to be not MBD, this won't hurt, but if it is MBD, it will save her life.
Please read Nutrition Forum for a Healthy Diet for Pet (=rehabbed=captive) Squirrel. Squirrels have very specific nutritional requirements, if the latter are not met, the squirrels get MBD. MBD can permanently damage and disable them.
They should eat daily a quality rodent block (a few, in fact) + good veggies.

So, here is Emergency MBD Treatment:

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, rolaids, or calcium supplement (any kind)
-a syringe or spoon

Crush one pill and add a little water or fruit juice to make a paste. Use the syringe or spoon to force-feed the mixture, a little at a time, until it is all gone. The first day, give a total of 600-800 mg of calcium, spread throughout the day/night to maintain blood calcium levels.

Important!

1. Any kind of calcium pill is okay for the initial dose. But you must use PLAIN calcium pills (without Vit D) from then on.
2. Try to give many small doses of calcium throughout the day/night to keep blood calcium levels as steady as possible.
3. If seizures or paralysis worsen or return, give another emergency dose, and make sure you check back in to TSB for help as relapses can be very serious.

The acute symptoms (weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis) 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. (See the "Long-Term Treatment for MBD" http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=28007)

More Tips
MBD causes brittle bones that break easily. Try to keep your squirrel confined to a small cage and away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone.

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.

Be sure to check in with TSB on a regular basis; this is key to avoid relapses.
__________________

[astra]

Here is NUtrition Forum - please read all "stickies", especially, regarding Healthy Diet.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

BUT FIRST START THE EMERGENCY MBD TREATMENT:grouphug :grouphug

[lilidukes]

Sorry I'm not close. I pm'd Eloise Lulu2010's number she is closer and has vets.

[Skul]

:wave123 Eloise.
You picked up on the right thing pretty quick.
It ay take a short time before seeing improvment, so please don't get discouraged.
Also, please consider treating the other little one too.
Better safe than sorry.