Need details on emergency calcium for possible MBD

[djarenspace9]

Trying to help a local squirrel for likely MBD.
Juvenile maybe 10-12 weeks already off formula 3-4weeks and on a diet heavy on seeds and nuts plus healthy veggies.

Was seen having a seizure today.
Already has gotten some immediate calcium and has snapped out of it,
but I don't recall how to measure my calcium carbonate for the ongoing treatment.

I have a 1lb bag I bought from Chris' Squirrels and More several years ago.
I hope it's still good, it has been in the fridge in a zip lock.
The bag does not say any measurements at all...

:thinking

[djarenspace9]

:poke anyone?

[Jackie in Tampa]

karen, do you have a tums?
usually they are 500 or 750 mg of calcium..
or a plain calcium tablet...
truthfully, I doubt the calcium is still good...but I will ask a friend her thoughts, or you can...Leigh would know vitamin info in general.


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32122
here's the treatment protocol..
:grouphug

[CritterMom]

The calcium carbonate I have purchased was all 1 teaspoon = 3 grams (3000mg). It is quite concentrated, which means you don't have to use a lot of volume to attain the loevels you are looking for.

[Jackie in Tampa]

molasses or log cabin after each seizure helps with blood sugars..
molasses contains calcium naturally and seizures deplete brain calcium...
just a dab in their mouth..I use the end of syringe if bitey sq.
start Formula again too..

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[djarenspace9]

I did find the protocol to follow but just not sure how to meet the required amounts.

I don't have Tums so was hoping the calcium was still good.
I mixed a pinch with warm water and he drank about 6-8ccs.
I would dip the tip in honey (did not have molasses) so he got a bit of that too.

There is no label on the bag except to say it's 1lb.
I guess I can email squirrelsandmore.com and ask about expiration.
There is none marked on the bag.

If not I will go buy tums after work.

I just want to make sure I don't give too much cause I believe it is very concentrated and it has been a few years since I used it under vet supervision.

He is acting normal right now.
I put him and his sister in a smallish cage with a mountain of fleece so if he does have another seizure at least he won't hurt himself.

[Jackie in Tampa]

he has a sister?...
she will need same treatment is she had same diet.
glad he is resting.
Karen, you are a very good rehabber, he is in good hands...

[djarenspace9]

Thanks for the compliment Jackie :flash3
but truthfully I've never had to treat MBD so I'm going to be following instructions,
no instinct in place just yet!

I do plan on treating her too.
All I had time to do before my shift started was get him settled down
and make them both cozy.

I've checked on them a few times and they are calm and content,
so when I'm done working I will go get some Tums just to be safe.

I did email Chris so hopefully they can confirm if the calcium is still good.

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks for the compliment Jackie :flash3
but truthfully I've never had to treat MBD so I'm going to be following instructions,
no instinct in place just yet!

I do plan on treating her too.
All I had time to do before my shift started was get him settled down
and make them both cozy.

I've checked on them a few times and they are calm and content,
so when I'm done working I will go get some Tums just to be safe.

I did email Chris so hopefully they can confirm if the calcium is still good.


I did a quick check on line about the shelf life of calcium carbonate, and it seems that 5 years is the norm.
Then I found this:

"While expiration dates are desirable, they are not always necessary. Certain substances such as calcium carbonate have an extremely long shelf life. Lack of an expiration date in this case is inconsequential".

[djarenspace9]

I did a quick check on line about the shelf life of calcium carbonate, and it seems that 5 years is the norm.
Then I found this:

"While expiration dates are desirable, they are not always necessary. Certain substances such as calcium carbonate have an extremely long shelf life. Lack of an expiration date in this case is inconsequential".


:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[UDoWhat]

I did a quick check on line about the shelf life of calcium carbonate, and it seems that 5 years is the norm.
Then I found this:

"While expiration dates are desirable, they are not always necessary. Certain substances such as calcium carbonate have an extremely long shelf life. Lack of an expiration date in this case is inconsequential".

:thumbsup :goodpost With this info I would just follow the instructions exactly as written on the sticky and you will be fine. I had 2 severe MBDs last year and I followed the Emerg. and Long term stickies and I released 2 beautiful, strong squirrels in the late spring. The transition to block or HHBs is the hardest part but it can be done with time and "tough" love in the food department. However, get them past this first few days and on a healthier road. They will need "gentle" love the first few days. IMO.
Scritches to your little MBD ones.

Marty

[djarenspace9]

The calcium carbonate I have purchased was all 1 teaspoon = 3 grams (3000mg). It is quite concentrated, which means you don't have to use a lot of volume to attain the loevels you are looking for.

It's going to be hard to measure then....I remember using a pinch in the past but that was under vet instruction and more preventative, not a confirmed case of MBD.

[UDoWhat]

It's going to be hard to measure then....I remember using a pinch in the past but that was under vet instruction and more preventative, not a confirmed case of MBD.
I wonder if you could make a dilution with 1 teaspoon of powder to 1 teaspoon of water. Then you would have 3000mg/5ml . You would then have to keep dividing the liquid or diluting it. I don't know if it will stay in suspension in water. Does anyone know?? Holy moly, after I typed all of this I think I would just go get some TUMS. :rotfl

Marty

[djarenspace9]

I have a measuring spoon for 1/2 tsp and a smaller one for "a pinch" :D

I could just mix it up and shake it well before drawing it up.
That should not be any different than any other crushed pill that separates.

It's such a shame...he looks so good on the outside you wouldn't know anything was wrong.
I have never seen a squirrel have a seizure that wasn't due to head trauma so it was a bit unnerving.

[redwuff]

i HAVE SOME CALCIUM CARBONATE POWDER THAT I GOT FROM HENRY'S WITH DOSAGE INSTRUCTIONS...

DOSAGE

3 GRAMS = 1 TEASPOON = 1,200 MG
SERVING SIZE .8GRAMS (1/4 LEVEL TSP)

HOPE THAT HELPS

[djarenspace9]

:thinking

That's a big difference from what CritterMom's calcium measures.

I think I will be getting me some Tums in a bit :rotfl

[UDoWhat]

:thinking

That's a big difference from what CritterMom's calcium measures.

I think I will be getting me some Tums in a bit :rotfl
I am with you on that !!! Drugs store trip time!:rotfl At least you can crush one Tums divide into 5 or 6 equal doses in a small amount of something to dilute it with and you are done for one day. So much easier, I think. :rotfl

I know what you mean about looking good on the outside. One of the one's I had that was raised on only apples and vanilla wafers and an occasional Oreo had beautiful fur and he was a fat little toad. He looked great except he was dying of MBD :shakehead What a shame. It took months but he became strong and healthy.

Marty

[Jackie in Tampa]

i HAVE SOME CALCIUM CARBONATE POWDER THAT I GOT FROM HENRY'S WITH DOSAGE INSTRUCTIONS...

DOSAGE

3 GRAMS = 1 TEASPOON = 1,200 MG
SERVING SIZE .8GRAMS (1/4 LEVEL TSP)

HOPE THAT HELPS
That's what I have also..
huge bottle of NOW brand calcium carb powder...

[djarenspace9]

They are both doing good so far, just look at me funny like I'm the one with the problem :rotfl
Is there anyone in my area that would be willing and able to foster these guys until they are closer to release?

I could take them back once they are ready to go outdoors and release them.

I will be going out of town soon and since they need special attention,
I want to make sure they are in good hands.
I've made arrangements for my other pets and squirrels and I am out of people to ask at this point.

:osnap

I leave right after the gathering in Orlando so even if not now, if someone would be willing to take them that weekend.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

well I asked, and the answer is no, so I can just squirrel sit the one. Poor babies.
( plus I have to see what Simon does when he sees another squirrely )

[djarenspace9]

No worries Laurie, you are very kind to take care of Bubu :Love_Icon
I have faith someone will turn up that can care for them short term.
I can definitely take them back after my trip,
but it would be best if they get settled and stress free asap for good healing! :flash3