Looks like MBD.

[CDage79]

Hi, I'm reposting here, at a members suggestion, about Buddy, the 3 OR 4 month old red squirrel with what looks like MBD and malnoutrition. I've started the emergency MBD treatment and will put in an order for Henry Heathy Pets emergency kits tonight. Buddy's details are here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35492 on the welcome board.
Am very happy I found this board, hopefully together we can make my mistakes right. I'll keep everyone informed, any tips on dealing with this are extremely appreciated.

[HRT4SQRLS]

:wave123 CDage79
You're doing a great job. Here, in the Emergency Section, your posts will get faster attention. Experienced rehabbers will be available to help or answer any questions you have. :)

:thumbsup on the MBD treatment kit ORDER from Henry's. You're on the right track. Also, if you order the FV, don't forget syringes and nipples (if you don't have any). Henry's has those also (very inexpensive). Some squirrel will still take the syringe--other will lap it from a bowl. Get well Buddy.

[CDage79]

I ordered the kit and FV and still giving him 2 tums daily (600mg calcium) I have to say, he loves the stuff.:Love_Icon

On another note, for the bottom of the cage, I read that fleece was best so I took out the carpet and put in fleece. He seems to catch on it a lot so that has me worried, he never caught on the carpet (was a reversible bath mat). He seems to be worse after a day with fleece so I covered it with a t-shirt and put a hot water bottle underneath one side.

His control of his legs is worse and he isn't really eating well. In the cage you can't tell but my husband put him on the floor and he couldn't walk. I'll pick up some goats milk while I wait for the formula to come in and hopefully that will help keep him nourished.
:dono :shakehead

[Itchiku's dad]

If he has not been very active his claws will have become long so are probably catching, as the fleece is light you notice it more.

[HRT4SQRLS]

CDage79,

How is Buddy doing? Any signs of improvement at all? Were you able to get any food or GM into him today?


I ordered the kit and FV and still giving him 2 tums daily (600mg calcium) I have to say, he loves the stuff.:Love_Icon

I'm glad you ordered the supplies for him. I have one question. The 2 Tums he is taking has a combined total of 600 mg calcium...right ? Just making sure it ISN'T two 600 mg Tums (total 1200). You don't want to give him TOO much either. Are you trying to spread out the doses throughout the day?

Get Well Buddy

[CDage79]

Hi,

The tums are 300mg each so a total of 600mg. I do split the dose throughout the day however some days I can only do 3 splits because of work and my final exams after work. So he gets it in the morning, afternoon and night.

I wasn't able to find any goats milk so I gave him Ensure like someone else suggested. He's taking that well, and he ate some cucumber, zucchini and mushrooms. Hasn't touched the green peppers or lettuce I give him.

He's still supper wobbly and not walking well. Moves about in short tippy hops.

He climbed out of the cage and nuzzled up against my neck and fell asleep last night. :Love_Icon I think my heart exploded :D

I was late to work this morning cause he did it again. priorities :jump

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi Cindy,
I'm glad Buddy likes the Ensure. It's so good for him, especially until you get the FoxValley. I think he will like the FV, most do. In the MBD kit, it includes Picky Eater Blocks. Hopefully, he will willingly eat them because they will provide the vitamins and minerals that he needs. Have you seen the chart in the nutrition section with CA:Phos ratios? The veggies with the higher CA:P ratio are the best. Example Kale 2.4:1 (very good)...... Corn 1:44.5 (horrible)

I have a little flyer and he isn't a big lettuce eater either. I buy single serving size salads for him (about $2). I buy a spring mix that has about 7 or 8 different lettuces in it, like romaine,red leaf, mustard, spinach, chard, radicchio, arugula and a few other things. That way he has variety and I don't have to buy 8 different heads of lettuce. :rotfl My little guy does eat kale. Maybe some of the experienced rehabbers can sound in if mushrooms are good for Buddy at this point. The reason I wonder is because mushrooms contain Vitamin D which is needed for calcium metabolism or absorption? which is GREAT but they have a bad Ca:P ratio at 1:28.7. So I don't know which is more important, the Vitamin D (good) or the Ca:P ratio (bad). :thinking

It sounds like you're a very busy person with a job and final exams. Wow! Also, do I detect a person that has a bad case of 'squirrel love'? :poke They ARE just the sweetest things, aren't they. We don't have red squirrels where I live but I think they are adorable.

Keep up the good work Cindy. Buddy is young and I believe your efforts will be rewarded when Buddy starts to turn around. :thumbsup

[CDage79]

More hugs tonight, and a bite for putting him back in his cage lol, little rasscal.

I may just be hoping its true but he did seem a bit more active tonight and a tiny bit less wobbly, wich is still very wobbly :D

:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou. Everyone.

Yeah, I gots the squirrel love bad, how could I not. mjs

I know Buddy isn't a very imaginative name but after calling him little buddy for a week it just seemed right lol

Hopefully Fv comes in tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone!

[HRT4SQRLS]

More hugs tonight, and a bite for putting him back in his cage lol, little rasscal.

I may just be hoping its true but he did seem a bit more active tonight and a tiny bit less wobbly, which is still very wobbly :D


Sweet--Buddy hugs. :)

Cindy, We'll take any small signs of improvement. :alright.gif

When you get the FV, let us know how he likes it. Also, I know it's difficult but we NEED pictures. :peace

[CDage79]

I am sorry to announce that Buddy died today. I think he had brain damage from his fall from the attic and had an anneurism. He was getting better and stronger every day and I went up about 10 minutes after feeding him and he was on his side dead with his food in his hands and a bloody nose and mouth. Was still warm.

Oh well, did what I could.

Is there anyone in Canada or Toronto who needs FV and the MDB treatment kit? I haven't even received it yet so It's brand new.

:dono :shakehead :Love_Icon

[Skul]

Sorry to hear this.:sad
Sounds like your assesment may have been correct.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Cindy,
I am so very sorry that Buddy passed. :( I am completely heart broken and I'm certain he has taken a piece of YOUR heart with him. There just is no way to explain how these tiny creatures can capture our heart like they do.

You were doing everything possible to give Buddy a chance to be healthy. With his sudden passing and the way he passed it is clear that there was nothing that could have changed his course.

:Love_Icon RIP Sweet Buddy:Love_Icon

[CDage79]

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon