New and and need some advice.

[nangle81]

I have a male squirrel who is about 7 months old, we took him in because his previous owner could no longer have him due to her being a Macaw Breeder. When we got him his back legs were limp and his tail was by all means dead, no movement and such it drags behind him. I did some research and got him a UVB bulb and some "premium Squirrel food" along with some carrots, nuts, and other treats. His back legs are no longer limp, one seems not to extend right and the other works well, but the tail is still motionless. He took to me fast as I spent much time sitting near his "home" talking quietly to him and letting him catch my scent. He spent a few weeks climbing me like a tree and sitting with me, but then he just bit my thumb and wouldnt stop, he got me good many times and I had to toss him off me to get him to stop. He made no noises while doing it and I dont think he ment to hurt me but Im concerned he may be acting aggressive due to being malnourished and am now looking into more specialized food for his complete diet. I dont wanna give up on this little guy I want him to be as happy and comfortable as can be. SO if anyone has some suggestions on maybe monitoring his behavior and maybe some playfull behaviors that are common. Maybe toys and such and what people have built for there habitats. Any info is very appreciated. Also his best friend is our cat they play but the cat tends to hop on top of him and I think it scares him although they have never had any problems so far.

[Nancy in New York]

Just in case our board goes down, as we are due for maintenance, please copy down the link below in my signature.

http://apps.thetsbfund.com/Forum/TopicGroup/

[SammysMom]

:Welcome :Welcome :Welcome
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.

[SammysMom]

For really good nutrition I and many TSB members use the squirrel blocks from http://henryspets.com/
He is at an age where he is becoming sexual mature and may have a cranky attitude. They do not make great pets because of this very thing...
You came to the right place for help though.:Welcome

[CritterMom]

UM, and letting your cat and squirrel play together is begging for disaster. Not even the fear that the cat will attack it - cats carry pasturella in their saliva and if it makes it into your squirrel only immediate antibiotic intervention will save it. REALLY bad idea.

Please do the MBD treatment described here. That is what your baby needs.

[SammysMom]

OMG!! I missed that. Thank-you CritterMom! This is such a bad idea! "Hopping on top of him"??? :sanp3
UM, and letting your cat and squirrel play together is begging for disaster. Not even the fear that the cat will attack it - cats carry pasturella in their saliva and if it makes it into your squirrel only immediate antibiotic intervention will save it. REALLY bad idea.

Please do the MBD treatment described here. That is what your baby needs.

[nangle81]

When we got him he came from a home where he was with macaws , several cats, a duck, and 2 dogs. So knowing nothing we assumed he wouldnt be able to be put back into the wild, and just let the friendship of the 2 animals continue, I do however monitor there playing and when the cat hops on him he is scolded and removed from the room, and let back in after he knows to keep his distance. We have gotten him the calcium supplements for his water and calcium/protien bagels i think there called that he loves, and im ordering him the blocks suggested and dumping his premium food.

Him being of "that age" makes alot of sense, I was wondering if peeing as he moves or while perched is normal or if maybe he just pees without knowing due to his MBD and not developing right? He hasnt done it often but when he does it seems like he doesnt have control of it.

[Skul]

Please do not let the cat play with the squirrel.
It may look cute and friendly, but, it really is a bad thing.

[nangle81]

Ill keep him and the cat separated, now that I know and have looked into the info Ive received Ill be able to be a lot more Cautious.

Ive had him for about 2 months should there be any improvements with his tail if hes getting the right diet? Also is it recommended to have a UVB bulb for them?

[magna]

I came here looking for advice because my 6mo male started attacking and serious bites requiring dermabond. It was a combination of things I think. New animal in his room, changing feeding conditions not really the diet, also have found whenever I shower for an hour or two he doesn't recognize me or the scent. This board and its members are wonderful. Please follow the advice on here, it's great. Moved my guy and he still bites once in a while, but he's cool most of the time and now I can pet him again. If the weather ever evens out some he will be released. He is outside now and loves it. Good luck and don't give up or shy away because of the bites but be careful.

[Skul]

Ill keep him and the cat separated, now that I know and have looked into the info Ive received Ill be able to be a lot more Cautious.

Ive had him for about 2 months should there be any improvements with his tail if hes getting the right diet? Also is it recommended to have a UVB bulb for them?
I know it may be hard. Always fun to watch the little critters "play".
Honestly. it's for the best for your little squirrel.


I came here looking for advice because my 6mo male started attacking and serious bites requiring dermabond. It was a combination of things I think. New animal in his room, changing feeding conditions not really the diet, also have found whenever I shower for an hour or two he doesn't recognize me or the scent. This board and its members are wonderful. Please follow the advice on here, it's great. Moved my guy and he still bites once in a while, but he's cool most of the time and now I can pet him again. If the weather ever evens out some he will be released. He is outside now and loves it. Good luck and don't give up or shy away because of the bites but be careful.
:wave123 Magna. Turning those little beggars back into the wild, can be a hard thing.
So many risks, so many worries.

[magna]

It's gonna break my heart but it needs to be done, it's where he belongs. Things may change, the weather has prevented it so far, maybe it's the good Lord's way of telling me something...??? Here's his new outdoor cage and seeing him play is priceless. Hope Nangle81 follows the advice here, predator..prey....not a good mix, it can be done but there is always a risk and incredibly heart wrenching when it goes bad.