Loss of appetite

[Betsy]

My grey squirrel is almost 5 years old. He is sleeping most of the day and sometimes squeaks like it might hurt when I pick him up. He isn't eating much and is not drinking as much water as he used to either. Last week I ordered the MBD kit and am having difficulty force feeding the calcium paste from the syringe. I need to know the best way to hold or restrain Skamper in order to get the calcium into his mouth and making him swallow it. Is there a video that shows how to do this?

Last week I posted on the white poo. As of today the poo is darker but not like it was and he drops tiny almost round poo not like the cooked rice shape it always had before. Any thoughts on that?

He is also shedding a lot right now could that have any bearing on this?

[Bravo]

Are you familiar with burrito-ing? quite straightforward. Small towel, wrap it several times around your Skamper, and no harm to him, no harm to you. Force feeding is more complex... will see what I can find if others don't beat me to it. :great

[Spanky]

He isn't eating much....

Can you lace what he is eating with the calcium? What are his favorite foods... you can fill "slits" in an avocado piece with calcium for example.

Have you tried a berry flavored Tums to see if he'll eat that on his own?

[Bravo]

:yeahthat The way to his stomach may be with favorite foods. The following is for babies but may still apply:


"I have had stubborn new "patients" refuse everything for 12-15 hrs. I eventually get them with a mixture of either warm water and honey, or warm water and a little apple juice or apple sauce mixed in. The apple flavor is often irresistable to babies and can be the thing that finally gets them to start drinking. Try honey water or apple water. "

[Annabelle's papa]

My grey squirrel is almost 5 years old. He is sleeping most of the day and sometimes squeaks like it might hurt when I pick him up. He isn't eating much and is not drinking as much water as he used to either. Last week I ordered the MBD kit and am having difficulty force feeding the calcium paste from the syringe. I need to know the best way to hold or restrain Skamper in order to get the calcium into his mouth and making him swallow it. Is there a video that shows how to do this?

Last week I posted on the white poo. As of today the poo is darker but not like it was and he drops tiny almost round poo not like the cooked rice shape it always had before. Any thoughts on that?

He is also shedding a lot right now could that have any bearing on this?

:)Good Afternoon Ms. Betsy, holding Lil' Skamper in one hand partially 'wrapped' or 'burritoed' as it is referred too with a small blanket or towel, is the best way to maintain control while you administer the calcium paste.:great

:)Please insure that you have extra fleece on the bottom of the cage in order to prevent injury until Lil' Skamper is doing better, when their bones are weakened they are more prone to breaking an arm or leg. Limiting the heights they are allowed to access in their cage is also a very good idea.:thumbsup

:)And it sounds as though Skampers is experiencing some pain or discomfort due to the MBD, however someone with more experience would need to advise on the use and dosing of pain medication such as Infant Ibuprofen. Please insure that Skamper is receiving an adequate amount of water, dehydration would hinder the healing effects of the calcium treatment.:)

[Betsy]

I will try the "burrito jacket". Next I will run to the store as soon as we are out of the tornado watch since I need to be ready to get him in his little cage to head to the safe-room. I didn't know that honey was safe for a squirrel I will try that to get him to drink water and maybe disguise the calcium. I just wish I knew why he isn't hungry or thirsty. It is noticeable to me that he has lost some weight.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try everything that has been suggested up to now. I could lose power soon so I may have to check back in the morning to see if there were anymore posts.

[Annabelle's papa]

I will try the "burrito jacket". Next I will run to the store as soon as we are out of the tornado watch since I need to be ready to get him in his little cage to head to the safe-room. I didn't know that honey was safe for a squirrel I will try that to get him to drink water and maybe disguise the calcium. I just wish I knew why he isn't hungry or thirsty. It is noticeable to me that he has lost some weight.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try everything that has been suggested up to now. I could lose power soon so I may have to check back in the morning to see if there were anymore posts.

:)Amen Ms. Betsy, everyone will be praying for Ya'll as this 'new' round of storms pass through, and the smaller cage is a great idea for emergencies.:great

:)Try to use very little liquid with the calcium, keep it as thick as you can like a paste, but flavoring it with anything that will help your Lil' One take it is a wonderful idea.:thumbsup

:)The lack of energy and lack of appetite go hand in hand with each other until Lil' Skamper begins to improve with the calcium treatments.:Love_Icon

[Betsy]

The burrito thing isn't working too well for me. The moment I get his front feet covered he goes wild and twists and turns like an alligator and gets away then he is breathing so hard and it almost looks like he is having the hiccups. PLEASE TELL ME THIS ISN'T A SEIZURE OF SORTS. He then won't let me hold him for quite a while and runs if I go near him with the syringe containing calcium. I have mushed some avocado with calcium and he ate a little of it. He runs away when I mixed it with apple sauce. He will drink some water if I open a cranberry capsule in a cup of water.

Please help.

[island rehabber]

Betsy, you've got to use what he likes in order to get the calcium into him. His lethargy, reaction to being held and lack of appetite are all symptoms of MBD. Have you tried the berry-flavored Tums? My NR will eat half of one just as a treat -- they are yummy. If he likes the water with some cranberry then give him all he wants.

It's not fun making them take the calcium but they absolutely must do it. It's the only way to reverse the progress of MBD.

[CritterMom]

Finesse is always better than force when trying to get them to eat something.

You were on the right track with the avocado. Get some almond butter and mix some calcium with the almond butter and make teeny little balls with it - those might be tasty. I have seen people mix it with Nutella! What are his favorite treats?

You don't have to get a large amount of the calcium in him per day as far as volume of the powder is concerned. We just need to find out how to sneak it by him.

[Betsy]

Skamper is getting some calcium: however, he still doesn't want to eat blocks, sugar peas, or fruit. He doesn't want to drink much water even with the cranberry powder from capsules in it. He is getting thinner and still wants to sleep most of the day. He is shedding profusely and there is hair in his whitish poo (about like it was before I started the calcium) also the poo is getting very small and round. Could it be something other than MBD? I am afraid to wait too long. Please help if you can.

[Annabelle's papa]

Skamper is getting some calcium: however, he still doesn't want to eat blocks, sugar peas, or fruit. He doesn't want to drink much water even with the cranberry powder from capsules in it. He is getting thinner and still wants to sleep most of the day. He is shedding profusely and there is hair in his whitish poo (about like it was before I started the calcium) also the poo is getting very small and round. Could it be something other than MBD? I am afraid to wait too long. Please help if you can.

:)Hi Ms. Betsy, it's very understandable how worried you have become, I literally concern myself everyday with what our Lil' two ounce Flyer eats or doesn't eat. And you can always flavor Skamper's water with a small amount of apple juice or sugar to keep him drinking, but the calcium needs to stay thick and pasty. Mixing the calcium powder with too much water only causes it to separate and settle out, and it will take a continued amount of use (weeks to months) to correct any acquired deficiency.

:)Does Skamper have a good vet, because it might not be a bad idea to have a fecal and possibly a blood test, your state is much more Squirrel friendly than most, and I'm sure Skampers could be seen.

[Kristi S]

Can you post a photo, particularly of the shedding? Does he squeak when you simply touch his skin, or is it only when you handle his body? When he runs, do you notice anything awkward or different about his gait? EDIT...From the diet you reported in the other thread (checked just now), it does sound like it could be MBD. There could be additional nutritional problems that are causing other symptoms.

What's the cranberry capsule? I've never heard of it.