Please advise! Need help with mbd!

[Rockysmom]

Hello all. I'm desperate for info on how to treat my little guy! I've had Rocky since he was only a couple of days old. We found him on the school playground after bad storms tore the nest apart. He is 10 1/2 weeks old now and I have been diligent in providing what I thought was a healthy diet. He has been raised on the esbilac formula with added heavy whipping cream, and now, as he is weaning, he gets a nut square a day, along with sweet potato, avocado, green beans, a spring mix lettuce, broccoli, and very small amounts of fruits. I've tried to get him to eat the zupreem monkey chow but he doesn't really like it.
About a week ago he started limping and favoring his back leg. He was a little grumbly for a couple of days but still ate and played. I took him to a vet today and he suspected a break high on the femur so he did an xray. The vet said his bones are so bad and deteriorating. He could see several breaks but said they were trying to heal. He gave us some liquid ibuprofen and said he'd call around for advice on how to treat. I was just shocked that he could be in this condition. Despite his favoring his back leg, he races around like a nascar driver and still wants to play. His appetite is good and the back leg seems to be getting better. I don't know what to do to build his bones up and stop the deterioration! This is my first experience with raising a baby squirrel and I've been trying to do everything right for him. Just so frustrated and worried right now that he's not as healthy as I thought! I keep reading that you should give calcium supplements but I need to know the exact kind! Please forgive the length of the post but I thought the more background info the better! Thank you for your time. Please advise!

[redwuff]

Wow!


This is a stunner. It should not be. Can you tell me how you figured how much to feed and how often. What is his wt?

By the way, I am near college park. The formula should have been good to provide good bones.

At this age and stage of growth, the most important thing now is diet and diet. How long has he been weaned?

[redwuff]

What is a nut square? His diet now seems to be lacking in some type of rodent chow

There is a syrup called neocalcagon that is a good source of calcium.i will get more info on it in morning.

[stepnstone]

Wow!
This is a stunner. It should not be. Can you tell me how you figured how much to feed and how often. What is his wt?
By the way, I am near college park. The formula should have been good to provide good bones.
At this age and stage of growth, the most important thing now is diet and diet. How long has he been weaned?


He has been raised on the esbilac formula with added heavy whipping cream,
Which Esbilac formula, brand and type?

[Rockysmom]

Wow!


This is a stunner. It should not be. Can you tell me how you figured how much to feed and how often. What is his wt?

By the way, I am near college park. The formula should have been good to provide good bones.

At this age and stage of growth, the most important thing now is diet and diet. How long has he been weaned?

I'm not sure if is where I respond or not but.......He's not completely weaned. He still gets the esbilac formula twice a day. He's getting about 3 or 4 of the 1.0ml syringes twice a day but sometimes he wants a couple of more and sometimes he only takes 2 or 3. But he always gets the one nut square and veggies that are always available. I thought the formula would have given him all the nutrition he needed until weaned but apparently not! Thanks for responding!!! I'm still trying to figure this web site out!!

[Rockysmom]

Which Esbilac formula, brand and type?

I've been using the Esbilac dry puppy milk replacer and adding the heavy whipping cream. 2 parts water to 1 part Esbilac to 1/4 part whipping cream. Thanks for responding!!

[Rockysmom]

What is a nut square? His diet now seems to be lacking in some type of rodent chow

There is a syrup called neocalcagon that is a good source of calcium.i will get more info on it in morning.

The nut square I've been giving him is from Sugar Gliders USA. It is the Squirrel Nut Squares and is provided from SquirrelNutrition.com. I will look into the neocalcagon syrup! Thank you for responding!!!

[stepnstone]

I've been using the Esbilac dry puppy milk replacer and adding the heavy whipping cream. 2 parts water to 1 part Esbilac to 1/4 part whipping cream. Thanks for responding!!

Is it Pet Ag as pictured below or Pet Lac?

288260

[Rockysmom]

Is it Pet Ag as pictured below or Pet Lac?

288260

Yes, this is the one I have been using!

[AJR]

I ordered calcium bicarbonate by a company called NOW. (Does not contain Vit D). I just mix in a little with Sandy's formula and I read on TSB that it can be "dusted" onto their food as well. Sandy is about 8.5 weeks old. The big bottle was only about $9 on Amazon and will last A LONG time.

[redwuff]

This almost sounds like brittle bone in humans. Never heard of it in squirrels.

What is your guys weight? Formula is good. Feeding him 2x now as he is getting close to weaning is good. Is your vet an exotic vet? Surprised you could get him seen. Maryland is not especially squirrel friendly. We have an excellent vet in Laurel if you have any concerns about yours. Please don't take offense at questioning your vet. I find there is a large range of expertise concerning squirrels. Did you get blood work done? That would tell a lot concerning ability of your boy being able to absorb nutrition that he is getting.

[Rockysmom]

I ordered calcium bicarbonate by a company called NOW. (Does not contain Vit D). I just mix in a little with Sandy's formula and I read on TSB that it can be "dusted" onto their food as well. Sandy is about 8.5 weeks old. The big bottle was only about $9 on Amazon and will last A LONG time.

Thank you! I will look into that!

[Rockysmom]

This almost sounds like brittle bone in humans. Never heard of it in squirrels.

What is your guys weight? Formula is good. Feeding him 2x now as he is getting close to weaning is good. Is your vet an exotic vet? Surprised you could get him seen. Maryland is not especially squirrel friendly. We have an excellent vet in Laurel if you have any concerns about yours. Please don't take offense at questioning your vet. I find there is a large range of expertise concerning squirrels. Did you get blood work done? That would tell a lot concerning ability of your boy being able to absorb nutrition that he is getting.

He's 299 grams. I'm not sure if that's a good weight for him or not. He looks healthy and eats well. I did have trouble finding someone to look at him but the vet I found was an exotic pets person. He didn't do any blood work, just the xray to check out his bones. He seemed be knowledgeable but was stumped on why his bones were in that condition. He said the diet I have been giving him is good and he's used that before himself. He said he was going to call around for advice and call me back today. I'm going to go get a calcium block and am upping the squirrel blocks to 3 a day. Opinion on this course of treatment is welcome and any additional advice is appreciated!! Thank you!!

[JoanP]

Hello all. I'm desperate for info on how to treat my little guy! I've had Rocky since he was only a couple of days old. We found him on the school playground after bad storms tore the nest apart. He is 10 1/2 weeks old now and I have been diligent in providing what I thought was a healthy diet. He has been raised on the esbilac formula with added heavy whipping cream, and now, as he is weaning, he gets a nut square a day, along with sweet potato, avocado, green beans, a spring mix lettuce, broccoli, and very small amounts of fruits. I've tried to get him to eat the zupreem monkey chow but he doesn't really like it.
About a week ago he started limping and favoring his back leg. He was a little grumbly for a couple of days but still ate and played. I took him to a vet today and he suspected a break high on the femur so he did an xray. The vet said his bones are so bad and deteriorating. He could see several breaks but said they were trying to heal. He gave us some liquid ibuprofen and said he'd call around for advice on how to treat. I was just shocked that he could be in this condition. Despite his favoring his back leg, he races around like a nascar driver and still wants to play. His appetite is good and the back leg seems to be getting better. I don't know what to do to build his bones up and stop the deterioration! This is my first experience with raising a baby squirrel and I've been trying to do everything right for him. Just so frustrated and worried right now that he's not as healthy as I thought! I keep reading that you should give calcium supplements but I need to know the exact kind! Please forgive the length of the post but I thought the more background info the better! Thank you for your time. Please advise!

I too am so afraid of my single boy developing MBT. He still just pulls apart the Henry's blocks and I fear this awful bone disease. My boy is only 7weeks old, and not yet on other foods from his formula and the Henry's blocks....which he doesn't really eat more than a speck of.
I put a call in to the company that makes Esbilac puppy, asking how much calcium do they get per kg of body weight in the formula I am feeding. They phoned back to say that they have one of their nutritionists working this out, and will get back to me with the info.
This will help only so long as the squirrel has not self weaned from the formula.
I will post any further info that I can find, and hope that this knowledgeable membership will let all know which info is correct and which not completely.
Senior members, your help with getting sufficient calcium into these baby squirrels, will be so very appreciated.

[redwuff]

I'm not sure if is where I respond or not but.......He's not completely weaned. He still gets the esbilac formula twice a day. He's getting about 3 or 4 of the 1.0ml syringes twice a day but sometimes he wants a couple of more and sometimes he only takes 2 or 3. But he always gets the one nut square and veggies that are always available. I thought the formula would have given him all the nutrition he needed until weaned but apparently not! Thanks for responding!!! I'm still trying to figure this web site out!!

Sorry I missed where you said that you are giving him 6 to 8 cc of formula. This might be where we can look a bit deeper for this brittle bone dilemma. Please tell me how you figured out how many times a day and how much to feed him every day. How old do you think he was when you found him?

[Rockysmom]

I too am so afraid of my single boy developing MBT. He still just pulls apart the Henry's blocks and I fear this awful bone disease. My boy is only 7weeks old, and not yet on other foods from his formula and the Henry's blocks....which he doesn't really eat more than a speck of.
I put a call in to the company that makes Esbilac puppy, asking how much calcium do they get per kg of body weight in the formula I am feeding. They phoned back to say that they have one of their nutritionists working this out, and will get back to me with the info.
This will help only so long as the squirrel has not self weaned from the formula.
I will post any further info that I can find, and hope that this knowledgeable membership will let all know which info is correct and which not completely.
Senior members, your help with getting sufficient calcium into these baby squirrels, will be so very appreciated.

Thanks for responding! I'd be interested in hearing what answer you get about the formula. From everything I've read that's supposed to be the preferred one to use. Good luck with your little guy, too!

[redwuff]

I too am so afraid of my single boy developing MBT. He still just pulls apart the Henry's blocks and I fear this awful bone disease. My boy is only 7weeks old, and not yet on other foods from his formula and the Henry's blocks....which he doesn't really eat more than a speck of.
I put a call in to the company that makes Esbilac puppy, asking how much calcium do they get per kg of body weight in the formula I am feeding. They phoned back to say that they have one of their nutritionists working this out, and will get back to me with the info.
This will help only so long as the squirrel has not self weaned from the formula.
I will post any further info that I can find, and hope that this knowledgeable membership will let all know which info is correct and which not completely.
Senior members, your help with getting sufficient calcium into these baby squirrels, will be so very appreciated.

Please direct me to your boys thread so we can give you specific help for your lad. If you don't have a thread, I would love it if you would start one so we can learn about you and your boy. We also love pictures!

Trysh

[UDoWhat]

I believe he is not getting enough Esbilac to provide enough calcium to prevent MBD. I would begin the Emergency MDB treatment immediately. I wonder if he might eat more of the sweet potato and avocado then the other choices. As I tell all newbies, please take away all food other then rodent block, monkey chow If kids are offered candy and cookies they will choose that over lettuce and broccoli every time. Squirrels are a lot like kids in that way. :Love_Icon Also increase the amount of formula 2x per day very slowly or he will get diarrhea. We usually feed 5-7% of a squirrels daily body weight. At this point your squirrel should be getting at least 15 ccs 2x per day. That would be at least 30 cc of formula. However, do not try to feed that much formula now as he will get rip roaring diarrhea from over feeding. His system is not use to it. I would try to increase the Esbilac to at least 6 cc at every feeding and see how that goes. If he gets a soft stool don't increase the next day. The only sure way to know if this is low calcium is a blood test. I would ask the Vet to do a blood test to include calcium levels. However, I think the problem is MBD. Please follow the MBD treatment very closely. If this is low calcium you will see improvement in even a few hours sometimes. But continue the treatment for the prescribed course. It takes a long time to build up calcium in the body even though the effects of calcium restoration can be seem sooner. Here is the link to MBD TREATMENT. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment

[redwuff]

Please keep Rocky confined in a small cage for a little while. It is too easy for him to injure himself.

[Rockysmom]

Sorry I missed where you said that you are giving him 6 to 8 cc of formula. This might be where we can look a bit deeper for this brittle bone dilemma. Please tell me how you figured out how many times a day and how much to feed him every day. How old do you think he was when you found him?

He was only a day or two old when I found him, very tiny, totally pink and no hair. I followed the feeding schedule found on the squirreltales.org website. For the first 3 weeks, it was every 2 hours, and then gradually went to 3 hours, 4 hours, etc., over the next few weeks. I tried to be pretty diligent about following the recommended schedule because I've never done this before. Once he was crawling I fed him as much as he wanted which was usually 7 to 10 of the 1ml syringes but sometimes more, depending if he still wanted to eat. The first solid I introduced was the monkey chow bisquits but he barely nibbled at them. Next came the sweet potatoes and avocados which he loves. Since he wouldn't eat the monkey chow, I ordered the squirrel nut squares. He seems to have a healthy appetite and ONLY gets veggies and a very small amount of fruit, like one blueberry or a ltitle piece of strawberry. I haven't given him nuts or corn yet. I think he's close to being weaned from the formula because he only will take a couple of syringes when offered two or three times a day. He has started drinking a little water so I think he's staying hydrated and definitely no issues with the pooping! Im just so confused about where I went wrong with his diet and why his bones are so bad!! Any thoughts?? Thanks for answering!

[Rockysmom]

Please keep Rocky confined in a small cage for a little while. It is too easy for him to injure himself.

Well, i have tried and he hates that! Im afraid he'll injury himself fussing to get out. He wants to play and be with me or my daughter but we're trying to be very careful and keep him from being active. Ive been worried about him playing every since we saw the vet! He usually just snuggles in a blanket beside one of us. I'll definitely try to encourage him to stay in his smaller cage as much as possible though! Thank you!

[Rockysmom]

I believe he is not getting enough Esbilac to provide enough calcium to prevent MBD. I would begin the Emergency MDB treatment immediately. I wonder if he might eat more of the sweet potato and avocado then the other choices. As I tell all newbies, please take away all food other then rodent block, monkey chow If kids are offered candy and cookies they will choose that over lettuce and broccoli every time. Squirrels are a lot like kids in that way. :Love_Icon Also increase the amount of formula 2x per day very slowly or he will get diarrhea. We usually feed 5-7% of a squirrels daily body weight. At this point your squirrel should be getting at least 15 ccs 2x per day. That would be at least 30 cc of formula. However, do not try to feed that much formula now as he will get rip roaring diarrhea from over feeding. His system is not use to it. I would try to increase the Esbilac to at least 6 cc at every feeding and see how that goes. If he gets a soft stool don't increase the next day. The only sure way to know if this is low calcium is a blood test. I would ask the Vet to do a blood test to include calcium levels. However, I think the problem is MBD. Please follow the MBD treatment very closely. If this is low calcium you will see improvement in even a few hours sometimes. But continue the treatment for the prescribed course. It takes a long time to build up calcium in the body even though the effects of calcium restoration can be seem sooner. Here is the link to MBD TREATMENT. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment

Thank you for the advice! I will get started with that right away! Though my question now is what if he doesn't want the formula anymore since he's been weaning? I thought the nut squares I have been giving him replaced the formula as far as nutrition. Are they the same as the rodent block? And he only gets a tiny little slice of avocado once a day. One avocado lasts him over a week. Same with the sweet potato. A tiny piece and only after eating the nut square first. I will certainly discontinue giving him those. What about the broccoli and green salad mix? And he loves the little tree sticks. Should he not be eating those? Thank you for your help! Just so confused about his diet now! Really trying to do what's right for him!!

[UDoWhat]

Thank you for the advice! I will get started with that right away! Though my question now is what if he doesn't want the formula anymore since he's been weaning? I thought the nut squares I have been giving him replaced the formula as far as nutrition. Are they the same as the rodent block? And he only gets a tiny little slice of avocado once a day. One avocado lasts him over a week. Same with the sweet potato. A tiny piece and only after eating the nut square first. I will certainly discontinue giving him those. What about the broccoli and green salad mix? And he loves the little tree sticks. Should he not be eating those? Thank you for your help! Just so confused about his diet now! Really trying to do what's right for him!!
Sorry for the confusion. If he was eating block as 75% of his diet then all the items you mentioned are perfect. You could feed him nuts and anything else if he was eating 75 % rodent block. The only way to get him to eat correctly now is to take the "good stuff" away until he will readily eating a good rodent block. I need to research this nut square. I am not familiar with it. Please give me the name and maker of it. I wish it was the magic bullet. It would be wonderful but I am afraid it may not be enough. But one can hope. The closest thing we have is HHBs. They were developed specifically for squirrels by a member of this board and has a company that sells this supplement. The name is Henry's Healthy Block. 2 of these blocks a day are designed to provide 100% of squirrel nutrition a day. You still need to add other foods to get enough calories per day. HHBs are a supplement not the only food. Google Henry's Healthy Pets. You will find the wedsite and go to the squirrel nutrition section.
I know this is all confusing. I would go to the pet store and buy Kaytee rodent block. Put it in his cage and see if he will eat it. Take the other stuff away until he is eating the Kaytee readily. Or order the Henry's Block supplements. He must eat 2 HHBs first before he gets any other solid foods that day. The idea is eating a good Block or HHBs readily first then you give other solid foods. It is not easy to change a squirrels diet but you will never have to worry about MBD again if Block or HHB supplements are the main diet.

[Rockysmom]

Sorry for the confusion. If he was eating block as 75% of his diet then all the items you mentioned are perfect. You could feed him nuts and anything else if he was eating 75 % rodent block. The only way to get him to eat correctly now is to take the "good stuff" away until he will readily eating a good rodent block. I need to research this nut square. I am not familiar with it. Please give me the name and maker of it. I wish it was the magic bullet. It would be wonderful but I am afraid it may not be enough. But one can hope. The closest thing we have is HHBs. They were developed specifically for squirrels by a member of this board and has a company that sells this supplement. The name is Henry's Healthy Block. 2 of these blocks a day are designed to provide 100% of squirrel nutrition a day. You still need to add other foods to get enough calories per day. HHBs are a supplement not the only food. Google Henry's Healthy Pets. You will find the wedsite and go to the squirrel nutrition section.
I know this is all confusing. I would go to the pet store and buy Kaytee rodent block. Put it in his cage and see if he will eat it. Take the other stuff away until he is eating the Kaytee readily. Or order the Henry's Block supplements. He must eat 2 HHBs first before he gets any other solid foods that day. The idea is eating a good Block or HHBs readily first then you give other solid foods. It is not easy to change a squirrels diet but you will never have to worry about MBD again if Block or HHB supplements are the main diet.


Ok, I get it now! I looked up the HHBs and they look like the same type of square I'm using. The one I have is from Sugar Gliders USA and is provided by SquirrelNutrition.com. It claims that it is a nutritionally complete supplement for squirrels and to feed one square daily. The ingredients are rice flakes, pecans, sesame meal, brewers yeast, dolomite powder, vitamin c, alfalfa, salt, cod liver oil, coconut oil, and apples. I bought it through Amazon. He loves them and finishes them right away. But I think I'll go ahead and get some of the HHBs just to make sure!

One other question if I may? When I was at PetCo looking for the calcium block (which they didn't have) I saw a product called Hamsteroids that says it's fruit-flavored calcium nuggets for mice, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs. And then, another product that is called Mineral Ice Pops that claims to provide healthy minerals for rabbits, hamsters, rats, and chinchillas. Calcium is the main ingredient listed at 20%. Would either of these be ok as a supplement to try to get the extra calcium in him, secondary to the HHBs? Thank you again for all your help!!

[Milo's Mom]

You are getting excellent advice from UDoWhat, please follow it to a "T".

As for the nut squares or whatever they're called. They are TRASH. Over the past 6 weeks I have been assisting on a case where the squirrel ate these as the "block".... he had chronic hyperparathyroidism (MBD) and sadly at just 3 years of age he died.

The nutritional content of those squares is all out of whack and the amount of calcium is not even close to the daily requirement. The thing with the nutrition in block...it has to be balanced...those squares are NOT.

[UDoWhat]

Ok, I get it now! I looked up the HHBs and they look like the same type of square I'm using. The one I have is from Sugar Gliders USA and is provided by SquirrelNutrition.com. It claims that it is a nutritionally complete supplement for squirrels and to feed one square daily. The ingredients are rice flakes, pecans, sesame meal, brewers yeast, dolomite powder, vitamin c, alfalfa, salt, cod liver oil, coconut oil, and apples. I bought it through Amazon. He loves them and finishes them right away. But I think I'll go ahead and get some of the HHBs just to make sure!

One other question if I may? When I was at PetCo looking for the calcium block (which they didn't have) I saw a product called Hamsteroids that says it's fruit-flavored calcium nuggets for mice, hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs. And then, another product that is called Mineral Ice Pops that claims to provide healthy minerals for rabbits, hamsters, rats, and chinchillas. Calcium is the main ingredient listed at 20%. Would either of these be ok as a supplement to try to get the extra calcium in him, secondary to the HHBs? Thank you again for all your help!!

Actually once we get him straightened out with the MBD protocol you really don't need a lot of other daily calcium. In fact too much calcium can lead to stones and crystals in the urine. This can lead to urine blockage which is painful and is serious. It certainly is ok to give one of those flavored calcium blocks. I have seen strawberry shapes, grape shapes and little ice crean cones and others. I give them as treats every once in a while. They like them for a couple of days. As far as the Sugar glider
Calcium supplements I just need to see what the calcium numbers are. I don't see too much in the ingredient list that would provide enough calcium for a squirrel. Not sure. I don't know enough about them to say one way or the other yet. None of it sounds terrible just not that helpful. We are always looking for different things to keep our squirrels from not being bored with the same thing everyday. Once you get the HHBs and get solid on those we can figure out if anything else is needed to keep your baby healthy.

[Rockysmom]

You are getting excellent advice from UDoWhat, please follow it to a "T".

As for the nut squares or whatever they're called. They are TRASH. Over the past 6 weeks I have been assisting on a case where the squirrel ate these as the "block".... he had chronic hyperparathyroidism (MBD) and sadly at just 3 years of age he died.

The nutritional content of those squares is all out of whack and the amount of calcium is not even close to the daily requirement. The thing with the nutrition in block...it has to be balanced...those squares are NOT.

Wow!! Thanks for the info! Trusted that when it said it was "nutritionally complete" that it actually was!! And yes! I'm 100% following the advice from UDoWhat!! Wish I had found this site in the beginning!! Thank you for your help!!

[Rockysmom]

Actually once we get him straightened out with the MBD protocol you really don't need a lot of other daily calcium. In fact too much calcium can lead to stones and crystals in the urine. This can lead to urine blockage which is painful and is serious. It certainly is ok to give one of those flavored calcium blocks. I have seen strawberry shapes, grape shapes and little ice crean cones and others. I give them as treats every once in a while. They like them for a couple of days. As far as the Sugar glider
Calcium supplements I just need to see what the calcium numbers are. I don't see too much in the ingredient list that would provide enough calcium for a squirrel. Not sure. I don't know enough about them to say one way or the other yet. None of it sounds terrible just not that helpful. We are always looking for different things to keep our squirrels from not being bored with the same thing everyday. Once you get the HHBs and get solid on those we can figure out if anything else is needed to keep your baby healthy.

Unfortunately, only the ingredients are listed, not the nutritional percentages. I guess that should have been a red flag when I was looking into what to get. I am on the henryspets.com trying to order the HHBs now. Just to make sure, do I get the Healthy Blocks for Squirrels or the Hi-Protein Blocks for baby squirrels? Want to make sure I get the correct stuff this time!! Thanks so much for all your help!!

[UDoWhat]

I would get one of each. Maybe Milos Mom would weigh in here. She would know better about the difference between these 2 products. I have only used the adult blocks for for my adult squirrels. I usually start my rehab squirrels on Mazuri rodent blocks as they will soon leave for the trees.

[Milo's Mom]

I would go with the picky blocks on the Henry's site. I am on the phone with Henry's right now and the owner said Picky would be most readily accepted.

[Rockysmom]

I would get one of each. Maybe Milos Mom would weigh in here. She would know better about the difference between these 2 products. I have only used the adult blocks for for my adult squirrels. I usually start my rehab squirrels on Mazuri rodent blocks as they will soon leave for the trees.

I actually was thinking about doing that but just wanted to make sure before making any more mistakes!! Again, thank you so much for all the help! Truly appreciate your time and advice!!

[Rockysmom]

I would go with the picky blocks on the Henry's site. I am on the phone with Henry's right now and the owner said Picky would be most readily accepted.

Thank you so much! Glad I checked for your response before getting off to order! Appreciate all the help and advice!

[Milo's Mom]

I just got some more info on those nut squares....

Depending on which version you're using they contain 30mgs of calcium and negligible amounts of Vit. D, and who knows how much Phos. (the cod liver oil...it's a source of a variety of Vit. D)

The Henry's blocks provide the full daily requirement and provide approximately (each variety is a bit different):
Elemental Calcium 230mgs
Vit D 50 I/U
Phos 120mgs

In order for the body to absorb and utilize the calcium it needs vit D. Too much Vit D can actually cause MBD, too much calcium and no D can cause other problems and MBD....it is a very delicate balance.

Not that any of this matters anymore cause you're on the right track now, but figured I'd share the info cause it's pretty important.

[Jen413]

I have nothing beneficial to add because you are getting advice from the experts (one of which I am not :)) just wanted to mention that HHB's can mold. I order two bags at a time. I always put half a bag in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. Having a singleton, a bag can mold quicker than the two blocks a day will be fed. :)

[UDoWhat]

I have nothing beneficial to add because you are getting advice from the experts (one of which I am not :)) just wanted to mention that HHB's can mold. I order two bags at a time. I always put half a bag in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. Having a singleton, a bag can mold quicker than the two blocks a day will be fed. :)

Great advice ! I put mine in the freezer and take out what I need every night for the next morning. Expert advice comes from all of us when we are willing to share our thoughts and experiences. No matter if we are new at this or done it forever !! :w00t

[Rockysmom]

I just got some more info on those nut squares....

Depending on which version you're using they contain 30mgs of calcium and negligible amounts of Vit. D, and who knows how much Phos. (the cod liver oil...it's a source of a variety of Vit. D)

The Henry's blocks provide the full daily requirement and provide approximately (each variety is a bit different):
Elemental Calcium 230mgs
Vit D 50 I/U
Phos 120mgs

In order for the body to absorb and utilize the calcium it needs vit D. Too much Vit D can actually cause MBD, too much calcium and no D can cause other problems and MBD....it is a very delicate balance.

Not that any of this matters anymore cause you're on the right track now, but figured I'd share the info cause it's pretty important.

Thank you for letting me know. I was feeling pretty bad that I ordered the wrong stuff. But, have both the Hi-Protein Blocks for baby squirrels and the Picky Blocks ordered now. Truly appreciate all the help! :Love_Icon

[Rockysmom]

Great advice ! I put mine in the freezer and take out what I need every night for the next morning. Expert advice comes from all of us when we are willing to share our thoughts and experiences. No matter if we are new at this or done it forever !! :w00t

Thanks! Sure going to try not to make any more rookie mistakes!!:grouphug

[Rockysmom]

Again, I would like to offer sincere thanks to all those that offered advice and helped to get me on the right track! I have looked at so many different sites about baby squirrels trying to figure out how to take care of him and thought I was following good advice! I think they all have good intentions and pieces of advice that seemed to work because I managed to keep him alive but just not enough to keep him healthy. Wish I had come across this place sooner and we certainly wouldn't be in this position now! But, we're here now so I know where to come and expect I'll have more questions as we navigate life with Rocky! Thanks and have a blessed day!! :hug

[Rockysmom]

Hi everyone. I thought I would give you an update on Rocky. He is stubborn!!! I received the Hi-Protein Blocks, the Picky Blocks, the Fox Valley Formula, and the calcium from Henry's Healthy Pets. Many thanks to them! I was so impressed with the service from this company! The lady I spoke with was so kind and helpful. She got the order out immediately so I could get the boy started on it.

Well, that first evening he immediately ate 3/4 of the Hi-Protein Block and I thought, "Well, that was easy"! Celebrated too soon. He wouldn't take it the next morning so I tried the Picky Blocks. No to that one, too. But I did get the calcium added to the Fox Valley, along with a little yogurt and once again he seemed to like it but it varies so much on how much he will eat it. I had pulled all other food options. Yesterday morning he took 14cc's and this morning I couldn't get him to even take a half. BUT, the little stinker all of a sudden decided he likes the Monkey Chow which up now he barely nibbled at! :clap Glad for that as I had ordered a 50 lb. bag after I had read that was what to feed him and before I had realized exactly how much Monkey Chow that actually was! Lol! I'm still trying to offer the HHBs as first choice but right now he won't eat them at all. I expect he will eventually change his mind like he did with the Chow...........

So then, since he wasn't reliably taking the formula, which meant he wasn't getting the calcium supplement, I smuggled the dose into tiny pieces of avocado since that is his most favorite. Well, so far that seems to be working! Fingers crossed he won't change his mind once again!! Since he is eating the Monkey Chow and the calcium supplement, I let him have some bok choy, spring mix, and a couple of pieces of white clover. Printed the healthy diet out and it's on the refrigerator now!

And, after reading the thread on common mistakes, I think I figured out the original mistake I made which caused the MBD. I would make one day's supply of formula at a time. The first feeding it was warm and then went in the frig. Of course the next time it needed to be warmed. So I MICROWAVED IT! Ugh. Even though it was only for about 6 seconds I think it was enough to alter the nutritional content! So now I just use the water bath to warm it.

Another problem I saw here was the sun exposure issue. Sigh. My husband was a good support and built Rocky a huge walk-in cage but it's on a covered patio that only gets bright light. Sooooo, we got the small cage ordered from Henry's Healthy Pets so he can get a little sun bathing in. Short time, shade available!

So if there is anything here that you don't think I'm doing right or anything to be added, I would certainly appreciate it! I feel a lot more secure knowing you all are here! Thanks again for the help!

[Mel1959]

I think you are doing a great job! :hug. Squirrels are finicky and unpredictable with what they choose to eat. But think about all the different stuff they eat in the wild. One day they may eat a flower, then not touch one for a week. I think it's the same when they're captive.

A couple of weeks ago I listened to a talk about squirrel nutrition given by Dr. Emerson, who is one of the best squirrel vets around. Based on the squirrels she has seen in her practice, she feels very strongly that a captive squirrels diet should be 75% rodent block, like Zupreem, Harlan Teklad, Mazuri or Oxbow. The remaining 25% be veggies, with just 1-2 pieces of fruit a day. She also feels that they should be offered protein in the form of worms, bugs, eggs, etc. These are the things they would eat in the wild.

As for sun, she recommends 30-60 minutes a day. A full spectrum UV light can be substituted. The bulbs should be replaced every 6 months because although they will still work, they do not emit enough UV rays after that time.

[Rockysmom]

I think you are doing a great job! :hug. Squirrels are finicky and unpredictable with what they choose to eat. But think about all the different stuff they eat in the wild. One day they may eat a flower, then not touch one for a week. I think it's the same when they're captive.

A couple of weeks ago I listened to a talk about squirrel nutrition given by Dr. Emerson, who is one of the best squirrel vets around. Based on the squirrels she has seen in her practice, she feels very strongly that a captive squirrels diet should be 75% rodent block, like Zupreem, Harlan Teklad, Mazuri or Oxbow. The remaining 25% be veggies, with just 1-2 pieces of fruit a day. She also feels that they should be offered protein in the form of worms, bugs, eggs, etc. These are the things they would eat in the wild.

As for sun, she recommends 30-60 minutes a day. A full spectrum UV light can be substituted. The bulbs should be replaced every 6 months because although they will still work, they do not emit enough UV rays after that time.

Bugs? Worms?? Oh the things we do for love!! Lol!
And I'll check out the bulbs. Will come in handy for winter or these long stretches of gloomy days we've been having!
Thanks for the suggestions!

[UDoWhat]

Weight is one of the most important factors in feeding a baby, followed only by correct formula and feeding times daily. A gram scale is a must to determine how much formula to feed daily. Amounts to feed are determined from 5-7% of the baby's weight to formula ratio. Without a weight you could be over feeding, under feeding, or anything in between.:Love_Icon

It it sounds like you are reading the healthy diet information and making the corrections needed. BTW, Mel just gave you some of the best advice from one of the most respected squirrel Veterinarians that TSB knows. Please consider that advice. :Love_Icon

[UDoWhat]

I think you are doing a great job! :hug. Squirrels are finicky and unpredictable with what they choose to eat. But think about all the different stuff they eat in the wild. One day they may eat a flower, then not touch one for a week. I think it's the same when they're captive.

A couple of weeks ago I listened to a talk about squirrel nutrition given by Dr. Emerson, who is one of the best squirrel vets around. Based on the squirrels she has seen in her practice, she feels very strongly that a captive squirrels diet should be 75% rodent block, like Zupreem, Harlan Teklad, Mazuri or Oxbow. The remaining 25% be veggies, with just 1-2 pieces of fruit a day. She also feels that they should be offered protein in the form of worms, bugs, eggs, etc. These are the things they would eat in the wild.

As for sun, she recommends 30-60 minutes a day. A full spectrum UV light can be substituted. The bulbs should be replaced every 6 months because although they will still work, they do not emit enough UV rays after that time.

:goodpost:goodpost:goodpost:goodpost:goodpost:good post:goodpost:goodpost:goodpost Great advice Mel. Thanks!!

[Rockysmom]

Weight is one of the most important factors in feeding a baby, followed only by correct formula and feeding times daily. A gram scale is a must to determine how much formula to feed daily. Amounts to feed are determined from 5-7% of the baby's weight to formula ratio. Without a weight you could be over feeding, under feeding, or anything in between.:Love_Icon

It it sounds like you are reading the healthy diet information and making the corrections needed. BTW, Mel just gave you some of the best advice from one of the most respected squirrel Veterinarians that TSB knows. Please consider that advice. :Love_Icon

I'm 100% following what advice you all give!! I want to make sure he is happy and healthy! Have gotten right attached to this little guy! He needs bugs and worms? He's going to get bugs and worms!! :grin2

And, I figured the gram scale would be helpful. It came in yesterday and made figuring the calcium dosing so much easier! I'm slowly learning.........! :clap