Help! Squirrel 3 years started to active weird

[Valentina]

Good morning.. I really need some help.. My beloved squirrel started 2 months ago to act weird. He slowly started to stay more and more in the nest, doesn't want to play, he bit my husband twice, but I can open the nest and stroke him and he enjoys it. But he doesn't want to come out. few weeks after he started to acting this way we had to move house, and he was anorexic for a couple of days. Then he started to come out the cage, eating bits. Now 2 months after he is never relaxed, when he is in his cage I can stroke and pet him (but he spends 99%of his time hidden in the nest), but if he comes out his tail becomes giant, and you can tell that everything scares him. He was a very happy playful and lovely boy until this changes!
He is also became a picky eater.. He doesn't like his favourite foods anymore, and he is not rushing to the bawl, sometimes the food stays there for days.
Could I have some advice?
If I have to give him any medication how would I?
What diet would you advice?

Thanks

[island rehabber]

The first and most important question we must ask you is what is his diet? I mean, what does he REALLY eat, every day? This sounds like it could be the beginning of Metabolic Bone Disease, because he hurts and that is why he is not active and acting normally. So please list what he eats on a daily basis?

[Valentina]

In winter he used to eat only nuts (because he refused all sorts of veggies and fruit). In summer he used to like fruits, carrots and broccoli, few sunflower seeds, hezelnut, pecans, cashews and walnuts. I tried other veggies but he didn't enjoy them. sometimes he gives a try to peppers and salad. He has the mineral stone but he doesn't really chew it.

Could you help me balance his diet more?

[Mel1959]

His diet is definitely a problem. Is he on any kind of rodent block? A rodent block is absolutely necessary for long term health of a captive squirrel. At his age I’d order some Henry’s blocks from Henry’s Healthy Pets online. Get him the picky blocks, they’re accepted more readily. He needs to eat 2-3 every day along with some healthy veggies from the healthy squirrel diet. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels. You must stop feeding all nuts and seeds! These items rob the body of calcium and the calcium is pulled from his bones which is what causes metabolic bone disease. It can be fatal if it’s not turned around.

Here is the link for the emergency MBD treatment. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?32122-MBD-Treatment

It’s going to require tough love to change his diet, but it’s absolutely necessary.

[Valentina]

Thank you! I'll act now. Is there any alternative to Henry's rodent block that I can buy in UK? Nor Amazon or Henry;s is shipping in UK.
Any calcium supplement is ok?

[island rehabber]

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17680-Emergency-Treatment-for-MBD-(Updated-3-31-09)

I would begin this protocol NOW. It can't hurt your squirrel and may save his life. I am sorry I must go out on a rescue call right now but you are in GOOD hands here!

[Valentina]

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?17680-Emergency-Treatment-for-MBD-(Updated-3-31-09)

I would begin this protocol NOW. It can't hurt your squirrel and may save his life. I am sorry I must go out on a rescue call right now but you are in GOOD hands here!

Thank you!! I'm already out finding some calcium supplements and some blocks! THANK YOU! It's so difficult to find medical information about grey squirrels in UK. I removed the nuts and added broccoli avocado and some cabbage.
Could they develop sludge bladder like other rodents with calcium supplements?

[HRT4SQRLS]

I wouldn’t worry about the bladder at this point. He needs the calcium as soon as possible. It is a matter of life and death. Be sure to get calcium without Vitamin D3. It is OK to megadose calcium but it is NOT OK to megadose Vitamin D. Vitamin D is used as a rodenticide so you do not want to use that for the MBD protocol. In the US we use Tums (an antacid with calcium carbonate).

If they are getting too much calcium you will see the poop turn white. At that point you can decrease the amount of calcium.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Try to find a rodent (rat) block at pet retailers. I guarantee he will NOT eat it but you can use it as a base for making blocks that he will eat. The rodent blocks are ground into powder. Things are added like apple sauce, coconut oil, etc. Others will sound in with recipes for making blocks that he might eat. It is trial and error to find a recipe that works.

Do not get a hamster or guinea pig food. The rodent food should not be a seed mix.

[Diggie's Friend]

That is what I would recommend also, grinding up the block.

See if you can find a jar of organic virgin coconut oil. Add a bit of this to the ground up block along with organic rolled oatmeal quick cook, not instant, to make a doughy ball out of it.

The use of specific neutraceuticals in tree squirrel's diets can support their health.

Pycnogenol, high anti-oxidant supports bone mineralization in rats.

I like the liquid Pycnogenol by Organika, as it is easy to reduce for the dosage (2 drops from a non needle 1 cc ml syringe) I can't even find it available in Canada. Perhaps you may find it available near you.

As a substitute to this source you can use Pycnogenol 30 mg. from this source.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hellenia-Pycnogenol-Maritime-Extract-Tablets/dp/B004TAIO0A/ref=sr_1_11?



To reduce it for a daily dose for tree squirrels, crush one tablet to fine powder, then divide the total powder by half, then the half in half, and then again that in half, and then that half in half to reduce it to a daily dose to a sixteenth of the total powder to add to the same doughy ball mixture daily.keywords=pycnogenol+organic&qid=1557586101&s=gateway&sr=8-11

[Diggie's Friend]

Oops, left out how to reduce the 30 mg. Pycnogenol tablet for a daily portion. Crush the tablet to fine powder.

Then divide the total powder of one pill in two, then that half in two, then that half in two, and then that half in two,

the division that's equal to a sixteenth portion of the tablet. Add this reduced sixteenth portion to the doughy ball mixture daily.

See cheaper UK source on this page: Be sure to click on one time purchase.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B004TAIO0A/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

[CritterMom]

If you have difficulty finding calcium without the Vitamin D, this is a perfectly fine way to make your own from eggshells: https://tiphero.com/eggshell-calcium-powder

[Valentina]

Hi thanks for all those advices! I found simple calcium carbonate, bt I find it very difficult to give it to him.. he doesn't want peanut butter, or any other thing I hid the calcium in.. What if I put it in the water? I tried to syringe him but it's not easy. He is still pretty active.

Thank you

[CritterMom]

You can mix it with anything - juice, water, whatever, but not just leave it in the water bottle or dish. The calcium is a mineral - it doesn't dissolve, it settles out on the bottom. It will clog a water bottle and sit on the bottom of a water dish where the squirrel won't get to it. Is there anything he just can't resist?

I hate to mention it...but do they have Nutella there? It isn't good nutrition for sure but to just get the calcium in you can mix the dose with a tiny bit. It is squirrel crack, believe me.

[Valentina]

You can mix it with anything - juice, water, whatever, but not just leave it in the water bottle or dish. The calcium is a mineral - it doesn't dissolve, it settles out on the bottom. It will clog a water bottle and sit on the bottom of a water dish where the squirrel won't get to it. Is there anything he just can't resist?

I hate to mention it...but do they have Nutella there? It isn't good nutrition for sure but to just get the calcium in you can mix the dose with a tiny bit. It is squirrel crack, believe me.

:grin2 I'm italian I have Nutella :grin2
Is it not like ultra toxic? I'll try everything else first, but if it doesn't eat anythink I'll try!

[CritterMom]

No. And you don't need much, it is very strongly flavored.

I was medicating some outdoor squirrels and was mixing the meds into a mixture of ground walnuts and peanut butter to hold eveything together and they started getting all picky on me, dropping the balls or eating half of them. I added a tiny bit of Nutella to my nut mixture and holy cow, what a difference. I have been using it for this ever since. I am pretty sure that every sentient being on the planet thinks Nutella is the bomb!

[Valentina]

So I spent yesterday trying what he likes with calcium carbonate and almond butter wins! I changed diet, for now he ate only the avocado and nibbled at some dandelion. I finally ordered the picky rodents block from US! Do you have any book on squirrel medicine to advice?
What are the common diseases they could suffer from?

[island rehabber]

:grin2 I'm italian I have Nutella :grin2
Is it not like ultra toxic?

:grin2 Valentina, to DOGS, I think Nutella would be toxic because they can't have chocolate. Squirrels are fine with chocolate. What a great idea, CritterMom.

[Diggie's Friend]

Do you have any book on squirrel medicine to advice? What are the common diseases they could suffer from?

You can find answers for this in the Specific Ailments Forum.



Sugar is the first ingredient and thus the main by weight of all the Nutella ingredients. In fact Nutella is 55 per cent sugar! That puts Nutella on a par with chocolate.

https://foodwatch.com.au/blog/additives-and-labels/item/nutella-the-full-correct-list-of-ingredients.html

Yes, squirrels have a tolerance for tannins in chocolate; yet high sugar content causes calcium loss from the meal. :shakehe

DF aka: 'Party pooper!'

[Valentina]

Hi, so I started 2 days ago the treatment PROPERLY, I needed some time to understand how to give him the calcium. He had it with everything I could have thought about, but today he is refusing everything. He ate a mushroom and nibbled some cauliflower. But nothing medicated. Yesterday I thought he was more alert and wanted to stay out more. Today I'm at work so my husband is doing everything. As I get home I'll wrap him into something and I'll force him. If treated do the recover well from MBD? What can I try to not have to force-feed him every day? I tried Nutella, but he didn't want it. He is having 500mg a day divided into 5 portions. So after 2 days of 600-500mg a day, today he had only 200mg up to now :(

[Mel1959]

If you follow the treatment plan and the MBD was caught early enough there is an excellent chance at recovery. He won’t get better if you don’t get the calcium in him. He may never willingly take it. Have you tried calling Leigh, the owner of Henrys Healthy Pets. The phone number is on their website. She might be able to give you some advice. It’s worth a try.

[Diggie's Friend]

See if he will eat it on his own by adding a few drops of softened Organic virgin coconut oil.

I know this source covers some less than appetizing taste sources;

and though I can't say that it will do this for all sources, it should for calcium carbonate.

Extra virgin Coconut oil has also been found to support the uptake of calcium in humans and rats.

High content sugar sources like Nutella, cause calcium loss from the meal.

A small measure of soft organic low fat yogurt may work also. Adding to this just a small amount of organic applesauce naturally sweetened

(no sugars or artificial sweeteners added), may also help to peek his interest.

Applesauce contains pectin, that was found to support the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream of rats.

'

[Valentina]

Thank you, I ll try. For now I tried honey, almond and peanut butter, coconut "butter", nutella, bread, smashed nuts, apple, plum, sweet potato and mixes.. He refuses them all
With injections it would be easier :(

[Valentina]

He already started to defecate some light poo. Shall I decrease the dose?

[CritterMom]

Are you doing 500mg per day? Do you have any idea what he weighs?

You can decrease but I wouldn't decrease by much - maybe to 400mg. He hasn't been on the treatment very long. Bad cases can take many weeks or months to correct - but yes, they absolutely CAN be turned around if the condition hasn't gotten too bad.

[Valentina]

Are you doing 500mg per day? Do you have any idea what he weighs?

You can decrease but I wouldn't decrease by much - maybe to 400mg. He hasn't been on the treatment very long. Bad cases can take many weeks or months to correct - but yes, they absolutely CAN be turned around if the condition hasn't gotten too bad.

Yes, 500mg. Yesterday he took 200mg, but since today I'm forcing him as he refuse everything with calcium inside. I have seen one white poo yesterday, today they are almost all lighter. He is around half a kg, was 0.53kg 2 weeks ago. I'm struggling to make him eat the healthy diet (I'm waiting for the blocks -I ordered the picky eaters ones and the MBD treatment from Henry's), but I can tell he is searching for the nuts. He is not terribly active, but tried to give me little play-bites, and sleeps on his hammock outside now, instead of hiding in his nest all time.

[Diggie's Friend]

Never had a problem with Calcium citrate being accepted by the adults. Calcium citrate is calcium bonded with an organic acidic, and is more absorbable than Calcium carbonate, and stays in the bloodstream longer. It also has a protective effect on the kidneys, and doesn't lend to calcium deposition in the kidneys, liver, bladder joints, blood vessels, or the aorta when a slightly acid urine pH (6 range) for tree squirrels is supported by the diet.

https://www.nowfoods.com/supplements/calcium-citrate-pure-powder

Elemental calcium measures from this source: (1 1/2 Tsp. = 600 mg); (1/2 Tsp. = 200 mg.) ; (3/8 Tsp. = 150 mg.) ; (1/4 Tsp. = 100 mg

[Valentina]

He is on calcium carbonate and I am forcing him with a syringe. He is better but He refuses everything that is not nuts. At the moment I give him veggies, 2 pieces of fruit and 2 small pieces of nuts a day as treats after torturing him with the treatment. He feels much better in himself, still a bit lethargic but tries to jump (I m studying how to make everything soft in his cage) and wants to be outside more. I m still waiting for Henry s blocks and Henry s mbd treatment kit.

[Mel1959]

I know it’s hard to see them not eat. It’s tough love. When the Henrys get there and you put them in with him hopefully he will be hungry enough to chow down on them. He won’t starve himself. You have to be strong and resist the urge to give him nuts.

[Diggie's Friend]

Have you tried adding the calcium to plain organic low-fat yogurt?

Unlike adding calcium to concentrated sugars both natural and processed (honey and syrups, which cause calcium loss from meals, yogurt supports the absorption of calcium. You can even dilute it with purified water to deliver it by syringe.

Low fat plain yogurt is lower than rodent block diets in all three of the key forms of nutrients (protein, fats, carbs), unlike nuts and seeds (high in fats and protein), and fruits (high in carbs), that can compete with a block diet.

Moreover, what low fat plain organic yogurt can provide beyond a base to put calcium in, is some nutrition while you are waiting for the block to arrive.

https://greenvalleylactosefree.com/product/lactose-free-plain-yogurt

This product is naturally low in sugar (lactose free) no sugars added, which doesn't promote high calcium loss as concentrated sugars (both natural and processed) when calcium is added to it. It is also a good source of probiotics, and the prebiotic (pectin) that has been added, which was found in lab research to increase calcium absorption into the bloodstream of rats.


In a study which appeared in BMC Microbiology, rats that ate a diet high in apple pectin had reduced levels of pathogenic bacteria but higher amounts of friendly bacteria than rodents who fed on whole apples, apple juice, puree or pomace.

Pre/probiotics (synbiotics) are needful to include in the diet to prevent, 'dysbiosis', an imbalance of the good to bad bacteria in the gut that lowers calcium bioavailability of the nutrients in foods during digestion, while increasing the absorption of anti-nutrients into the bloodstream, which lowers calcium availability to the body. A lack of pre/probiotics in the diet can promote illnesses.

Calcium citrate is 2 ½ times more absorbable than C. carbonate is in equal elemental measure, and stays in the bloodstream longer than calcium carbonate, resulting in less loss of calcium into the urine, and more calcium going into the bones. It is also not susceptible to bonding with oxalic acid a C. carbonate is into an insoluble form that the body can no longer utilize for the bones or tissues.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006ZF9NC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A100SKLH0R8YS8&th=1

This source of NOW Calcium citrate powder is noted on the label to provide 630 mg. elemental calcium from a (1 ½) level teaspoon measure. (1/2 Tsp.) = 210 mg. elemental calcium. Add 1/4 Tsp. to the AM and PM meals into organic plan low fat yogurt.

Study notes:

https://www.scirp.org/Journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=89400

https://mykaruna.com/health-nutrition/prebiotics-and-gut-flora/

[Valentina]

Thanks I’ll try! I am a bit worried because the blocks haven’t arrived yet (it has been 14days😭) and my boy struggles to eat the healthy diet.. I can see he feels better but he is loosing weight. Is there any recepy for a healthy block do do at home? Without of course the need of crushed Henry’s.

[Valentina]

in the meanwhile I’ve been syringe him the calcium. I’ll buy the ca citrate on monday.

[CritterMom]

Go to a pet store that sells "pocket pets" like rats and mice and see if they have any sort of "manufactured" rat food. By that I mean NOT the bag of mixed seeds and corn and stuff - you are looking for something that is either rod shaped like a pencil or even in smaller shapes like dry cat food. If it is for RATS and is not the seed mix we can help you work with it.