Possible MBD please help

[Ashleytc]

Hello, my wife an i have been caring for a baby squirrel since august 20th she was roughly 3 weeks old when our son found her in a puddle in our front yard. we took her in and bottle fed her Esbilac until about a month ago until she would no longer take the bottle. we have been giving her Exotic nutrition Squirrel complete and a mix of foraged greens and nuts from our yard. Everything was great and this little girl quickly became a part of our family. fast forward to this past Friday night i was up working at in the middle of the night when i heard her thrashing around in her nest box and went to check on her. when i walked up i could see her rolling around in the box but thought she was playing because she does that but when i opened the cage and she didn't come to me i knew something was wrong so i opened the box and she was motionless and making a noise like she was choking i scooped her up and immediately woke my wife and we rushed to the afterhours vet. on the way my wife gave her our best attempt at cpr and she was responding ok to it and breathing on her own again but still lethargic and not moving. the vet refused to see us because you're not allowed to have a squirrel in our state. after calling all other afterhours vets within 100 miles we returned home and prepared for the worst. we then came across MBD articles and got a response from someone we had been in contact with when we first found her who advised we give her calcium asap. we did this as instructed and moved her back to a small cage with a heating pad under it. after about 12 hours she was more alert and moving her upper body but we noticed her back half was paralyzed. since then we have kept giving the calcium as instructed. she's eating regularly now and taking bottles a few times a day but still cannot move her back legs or tail. she does use the bathroom on her own and is progressing more everyday. if anyone here could offer any advice on what we should do we would really appreciate it. we love this little girl and will do anything we can to help her but aren't sure if we are doing the right thing.

[Charley Chuckles]

I copied this from another thread here. Not sure the healthy diet will open but wanted to get this to you ASAP.
I hope this can help until someone here can give you better advice.
Prayers to your baby:grouphug
Emergency Treatment for MBD

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.

[Mel1959]

Do you have any prednisone or gabapentin? Call around to family and friends.

There could be a couple of things going on. She may have MBD so follow the protocol. If she doesn’t have MBD the extra calcium will not hurt her. Be sure any calcium source you’re using does NOT contain Vitamin D.

The paralysis could be from MBD or could be from a fall/injury related to MBD. The prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory that will reduce any swelling on her spine. The Gabapentin helps with nerve damage. If you can find either of these drugs post the strength of the medicine and the weight of the squirrel and someone will help you dose it.

Her diet must be changed. No more nuts or seeds till we determine what is going on with her. Both of those upset the calcium to phosphorous ratio in their body and in order to correct the imbalance calcium is pulled from the bones which is what causes MBD. She needs a nutritious rodent block. Exotic Nutrition does not have a good reputation. Order either the picky eater blocks or the hazelnut blocks from Henrys Pets online. She can have 2-3 of them a day along with foods from the healthy diet. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

I have this vet listed in Chattanooga that has seen squirrels in the past. East Ridge Veterinary, 3702 Ringgold, 423-622-2209, Dr. Karr. If you find you need a vet call and verify they won’t seize and that this vet is still there.

[Charley Chuckles]

:thankyou Mel👍

[Ashleytc]

Do you have any prednisone or gabapentin? Call around to family and friends.

There could be a couple of things going on. She may have MBD so follow the protocol. If she doesn’t have MBD the extra calcium will not hurt her. Be sure any calcium source you’re using does NOT contain Vitamin D.

The paralysis could be from MBD or could be from a fall/injury related to MBD. The prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory that will reduce any swelling on her spine. The Gabapentin helps with nerve damage. If you can find either of these drugs post the strength of the medicine and the weight of the squirrel and someone will help you dose it.

Her diet must be changed. No more nuts or seeds till we determine what is going on with her. Both of those upset the calcium to phosphorous ratio in their body and in order to correct the imbalance calcium is pulled from the bones which is what causes MBD. She needs a nutritious rodent block. Exotic Nutrition does not have a good reputation. Order either the picky eater blocks or the hazelnut blocks from Henrys Pets online. She can have 2-3 of them a day along with foods from the healthy diet. https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

I have this vet listed in Chattanooga that has seen squirrels in the past. East Ridge Veterinary, 3702 Ringgold, 423-622-2209, Dr. Karr. If you find you need a vet call and verify they won’t seize and that this vet is still there.


Thank you so much i just called the vet and they booked an emergency appointment for the morning. I cant say thank you enough!! ill keep you posted

[Mel1959]

Thank you for letting us know. Was there any hesitation about seeing the squirrel? And did they assure you they would not confiscate? I don’t know how strict Tennessee laws are.

[Charley Chuckles]

Sending prayers :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

[Ashleytc]

Thank you for letting us know. Was there any hesitation about seeing the squirrel? And did they assure you they would not confiscate? I don’t know how strict Tennessee laws are.

there was no hesitation and the doctor was actually seeing another squirrel while we were there so the vet advised one of her legs has no feeling and its most likely a disc issue in her back probably from a fall not MDB. he suggested we put her down today but we refused and asked for any treatment that could help. he gave us Meloxacan liquid and told us to come back in 10 days. i know im not a vet but im a little skeptical of this diagnosis because she was in her nest when the seizure happened and was on the brink of death before we administered the calcium and almost immediately after started improving daily and is not 90% normal aside from the paralysis. also there has been no movement in her back half at all but last night she moved her tail and legs 2-3 times and one leg responded today at the vet. i have ordered the henery's blocks overnighted and they should be here tomorrow. the vet told us there is no need to give her extra calcium anymore. what do you all here think should we just switch to the rodent blocks and formula or continue the tums treatment?

[Ashleytc]

Sending prayers :grouphug:grouphug:grouphug

thank you we need all we can get

[Mel1959]

If the seizure happened in her nest and you are sure her injury is not the result of a fall then it undoubtedly is MBD. The only definitive way to diagnose MBD is with an X-ray to assess the bone density. I think the fact that you’re seeing some movement is promising.

The MBD protocol is very specific about the amount and frequency that the calcium must be administered. You have to follow it precisely. It can take weeks or months for the bone calcium to be replaced. She didn’t develop MBD overnight and it can’t be repaired overnight. I’m not sure which tums your using, but each one has a different amount of elemental calcium. You have to look at the back of the bottle. The calcium needs to be given multiple times a day to keep the calcium levels even. You can also purchase plain calcium carbonate or calcium citrate powder at health food stores. Just make sure there’s no vitamin D in any of the calcium. Henrys also sells calcium powder.

I would not euthanize. Many squirrels on this forum have been turned around with the MBD protocol. You caught it and are adjusting her diet and treating her for it is all you can do. Do not give any nuts or seeds to her, it is counterproductive to the MBD treatment. It will take tough love for her to adjust to her new healthy diet, but she won’t starve herself. The healthy blocks are not enough for treating the calcium deficiency. You must follow the protocol. Familiarize yourself with the healthy squirrel diet https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels and follow it.

Keep her in a smaller cage if possible so she doesn’t injure herself as she’s healing. If you can put a heating pad set on low safely under where she sleeps it would be good. MBD is painful and the heat is soothing. Do not let her have access to any part of the pad that she could chew.

Please keep us updated. And if you have any other questions or need help, just ask. You got this!

[Charley Chuckles]

I agree with Mel, did they take an X-ray? It would show MBD.
Either way keep following the MBD protocol.
I believe you will see results.
Many MBD squirrels here turned out healthy, just takes time.
It's sad some vets want to give up on these little guys so soon😒
Continuing prayers💗

[Rock Monkey]

The experienced members of this forum have far more experience with squirrels that that vet does, in all likelihood. These people here are dedicated squirrel specialists.

Being confident and being right are two very different things. The vet might be confident that doesn't make him or her correct in their assessment.

MBD is rarely seen in wild squirrels, but all too common with squirrels cared for by humans, due to a lack of direct sunlight to create vitamin D and the fact that the squirrel lacks access to other items in the wild environment that can allow them to keep their minerals in proper balance.

There is little to loose by continuing with the MBD treatment.

[CritterMom]

Not to mention that the Exotic Nutrition food is filled with the things that CAUSE MBD (high phosphorus foods). I would certainly continue the MBD treatment. What does she weigh? The calcium amounts in the MBD protocol are written around a 1 pound squirrel, so much larger or smaller and there would be some adjustments that would need to be made. Do continue the meloxicam.

[Ashleytc]

The experienced members of this forum have far more experience with squirrels that that vet does, in all likelihood. These people here are dedicated squirrel specialists.

Being confident and being right are two very different things. The vet might be confident that doesn't make him or her correct in their assessment.

MBD is rarely seen in wild squirrels, but all too common with squirrels cared for by humans, due to a lack of direct sunlight to create vitamin D and the fact that the squirrel lacks access to other items in the wild environment that can allow them to keep their minerals in proper balance.

There is little to loose by continuing with the MBD treatment.

that was my opinion as well. we want to give her every chance we can. thank you so much for all the help.

[Ashleytc]

Not to mention that the Exotic Nutrition food is filled with the things that CAUSE MBD (high phosphorus foods). I would certainly continue the MBD treatment. What does she weigh? The calcium amounts in the MBD protocol are written around a 1 pound squirrel, so much larger or smaller and there would be some adjustments that would need to be made. Do continue the meloxicam.

thank you so much for the reply. our little girl weighs 335 Grams or .75 lbs. our hennery's rodent blocks arrived today (picky eater ones) should we giver her these now while doing the MBD protocall?

[Ashleytc]

I agree with Mel, did they take an X-ray? It would show MBD.
Either way keep following the MBD protocol.
I believe you will see results.
Many MBD squirrels here turned out healthy, just takes time.
It's sad some vets want to give up on these little guys so soon😒
Continuing prayers💗

thank you so much Charley we really appreciate all your help. no they didn't do an x-ray he said an MRI would be the only thing that could help but it would be 3000.00 and we don't have that much at this time. we got our new rodent blocks in the mail today from hennery's today (picky eaters) but looking at the bag it says extra pecans. is this safe to give here these due to the nuts?

[CritterMom]

Yes, they are absolutely okay to feed and will be a big part of getting her back on track nutritionally. Part of the problem with a lot of rodent "chows" is that they don't taste good and nobody wants to eat them. The Henry's are designed to taste good and the nuts are part of that. What makes the nuts a problem nutritionally is the amount of phosphorus in them. They "correct" for that with the addition of enough calcium to counteract that.

[Ashleytc]

Yes, they are absolutely okay to feed and will be a big part of getting her back on track nutritionally. Part of the problem with a lot of rodent "chows" is that they don't taste good and nobody wants to eat them. The Henry's are designed to taste good and the nuts are part of that. What makes the nuts a problem nutritionally is the amount of phosphorus in them. They "correct" for that with the addition of enough calcium to counteract that.

thank you for the response. we should continue to give her the tums in addition to the blocks right?

[CritterMom]

Yes. Blocks plus Tums for now. As you read in the protocol, you will slowly reduce the calcium eventually but the blocks should be there to stay.

[Ashleytc]

Yes. Blocks plus Tums for now. As you read in the protocol, you will slowly reduce the calcium eventually but the blocks should be there to stay.

Thank you for all the help we really appreciate everyone here. an update on progress She is doing so much better now and even starting to play again (Which has us a nervous wreck she may hurt herself). she has got all of her personality back 100% and is eating regularly and taking her meds with no issues and loves the hennery's rodent blocks. she is using the bathroom on her own now and she has shown movement in one of her rear legs and even uses it to climb around our laps on the couch although very limited. Her tail started fluffing back up and moving/vibrating while cleaning her but he other leg remains with no feeling or movement. the only new Negative developments are Her skin is getting a little irritated under her chin my wife says this is from the formula. i have noticed a little fur loss in this area. we started applying Neosporin to the area and it seems to be getting better. yesterday we noticed a little irritation and maybe a small sore in the crease of her hind leg which we think my be from dragging herself around. its not bad yesterday but we applied Neosporin to that as well and will continue after cleaning her from now on hopefully that will get better soon as well. all in all from where we were a week ago is night and day. we cannot thank you all enough without you i have no doubt we would have lost a member of our family.

[Mel1959]

That’s great news! Thank you for the update. :hug

The fur loss and irritation on her chin can definitely be from formula remaining on the fur. I like to use a warm baby washcloth and wipe their face after eating. They seem to like the slow warm stroking over their mouth and eyes. Many times I’ve had a squirrel grab ahold of the washcloth and hang onto it pulling it close. :Love_Icon

Drag sores are problematic for squirrels with any type of hind end paralysis. I think you should wipe the area several times a day with a mixture of diluted betadine. Add enough betadine to a 1/8cup of warm water so that it looks like strong tea. Use a cotton round to wipe the sore. You don’t have to rinse it as it isn’t sticky when it dries.

Is she on prednisone or gabapentin? I can’t remember.

[Rock Monkey]

That's great!

Taking care of a squirrel isn't easy, definitely not low maintenance, but they have a way indelibly implanting themselves in your heart.

I think you will continue to see progress.

[Charley Chuckles]

Wonderful news I'm thrilled at how she has turned around so quickly :grouphug