I owe TSB a million thanks for your help with KFS (& MBD)

[CharityS]

I first found this forum about a month ago, and I uploaded a few pics of the two little angels I'm carrying for right now. I expressed concern that Secret Squirrel was losing fur in a "thinning" fashion, and seemed to be losing bone density as well. This was all thanks to the generic advice given to me by my local wildlife rehabilitator a few weeks before she dropped off the planet. She told me to feed them "nuts, nuts, and more nuts and nothing else" once they started refusing formula because "that's all they would have once they were released." Well, of course, this was depleting Secret Squirrel of much-needed Ca++ reserves, and I never knew this until I hopped on to TSB. Secret was suffering from KFS, and was in danger of developing MBD. BUT....he is making an impressive recovery. It's not an over-night thing, recovering from KFS, but the results of this diet modification are AMAZING~

I wanted to let you know how much Secret Squirrel has improved only ~3 weeks after COMPLETELY modifying his diet. Here are some pictures:


These are the first pics I posted on TSB asking what was wrong. You can really see the difference between Secret & Nicodemus in the 2nd pic, which was taken around the time I knew something was very wrong:

http://a487.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/79/l_e4d863fbf25c59040cd361fcae0a98be.jpg

http://a178.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/102/l_61aaa5f10482883301dc119d059e0d51.jpg

Aaaah! Look at all those nut shells! I can't believe I took away all their berries and veggies and replaced them with shelled almonds just because some "rehabber," who conveniently hasn't returned my messages for the last 6 weeks, told me to. I never EVER meant to hurt Secret:
http://a193.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/45/l_6818097abcac6c735b5d22df756f5c40.jpg








Now THIS is the little Secret ONE WEEK after the diet mods, and after placing chewable fruit-flavored Ca++ supplements (300mg) around the nursery. Notice that perfect, little ROUND PATCH of new, fawn-colored hair in his back? Wow! ONE WEEK!

http://a307.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_345681b2fd6a62c4d75e37eceb50fe1a.jpg





This is after TWO weeks. Look at that delicious food and all that new, short hair! You go, Secret!

http://a971.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/86/l_b10916fe143d6e810edf505e3f76b592.jpg






And finally, these are all from two days ago. I couldn't be happier. I actually teared up a little when I compared the pics because there's such an enormous difference. AND DID I MENTION HE'S ALMOST TWICE AS HEAVY NOW AS HE WAS 3 WEEKS AGO? He doesn't feel like a bird anymore! He's even starting to get little arm muscles!

http://a891.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/29/l_fe6b545146f8e3783294b9247d3d6ee2.jpg

http://a873.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/13/l_8b4f3a6425743399698a6800095b75c8.jpg

http://a178.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/36/l_f5fd46e3c983d5512c12c390780783a1.jpg

http://a681.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/72/l_002db08d14e2296217654967250d0660.jpg

http://a335.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/20/l_29a12a32cbd20b73b6c74a74926272be.jpg



Try telling Secret Squirrel and Nicodemus apart now! My fiancees mom couldn't do it yesterday! Oh, and I know this is just the beginning of his recovery. My full-spectrum lamp hasn't arrived yet, but I got a pretty good deal on Amazon compared to the outrageous prices on Ebay.

Here's the brothers together....And none of us could be ANY happier right now:

http://a207.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/60/l_adfa2e656f6dcb93d7f541ad4209ced6.jpg

http://a384.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/81/l_242d88c2574a522409acd5a895a8b897.jpg

http://a440.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/l_5e10e33392a3ba168d98ff2882b4aa07.jpg

http://a760.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/117/l_dc2c58fac245276a2215b9934e3f6957.jpg


Happy Thanksgiving from Lexington, KY...and THANK YOU TSB! We owe it all to you for your great advice and compassion.

I guess I'll never be able to express my gratitude in a way you'll understand, but any "newbies" reading, please know that these folks are THE BEST. If you're like me and live miles away from a competent rehabber, you're in good hands here at TSB.

~Thank you~


:thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou

[island rehabber]

ok.....my Thanksgiving is here already......God Bless you, CharityS, and all you've done for those sweet little squirrels. They look absolutely perfectly beautiful.....does anybody have a Kleenex? :o *sniff*

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Those are some awesome pictures..Awwwww..look at the NEW fur..oh..my goodness!!!
You must be so, thrilled!!
YOUR doing a great ..job!!
ALL those great vegi's!!
It's all great foods..except..the "oh's..cereal...lol..it's okay..for a treat..but loaded with sugar...
Im sure they must love it..
BEAN...my grey..doesnt like any junk ceral..he sticks his nose up at it..
BOOGER..
Have a great night..your doing really great..keep up the good work!!!

[rippie-n-lilgirlsmom]

They are a pair of cuties!! You must remember you also are to be commended for their good health we can give out all the great information in the world but its up to the squirrel owner to follow it! So its because of you also the babies are doing so great!:thumbsup

[hazel]

:thankyou for all the beautiful photos and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and yours! :)

[Mrs. Jack]

How great to watch him tear into that new foods of his :D great job!!!! :thumbsup

[Mars]

:bowdown Well DONE :bowdown :Love_Icon

[CharityS]

Thanks, you guys....you're the best web friends a fuzzy lover could ever have :)

http://a91.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/80/l_423167559afd0cdb94e19e0a2950fef2.jpg


Oh, & P.S.
They don't get Oh's anymore (good eye, FLUFFYTAILNUT!). Nowadays when they get grains, I either bake fresh whole grain wheat muffins (omigosh, they had some fresh ones this morning and ran all up and down their wall tapestries with them before Nicki tried burying one in my hair...which is always inevitable) or else they get a high Ca++ cereal like Smart Start's Antioxidant formula. Oh, I wish I would have taken pics of them with their muffins this morning now~:Love_Icon

Which reminds me of ANOTHER funny story from YESTERDAY:
Have you ever seen a juvenile squirrel try to carry a small cup of cereal to the top of a bookcase without spilling it? I must say, I now think I've seen just about everything:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Mrs. Jack]

I saw an adult wild squirrel cart away a plastic cup of peanut butter up a tree across the roof and back down a tree without letting go of it (those single serve cups they have) if it compares at all :D

[4skwerlz]

I am so, so happy for you and little Secret and Nicodemus! What a difference a few weeks can make. As others have said, it is really thanks to you for having the wisdom and caring to seek help. They look so much better!!:Love_Icon

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Now those are some wonderful Thanksgiving pictures!

[TexanSquirrel]

Wow! They look great!

[jules]

You have changed their lifes for the better and thats because you cared enough to get some advice in the first place. Thankyou for taking the time to care for these little ones...well done you!:thumbsup

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Jules. :Love_Icon

[Squerly]

How fantastic and what a wonderful job you have done. :bowdown I'm so happy that your little ones are doing so well and thank you so much for making my day. Now I gotta go wipe my eyes before Momma Squirrel sees me...

[Momma Squirrel]

What better way to start the day and weekend, Thank You so much for continuing to care for these babies and not stop learning all you can to make their lives so much better.

They look terrific, can't wait to see pictures in another week :crazy

Great work to all our members for their dedicated love to the squirrels and animals and TSB :grouphug :bowdown

OH Squerly that is why I love you so much :Love_Icon

[skwerls_R_soft]

Awww..let's have a big 'ol TSB group hug :grouphug

This thread should be a candidate for a sticky in the "Baby Squirrels ABC" or "Specific Ailment" forums.

Great job CharityS!!

[susanw]

Your babies are beautiful! I can't belive that a rehabber told you to feed them nuts only, I wonder how many squirrels they lost due to MBD. Best of luck with the little cuties!:)

[susanw]

Awww..let's have a big 'ol TSB group hug :grouphug

This thread should be a candidate for a sticky in the "Baby Squirrels ABC" or "Specific Ailment" forums.

Great job CharityS!!



Love the squirrel massage! Wish I could teach Duke to do that!:jump

[Bravo]

Thanks for posting this, CharityS. It means so much to those who put in the time and effort to help everyone who visits this site looking for advice. The pictures tell it all. :grouphug

[skwerls_R_soft]

Love the squirrel massage! Wish I could teach Duke to do that!:jump

I tried teaching Skipper, but his claws are not very relaxing :)

[CharityS]

I just wanted to say thank you again to all who responded to this thread. A few of you are right...it IS hard not to get a wee bit emotional when you think about all the love and devotion you give to the little ones, and then get to see the fruits of so many months of labor.

Secret Squirrel and Nicodemus have changed my life forever...and now my world will never be the same size again. :grouphug

[Secret Squirrel]

Way to go CharityS....you are my hero of the day !!! :crazy You made a difference in those little kidz life for the better. You made the needed changes in thier diet and the results are AMAZING to see. Three cheers for you, Nick and of course my favorite kiddo Secret Squirrel !!!! (oops forgot your boyfriend...sorry.....) 4 cheers !!!

:wott :wott :wott:wott

Not trying to hijack your thread...I just want to share...you are not alone :grouphug
I too had a KFS squirrel that I got from a very nice lady who was loving her to death....literally. All the wrong food....but she though in her heart she was doing the right things. Sad . Her name is Twig.
Here is Twig before and during photos....I am awaiting and after...her body is sooo tiny still. Even though she looks good in the pictures. I will over winter her due to her still recovering.

[Secret Squirrel]

Sorry about the last pic....forgot to downsize.:)

[CharityS]

O...My....GOSH, SS!!!!! My jaw dropped to the FLOOR when I saw tiny Twig's Transformation!!!!:thumbsup

Twig seems to maybe have developed KFS much younger than our tiny tot did. I didn't even see any symptoms until he was 3 months. Awww....Poor little lucky baby to make such a dramatic recovery....I mean Dra-ma-tic!:wahoo

You're a darn good Rehabber!:multi

[island rehabber]

I'll second that, and third it too!! :bowdown :thumbsup :)

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Me too!!! :bowdown :bowdown :grouphug
Me 4....:thumbsup :thumbsup
What a grand transformation!!!!:grouphug :osnap :alright.gif