I'm putting this up for comments. Please feel free to suggest changes. I will simply moderate the discussion. If we can reach consensus on the treatment, then it can be posted again as a sticky. However, there will be no one's name on it, and it should be understood that this treatment is a result of the collective experience of TSB in treating hundreds of MBD squirrels over the years.

Also, it has been proposed that a disclaimer should be placed at the top to the effect that: "The treatment below has been used successfully to treat squirrels with metabolic bone disease, however, it is not intended to substitute for medical advice from a veterinarian." Comments welcome on that point, as well.


Below is the current treatment:

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Emergency Treatment for MBD

Get calcium into the animal IMMEDIATELY, not later, not tomorrow, NOW.
Delaying treatment can cause death or permanent paralysis.

You will need:
• Tums, rolaids, or calcium supplement (any kind)
• a syringe or spoon

Crush one pill and add a little water or fruit juice to make a paste. Use the syringe or spoon to force-feed the mixture, a little at a time, until it is all gone. The first day, give a total of 500 mg of calcium per 1 pound bodyweight. Divide this amount into 6-8 doses throughout the day/night to maintain blood calcium levels.

Important!

1. Any kind of calcium pill is okay for the initial dose. But you must use PLAIN calcium pills (without Vit D) from then on.

2. Try to give many small doses of calcium throughout the day/night to keep blood calcium levels as steady as possible.

3. If seizures or paralysis worsen or return, give another emergency dose, then seek help from a veterinarian, rehabber, or from The Squirrel Board, as relapses can be very serious.

The acute symptoms (weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis) 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. (See the "Long-Term Treatment for MBD.”)

More Tips

MBD causes brittle bones that break easily. Try to keep your squirrel confined to a small cage and away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone.

Heat is very soothing for an animal 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.


Long-Term Treatment for Metabolic Bone Disease (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 on the Henry’s Healthy Pets website (www.henryspets.com).

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.

3. In addition to the Healthy Diet, you will need to continue giving extra calcium every day for several weeks. Use a syringe or spoon, or you can try putting the calcium on a small piece of fruit.

Calcium Dosage (for a 1-pound squirrel):

Week 1: calcium = 500 mg per day
Week 2: calcium = 250 mg per day
Weeks 3-8: calcium = 100 mg per day

If acute symptoms—weakness, lethargy, seizures, paralysis—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 confined to a small cage and away from high places, where he might jump and break a bone.

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.