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Thread: Is it MBD? What caused it?

  1. #1
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    Default Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Today my 7 (almost 8) week old baby lost the use of his back left leg. He drags it along and does not seem to have feeling and does not respond when I touch it.
    His diet is still currently formua (powdered esbilac). He has only just started nibbling on Oxbow rat food (I had zero money to order any Henry's blocks until later this week).
    I feed him formula every four hours and I go slightly longer at night, so he gets fed 4-5 times a day. He normally eats 10-12 ccs per meal and he weighs 136 grams.

    Though I'm not sure if it's related, I thought it would be worth mentioning that he came to me with a broken tail bone, but he's never had any issues with his legs until now.

    I just moved him into a slightly bigger cage on Sunday as well.
    He has been sleeping more today than he normally does.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Awaiting Abyss View Post
    Today my 7 (almost 8) week old baby lost the use of his back left leg. He drags it along and does not seem to have feeling and does not respond when I touch it.
    His diet is still currently formua (powdered esbilac). He has only just started nibbling on Oxbow rat food (I had zero money to order any Henry's blocks until later this week).
    I feed him formula every four hours and I go slightly longer at night, so he gets fed 4-5 times a day. He normally eats 10-12 ccs per meal and he weighs 136 grams.

    Though I'm not sure if it's related, I thought it would be worth mentioning that he came to me with a broken tail bone, but he's never had any issues with his legs until now.

    I just moved him into a slightly bigger cage on Sunday as well.
    He has been sleeping more today than he normally does.
    If he's been receiving the proper formula I would not suspect mbd.
    You mentioned moving him into a larger cage, a fall may be more suspect.
    I would allow pain management and give him something for pain and inflammation.
    When these babies do not feel well, they will retreat and rest/ sleep more.
    Step-N-Stone
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Thank you. What can be used for pain?

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Awaiting Abyss View Post
    Thank you. What can be used for pain?
    Any option for securing meds?
    Metacam, Tramadol would be ideal.
    If nothing else available liquid infant Ibuprofen can be used.
    As stated we will need a weight on baby for proper dosing..

    Is he still acting the same today with no improvement with leg?
    Step-N-Stone
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by stepnstone View Post
    Any option for securing meds?
    Metacam, Tramadol would be ideal.
    If nothing else available liquid infant Ibuprofen can be used.
    As stated we will need a weight on baby for proper dosing..

    Is he still acting the same today with no improvement with leg?
    I will see if I can get some. I do have a few methods of getting meds. He's 138 grams.

    No improvement in his leg today. He was a little more active this morning but has been napping since then.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Awaiting Abyss View Post
    I will see if I can get some. I do have a few methods of getting meds. He's 138 grams.

    No improvement in his leg today. He was a little more active this morning but has been napping since then.
    Have you carefully examined leg feeling for any separation, swelling, lumps, etc.
    Does he react at all if you apply any pressure to any part of leg?
    Any reaction if you lightly pinch toes?
    Step-N-Stone
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by stepnstone View Post
    Have you carefully examined leg feeling for any separation, swelling, lumps, etc.
    Does he react at all if you apply any pressure to any part of leg?
    Any reaction if you lightly pinch toes?
    He doesn't have any swelling or limps. I've felt his leg both last night and earlier. It feels exactly like his good back leg. He doesn't flinch or have any reaction when I touch any part of his leg. When he walks or climbs he just drags it along without moving it.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    I have 15mg metacam.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Pinch one of the toes on the leg he is dragging hard enough to hurt a little - you are looking to see if he shows any sort of pain response.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by CritterMom View Post
    Pinch one of the toes on the leg he is dragging hard enough to hurt a little - you are looking to see if he shows any sort of pain response.
    I've tried and he does not react.

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Is there any reflex to push back if you were to move it to a bending position close to his body?
    Don't force it if it won't bend at the joint easily.
    Step-N-Stone
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Any chance of getting this baby to a safe vet. If he does not react to a pinch then he has a serious injury.

    What formula are you feeding your little guy?
    redwuff
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Sorry I see that you answered that in your first post. He seems small at 136 g at 7-8 weeks. Your feeding schedule is good. Would you post some pictures of him?
    redwuff
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    I've attached two pictures. I took a video too but I'm not sure how to upload it with my phone.
    He rests the left on the table but he doesn't put weight on it or use it to move. He doesn't seem to care if I gently stretch the leg out.
    There is an exotic vet close. I'm not certain if they see squirrels but they see other exotics so I don't see why they wouldn't.
    Attached Images Attached Images   

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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    Quote Originally Posted by Awaiting Abyss View Post
    I've attached two pictures. I took a video too but I'm not sure how to upload it with my phone.
    He rests the left on the table but he doesn't put weight on it or use it to move. He doesn't seem to care if I gently stretch the leg out.
    There is an exotic vet close. I'm not certain if they see squirrels but they see other exotics so I don't see why they wouldn't.
    Call first and remember exotic vets are not wildlife vets. Squirrels are wildlife!
    Not all vets are safe to take a squirrel to especially if one is not licensed to rehab.
    Pm me your State & city and I will check to see if we have a safe wildlife vet close
    enough to the area your in.

    He looks pretty good overall, my bet is he took a fall or twisted it.
    I don't like seeing the curled toes....
    Step-N-Stone
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  20. #16
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    I wanted to give an update on him.
    He is doing much better now. Starting yesterday he started using his leg again and today he is pretty much using it completely normally.

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  22. #17
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    Default Re: Is it MBD? What caused it?

    That is wonderful! We need more pics - he is adorable!

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