13 lines ground squirrel is breathing super heavily

[lucky 13 lined gs]

hi, I have a 13 lined ground squirrel and he’s been doing great for the last couple of days. He had mbd a couple weeks ago but from that he’s been doing so much better but i woke up this morning and found him breathing hard his eyes are always squinted now and when he try’s to walk he stumbles, like he can’t walk straight. I have a video of him breathing hard and doing the eye thing so if anyone could tell me what’s wrong with him i’d appreciate it

[CritterMom]

You need to put your clip on a hosting site like youtube and put a link to it in a post.

You said you were treating for MBD. Are you still? If he HAS MBD it is months of treatment, not weeks. You very gradually step the calcium down as you are improving the diet to provide more high calcium things. If you have stopped treatment, I would get the Tums out again and see if you see any improvement.

What size are your Tums? The milligram size is on the front.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

hi, I have a 13 lined ground squirrel and he’s been doing great for the last couple of days. He had mbd a couple weeks ago but from that he’s been doing so much better but i woke up this morning and found him breathing hard his eyes are always squinted now and when he try’s to walk he stumbles, like he can’t walk straight. I have a video of him breathing hard and doing the eye thing so if anyone could tell me what’s wrong with him i’d appreciate it

Hi lucky 13 lined gs:
Thank you for your care and concern for this little Squirrel! What is his name? When was he "diagnosed" with MBD? Upon what signs that he was exhibiting was the diagnosis of MBD made?

What treatment are your (did you?) you using? I am posting 2 links for you from Henry's Pets website, The first is to their MBD information page which I would strongly suggest you read for a good understanding of the disease and the second is their recommended Emergency (and ongoing) Treatment Protocol for MBD. Please read this thoroughly and begin the treatment anew as if your Squirrel had never been treated for MBD before; in other words, start this where it deals with the Emergency Treatment for MBD!

Link to Henry's MBD Information Page; https://henryspets.com/what-is-metabolic-bone-disease/
Link to the Emergency Treatment and ongoing treatment for MBD; https://henryspets.com/emergency-treatment-for-mbd/

As CM mentioned, MBD usually takes a relatively long period of time to treat (potentially up to and even beyond a year) and to I mean no offense but from the nature of the disease, no one can accurately state that a particular animal "had MBD a couple of weeks ago" because it is NEVER definitively cured in a period of time that is that short! Often, or even most often, when appropriate treatment is begun; if major signs of this condition such as seizures and instability were present; these improve or resolve in hours to several day after beginning treatment BUT while this great in itself, it means nothing as far as implying that the treatment can be discontinued or administered occasionally. Treatment for MBD disease MUST be kept in effect for a long time and if signs of MBD recure after treatment is tapered off or discontinued, the sad fact in those cases is that MBD was never adequately treated in the first place!

By the way, there are other possibilities for the behavioral changes you mentioned including of course, MBD but poisoning and infection also come to my small mind! Squirrels tend to stash food an if this food is perishable and if this is stashed, it can easily become spoiled and tainted and cause illness! Please check for stashes now and every day! Also, NO nuts and NO treats. Quality Blocks only and preferably Henry's Blocks at least during the initial phases of treatment because invariably appetite is affected and Henry's Healthy Blocks are concentrated and a full days nutritional requirements for most Squirrels along with Maintenance Calcium (but it does not include the needed supplemental calcium that you must also provide during treatment) are provided in just 2 Blocks!

Please also provide a continuous source of clean fresh water for your Squirrel especially since he should be drinking regularly during the long treatment program. Also, please consider other causes for your Squirrel's behavioral changes but START the MBD Emergency Treatment NOW. If this is not MBD, the treatment is harmless and if it is MBD, the treatment can be literally life-saving!

Thanks again for your love of this little Squirrel and please keep on with the updates!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[lucky 13 lined gs]

he passed away a couple hours ago…..

[CritterMom]

I am so sorry. They are such cute little things. And they all leave a hole in your life when they go.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I am so sorry for your loss of your little Squirrel! Thank you for the love and care you bestowed upon him and for being there with him to help and comfort him while he passed!
RIP Little Squirrel!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel