MBD Treatment-Week One
1. Provide emergency calcium. You can buy calcium carbonate supplement pills (600 mg) at any drugstore.
Dosage: Day 1--1,000 mg of calcium. Day 2--1,000 mg. Then 600 mg per day for a total of 5,000 mg of calcium for the first week.
How to give the calcium: The first day, crush up the pill in water and give by mouth with an eyedropper, one drop at a time, until he has taken the full day’s dosage. After that, if the squirrel is still eating well, crush up the pills and put in his food: yogurt, avocado, banana, even peanut butter will work. If squirrel won’t take the calcium in food, continue with the eyedropper.
2. Provide natural sources of Vitamin D. He will need full-spectrum light indoors all day long until he is well. Plus all the Vit D rich foods you can give: mushrooms, eggs, dairy products (especially yogurt--make sure the label says the yogurt contains Vit D).
3. Provide a liquid vitamin supplement. Buy the kind for rats and mice—available at any pet store. Dose per directions on the label.
4. Provide sources of Vitamin C. Oranges are good, but red or green bell peppers are the highest.
5. Eliminate all nuts, seeds and other unhealthy foods. Feed only foods from the TSB Diet.
6. Introduce a balanced rodent chow. try KayTee Forti-Diet for Rats and Mice. I recommend this because it is widely available at Walmart and pet stores, and it is tasty. You can also try the KayTee Healthy Bits for Rabbits and Guinea Pigs. It is similar to a kibbled food, but even tastier, and is fortified with a lot vitamins and minerals.
7. Follow the Recommended Diet for Pet Squirrels. Make sure your squirrel is getting foods from every category.
Note: The emergency MBD treatment is calcium and Vit D (FSL). Changing your squirrel's diet will take time; he will have to learn to like the new foods.