Advanced MBD?

[Uno's Mom]

You did exactly what we all do... tried to find the best option for squirrels in need. On her first trip here she had asked very nicely if I was okay with her keeping my contact information etc. I have also offered to assist her with releases as she in not bale to release at her place. She also has a singleton 7 week old that I believe she wants to incorporate with the 6 week olds I have.

Doesn't sound like a quiet spring after all!

[Spanky]

"Polly" is still with me and she remains compromised... but improving ever so slowly / slightly. She can use her rears legs, but they simply seem incapable of supporting her weight. My plan is round three of local X-rays and if nothing some of that a trip to Dr. E for more comprehensive eval... .

Polly's sister "Penny" has been released and living the squirrel's life Sandy's Sanctuary. She visits often and is a happy, healthy, wild squirrel loving her life in the tree tops!

[Diggie's Friend]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565266/

Pycnogenol® (40 mg/kg) can inhibit aggravated bone resorption, prevent BMD loss, and restore the impaired trabecular microarchitecture in OVX rats after 9-week-intervention.

With the dosage noted for the rats weight in this study at 4 mg. PYC for 220 gram rats, by weight for a squirrel, for example, 650 grams, the closest comparable dose using simple division of the powder contents of one capsule of PYC (15 mg.), by three then using two parts, is (10 mg.). This same dosage for PYC was used in other rat studies to ameliorate other health conditions.

That this was done in female rats, is for reason tis is the model used in osteoporosis studies in rats. Gender is only a factor as far as the model to create osteoporosis in rats, not a matter of PYC working only in female rats. Pycnogenol also has an added bonus as it is also an analgesic; yet this source lacks the negative side effects associated with NSAIDS.

https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Origi...9&s=hpc&sr=1-4

[Diggie's Friend]

In using PYC from the 30 mg. "Healthy Origins Pycnogenol", to determine the dose by weight of the squirrel, multiply (4 x (?) the weight of the squirrel, then divide by the original wt. for the rats, 220, to get the amount of mg. of PYC .

For example: If the squirrel weighs 400 grams, then multiply the weight 400 x 4 = 1600, and divide the total by 220, which comes to (7.27 mg.)

Next, decide how best to divide the powder to get the closest dose determined for the squirrel which isn't always the same number depending upon the amount determined by weight. In this case, dividing the total powder into 4 equal parts would provide approximately (7.5 mg.) Since a tiny amount is lost in dividing this powder it should come out very close to the amount of this example.

I found that using the waxy side of a piece of butcher paper works well to support dividing the powder of the capsule using a one-sided razor blade, into equal portions.. Once divided, use a scissors to cut the paper in two parts, with the one portion on one side, and the excess portions on the other. From there, put a crease in the paper to funnel the left over powder into a holding plastic container for future use. For the one portion on the other piece of paper, divide it into two parts; include one half with the AM meal, and the other with the PM meal.

Again this amount is just an example, not necessarily what your squirrel's present weight is to use in the calculation. If you need help with this, PM me.

[Spanky]

Thank you DF for the info, I have ordered the PYC from Amazon yesterday and will give it a go when it arrives. I believe I should be alright in determining the correct dose for weight and measuring / separating out the dosage from the capsule. But, should that I change I will indeed reach out to you.

Another thing I find very curious about this girl is her love of dried banana chips (no sugars nor nitrates, banana and nothing but banana). She loves them like they were nuts... I cannot help but suspect there is some nutrient in the banana her body is craving. Any ideas?!?!?

PS Polly's sister Penny is free in the trees, she does visit often... she is happy and healthy living the squirrelly life in the treetops!!!

[Diggie's Friend]

Not surprisingly liking the dried banana chips; concentrating sugars, fats, and protein, which intensifies its flavor and sweetness.
It also may be for the gnawing value it has when dried, like a 'goodie' to a squirrel. There is a mineral that bananas are higher in, magnesium; this could be promoting her desire for the dried banana.

Research in bone health in the rat has recently found that a closer ratio of Calcium to Magnesium (3.3:1) (Ca:Mg) supports greater bone density compared to (10:1) Ca:Mg of the old standard of 1995, used as the, 'control' it was compared to in this same study. Therats were also put into menopause, which lowers estrogen levels to nil; this, says much about the efficacy of magnesium to support bone health in the rats, as estrogen one of the key hormones responsible for supporting the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream.

Raising magnesium in the diet is done in small steps, starting with the lowest increase, raise it after a few days up to the next step, and then the next, and so on till bowel tolerance is reached (loosened soft stool). Then lower the amount down two minimal increases, which will firm up the stool. . I can estimate the amount of magnesium if one particular rodent block is used, as the data on this isn't just noted in percentages, but also in mg. If you happen to be interested in doing this, PM me.

[Spanky]

Polly is simply... amaZING! She is starting to actually use her rear legs funtionally... she is actually "using" them.... I have seen her lift her rear end up on occasion. This girl seems to be on a slow and steady improvement path... did I mention how AMAZing she is! Best therapy is simply wide open spaces (out of cage time).

I hope to get a video if her "running" soon... yes, she "runs" (and I always cry out "Run Polly, RUN!!!").
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And in case you missed it... she lifted her tail up over her back at the 8 second mark. Did I mention this is one AMAZing girl?

(2019 was a tough rehab year... I have been reminding myself there were lots of wins among the heartbreaking loses... this is one big win...)

[HRT4SQRLS]

Thanks for sharing Spanky. I think we all need to see some happy news after last year.
Who knows how far she will progress!

[RockyPops]

Yay Polly.... Yay Spanky!!!

My heros's for today!!!

[Diggie's Friend]

Glad to see the squirrel is recovering. Just a thought, have you tried Pycnogenol?

In this study. despite the drop in estrogen that is a key factor in Calcium absorption, PYC inhibited bone loss in rats. With normal hormone levels, be a rodent male or female, it supports bone density.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4565266/

https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Orgin...5&s=hpc&sr=1-4

Healthy Origins 30 mg. capsule divided into 16 parts give to parts daily with yogurt or wet food.

[Spanky]

Glad to see the squirrel is recovering. Just a thought, have you tried Pycnogenol?

Yes, you had recommended Pycnogenol back in August and I got some right away. Thank you.

I am inclined to believe in addition to the MBD Polly suffered trauma of some sort. Polly came here with her sister Penny, and Penny had a freshly degloved tail (only a few inches though). The guy that had Polly was not very compassionate and complained that Polly was a mean, unfriendly squirrel. After she got acclimated and over her fear of the new place here she has been nothing but a sweetie. Sure, I got a few blood-drawing bites at bath time, but these days she is resigned to getting them regularly... though now she will still bite (nip?) but not draw blood... just enough to let me know she is done with bath time so I respect her "request" and wrap it up... until the next time!

[Diggie's Friend]

Poor baby; it's a hard knock life for squirrels!

I know I have recommended a lower dose for maintenance; yet with this condition I would give a higher amount daily, as it's not going to hurt her. Consider trying 1/4 portion of the capsule and adding a bit more to it like 1/16 portion, to see if she show more improvement. It's truly an amazing source, closest one to that of the inner (cambium layer) of tree bark consumed by squirrels in the spring, that contains higher amounts of polyphenols.

Sorry I didn't read my own post above, late here just thought I would get one more post before retiring.
I just don't have a memory for that kind of thing anymore, just the research moreover.

[island rehabber]

Amazing, Spanky -- truly! What a beautiful girl she is, and so lucky to have ended up with YOU.

[TubeDriver]

That is amazing progress! She is really using those hind legs, pushing off them and walking. My guess is that she will continue to grow stronger and faster. Great job!

[Spanky]

More recently when I give Polly scritchings... her rear leg goes berserk scratching her ears. She pushes off me with her rear legs with force and a purpose... on occasion she raises herself up on those back legs and bears weight.

She continues to amaze me with her slow but steady progress... she is simply amazing!

[Mel1959]

More recently when I give Polly scritchings... her rear leg goes berserk scratching her ears. She pushes off me with her rear legs with force and a purpose... on occasion she raises herself up on those back legs and bears weight.

She continues to amaze me with her slow but steady progress... she is simply amazing!

Is she still on any medication? Or is the progress she’s making now just her body strengthening and time passing?

[Chirps]

Somehow I missed this thread. So wonderful to see hopeful signs, no matter how small.

I DID. I DID see her curl her tail over her back!



Keep going, Polly!

[Spanky]

Is she still on any medication? Or is the progress she’s making now just her body strengthening and time passing?

At this time she is not on any medications.... her history is not really known and it is suspected her back end was paralyzed for an extended period (months?). Her recent improvements seem to be a slow but steady strengthening and improvement with time.

[Nancy in New York]

... she is simply amazing!

She is amazing, as are you!
Neither one is giving up.

The beginning of their lives, would tug
on anyone's heart.

I love this thread........now.

[Spanky]

Polly is still with me and she has pretty well plateaued in her recovery. She can use her rear legs, but they generally cannot support her full weight... but she frequently, though briefly, will lift herself up, she cannot walk / run like that. But she seems happy and healthy, with all the ups and downs of being a para...