Moonstone Gerbils

Breeder of Mongolian Gerbils and Southern Flying Squirrels

Worcester - Providence - Framingham

info@moonstonegerbils.com

978-494-4727

In my research of about calcium and metabolic bone disease. I find little conclusive information that Southern Flying Squirrels are predisposed to metabolic bone disease. It appears to occur in weaned pups and pregnant or lactating females, especially in wildlife rehabilitation.

Mature Flyers can develop it when they are fed a poor diet. I personally believe that a well balanced diet is essential in curbing any vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Flying squirrels are nocturnal. They do not depend on the sun to form Vitamin D3. Instead they get all of their calcium and vitamin D3 needs from their diet.

There are a few things you can do to prevent MBD from developing and things you should not do.

Some Good Advice

Choose a well balanced diet that is naturally high in calcium.

Provide mineral blocks.

Provide natural sources of calcium like bone, antler, seashells, and cuttlebones.

Dust their food once or twice a week with a high quality calcium suplement with vitamin D3. Do not overdoes Vitamin D3, it is toxic.

Overview of information about calcium in exotic mammals: www.pawprintonline.com/central-diet-calcium.html

Some Bad Advice

Keep in mind that as important as calcium is to your flying squirrels, their systems won't absorb it without the aid of Vitamin D, so make sure that they get an ample supply. I used a supplement that could be added to their water. If your squirrel decides he doesn't like it, add a little sweet-n-low to the mix and you won't have any problems getting them to drink it.The Squirrel Board

Placing Vitamin D3 in the water can easily lead to an overdosage.

Do not add sugar or sweeteners to water for two reasons. One squirrels are not meant to consume high quanties of sugar. Two adding sugar to the water will encourage bacteria to grow and could lead to illness.

If you believe your squirrel is suffering from Metabolic Bone Disease, please consult a veternarian. For more information on the treatment of MBD

http://www.nfsa.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6933

 

Nursing female flying squirrel with MBD

Pregnancy can be very exhausting on a mother's resources. Often the body will strip nutrients from the mother in order for the fetuses to develop. Also, a key component of milk is calcium. Due to the exhaustive nature of raising pups, females fed a poor diet are especially prone to developing metabolic bone disease.