Update - January 10 2015. Two bear cubs (age 1 year as of January) arrived at different times from different areas to Bear With Us in mid to late December. Both were in poor condition and motherless orphans. Both had lost all body fat and most muscle in an attempt not to die from starvation. The first cub Kris had evidence of frost bite on his feet and on his left ear. He had worn the tissue off the end of his fingers, the soles of his feet were raw and infected. The other cub, Takoda, was in a similar condition. ... We are happy and relieved to write that these two bear cubs are on the road to full recovery. We must keep the cubs in very tight areas so their feet have time to heal. The cloth pads for them to stand on and sleep on are clean and changed daily. The bear cubs are now standing on their feet. Kris was crawling on his elbows his feet were so sore. Being in a heated tight area (temporary), they cannot move much, therefore reducing further injury to the feet and as well as reducing the chance of death from a condition known as Re Feeding Syndrome. The cubs are now eating quantities of food. They are eating yogurt,sardines,tinned salmon, tinned cat food and just recently puppy chow. Another 7 to 10 days we will move them to a larger enclosure in the barn with a den and lots of straw. They will be kept together.... Info about RF Syndrome-Starving bear cubs, like starving people can die if fed too much of the wrong foods when rescued. A starving orphan cub will often show up at a persons bird feeder in the winter, or get offered lots of food by the well meaning caring individuals. Sometimes the bear cub has gone away and not come back. Many presume the cub ate enough to go back to sleep, but as an experienced bear cub rehabilitater, I fear that is not likely. Why? ... Starving people died by the thousands after they were offered food again at the WW-1s end. A condition known as refeeding syndrome is a killer. Starting to eat again after a period of prolonged starvation can precipitate cardiac failure. In starvation the production of insulin is decreased in response to a reduced intake of carbohydrates. Instead fat and protein are burned to produce energy. This results in a cellular loss of electrolytes. When you start to eat again a sudden shift from fat to carbohydrate metabolism happens and production of insulin increases, which can lead to profound hypophosphatemia. This can occur within four days of starting to eat again. This can cause heart problems, or other dangerous conditions. Starving patients can be treated, but this must be done cautiously to avoid refeeding syndrome. Rest and warmth must be provided and maintained. Small sips of water mixed with glucose should be given in regular intervals. Fruit juices can also be given. Later, food can be given gradually in small quantities. The quantity of food can be increased over time. ... At Bear With Us we have lost very few cubs due to this condition. When a cub dies it is most likely destined to die before we get it because the condition has began to take effect on the poor little bear before we catch it, then the cub dies a few days after arrival. We are very careful when we have cubs arrive.- Mike.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 23:19:40 +0000
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