Blood from rectum

[Luv4squirrels]

I have a baby squirrel that is approximately 4 weeks or so old. My question is I have been feeding him a formula I had found on http://www.stfranciswildlife.org/squirrels.html which consists of esbilac, water and whipping cream. He has been thriving drinking at least 4 ml a day every 3 1/2 to 4 hours thorugh the night as well. The problem now is he has gone down to 1 1/2 to 2 and has bits of blood in his stool.....what should I do...what could be the cause of this? Our family has really taken to him and I would rather not turn him over to a wildlife rescue only because I think we are doing a wonderful job and have every intention of releasing him when the time comes....the proper way of course. But if it means his health is in danger I will not hesitate to do so...any advice??
Thanks Karin

[LynninIN]

Are you using water or pedialyte to mix the formula? That website says to add esbilac powder to the pedialyte. This is not a good idea because it causes dehydration. The squirrel needs to be kept very warm but not hot. Do you have the baby on a heating pad? The heating pad should be set on low and placed under only half of the box so it can climb off if it gets too hot.

Can you post a picture or video of the baby? It would help us help you alot.

[Luv4squirrels]

We found him about a week ago and he was a bit dehydrated so we did feed him pedialyte for a little less than 24 hours. Then started mixing the pedialyte with the liquid esbilac, then slowly into the liquid esbilac, water, cream formula. His poop is a bit yellowish, whitish with just a bit of blood. He is on a heating pad in a box, yes half on and half off the pad, he is kept warm. So what you are saying is go back to just the pedialyte then try again?? I will post two pictures, the first one is when we first found him and the next is from August 12th and the last is what he looks like today....ok please tell me how to send the images??? ;o) I click on insert image and its asking me for the url???

[LynninIN]

You may not be able to post pics on the board yet. You can email them to me and I'll post them for you.

The yellow with blood isn't a good sign, the baby may need antibiotics. We have a trusted member in your area with a squirrel the same age that she rescued last week. Squirrels do much better when they are raised and released with another. Here is a link to that little ones thread http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12203

If you want to try and do this yourself don't worry, we will still do our best to help you save this baby.

[LynninIN]

I received the pics and will post them in a few minutes.

[Luv4squirrels]

I can't get onto the Nursery page to post, I guess my membership takes a while for that page......if he will do better with another squirrel I will send him off, it will break my heart but I will do what it takes for this little guy to be ok...BUT.....let me ask your opinion being a first timer at this whole thing and my family is completely fallen in love, is it possible to keep a squirrel as a pet? Is it truly ok? Can I get him through this? There is a vet nearby that does treat wild animals, (of course they are closed today) I can call them tomorrow for him to get in...is that the route to go or do I pass him off to a squirrel expert...I just don't know what to do at this point....I want the very best for him and will do what ever that is!!! Thanks!!!!

[Abacat]

:Welcome
Not knowing all the circumstances of your finding the baby it's hard to say what could be causing the blood in his stool. If it were me, I would want someone who could test for internal parasites, things the untrained eye might not notice, etc. Sometimes as hard as it is to let go, we must to save the critters life. I'm not saying that this baby will die if you don't, but it could, do you want to take that risk? Sorry, I really don't mean to come off as an alarmist, but sometimes it just needs to be said. I wish you the best in getting help for your baby. Perhaps if you did give it up to a rehabber, they would let you release him on your property when he is well enough. Good luck with whatever you decide. :grouphug

[Buddy'sMom]

:Welcome and thank you for rescuing and loving this little one! :bowdown You are in excellent hands following LynninIN's guidance.

Taking care of squirrel babies is incredibly rewarding -- they capture your heart almost instantly, as you have seen. However, things can go wrong very quickly and when there is a problem it is far better to have experienced eyes and hands. "Tomorrow" is a very long long time away for a squirrel that may need special care. As you recognized, bloody poop is not a good sign -- he might need antibiotics or other stabilization that a rehabber can provide. It's very fortunate that you are near philomycus as she will be able to give him whatever care he needs. And she also has a squirrel his age -- which will be very helpful for him in learning how to interact with other squirrels.

I know that it will be incredibly hard to let him go :Love_Icon but you clearly want what's best for this little one to heal and survive.

As far as the pet question -- in general squirrels do not make good indoor pet material. Most of them wild up as they age and want OUT. Even if not, they tend to be one-person animals and only permit handling by that person. It is not likely that he would grow up to remain the cuddly little thing that he appears at this age (a very few do that, but the vast majority do not).

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[LynninIN]

Pictures of the cutie. The first is the day Luv4Squirrels found her 8/9/08, the second 8/12, the last today.

[philomycus]

I'm in Jacksonville. I have a little one that's close enough in age that they could be rehabbed together....which is much better for them in the long run. Lynn is going to try to get in touch with you and then maybe we can meet???

[Luv4squirrels]

Can someone please send me the contact information for the member close by that I can hand over Freddy to.....thanks!! I want the best for him!!! ;o)

[FallensMommie]

started mixing the pedialyte with the liquid esbilac, then slowly into the liquid esbilac, water, cream formula.

The baby is precious! Thank you for saving it! :alright.gif

You are confusing me....... :sorry...not hard to do with me :D

Are you still mixing pedialyte with the liquid esbilac?
If you are...discontinue that practice...will dehydrate the baby. Also liquid esbilac is already premix...no need to dilute it with water. We only dilute esbilac (powder form or liquid) when we first start feeding baby gradually going full strength.

I think you saved this baby once but blood in the stool is not good and to save his life again he needs to be in the hands of a rehabber who deal with these situations all the time and can get him back on track. He probably needs meds and rehabbers can appropriate administer them.

[FallensMommie]

I'm in Jacksonville. I have a little one that's close enough in age that they could be rehabbed together....which is much better for them in the long run. Lynn is going to try to get in touch with you and then maybe we can meet???


:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown




Can someone please send me the contact information for the member close by that I can hand over Freddy to.....thanks!! I want the best for him!!! ;o)

I truly believe you are doing the best for your little Freddy by handing him over...he needs help! You are to be praised for doing what is right :bowdown :bowdown

Thank you so much for loving this baby and giving him another chance at life :D

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

oh what great news!!
sparky is going to have a room mate....
such happy news...im am so thrilled luv4 your going to let your baby have another squirrel to grow up with...:wott
philly is a good squirrel mommy..and you are too...... to give freddy a chance at a good life....a proud moment for you!!:alright.gif :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

i cant wait to see those two together snuggling ..:thumbsup freddy n sparky brothers 4 life!

looking forward to seeing this happen...asap:thumbsup :jump
rachel:wave123

[LynninIN]

Can someone please send me the contact information for the member close by that I can hand over Freddy to.....thanks!! I want the best for him!!! ;o)
I emailed her number to you. Did you get it?

You are confirming your screen name Luv4Squirrels as it's truly an act of love handing Freddy over to philomycus for medical care. Baby squirrels work their way into the heart quickly and I know it's very hard to give them up. Given the blood showing up in his stool, you've made the right decision. :bowdown

[Buddy'sMom]

Freddy is adorable :) :Love_Icon :) :Love_Icon

You are a wonderful squirrel-mommy for having the strength to make this hard decision. :bowdown :bowdown It's the very best thing for Freddy. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

oh what great news!!
sparky is going to have a room mate....
such happy news...im am so thrilled luv4 your going to let your baby have another squirrel to grow up with...:wott
philly is a good squirrel mommy..and you are too...... to give freddy a chance at a good life....a proud moment for you!!:alright.gif :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

i cant wait to see those two together snuggling ..:thumbsup freddy n sparky brothers 4 life!

looking forward to seeing this happen...asap:thumbsup :jump
rachel:wave123
im sorry i missed where you named him freddy...:peace
you are a truly loving mother!!
you are to be commended.:bowdown :bowdown :tilt
im sure this is hard for you..but you will still be able to see him..daily!
very kind of you!:alright.gif :thumbsup :thumbsup
rachel:grouphug

[Luv4squirrels]

Ok I have spoken to philomycus and we are meeting at 3pm to hand him over. Thank you all so very much, I can not express my gratitude for being so quick to anser my post and helping little Freddy out!!

[FallensMommie]

That is wonderful news. I hope you stick around with us, and watch Freddy grow. philomycus will get him the help he needs and provide us all with pics and updates under his own thread....please stick around with us...it's nice to have you! :wave123

:Welcome to TSB!!

[LynninIN]

Philomycus picked up Freddy from Luv4Squirrels. Freddy is in pretty good condition and she expects him to make it without problems. :wahoo

Thank you Luv4Squirrels. Freddy & Sparky will grow up together, keep each other company, play together, love each other, and be released together, they will teach each other how to be squirrels.

[Luv4squirrels]

Yes she picked him up and I guess I got my first lesson on squirrel anatomy...LOL Freddy is a girl!! Go figure!! I plan on keeping in touch with philomycus so I can see how she progresses, she said she looked really good, so I am very excited for a good outcome....our family is sad that we couldn't be there when she opened her eyes for the first time.....but still after this wonderful experience I may just look to re-habbing myself one day!! ;o) Thanks again all!!!

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

:fireworks fredrica can...still be freddy!! :fireworks :D

im sure it was very hard on you..to let your little foster daughter ..go..:grouphug
very sweet of you..and brave.

have a great night:)
rachel n bean

[philomycus]

the little one seeems to be doing well! I decided to name her Sundae, since I got her on a Sunday:). I will start a new thread under the nursery sectioon this week. I know giving her up was so hard! But you really helped 2squirrels by giving her up, Sparky and Sundae can really teach each other a lot as they grow. I would be happy to arrange a proper release in your yard :)

[Luv4squirrels]

Thank you phil!! I love her new name, much more appropriate than Freddy...LOL It does make me feel better to know she will have another to hang with....I would love to have her released here, but does that mean she won't be released with Sparky?? If its better for her please release her with him at least she would know someone.....lol ;o) If you could please contact me when her eyes open, my son keeps asking me....and has she had any more blood in her stool? I am truly curious to know what may have caused that.
Well please give her kisses for us we miss her terribly!!!