I have a baby with diarrhea

[ordubismom]

I have got 6 beautiful babies since Monday the start of Faye's visit to central Florida. One of my 2 week old babies has got diarrhea. What do I do to stop it? I have raised other babies before but have never had one get diarrhea and he has it pretty bad. Tomorrow I can get him a doctor but if there is anything I can do tonight to stop it he and I will both be a lot happier. Btw: He is eating esbilac formula, I just thought I would add that, I figured that would be the first question.
Thanks for your help,
Leanne
:dono

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Try backing off of the Esbilac for a feeding and administer Pedialyte instead to rehydrate and replenish fluids.

Typically, you should start with a diluted version of Esbilac rather than full strength to get their systems used to it.

Day 1 - 1 scoop Esbilac, 4 scoops water
Day 2 - 1 scoop Esbilac, 3 scoops water
Day 3 - 1 scoop Esbilac, 2 scoops water

Are you putting a bacterial replacement, such as Benebac in the formula? Some rehabbers on the board also use yogurt to help control diarrhea.

[ordubismom]

I have not added any benebac to the formula. Where can I get it? Is it over the counter or do I need a vet? I can take him to the vet from the sanctuary that I am raising them for, but not till morning. :thinking

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Benebac can be obtained at a pet supply store, which all are probably closed now. Since you are able to get some help tomorrow, I would suggest backing off of the Esbilac, and administer some Pedialyte to reydrate, either between feedings, or administer instead of a feeding.

How long has the squirrel had diarrhea?

[ordubismom]

Baby Seco has done great since we picked him up cold and barely breathing yesterday through the pedialyte feedings and then on to the esbalic. The diarrhea started this aternoon around 1pm. I had decided to alternate his feedings with pedialyte after I noticed it, so I gave him pedialyte at 4pm and esbilac at 7:30, but i will go totally pedialyte and then slowly introduce him to the esbilac again as you suggested till morning. Thanks for all the help.:thankyou

[ordubismom]

If I do get the benebac for him before I can see a vet, how much should I give him (2wks old) and do I just add it to the pedialyte?

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

OK. You may also try the dilutions I gave you. He should not have received full strength (day 3) Esbilac so soon. That can upset the tummy.

Benebac should be just lightly dusted in the formula, like you put a dash a salt on your food. I'll do a quick search also on yogurt and see if I can come up with the mixture on that.

If diarrhea lasts for 2 days, there are other things you can administer, but I bet diluting does the trick.

[ordubismom]

Ok I'll do that after I get his tummy back to normal. I have always given them pedialyte until well hydrated and then gone through those steps in 3 feedings, not 3 days. Until now I haven't had one have a problem, thank goodness. But I will certainly go slower from now on. All I need is 1 baby to complain and I'll be more careful in the future. I learn more with every baby. It's good to know there are caring people glad to help when I need it. Thanks a lot.

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Well, it sounds like you've been doing a good job, just had one with more of a sensitive system.