Bit of Advice Needed

[Raindog]

I've been feeding the little one esbilac for the past week and all has been well but for the past couple of days he seems to have developed a touch of diarrhea. Is there anthing that I can do to alleviate this or will it just go away?

Thanks,
Mike

[Apple Corps]

Are you using the powder or pre-mixed liquid that comes in a can? Are you adding anything else to the Esbilac?

[Raindog]

I'm using the canned variety feeding it straight.

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

How old is the squirrel and how often is he she being fed?

[Abacat]

Do you have any idea how much he weighs?

[Raindog]

I'm thinking 6-7wks by the descriptions that I've found, I'm feeding about every six hours. I'm not sure how much he weighs but it's quite a bit more than when I found him last sunday. I offered him some cheerios tonight and he's been munching away at a few.

[Apple Corps]

A couple of thoughts. First, the canned Esbilac should be used within 3 days of opening - discarded after that. If you are using it beyond that it might be causing the problem. I'd monitor the condition for another day and see if it sorts itself out. Also, new items might cause the runs - so I would not add much new to the diet until you see how things go for the next day.

[Abacat]

How much is he taking when you feed? What color is his stool? The reason I ask is alot of times overfeeding can lead to diarrhea.

[Raindog]

A couple of thoughts. First, the canned Esbilac should be used within 3 days of opening - discarded after that. If you are using it beyond that it might be causing the problem. I'd monitor the condition for another day and see if it sorts itself out. Also, new items might cause the runs - so I would not add much new to the diet until you see how things go for the next day.

Will do, I might have kept the esbilac a day over but I bought a new can today so ditched the old stuff just in case. I'll pull the solid foods until things get back to normal.

Thanks for the help,
Mike

[Raindog]

How much is he taking when you feed? What color is his stool? The reason I ask is alot of times overfeeding can lead to diarrhea.

These days he's taking around 10-11cc per feed and you may be right about overfeeding, it seems that the runny stool has come with his increase in appetite. Stool is a tan color, ford would deem it "parchment".

Cheers,
Mike

[Apple Corps]

Abacat - I've been trying to find the "sticky" that shows the pictures of fuzzers so as to gauge the age / weight - do we have one or am I dreaming about it?

[Abacat]

A link to help you age the baby:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/feature/174/how-to-determine-the-age-of-a-baby-squirrel.htm

Can he curl his tail, and hold food with front paws, or is he still pretty clumsy/wobbly when moving?

[Raindog]

Cracking display, yes, six to seven weeks looks correct.

[Abacat]

When did you take the pic in the other thread? I'm looking at his tail, not as fluffy looking as the 6-7 week old in link I posted...I would guess 5-6 weeks but so hard...So he can curl his tail, hold food, moves with a purpose?

If he is around 6 weeks, the 4 times a day is okay. It could be as Apple Corps suggested, problems with the freshness of the canned esbilac. If you can get the powder, much easier to keep. (Or he could also be having digestive issues...:dono)

For now just try cutting back abit on the amount of formula given at next feeding, see if that makes a difference. Let us know if the diarrhea continues. Anyone else have any suggestions? I haven't had grays in awhile, so use to the red squirrels...

[Apple Corps]

Abacat - thanks :thumbsup

Might one of the "powers that are" make a sticky of this?

We look forward to the "Poop Report" tomorrow :D

[Raindog]

The picture was taken several days ago. He does curl his tail now, has no problem holding cheerios and seems rather steady on his feet. When preparing his bottle he runs laps on my shoulders and descends/ascends with authority.

Cheers,
Mike

[Abacat]

:morning Mike & Rennfield (?)
How's the little guy feeling, better with his poops? Might take a few feeding with a little less given. His tummy should be full, but still soft. It shouldn't be stretched like a balloon or hard feeling. If you can get an inexpensive digital gram scale (sometimes even just a kitchen scale) it's helpful in charting their progress. Also helps for feeding the correct amount, which generally is 5-7% of their body weight. So say he weighed 100 grams, 5% of 100 = 5. The amount to feed would be 5ccs or 5mls (same difference :) ) per feeding.

I just want to tell you you're doing great, :thumbsup and thank you for answering the questions we ask. Sometimes it can seem a little much, but it helps us to figure out what's going on. If you need any help, or have questions don't be afraid to ask. Thanks again! :)

Have a great day!
Sharon

P.S. more pics of that beautiful boy wouldn't hurt :D :poke

[Raindog]

Hi Aba,

Yes, he seems fine now. Thanks to everyone for the help. I tried to get a decent shot of him this afternoon but the little bugger moves around too much. The only way he will pause a bit is if he's in my palm so I had to hold him in one hand and the camera in the other, oh well, enough excuses...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1568.jpg

[Mars]

That is a wonderful picture. :Love_Icon

[Abacat]

What a beautiful boy you have there! :Love_Icon He looks like he's giving "daddy" kisses. :D Don't you just love their whiskers? I agree with Mars, it's a great shot. :thankyou Mike!

[Apple Corps]

That is a very very nice image :thumbsup :thumbsup

He looks great - a real cutie.

[Raindog]

Thanks guys,

He is a character. I put a few cheerios in his tub this afternoon and he's been tearing them up but doesn't seem very interested in the block. I suppose this should be expected but I don't want him to get too attached to them. Would this be a good time to start offering a water dish?

I've begun looking at larger cages as well but the tub is beneficial for controlling temperature. I'm guessing that by the time they are weaned the little ones are less prone to a chill given the room temperature is mild, some direction would be appreciated here.

Thanks,
Mike

[Abacat]

Yes, you can put a water dish in, (careful not too deep) and some weaning foods. Occaisional broccoli, sweet potato, cheerio, or other whole grain cereal, along with the rodent block. I've had good luck with most of my "kids" with the block (but then I put it in with them before their eyes open).

Here's a couple of links that might be helpful:
Scroll down to Stages of development & basic care guide:
http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm

Scroll down to Feeding schedule: (you need a gram scale to use this)
http://www.squirrel-rehab.org/rehabinfo/infantfeeding.html

Cages can be expensive, you can even build you own if your handy.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4362&highlight=building+cages

How's the poop situation? Is he still having diarrhea?

[Raindog]

Thanks Aba,

The poop rolls off now so He's much better.

[Apple Corps]

Their first exposure to the water bowl can be really funny to watch. We have had new ones sit in the bowl, put their front paws in it an try to chew it, put their entire face under and come up sneezing - be prepared :jump

[Frickster]

sounds like you should have your camera ready lol. frick used to try to "catch" water from the faucet. weird little creature!

[Abacat]

Good Morning! So happy to hear Rennfield (is that his given name, or haven't you decided yet? :) ) is doing better with his :poop
Oh yeah, you "must" try to capture pics for your memories, unless you are going to keep him...:dono Course depending on where you live, you'll probably have to overwinter him...

Here's a link to some funny things my guys used to do...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4984&page=7 (click the link in post #134)

:wave123 Kilo!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome Rennfield is such an intresting name! love it!:wahoo
Glad the poops are under control!
I like the powder for the economic reasons and it lasts longer...but, I really like using MY water...as that will be what they are going to get forever!
Love the picture...so clear and close...we can see how beautiful Rennfield really is, and he is!:wahoo Beautiful!

[Raindog]

Thanks guys,

The little one seems oblivious of the title so I'll take that as an affirmation of his approval. As far as keeping him, no doubt he will be with us through the winter, after that we will just play it by ear.

Funny thing, my mom agreed to take over the lunch time feedings because petrol is scarce here at the moment and work is quite a distance. I had her over and ran through all of the things that must be done. Today I got a call, she said that Rennfield didn't eat very much and seemed a bit standoffish. She was worried but I told her that it was natural and that she shouldn't give it a second thought.

This afternoon when I got home the little bugger was waiting for his afternoon bottle, ran up my arm as usual and grumbled quite a bit about how long it was taking me to prepare his meal. He drank close to 15cc and then curled up in my lap. Amazing little creatures, these.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1574.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1580.jpg

[JudyB]

He is precious :Love_Icon You will be having lots of fun with him!:jump

[Abacat]

Good Morning!
:wave123 Rennfield...
That is normal behavior, you were absolutely right, Renn knew that person feeding him wasn't Daddy. :D They can be fussy if others are helping with the care. My Mom helped feed a few times with Squirt, same thing. She'd tell me how uncooperative he was at feeding time. :eek: What are you talking about Mom? He loves feeding time. :D Yes, they are amazing little creatures, they do know who's who.

Tell Rennfield his "Auntie" Sharon sends kisses. :Love_Icon He looks wonderful, you're doing a great job with him. :bowdown Fantastic pics!

[Raindog]

I think we may be on the verge of weaning, Rennfield is taking less formula now and seems to be going at the block and cheerios more. I've added a grape here and there but he's not interested in eating it, he does seem to enjoy throwing it around though. I'll pick up some fresh veggies tomorrow and see what he likes. I bought a pack of flavored chew sticks this afternoon and he's carried one around for a while and has begun to shred it.

I've narrowed my cage options to one that I'm rather fond of, the only problem is bar spacing. I'm thinking that by the time he can thermal regulate he should be thick enough that the spacing won't be a problem. The cage is a midwest model 142 and it will fit perfectly in front of the east facing kitchen window. Here's the promo image from their site.....

http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/images/filemanager/Ferret/FerretNation/142wr.jpg

[pamela lee]

That's the one I have as my prerelease cage. I move my babies into it once they are 8 weeks old and none of them have been able to fit through the bars.

[Abacat]

When you give Rennfield the grapes, are they whole? You can try cutting them in half and peeling them. I know it sounds crazy but they don't like the skins, and it's safer...no choking on skins. Another great weaning food my "kids" always liked is avocado. No skin or pit, they are toxic, but the green fleshy part, when ripe... they LOVED. Don't give too much or too often, maybe you could enjoy some guacamole to eat along with Renn. :) Just a thought.

That's a beautiful cage, I'm sure expensive. I built my release cage for around $80 dollars (if I can remember, might not even have been that much) 6'X6'X4'.
Another thing you'll need is a full spectrum light. http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11690&highlight=full+spectrum+lights
It's especially important for his health once he's off the formula. The light thru a window will not provide the necessary amount of uvb rays to enable him to absorb calcium properly. You can read more about that here: (under Metabolic Bone disease) http://www.squirrel-rehab.org/rehabinfo/mbd.html You probably already have all your bases covered, sorry if I'm butting in. :)

Off to work, catch you later...Enjoy your day.:D

[KimbleSquible]

SO CUTE!! Love his ears! And really great pics by the way.
That cage is a Monster Squirrel Palace.

[Raindog]

Pam, that's good to know. I'll be picking up the cage tomorrow, would have brought it home today but I was in the smart car and it wouldn't fit.

Aba, You're not butting in at all, good to have the advice of folks who know what they're doing. I've cut out the grapes but offered an apple chunk, baby carrot, almond, snap pea and cheese cube along with his rodent block this afternoon. He was at first a bit dubious but soon started working on the cheese and apple. When he got his fill of those he grabbed the almond, ate a bit, apparently decided that he liked it and carried it off to his hide in the folds of a towel.

I looked for the bulb you listed today at several places but couldn't find it. I did come across the exo-terra line at the local pet store but there were a few different ones and I wasn't sure which to buy. Maybe you can help me out here, this is the link.
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php

He's getting really mobile and seems bored jumping around his plastic tub so the cage should give him plenty of room to run amok and act a fool.

Thanks Kimble, I'm hoping that he likes it.

Cheers,
Mike

[pamela lee]

When you get the cage and build it you can leave the middle floor divider out, that way you can put large limbs in it.

[Raindog]

Fantastic, that looks ideal.

[Abacat]

Some people think using reptile lights can be dangerous. Here's a link online for a bulb I know many pet squirrel owners use:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=478

Hope that helps...:)
How's his poops doing?

[squirrelfairy]

That is a GREAT photo! wish my camera worked that well!

I have experienced that they can have coccidia and it can cause diarrhea. I put them on Albon liquid, have to get from the vet, and it clears it up.

If your not sure, send a fecal to them and they can look at it under a microscope.

I have had this happen to me a couple of times, so just a suggestion.

[Raindog]

Aba, I'm not sure why the UV would be any different but none the less. His functions are normal now if anything can be called normal with this little guy.

SF, Thanks, I've been at the photography for quite some time. What I put up here are snapshots, my serious work is quite a bit different.

Things are changing fast here on the home front. I picked up the new cage and Rennfield has taken to it quite well. Too well maybe, today he put up his first threat display, it was adorable. Mom came over to see the new cage, stuck her finger in the cage and tapped the platform. Rennfield didn't take kindly to this gesture and began barking and charging the front of the enclosure. I walked over and he stopped,I opened the cage and he hopped into my hand.

He has started to refuse the bottle but eats a lot from his bowl. Currently I'm offering block, almonds, snap peas, apple, carrot, blueberries, raspberries and cheese. I'm not sure if he has completely figured out the water dish yet so I'll probably set up the sip bottle as well. I'm still going to try to offer a bottle for the next few days just to be safe.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1628.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1613.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1607.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/raindog314159/DSC_1609.jpg

[JudyB]

:thumbsup Lucky boy... great cage :alright.gif
He looks to be doing very well, and so cute :) Great job daddy :Love_Icon

[Abacat]

How's Rennfield doing? I could just see him barking and charging...LOL! Guess he didn't like Grandma's "interference" in his domain...:rotfl Squirrels are so amusing. :)

[Buddy'sMom]

He's adorable! They are so funny when they start learning to be territorial! :crazy

As you have seen, once they start eating solid foods, they are less interested in gobbling down the formula. But you need to keep offering it to him -- if he was with Mom he would be nursing for another 6 weeks or more. Especially when they start on solids, much gets nibbled but not that much actually eaten. With the formula, you are sure that he is getting the nutrients he needs to stay healthy and grow strong bones. Many times they will refuse formula for a meal or couple, and then suck it down like you have been holding out on them :shakehead .

If you still are using the liquid Esbilac, you can freeze it in an ice cube tray and then defrost it as you need, so the leftovers don't get wasted.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug