White Poops

[Momtofuzzies]

Hey Ya'll,

So around 5 days ago I became the proud momma of a little baby squirrel. Judging from the age charts I think he is between 5-7 weeks old. His eyes are open, he's fully furred, his tail is fluffy, and he can walk around (not great....but he gets around). He does nibble at solid foods, but I'm still feeding him formula 4 times a day.

I kept him on formula for the first 3 or 4 days because I wasn't sure if he could eat solid food yet. Then I introduced Zupreem Dry Primate Biscuits and he did okay on that, and now I've also introduced apples. He eats the Primate biscuits but I've never actually seen him eat any apple.

The thing is his poops have turned white. It's solid, little, white/yellowish poops. I have no idea if it's normal for it to be this color or what. :thinking: Any one have any ideas?

Other than that he seems perfectly healthy. He eats regularly, he's active, he is a bit skiddish but I'm assuming that will ease with time. He doesn't seem sick at all.

Today is going to get a big cage (My boyfriend is going to build it) so he will be getting some time outside each day. As of right now he stays inside because I did not have a way to take him outside. COuld that have caused it?

Thanks!!

[Abacat]

Light colored (white, beige, pale yellow for example) stools usually indicate overfeeding. Do you have a gram scale? The proper amount to feed is approximately 5% of their body weight. Example if the squirrel weighs 100grams, 5% would be 5 cc's/ml per feeding. Here's a link that will help you but you need a scale. Scroll down to Feeding schedule.
http://www.squirrel-rehab.org/rehabinfo/infantfeeding.html

Good luck with your baby and keep us posted!
And :Welcome

[Momtofuzzies]

Well, he does eat a lot so that is a possibility.

Does this mean I should limit just his milk? Or should I limit how much solid food is left in the cage as well?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

White poop can also be a sign that your baby is lactose intolerant. I have had several bunnies like that. You can try adding a little bit of lactaid to their formula and see if that clears it up.

[Momtofuzzies]

:thankyou It took me forever to find this group.

Yes, he is on the Ebsilac puppy replacement milk and I put it in a small bowl inside a cup of warm water to heat it up. It's very warm (he won't eat it unless its warm. If it cools off at all I have to reheat it to get him to eat.)

He eats about 5-8 eyedroppers of milk, four times a day. Plus the biscuits and a bowl of water are left in the cage 24/7. We think the eyedroppers are about 1cc.

I read online that he should be fed free choice. Am I to assume that I need to start limiting his milk and solid food intake, or just milk?

Thanks so much!!

[Abacat]

I would just cut back abit on his formula, keep the zupreem (?) aka primate biscuits. He sounds like he's in the weaning ballpark, so solid food is important at this stage. Could you post a pic, we'd love to see him. :D

It is important for the scale to chart his progress, and help with the feeding correct amounts. :thumbsup You'll need other things as well if you plan to raise him, a full spectrum light once he's off formula. Take a look around, lots of info to help you. And just "yell" if you need any help.

Good point SR&B2, I didn't think of that! :thumbsup

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

You don't want to limit his regular food. He can have as much of that as he wants. You should limit his milk feedings because they tend to overeat. He should be getting 5% of his body weight per feeding 3 times a day. Do you have a gram scale to weigh him? If not, I would go with 7-8 ccs per feeding based on his age.

[Momtofuzzies]

Okay I think I will try that. He nibbles on those biscuits like 24/7 anyway. So I doubt he'd go hungry if I cut back on the milk.

Any idea where I could find a grams scale? Would a hardware store carry that?

I will try to post some pictures on here tomorrow!!

Great forum! Thanks so much for ya'lls help!!

mjs

[Momtofuzzies]

If not, I would go with 7-8 ccs per feeding based on his age.

That's about how much he is getting now.

[Abacat]

You can probably pick one up at walmart in the kitchen section, that's where I got mine, I think. :)

Okay, now I feel silly...we posted together... Hi Gamma :)