diarrhea

[zoogirl723]

I posted about the two squirrels I got last week under the thread "two new ones...problems" and am now still having the same problems.:thinking

The male is doing well.

The female is extremely active, outgoing, great appetite...but still has diarrhea! Age is about 8 weeks. After giving them pedialyte when I first got them last week, she started eating esbilac 3-4 times a day at about 9 cc each feeding. She had diarrhea when I first got her and it seemed to improve initially, but now i don't know what to do.

I thought maybe I was feeding her too much and cut her down to 6 cc per feeding, offering lab block and a piece of veggies (squash, asparagus, spinach) NO FRUIT, NO NUTS. At first I was giving yogurt, but stopped that about 4 days ago.

I finally called a local rehaber for help (am new at this and now I have 7!!!:crazy ) and she said I was feeding too much and not often enough. She said to start on pedialyte again and I did for 12 hours then switched her slowly to esbilac again. I cut down to 4 cc and started feeding 5-6 times per day. This was 2 days ago and still no change. If anything she is going more often...I changed bedding just a few hours ago and she must have gone at least 5 times since then. It is light in color, a tan. Its not exceptionally runny, but not well formed either.

Someone suggested oats, since that can help prevent wet tail in hamsters?

Or wheat bread since high in fiber?

I have tried everything I can think of, and rehaber still has not called me back to take some off my hands :( If i could get this problem under control I would be fine, am just worried.

Thanks again for all your help, I don't know what I would do without you all

Amy

[foxsquirrels]

Can you give us a list of what you have tried?

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

Just offer the formula and cut out the veggies for now. Offer rodent block instead to munch on in between. That should be what they start on anyway.
Go to your grocery store or health store and get acidophilus ( near the vitamins and some are also stored in the refridge section) Make sure the count is at least 1 billion.
Add the Acidophilus to the formula ( the entire pill crushed or the dosage for a person is fine you can't over dose) Try to stay constant and on a strict schedule with the feeding.
The acidophilus will help regulate the flora in the gut again and get them back on track. If you keep having problems after 2 days them have them tested for parasites.
Please note Yogurt will cause more issues and diarrhea.

[zoogirl723]

I have tried to keep them as consistent as possible, and have not tried supplements other than the yogurt. I kept their feedings the same for days before trying something new, not switching between 4 feeding one day and 6 the next. Lab block is rodent block and have been consistently using it since I got them. I will cut out all vegetables from now on. I really don't feel I am over feeding her...:confused:

Amy

[foxsquirrels]

You could try some Kaolin-Pectin, it is similar to Kaopectate for humans. If you want to try some, it is sold at most farm supply stores. It is marketed by Durvet and is for animal use only. You can PM me for the dosage.

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

Just offer the formula and cut out the veggies for now. Offer rodent block instead to munch on in between. That should be what they start on anyway.
Go to your grocery store or health store and get acidophilus ( near the vitamins and some are also stored in the refridge section) Make sure the count is at least 1 billion.
Add the Acidophilus to the formula ( the entire pill crushed or the dosage for a person is fine you can't over dose) Try to stay constant and on a strict schedule with the feeding.
The acidophilus will help regulate the flora in the gut again and get them back on track. If you keep having problems after 2 days them have them tested for parasites.
Please note Yogurt will cause more issues and diarrhea.

You wouldn't be over feeding them if they weren't eating other things but since they eat other things it might be too much for them. Try only 2-3 times a day. Since they do know how to eat solids they won't starve. They might be trying to many different things too soon. Stick with the blocks and only try maybe one veggie in the afternoon after the stool clears up.

I personally wouldn't get Kao right now because it will cover problems. If you use the acidophilus and supplements it will help aid in the actual problem not cover it, then you will know if something else needs to be looked into if it doesn't help.
Most times if we get lose stool and use the acidophilus it clears up with in a day. Its great to have on hand and cheap to get.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Can you drive anywhere close to Tampa...I'll help you if you can get them close! I will take all or as many as you need help with...I am not a rehabber...I am titslaroo with baby sq though! Love sqs...:thumbsup
if you are willing...pm me and I'll email my phone number...:grouphug

[digiandchipper]

I am near Jacksonville. I am also not a rehabber but have two 11 wks right now and have cages and other things I can use to take babies off your hands if the rehabber can not. If you can't meet Jackie, I might be closer to meet 1/2 way. Just let me know.

[zoogirl723]

Thanks for all your help. I will pm you both soon if I can't find any other help in this area. No wonder I have seven if I can't find rehabber in the area when I need one...

I got accidophilus today and am crossing my fingers that it works

Amy

[digiandchipper]

Good luck and feel free to pm me!:thumbsup
Meanwhile, I've thought of something -may sound weird- but maybe someone (perhaps Gammas baby?) on here knows: Could it be possible that a squirrel might be allergic to esbilac (kind of like some babies with milk allergies??? :dono :dono :dono)

[ShesASquirrelyGirl]

Yes it is possible...
however I would try to rule out everything else first.