Baby Needs Help

[rockysmom1]

I found my baby squirrel rocky in my yard about 10 days ago. I got him esbilak & was feeding him that, gradually increasing & he was taking it fine. He got up to about 5cc per feeding, but he constantly has diahrrhea. I read on this site and saw to decrease the feedings to half & gradually move back up, but that has not helped. Then a couple of days ago he just decided he didn't like his forumla any more. I would have do put 1 drop at a time in his mouth & he would eat it. My mother in law suggested going to the powdered esbilak & giving him some nutri-cal for extra vitamins. Well, he still doesnt like the formula & is still having diahrrhea, but he loves the nutrical. I dont think he is dehydrated because he pees after every feeding. someone suggested adding a bit of baby rice cereal to the formula to firm up his poops, but that didnt really work. as far as his eating, I can get him to eat formula now by mixing just a little bit of nutrical into it & tricking him into eating. He is not lethargic though, he is full of energy & runs all over me & all over his cage. He does like to chew on cheerios, but not the rodent mix I got at the pet store. I am really concerned about his diahrrhea though, it will just not go away & I dont understand why he wont eat his formula when he was eating it fine before. Please give me some advise, I am so afraid I am going to get up to feed him & he will have passed.

[annalouisa09]

I found my baby squirrel rocky in my yard about 10 days ago. I got him esbilak & was feeding him that, gradually increasing & he was taking it fine. He got up to about 5cc per feeding, but he constantly has diahrrhea. I read on this site and saw to decrease the feedings to half & gradually move back up, but that has not helped. Then a couple of days ago he just decided he didn't like his forumla any more. I would have do put 1 drop at a time in his mouth & he would eat it. My mother in law suggested going to the powdered esbilak & giving him some nutri-cal for extra vitamins. Well, he still doesnt like the formula & is still having diahrrhea, but he loves the nutrical. I dont think he is dehydrated because he pees after every feeding. someone suggested adding a bit of baby rice cereal to the formula to firm up his poops, but that didnt really work. as far as his eating, I can get him to eat formula now by mixing just a little bit of nutrical into it & tricking him into eating. He is not lethargic though, he is full of energy & runs all over me & all over his cage. He does like to chew on cheerios, but not the rodent mix I got at the pet store. I am really concerned about his diahrrhea though, it will just not go away & I dont understand why he wont eat his formula when he was eating it fine before. Please give me some advise, I am so afraid I am going to get up to feed him & he will have passed.

Hello there:wave123

How old is your baby?

I have read some on TSB how ALOT of people are having problems with Esbilac lately, because they have altered the formula a bit. There have been lots of babies with diahrrhea and bloat.

Here are the things I have heard lately on how to help form solide poops-
Add Multi-milk to the formula, If you don't have this, add a quality heavy cream, and I have even heard someone say to add yogurt.

I'm not an expert, but someone who is should be on soon to further help you.:) Also I would wait on the multi-milk and stuff untill someone confirmes it.

Goodluck with your baby!:Love_Icon

[island rehabber]

good morning, rockysmom1. How are you diluting the Esbilac powder? Some people have had success beating this diarrhea problem by using one part powder to 2 1/2 parts warm water....try that for a couple of feedings.

If that still doens't help, your baby may have intestinal parasites and the only way to get rid of them is by giving him appropriate medicine. Do you have a squirrel-friendly vet you can take him to? Most are not, unfortunately. We could help you find a qualified rehabber to get him the help he needs. atlantasquirrelgirl is one who comes to mind.

[rockysmom1]

Thank you both of you so much for your advice. I am going to try to mix the esbilac 2.5 to 1, I have been mixing it 3 to one. I dont think he has parasites because his poop was normal the first day or two I got them. I am thinking about trying the multi-milk in it, but i will hold off & see what more people say.

[virgo062]

Rockysmom1 when one of my babies refused his formula (Esbilac 1-2.5) I was told to add all natural vanilla yogurt and heavy whipping cream and it worked like a charm. I now alternate the yogurt and cream but he has been sucking it right up. He almost weighs 1 ounce now. There is so much good advice on this board you have come to the right place for sure

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

My opinion is that the more you introduce into his diet, the less you know what is causing his diarrhea.

You really need to get it cleared up, even though he seems like he feels fine. You mentioned rodent block, Cheerios, and possibly other solids. He may be old enough for solids, but I recommend eliminating solid food, focus on getting the formula straight, then introduce one solid item at a time to see how his tummy adjusts.

You are closer to Jacksonville than Atlanta, so if you would like to have a pro help with clearing the diarrhea, we can try to find somebody in your County, or one of the Florida folks might be able to babysit him for a couple of days to get him adjusted to formula.