Help! I am losing my babies one by one

[lumbergal]

Thank you for this thread...it is a lifesaver...I have been rehabbing squirrels for about 5 years. I have raised some of them from practically straight out of the womb they were so tiny. Until this year, I had not lost one single squirrel-not one! I started about a month ago with a set of three-they started out really dehydrated, but eventually perked up quite a bit. I was feeding them Esbilac. Two of them started to slowly deteriorate-I tried everything-they were practically skin and bones. I found this website and found that there were issues with Esbilac. I immediately had FV overnight milk to me. That was about two weeks ago. It seemed like all three of them were going to bounce back, but one of them started to go backwards again and died about a week ago. Meanwhile, I received a set of four-they were pinkies, but plump and healthy looking. They had been taking the Esbilac for about a week before I got the FV. They started to deteriorate. I was hoping they would bounce back quicker than the first set since they had not been drinking the Esbilac as long. One of them start to really go downhill and developed really super smelly poops. I have a strong stomach I could hardly stand to clean him. Well, he died last night. This morning...another one of the 2nd set has really bloody poop-not smelly, just bloody-he is lethargic and barely eating. Okay... I am holding back the tears writing this thread...I don't like to lose my babies! Out of the 1st set-2 of 3 are thriving fairly well-they have a little hair loss, but I figure that will recover as they recover from the Esbilac-I lost one out of that set. Out of the 2nd set, I have lost one, one is the way to being gone, one is going downhill and one is thriving. The two that are sick do not have their eyes open yet, but the one that is thriving has had its eyes open for about three days. I use water straight out of the tap-I have well water and this is what I have always used with great success-do I need bottled? We do not have any vets around here that will even look at them. I cannot stand this...you guys have to help me figure this out. Can someone give me step by step the best way to prepare the FV etc. Maybe I am doing something wrong. I read on one of the threads about something called Deliver for intestinal upset. I will do whatever I need to do. What about Nutrical? What is the census on it? I live in a small town and don't have access to anything too out the ordinary, but I can order anything if I need too. We do have a Tractor Supply that may have the Deliver if needed. Whatever I need to do, it needs to be ASAP, I don't think this 2nd baby is going to last another 24 hours if I don't figure this out. Thank you in advance for your help...

[squillgurl]

I am so sorry you are having this problem lumbergal. I know this is heartbreaking for you. They are so small and innocent....
I am by far no expert on anything here, but I did read another thread while ago by Lady Squirrelly who was having problems mixing her FV with tap water. I think it is very possible something could be wrong with the well water also. Maybe you could send her a private message and she may know something more than I do?
Good luck!

[CritterMom]

The smelly diarrhea sounds like some sort of a bug - giardia or coccidia, and that you are using well water could be a connection. Since it is an easy fix, start using bottled (not distilled) water to mix the formula.

Do you have access to any meds? Metronidazole is commonly used for giardia; the coccidia would respond to sulfatrim or SMZ-TMP.

The bloody diarrhea - is it red or black? Red is as good as blood in stool can be - usually it is bleeding from the irritation from the diarrhea; internal bleeding usually causes black stool.

I would pull the diarrhea babies off formula for a while and begin to rehydrate them with pedialyte. They all seem to like the orange flavor. While you are out, see if you can get (best bet) some Bene-bac - I don't think Tractor Supply sells this, but many pet stores do - or second choice, a container of yogurt that does not have artificial flavoring and sweetener in it. The probiotics in both the Benebac and the yogurt will help to repopulate the gut with good bacteria. Feel free to get a flavor like vanilla or banana - if they like it it will go a lot easier. Once I had done the pedialyte for several feedings, I would start swapping out a pedialyte feeding and then one with either watered down yogurt (like 50/50 so it will syringe easily) or with a little of the benebac. You want nice clear pee and no more runs before starting on formula again (made with the bottled water). When you do start them on formula again, start by mixing it 3 to 1 for several feedings until you get formed poops, then slowly transition them to full strength.

If you have a sympathetic vet who can do a fecal test to determine which if either of these bugs is present and get you the meds you need, do so -if they are ILL and this is not dietary, they will need the meds to get better.

[island rehabber]

SUper smelly poop, as you described, is absolutely a clear sign of parasitic infection. Coccidia and giardia will cause this. Do you have access to a squirrel-friendly vet or source of medications?

[mugzeezma]

SUper smelly poop, as you described, is absolutely a clear sign of parasitic infection. Coccidia and giardia will cause this. Do you have access to a squirrel-friendly vet or source of medications?
OK I hate this this but if you can't find a vet ASAP try this....
Go the pet store and get Flagyl for fish Metronidazole and Pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel dewormer for kittens or puppies. Write back and give me the drug concentrations and I will figure the dosages. Coccidia will need sulfa antibiotics. Also pick up an insulin syringe 1cc or .5ccs.
I have to take my daughter to the Neurologist today so hopefully I will get back or some else will step in here.

[mugzeezma]

OK I hate this this but if you can't find a vet ASAP try this....
Go the pet store and get Flagyl for fish Metronidazole and Pyrantel pamoate/praziquantel dewormer for kittens or puppies. Write back and give me the drug concentrations and I will figure the dosages. Coccidia will need sulfa antibiotics. Also pick up an insulin syringe 1cc or .5ccs.
I have to take my daughter to the Neurologist today so hopefully I will get back or some else will step in here.

Oh another idea
if you have dogs or cats ask your vet for Albon or SMZ-TMP tell them you will purchase it. You could take your dog(?) in and get a fecal test run and just simply ask for the meds from the vet. You may get an eyeroll but so what?

[mugzeezma]

Oh another idea
if you have dogs or cats ask your vet for Albon or SMZ-TMP tell them you will purchase it. You could take your dog(?) in and get a fecal test run and just simply ask for the meds from the vet. You may get an eyeroll but so what?
I will Private Message my phone number to you.

[lumbergal]

Thank you so much for everyone's help. I do have Albon at home that I could try-I will also get bottled water. What dosage of Albon do you suggest? I don't have any way of weighing them-they are right at opening their eyes. One person asked me if the bloody poo was red or blackish. It is red. I am so appreciative of all suggestions-I am so upset-I know you can't win them all, but I'm not used to this and I feel so helpless.

[mugzeezma]

I am so sorry you are having this problem lumbergal. I know this is heartbreaking for you. They are so small and innocent....
I am by far no expert on anything here, but I did read another thread while ago by Lady Squirrelly who was having problems mixing her FV with tap water. I think it is very possible something could be wrong with the well water also. Maybe you could send her a private message and she may know something more than I do?
Good luck!
Fish Zole is the Flagyl
Tell me how old and what stage of development. Teeth, fur, tail, and if they hold it over their back or not ...that kind of thing, also if you can post a pic on your hand that would help too.
Tell me what the mg/ml is on the Albon

[lumbergal]

Should I go with the Flagyl or the Albon?

[mugzeezma]

Thank you so much for everyone's help. I do have Albon at home that I could try-I will also get bottled water. What dosage of Albon do you suggest? I don't have any way of weighing them-they are right at opening their eyes. One person asked me if the bloody poo was red or blackish. It is red. I am so appreciative of all suggestions-I am so upset-I know you can't win them all, but I'm not used to this and I feel so helpless.
let's do the Albon first sice you have it...broad range but is not so hot for anaerobes

[lumbergal]

Albon says 5% on bottle-the babies are fully furred-one of them has it's eyes open and is bouncing around like they should be. The two that are sick do not have their eyes open yet, but are fully furred-tail starting to fluff a little

[lumbergal]

The one that is well is holding its tail over its back, the sick ones are trying. You can see their little teeth, but barely.

[mugzeezma]

Albon says 5% on bottle-the babies are fully furred-one of them has it's eyes open and is bouncing around like they should be. The two that are sick do not have their eyes open yet, but are fully furred-tail starting to fluff a little
thats 50mg/ml then...we'll say 100g
@15mg/.1kg

dose is .1 ccs ALbon 2xs daily...gotta run... call if you need to

[lumbergal]

I went ahead and gave them both a little Albon-I do have a sympathetic vet that I could get meds from-he doesn't mind helping me, he just doesn't mess with squirrels. His loss. Also, is this a spreadable parasite? I have already separated the one that is doing so well and put him in with a group that is just about a week older than him. They are having a blast, but if this is contagious, I want to take the proper steps to keep everyone apart from each other.

[CritterMom]

I would separate the sick ones for now - the giardia is passed through exposure to feces...plus the little sick ones don't need their healthy siblings crawling all over them right now. Please also do the rehydration for them that I described, okay?

I don't know - have you had a lot of rain? Wells can have issues when there is a sudden influx of water that way - they actually have a "giardia season" out in the Rockies, in the spring, caused by the sudden snowmelt - the vets gear up for it! You might want to have the water tested if your family drinks it, and I would absolutely use bottled water from this point on for the babies.

[mugzeezma]

You'll need Flagyl for Giardia.
Go back to pedialyte only a feeding or two as well.

[spykitten01]

I got metro for my girls when they had giardia - diarrhea cleared up within a day and a half and it worked wonders to get them back to good health.

[mugzeezma]

I got metro for my girls when they had giardia - diarrhea cleared up within a day and a half and it worked wonders to get them back to good health.
Flagyl IS met

[spykitten01]

Ahhh lol okie doke :D

[mugzeezma]

Knock knock
How are ya'll doing down there???

[lumbergal]

Hello,
Sorry I have not answered...had to take myself to the doctor today! My baby girl that was the sickest - is coming around a little - I feel like she has a pretty good chance now. She has taken the Albon well and loooves the Pedialyte. She is still pretty sluggish, but much more responsive than 24 hours ago...pheew! Her poops looks much better and she is resting easier. Her brother that was sick (but not as sick as her) is bouncing off the walls this afternoon! He opened his eyes last night and is doing 1000% better. I am so glad that you guys are here-I just wasn't sure what direction to take and you really helped me decide what I needed to do. Incidently, I went by the vet yesterday to see if they had any Benebac etc. and the tech was really actually kind of rude to me. She has never so much as examined a squirrel and she wanted to know "what made me think I knew what was wrong with it". I told her that by no means that was I an expert, but I had a group of very knowledgeable and experienced rehabbers helping me. Luckily, I already had some Albon. Thanks again so very much-will let you know how my sweetie is doing. I think I am going to call them Fred and Ethel.

[lumbergal]

P.S. We don't have any pet stores in my area, but I did stop at one on the way to doctor today and I purchased some of the Benebac. Should I still use some of it-even though I am using the Albon etc?

[spykitten01]

Id check with IR or CritterMom or one of the more experienced rehabbers on here, but I dont see why not. The Benebac is to populate or replenish the gut with beneficial bacteria to keep the babies digestive system in good, working order. I had to put my Willow on Sulfatrim for a URI and later, both she and her sister Reilly on Metro for giardia and had them on Benebac and then yogurt during the process (as recommended by the wonderful people on TSB).

[mugzeezma]

P.S. We don't have any pet stores in my area, but I did stop at one on the way to doctor today and I purchased some of the Benebac. Should I still use some of it-even though I am using the Albon etc?
Yes. You have to keep the good flora going. It actually helps protect the gut from the bad bugs and it is necessary for proper fermentation and digestion.

[marie1428]

Noticed you switched to fox valley. I did the same this summer. I noticed my pinkies did MUCH better when I added heavy whipping cream(Deans).

[lumbergal]

Thank you for the suggestion-I am kind of on the fence over the FV. I don't know if it is just in my mind or what. I used Esbilac for years and always had beautiful, happy, healthy babies. Never had a sick one and never had a loss. I raised several this spring on Esbilac just fine-but it just seems like all the babies I have had these past few months have been a struggle.

Did you still add the yogurt and the whipping cream-or just the cream? If so, can you tell me how much you added of each. Thank you for your help.

[mugzeezma]

Thank you for the suggestion-I am kind of on the fence over the FV. I don't know if it is just in my mind or what. I used Esbilac for years and always had beautiful, happy, healthy babies. Never had a sick one and never had a loss. I raised several this spring on Esbilac just fine-but it just seems like all the babies I have had these past few months have been a struggle.

Did you still add the yogurt and the whipping cream-or just the cream? If so, can you tell me how much you added of each. Thank you for your help.
Don't add anything to FV. Add heavy cream to Esbilac or better add MultiMilk.