Bloating?

[Melliweebitty]

I'm worried about my boy Clyde, his tummy is huge and firm, and has been for like two days. I'm scared he bloated, and he still keeps eating the blocks, and I fed him formula aswell, hes still hungry but i dont want him die from bloating, only thing i have seen him do is poop, usually only when i get him out and handle him. Help?

How do I prevent him from bloating?
And how do I help get rid of bloating when he does?

[Lulu-Bean's Mommy]

Can we see a pic? How old is he? Is he having trouble pooping?

Best thing I found in the past was to half submerge him in warm water and rub his tummy downward to make poops happen. I think Jackie in Tampa told me this...

[Rhapsody]

Per Jackie in Tampa - concerning bloat


infant gas X...simethicone
1 drop as needed, but please wait a few hours between drops...

'warm water soak and massages, gentle

good luck:Love_Icon

http://www.thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24720&highlight=bloat

[Lulu-Bean's Mommy]

Ahh, yes, thanks Rhapsody! I forgot about the Infant GasX...and why my friends wonder why I keep it in my medicine cabinet. But I remembered Jackie told me!

I remember doing the warm water massages...did it for a half hour straight once with Lulu-Bean (I think she had bloat 2 times, I started her on solids too early). She responded well to that.

Best way to prevent bloating is watching the diet, IMO.

[Kristal]

I don't know if our GI tract is really similar to that of a squirrel, but a massotherapist did this one on me when I was horribly constipated and gassy once, and wow, did it ever work... like right away.

From here:

http://www.parenting.com/article/Pregnancy/Health/Ask-Dr-Sears-Gas-Relievers


Try abdominal massage. Here's a technique, called the "I Love You" method, which we have used on our babies: Place your baby on his back and kneel at his feet. Start with a single downward stroke for the "I" on your baby's left side, moving the gas down and out of the descending colon. Then do an upside down "L" for "Love," moving gas along the middle segment and down your baby's left side. Finally, do a whole upside down "U" for the "You," stroking along your baby's right side, across the middle segment, and down to the left. Using warm water on your hands will make the massage easier.

[Melliweebitty]

Its hard to tell in the pictures, those are from late last night, and he looks like he swallowed a beach ball. Its firm and everything, even tho it is hard to tell in the pics and it doesnt really look like it.

Regarding his poop, its very easy for him to poop, and he poops like 2-3 times in one minute when i first handle him and a few after that, hes a pooping machine but i havent seen him pee last two days.

I only have regular GasX. But I dont want to give him any of that untill i try everything else firstt.

OH and he is 6-8 weeks old

[CritterMom]

I don't think he's bloating. He wouldn't be pooping.

Bloat is usually caused by either feeding formula that has been shaken up and is thus full of air bubbles; feeding formula that is way too rich (adding tons of cream can do this), or having too little time between feedings. You want to feed him approx 7% of his body weight - i.e., for a 100 gram baby, 7% of 100 - 7, so you would feed about 7cc per feeding). Then you want his tummy to empty and flatten out before feeding again. If you feed too soon and never allow him to empty, the old formula in his tummy will begin to ferment, causing gas and bloat.

The pic on your other thread looked like a normal baby tummy after feeding.

It is normal to want to feed, feed, feed, but what you MUST do is fill him up and let him empty, then fill him up again! A full baby has a round, squishy belly; bloat is hard, and bloated baboes usually don't poop.

It can take a while to stimulate them to poop and pee - some take 5 minutes or so to go.

[Lulu-Bean's Mommy]

I think CritterMom is right. If he's pooping and without strain, his digestive track is working and not backed up. Still, a warm water massage can't hurt if you're worried. I wouldn't give any meds just yet.

And you may want to run out and get Infant Gas X and keep it on hand just in case.

[Melliweebitty]

Okay so in the process of taking him out of his cage and bringing him to the bathroom t have a warm half bath, he pooped 3 times. but i still did and he was kinda freaking out so i rubbed his belly a tad bit and wraped him in a towel and got him a bit dry and kept him warm while warming his cage up, I know hes hungry (and he only does this to me, my mom says its cause he recognizes me as his food source, cause he tries biting/nibbling on my fingers and hands and what not, hurts but im like i has no foods =/ sorry) but I put his nibblets back in the cage if he does get hungry and hes all warmed up, thanks you for your advice it helped alot. Hopfully by morrning he will be bloat free for his next feeding, Usually feed him in morrning at 6 and when i get back from school around 2-3 and a couple times if needed between when i give him the im going to bed feeding.

[Lulu-Bean's Mommy]

Okay so in the process of taking him out of his cage and bringing him to the bathroom t have a warm half bath, he pooped 3 times. but i still did and he was kinda freaking out so i rubbed his belly a tad bit and wraped him in a towel and got him a bit dry and kept him warm while warming his cage up...

They HATE baths! Oh, LLB would thrash around, hated getting wet. My roommate would laugh at me, because I'd take a squirrel, a bowl and a towel into the bathroom and close the door...Then when the door open, out dashed a semi-wet squirrel followed by her mama nursing scratched hands.

[Nancy in New York]

I think this could be bloat because you said that the pictures were from last night, and he is bigger now, and hard right? I have had squirrels that bloat and they still do poop. Can you try massaging his tummy a in circular motions, and also, when he is in your lap, put a blanket over him and pat him like you would a baby...you know not too hard, but not too soft...but the stomach massages should help this.
When you feed him his formula, what size syringe do you use, and what are you feeding him...how much does he take at one feeding.
What do you have in his cage for him to nibble on?
Sorry for so many questions, just want to get to the bottom of the hard tummy!:grouphug
Have you been able to get him to pee, and can you post a picture of his tummy from tonight?

I am concerned with him not peeing...
I took this off of Chris Clarks site about bloating...
Bloat
This is not normally seen on arrival but may occur if an animal has been fed an improper formula or overfed. Be sure to follow the feeding instructions closely and the improper formula will not be an issue. If the baby does bloat, don’t feed or offer water until its resolved. You can offer a few drops of human baby gas drops (simethicone) to ease the gas. You can also soak the baby’s lower half in a warm water bath while you massage his tummy. Do this for 5 minutes or so, then dry the baby and let him rest in a warm spot for 15 minutes and try again. Your goal is to get the baby to pass stool, gas or urine, and relieve the bloat.

[Melliweebitty]

I think this could be bloat because you said that the pictures were from last night, and he is bigger now, and hard right? I have had squirrels that bloat and they still do poop. Can you try massaging his tummy a in circular motions, and also, when he is in your lap, put a blanket over him and pat him like you would a baby...you know not too hard, but not too soft...but the stomach massages should help this.
When you feed him his formula, what size syringe do you use, and what are you feeding him...how much does he take at one feeding.
What do you have in his cage for him to nibble on?
Sorry for so many questions, just want to get to the bottom of the hard tummy!:grouphug
Have you been able to get him to pee, and can you post a picture of his tummy from tonight?

I am concerned with him not peeing...
I took this off of Chris Clarks site about bloating...
Bloat
This is not normally seen on arrival but may occur if an animal has been fed an improper formula or overfed. Be sure to follow the feeding instructions closely and the improper formula will not be an issue. If the baby does bloat, don’t feed or offer water until its resolved. You can offer a few drops of human baby gas drops (simethicone) to ease the gas. You can also soak the baby’s lower half in a warm water bath while you massage his tummy. Do this for 5 minutes or so, then dry the baby and let him rest in a warm spot for 15 minutes and try again. Your goal is to get the baby to pass stool, gas or urine, and relieve the bloat.


Hes been getting smaller, and within the less than ten minutes of me trying to take pictures, which he makes very difficult, he pooped 7 times. and hes getting smaller. i feed him about a tsp and a half, idk what the cc is o.o so yeah. I have a water bottle in the cage and he just drank a little while ago. I gave him his warm shoort cause he really freaked out. but i warmed him up and hes all sleepy and nestling right now.

The size syringe is 2tsp
Puppy formula no Esabalic, its justborn, a woman at the pet store who raises squirrels loves using it, they took all the Esabalic off and put this i guess store brand weird stuff. ANYWAYS
I feed him like tsp and a half.
I have mazuri rat and mouse blocks that he loves to nibble on, and I have fleece and a hut made of hay, but ive only seen him bite it once but mostly just snuggles inside.
I have not seen him pee atleast today, or seen anyon the fleece.

[Melliweebitty]

FORGOT!! HERES THE PICTURES!!!

[Kristal]

They really do have such sensitive digestive systems. I think you should try fox valley as no one seems to have any problems while on it.

http://foxvalleynutrition.com/prod/pricing.asp?CID=1&PLID=1

It's pretty well priced, too.

[Nancy in New York]

Just did a little resizing of the photos...
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/2010%20Babies/000_0018.jpg
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/2010%20Babies/000_0003.jpg
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/2010%20Babies/000_0001.jpg

Are you using syringes when you feed him? I'm thinking that he is getting a lot of air when he is eating, this may be the problem. Do you know how old he is. When you feed him, how many cc's is he taking? This is a 1 cc syringe... 120147
Are you using this? If so, how many of these does he take at one feeding?
Also, you really need to get him on the Fox Valley Formula...that Just Born isn't good for the long term, the Fox Valley 20/50 is what you will need, that is specially made for squirrels. Your little one is adorable...he needs buddies and he needs good foods. Are you looking for someone to take him to raise so that he can have a happy life and eventually be released? I posted this earlier and I will post this to you also. These squirrels are very costly to raise. I know that you love him, you came here for help. BUT believe me when I tell you that you have no idea what you are getting into. There are a ton of squirrels that have died for one reason or another, bad diet being one of the main reasons. If you are unable to get what he needs to survive...he will be in the thread "All Squirrels go to Heaven" I am not trying to scare you, I promise. I have seen so many cases where people fall in love with these little ones and they want to keep them. He needs buddies and he needs to be a squirrel...they DO NOT make good pets, he will destroy everything in your home and he will hate his cage in a few more weeks. They cannot be left alone, they will bite cords, wood, anything that is around...Your food bill just for him for a week will be minimum of $30.00 if you do this right. You have to buy many vegetables, and a pack of peas is $3.00, let me post what mine eat just for breakfast...then they have more blocks, rat chow, some nuts, and at dinner time, a huge spring salad, and different veggies.
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/2010%20Babies/IMG_6680.jpg
And you will need supplements to keep him healthy, and various cages as he gets older...
I know that you love him...as did all of the people whose squirrels are now in the thread All Squirrels go to Heaven...
These babies were meant to be with mama for a long time, and if something happens where they are no longer with her...then the best that we can do for them is to let the best people raise them...people that have other little ones so they can play and learn to be a squirrel...If you plan on keeping him.....you honestly have no idea how hard this is going to be...and how very much this will cost you...if you want to do right by him...:Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

When you get a chance...look at this webcam of a squirrel house with some little ones in it. There are at least 5 young ones a little older than your little one...See how they are all sleeping together...they NEED each other.
http://www.lpyardcams.com/Home_Page.php
Just as we need friends and people in our life...so do they...of their own kind, and especially when they are little...they learn from one another, they will know their limitations with another squirrel, they play and they get confidence from one another...they need that bond. They are not for our entertainment...do right for this little guy and get him a home that can provide everything that he needs...that would be the best gift you could ever give to your baby...:grouphug

[Lulu-Bean's Mommy]

They are not for our entertainment...do right for this little guy and get him a home that can provide everything that he needs...that would be the best gift you could ever give to your baby...:grouphug


Well said, Nancy. :goodpost
(And I do think I didn't give you credit where it was due, I believe you told me about the Infant Gas X...it was so long ago, but the most you post on here, I'm pretty sure it was you who talked me through LLB's bloat).
I love that people like Melliweebitty come to the rescue of babies. I love that you've joined the world of wacky squirrel lovers who want to help! And from experience, I understand what Nancy means about the expensive task of keeping a squirrel! Just yesterday I spent $32 on groceries for LLB only, Mama only got cereal. And today, though I usually catch her in time, she chewed through my charger for my DS (don't worry, not plugged in!)
Most of my money goes to keep LLB happy and healthy...I'm a poor college student working 2 jobs to do so, but it's worth every penny when she curls up by me or sits and wants to be petted.
All the same, I see her watch the squirrels out the window. And I'm always thinking of her...
You've done a great job so far, Melliweebitty! And don't think Nancy's being a meanie, because she's not! She, like all of us, care most for the squirrels that need help. :grouphug

[Kristal]

When you get a chance...look at this webcam of a squirrel house with some little ones in it. There are at least 5 young ones a little older than your little one...See how they are all sleeping together...they NEED each other.
http://www.lpyardcams.com/Home_Page.php


What a cool site. I love the video of spot and his first mate grooming eachother and cuddling. That story made me cry just a little :( I wonder why no recent updates, though, such as what happened to Peanut and who the new family is. I wrote them asking for news, so I will be checking in later :) I really hope they post some so that we can know the story behind the current family. Just adorable, Nancy, so touching...

[Kristal]

Also, please don't take it badly. Everything that Nancy said is absolutely true, but no matter what you decide, the people on this site are here to help. We get a fair share of tragedy around here with perfectly intelligent people (who have the best and most heartfelt intentions) making honest and finally fatal mistakes. Often they find this board just slightly too late and the baby dies, anyway. Sometimes they don't heed good advice and the squirrel meets a tragic end. It is just too easy to do. Almost every single one of those cases could have been easily prevented, too. Learning everything that needs to be learned takes up a great deal of time, and most people just don't have it, is the problem. It's sad to watch it happen over and over.

But this site is a great resource for learning and problem solving just as it is for placing your kit in a home where they are sure to grow up and have a squirrely life outside when they are good and ready. So don't take it the wrong way. It's just something that you should think seriously about if you care for the little one. Are you up for it? <-- Is what you need to figure out.