Buddy needs help

[Shawnsmommy19]

Hey guys i am a mommy to a new baby that is between 4-5 weeks old... I received a call from a neighbor that they had heard squealing and i went to investigate come to find out it was a baby squirrel. Long story short.... I hydrated him for 12-16 hours before i started him on FV. He is doing great so far except tonight when i fed him he started pooping ALOT His poop is yellow runny and his pee is a bright yellow with a horrible odor. PLease respond asap as i will be up checking him all night..... Oh i recieved this new bundle of joy on Tuesday night

[Shawnsmommy19]

He is eating 4-6 CC every feeding and his weight is at 84 grams

[NutmegsMommy]

How often are you feeding? Could be possible overfeeding, but I'm not sure. A more experienced rehabber will be on shortly as the smelly pee doesn't sound right. Do you have a squirrel friendly vet? Is the squirrel staying hydrated? Can you put what city or county you live in so someone on the board can hook you up with a rehabber in your area that can help out.

[Scooterzmom]

They sometimes have trouble adjusting to formula. My suggestion would be to make sure he stays hydrated and give him pedialyte for the next 12 hours at least - but no longer than 24 - and make sure he stays warm since diarrhea means loss of calories and he needs the calories/heat to keep up his strength.

As for the odor of the poop it may be due to a parasite - coccidia or giardia. Coccidia usually gives an awful smell even if there are few of the parasites present. For that you would need to consult with others here who know more about that than I do as to what kind of meds and dosage you would need. Do you have access to a vet - are squirrels legal - in your state?

Did you start him on full strength FV? I would suggest that when his poop has stabilized you restart him on 1:4 strength FV only, add a little yogurt to it too (to help with the flora) and then gradually increase the FV strength each day until you reach full strength. You could also try Ensure - vanilla or pecan flavor (my guy loves the pecan one) flavor - when you get at that point. For the yogurt use a vanilla yogurt with high fat content, no fruit in it.

Someone should be along soon to help you more. For now make sure you keep him hydrated, warm and calm. Try giving him hydration often, little bits at a time rather than a lot at once. Same for the feedings of formula when you get back to that. I'm keeping you and your little one in my prayers, hoping he settles down very soon.

[stepnstone]

:Welcome ... Your in a good place, hang in here and I'm sure you'll get the help you need. :grouphug

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123
I will PM Atlanta Squirrel Girl now...
are the babies eyes open, they open at 4.5 weeks old exactly...
yellow watery poops are not ideal...
do you have the baby on heat?
with plenty of soft blankies?
All formulas need to be warm to almost hot, never cold.
start alternating feeding the rehydration solution and the FV.
It could be a parasite issue and you will need meds if that's the case.
In the mean time, calm , dark and quiet.
Cocchidia is a bacteria that is found in most wild animals, it's normal, when the sq gets stessed, the weakness is overrun by the bad bugs, bringing diarehha forward.
I do not mean you are causing stress, but containment or lack of momma, change, barking dogs, kids yelling etc..

Can you post a pic?
going to try to find help for you, hang in there:grouphug
thanks for saving a sq!:Love_Icon

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

I have antibiotics, but I'm in Pennsylvania today. I'm going to send you a message with the number of friend of mine to call, who is in town. She can help you.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thank you ASG!:)

[Shawnsmommy19]

His eyes are not quite open.... He is on heat and i am feeding him about every-4 hours and each time he eats about 3-5cc's. So i need to alternate him with pedialyte and FV until the diarrhea goes away??I have rehab'ed 4 others and released them but none of them ever had really bad diarrhea. I still currently have one and his name is snickers but he is outside in a cage...... I can post a pic later but as of right nowihave to go to a funeral for a very dear friend. ill post pics later on when i get home.

[stepnstone]

His eyes are not quite open.... He is on heat and i am feeding him about every-4 hours and each time he eats about 3-5cc's. So i need to alternate him with pedialyte and FV until the diarrhea goes away??I have rehab'ed 4 others and released them but none of them ever had really bad diarrhea. I still currently have one and his name is snickers but he is outside in a cage...... I can post a pic later but as of right nowihave to go to a funeral for a very dear friend. ill post pics later on when i get home.

From posts I've read you should not alternate between pedialyte and FV and no longer then 3 days on the pedialyte. Hope someone with the experence will chime in... :poke

[Jackie in Tampa]

From posts I've read you should not alternate between pedialyte and FV and no longer then 3 days on the pedialyte. Hope someone with the experence will chime in... :poke
not saying this is incorrect, but my rule of thumbs are...

never feed ONLY pedialyte/rehtdration solution for more than 24 hours

never store the above in fridge for more than 72 hours

always rehydrate when sq has diarreha

alternate formula and pedialyte if sq is hydrated but has diarreha

never make formula with rehydration fluid/pedialyte as the liquid

use only water to make formula

try to determine reason for diarreha

I am not a licensed rehabber, but have raised several squirrels over the last few years with good results:thumbsup

[stepnstone]

not saying this is incorrect, but my rule of thumbs are... never feed ONLY pedialyte/rehtdration solution for more than 24 hours
never store the above in fridge for more than 72 hours always rehydrate when sq has diarreha alternate formula and pedialyte if sq is hydrated but has diarreha never make formula with rehydration fluid/pedialyte as the liquid
use only water to make formula try to determine reason for diarreha
I am not a licensed rehabber, but have raised several squirrels over the last few years with good results:thumbsup

Thanks Jackie, :thumbsup I'm one of these people that has to read things over and over for them to sink in with the right context and there is soooo much to read and process on here.

[astra]

I am not a licensed rehabber, but have raised several squirrels over the last few years with good results:thumbsup
Jackie is being modest... just how many "several" is that fits into 18+ cages and counting?...:thinking
and how important "license" is in this case? :dono (aside from giving the right to help squirrels legally).There are great licensed people, especially, here on TSB:bowdown , but there are also quite a few licensed somebodies out there who have no clue and don't even seem to care.
You have wealth of experience to share:thumbsup

[lilidukes]

Jackie is being modest... just how many "several" is that fits into 18+ cages and counting?...:thinking
and how important "license" is in this case? :dono (aside from giving the right to help squirrels legally).There are great licensed people, especially, here on TSB:bowdown , but there are also quite a few licensed somebodies out there who have no clue and don't even seem to care.
You have wealth of experience to share:thumbsup

So well said!:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

So well said!:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

A license only means the state in which you live validates that you meet their standards, however low those standards may be. I know of some licensees that I would never transfer an animal to. No offense to the Squirrel Board, but there is one thing you will never get via a message board, and that is the ability to diagnose a parasite problem. You must do a fecal float. Sometimes, you do need a little in-person help to do what is best for the animal.