squirrel having watery stool

[cassdevan44]

I found a orphaned squirrel last 2 weeks ago and he had his eyes closed and very dehydrated. He would not pass stool or pee. I started feeding him natural-c kitten milk with a mix of water petilyite, and 2 drops of oil to help with the kitten millk. After 3 days he was healthy and fine with his eyes open. last week i stoped giving him the oil and petilyite and he was still fine. 3 days ago he starting having very watery stool and making weird noisys that sound like his lungs might be congested. I dont know what to do i try sitting him in warm water and rubbing his tummy but he still has watery stool that is nonstop.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome Welcome, sounds like you are having some issues with your little one.
Do you hear clicking with every breath? coming from the chest?
even when asleep?
If so, the sq may have pnuemonia and will need antibiotics.
Do you have a heat source for your little one? rice buddy or heating pad set on low, half under container?
Also, kitten milk in not high enough in fat and is not recommended for squirrels.
Most here use Fox Valley formula.
For diarreha, I would rehydrate, using pedialyte for no more than 24 hours.
You can alternate feedings and rehydration but never mix formula with pedialyte.

Is your baby lethargic and can you post a pic? Are you talking about a grey squirrel?
They open their eyes at 4.5 weeks old usually.

Do you have a vet that will your sq?
Do you have any FRESH antibiotics? human or pet? if so, tell us what you have.
Sorry to ask so many questions, they are helpful to the rehabbers here.

[CritterMom]

First, kitten milk is not appropriate for a baby squirrel and is most likely causing the diarrhea. You need to replace this with a formula that is only available online called Fox Valley, from www,foxvalleynutrition.com or www.henryspets.com.

He needs food before then, though, so a temporry formula can be made:

1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt

But he neds emergency treatment right now. STOP the kitten formula. You need to put the baby back on JUST pedialyte for a bit. The diarrhea is dehydrating him, and the pedialyte will also flush the kitten milk out of his system. Pedialyte should not be given for more than 24 hours.

If it is actually watery, I would also give him ONE DROP of Kaopectate - nothing else, Kaopectate. If things don't start to tighten up, follow up with another DROP in 8 hours or so.

Lastly, I believe you have probably aspirated him while feeding - it is very easy to do, and what you are hearing in the lungs is pheumonia. He needs meds, ideally Baytril. Do you have a vet? He needs this SOON.

Can you give us an idea of where you live? We may be able to find a rehabber who can help you with this.

In the meantime, keep him nice and warm with his container over a heating pad, get him hydrated (very slowly, use a tiny syringe - 1cc - so he doesn't aspirate further.