Squirrel diarrhea

[Tayce]

I found a baby squirrel (about 4 weeks old) a few days ago that was emaciated and dehydrated. The first thing I did was I got the baby's body temperature up because the poor little thing was cold. The next thing I did was rehydrate it for about 12 hours before offering it any food.
I was not sure what food to give it so I bought a can of pre-mixed Goats Milk Esbilac and Just Born milk replacement for dogs.
I started out giving baby the Esbilac. By day two we had diarrhea. I stopped the Esbilac and started again with the pedialight until the diarrhea subsided. Then I offered the Esbliac again but weakened with water. We had diarrhea again so I threw Esbilac in the trash. Last night I ordered fox valley but I know it will be next week before it gets here. So my question is: Can I give the Just Born milk replacement until it gets here or should I try something else. Help!

[gs1]

welcome you'll be getting some help soon....

i'll post a link to another member that has had similar problems ... diarrhea in a 4 week old....

there will be a lot of information but it is useful..though most of it general....

but most important for you is the recipe from jackie of tampa for an emergency homemade formula which is goats milk/yogurt/cream... it is excellent and will help until fox valley arrives.

when fv arrives ...just mix half and half to transition your squirrel over....

fv takes longer to go through their digestive system so you'll be feeding aprx every 3 hours depending on age....

ps: could you please post

age of squirrel

your location/city in case we have members nearby that can help you....

all the best....:grouphug


http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29683

[CritterMom]

Just Born isn't BAD but it isn't too good, either. Do this - it is tried and true:

Buy some goats milk (fresh, powdered or evaporated, but if anything but fresh, reconstitute it per package directions before using), a small carton of heavy whipping cream, and a little 4-pack of Stoneyfield Yobaby full fat yogurt in vanilla or banana if possible. Formula recipe is

3 parts goats milk
1 part heavy whipping cream
1 part yogurt

The cultures in the yogurt will also help balance the tummy from all the diarrhea. When you get the Fox Valley, blend them together at first so you move from one formula to another gradually.

[gs1]

hi: i've just copied the other posts.... lots of good information ... but i also urge you to look at the emergency stickies....

the homemade formulas are below...highlighted.... all the best...:)



posted in this thread.....
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=29682

ps: edit about the ricebuddy ... please massage well to get rid of hotspots when it comes out of microwave.... it can burn the baby badly....




Quote:
Originally Posted by UDoWhat
I will start with some general info. Need to cut and paste some more but start with this .

Caring for Baby Squirrels

Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)

Quick Methods:

-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.

-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

A heating pad without a shutoff is essential for long term care.



Find a Box or Container. 
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes) or a carrier. Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.


NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.



NOTE: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very emaciated or dehydrated, he needs emergency care..

Older squirrels will require a rabbit, ferret, sugar glider or large bird cage.




WEIGH BABY WITH A GRAM SCALE

ALL BABIES NEED TO BE STIMULATED TO URINATE AND DEFECATE WHEN ADMITTED AND UNTIL THEY EYES ARE OPEN (4 ½ to 5 ½ weeks old) Don’t stop until you visibly see them eliminating on their own. Urinary tract infections and kidney infections occur if their bladders are not emptied.

Cotton rounds or squares are great for this because they are very absorbent and you can tell if they have urinated.

Their urine may not be present or be very scant and dark if severely dehydrated. Their bowel movements may be black which is from the mothers milk.

For older babies that are too difficult to handle for stimulation place a puppy training pad on the bottom of cage or box so you can see amount and color of urine.

How to Check for Dehydration

Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin, scant urine, dark urine, pale or grayish skin inside legs around groin area and deflated scrotum.


NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids (Lactated Ringers). The amount of subcutaneous fluid to be given cannot exceed 3% of body weight. (Ex- 100 gram squirrel should be given no more than 3cc’s four times a day for the first 24 hours) Stop when you see an improvement and animal will drink on own.

Rehydrate the Baby 

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby! Use either Pedialyte (unflavored), homemade Pedialyte*, or Lactated Ringers as hydration fluid.



*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:
1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water 
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

Long term use (>24-48 hours) of pedialtye or other hydration fluids can cause death.



Proper Feeding Position

A tiny baby should be held upright in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.



How to Feed Fluids/Formula
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin. 


Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

GO SLOW If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. Feeding with a too large syringe, feeding too quickly or using incorrect feeding position can cause aspiration.

NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs.

NOTE: Never tube feed an infant squirrel.

INTRODUCING FORMULA

Start introducing formula after the animal has been hydrated and you notice the urine output increase and the color lighten. You will also see a significant increase in their activity as they become more hydrated. Make the formula as instructed on the package. Start by introducing feedings consisting of 2/3 water and 1/3 formula for 3-4 feedings. Then 1/3 water and 2/3 formula for 3-4 feedings. As long as the animal is tolerating it well go to full strength.

For emaciated animals you will need to hydrate longer and introduce formula slower. If the animal is severely emaciated you can use PediaSure, or Vital HN instead of regular formula. These are easier to digest for them and should be introduced the same way. After several days to a week she the animal has recovered you can switch them to the regular formula.

Marty, More to come as I get info together.





In this post she's got jackies emergency formula....****************




Quote:
Originally Posted by UDoWhat
Try to get the babies to get some of the hydration fluid in them. As listed below:

Homemade hydration fluid recipe:

Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.When they have had a few feedings of hydration fluids or pedialyte, you may begin the temporary Goatmilk formula. Mix it as the recipe indicates but for the first few feedings you will need to transition the formula slowly.

Jackie (Jackie in Tampa) has graciously offered her temporary replacement formula recipe.

Jackie's Goat Milk Recipe
1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt

Mix well and keep in a covered plastic or glass container in the refrigerator. Replace after 48 hours.Please note, this website has several links that still mention Esbilac and we need to keep these links active as they do contain excellent information so please keep in mind that Fox Valley is now the formula of choice for raising baby squirrels.
__________________More to come. I will need some info on these babies. I will post more on general care next.





EDIT: Transition to formula as suggested here:

INTRODUCING FORMULA

Start introducing formula after the animal has been hydrated and you notice the urine output increase and the color lighten. You will also see a significant increase in their activity as they become more hydrated. Make the formula as instructed on the package. Start by introducing feedings consisting of 2/3 water and 1/3 formula for 3-4 feedings. Then 1/3 water and 2/3 formula for 3-4 feedings. As long as the animal is tolerating it well go to full strength.

For emaciated animals you will need to hydrate longer and introduce formula slower. If the animal is severely emaciated you can use PediaSure, or Vital HN instead of regular formula. These are easier to digest for them and should be introduced the same way. After several days to a week she the animal has recovered you can switch them to the regular formula.

Marty

__________________

[sundogdayze]

Hi there,

I just went through this with my 4 babies who were right at the same age as yours.

The Fox Valley formula does wonders, if you can order some. Here's a link to Henry's Healthy Pets, and they ship out of Florida.

http://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-for-squirrels-20-50/

Following the advice of everyone on the board, I started the goat's milk formula, mixing it with the Esbilac 25%, then 50%, then 75% until they were all drinking the Fox Valley by itself.

Within 3 feedings on the Fox Valley alone, their poops were solid little mustard seeds, and I add a little plain yogurt to it once a day and they are doing great. Their eyes just opened, and they are all strong and healthy.

Good luck!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123
yes try the goats milk recipe til the Fv arrives..
welcome to TSB!
:poke We love pics...it's almost required!...:D