New baby won't poop

[msriri]

HI. New mom here.
I've my little girl for 5 days. She fell 50 feet from her nest and has a broken leg. She has improved so much, but still can't walk and I have only seen one pellet since I got her. She eats well....esbilac. Shes peeing ok. There are no rehabbers in my area that I can find. My vet seemed disinterested and gave me a number of a lady who only does birds.
So far Ive tried to dilute her formula (she hates it!), tried extra pedialite feedings, she has no interest in fruit, and I tried stimulation.....nothing is working. When should I worry and what else should I try?
Im wondering if her injuries are maybe inside also? Her appetite is good, but she does not ask to eat...I have to wake her up to get her interested.
I don't have a weight, but will try to post pics. In one pic, you can see the difference in her legs. Im a little scared that she will be put to sleep because of her injury if I turn her over to anyone. I have also read that many broken legs heal on their own, so Im trying to keep some hope.

[Tickle's Mom]

DON'T turn her over to anyone just yet - trying to find someone who can help you. Stand by and thanks for rescuing this little one!:grouphug

[stosh2010]

I compressed your photos...for easier viewing..

WELCOME to TSB---you are in the RIGHT Place

Hope the rehabbers come on soon..I'm off to work now.
You should replace the Esbilac with Fox Valley for the health of your squirrel.Add some full fat yogurt to the Esbilac until you can get the FV,

[msriri]

I compressed your photos...for easier viewing..

WELCOME to TSB---you are in the RIGHT Place

Hope the rehabbers come on soon..I'm off to work now.
You should replace the Esbilac with Fox Valley for the health of your squirrel.Add some full fat yogurt to the Esbilac until you can get the FV,
I ordered the fox valley yesterday after reading bad things about esbilac. I got an order confirmation and everything, but at the end, there was no link to submit payment. Strange

[Tickle's Mom]

Okay sent messages to several - one responded and she will be on shortly!
No surprise - it's Marty and she is a master rehabilitator sooooooo, you will be getting the best advice. :grouphug

[CritterMom]

In the meantime, for a temp formula that she will probably LOVE:

***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...

Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula

Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.

One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.

*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.

When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.
__________________

[UDoWhat]

Can you tell me how much she is eating?? Also you will need to change formulas but lets see if we can get her poo under control first. Does her tummy feel soft or hard and bloated? Sometimes it will help to soak the babies lower half in warm water while massaging her belly in a downward sort of motion. Do this for at least 5-7 minutes. Do not let the baby get cold or the water you are soaking her in get cold. It is best to not run the water with the baby in the sink. Squirrels are frightened by the sound of running water, most often. When you are finished with the soak and the massage, dry the baby with a towel well and/ or a hair dryer. Of course be careful not to let the dryer get too hot or too close to burn the baby. Do not let her get chilled. I have to feed babies now but i will check back in between feeding.

Marty

[UDoWhat]

In the meantime, for a temp formula that she will probably LOVE:

***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...

Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula

Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.

One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.

*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.

When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.
__________________
Absolutely, what she said!!

Marty, Will return after feeding. :thankyou TM for you too kind words.

Edit: Surprised the Esbilac hasn't given her the opposite problem.

[msriri]

Can you tell me how much she is eating?? Also you will need to change formulas but lets see if we can get her poo under control first. Does her tummy feel soft or hard and bloated? Sometimes it will help to soak the babies lower half in warm water while massaging her belly in a downward sort of motion. Do this for at least 5-7 minutes. Do not let the baby get cold or the water you are soaking her in get cold. It is best to not run the water with the baby in the sink. Squirrels are frightened by the sound of running water, most often. When you are finished with the soak and the massage, dry the baby with a towel well and/ or a hair dryer. Of course be careful not to let the dryer get too hot or too close to burn the baby. Do not let her get chilled. I have to feed babies now but i will check back in between feeding.

Marty
Thanks for the response!
She is eating around 5-7 ml every 4-6 hours. Her tummy is soft, but I do notice the nice roundness of her tummy after a feeding. I will try the goats milk recipe starting today.
I have given her a few sponge baths and tried stimulation, but not a full soaking yet. I was a little leary of it up til now cuz she wasnt doing good when I first got her.

[Milo's Mom]

If you are still looking for a rehabber, SquirrelsRule&BunniesToo is in NE Ohio and she is a very very good rehabber. If you are unable to send her a PM please leave us know here on this thread and one of us will contact her on your behalf (alert her to this thread).

[msriri]

[QUOTE=UDoWhat]Can you tell me how much she is eating?? Also you will need to change formulas but lets see if we can get her poo under control first. Does her tummy feel soft or hard and bloated? Sometimes it will help to soak the babies lower half in warm water while massaging her belly in a downward sort of motion. Do this for at least 5-7 minutes. Do not let the baby get cold or the water you are soaking her in get cold. It is best to not run the water with the baby in the sink. Squirrels are frightened by the sound of running water, most often. When you are finished with the soak and the massage, dry the baby with a towel well and/ or a hair dryer. Of course be careful not to let the dryer get too hot or too close to burn the baby. Do not let her get chilled. I have to feed babies now but i will check back in between feeding.

Marty[/QUOTe

Ok...I have the goats formula....should I transition her into it by blending the puppy formula or go straight to it?

[Kelly Brady]

Hi msriri,:Welcome

I read where you could not get to the payment portion when you ordered fox valley. Maybe you could call the owner as it doesn't seem that the order was complete without payment. The phone number is on the website and his name is Nick. He is wonderful and will get the info over the phone.

I am not a licensed rehabber but have rehabbed many squirrels and they can most definatly recover from a broken leg. Not sure how severe your baby's break is from the pics though.

Thanks for caring so much about this baby. The fox valley is important to at least get ordered.

Keep us posted, your are doing great !!!!!:thumbsup

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome
you may not see poops immediately...maybe not for a day or so...
however stimulate after each feeding...you should see urine almost immediately once she is hydrated..
you are getting great help info..
please see our baby sq forums and note the stickys...
they are full of important knowledge..
Thank you for helping a squirrel....!:thumbsup
edit...just realized broken leg...keep warm and quiet in a small carrier...no climbing and do not allow activity...
please refrain from handling as much as possible...
yes you need calcium rich FV , the goats milk recipe will keep her safe until it arrives.
good luck...Sqs Rule bunnies too is great rehabber!

[Jackie in Tampa]

seldom are broken limbs wrapped...but sometimes it's possible...
you need some pain relief for her...
without a prescription or a vet you can buy pediatric motrin...I cannot dose that but others here can..
or pediatric benedryl, I can dose that..
otherwise there is a human med Tramadol, it can be given to sqs...they are usually 50 mg, you only need one tablet..see if vet will write a script or has one...ask your friends too, otherwise you need to get one of the OTC pediatric meds mentioned above...
if vet will help ...metacam is vet med or humna med...it is anti inflammatory and pain med...works perfect for this situation, it would be my drug/treatment of choice.
Please hold her upright while feeding....never tilted back like a human baby...
:wave123

[msriri]

seldom are broken limbs wrapped...but sometimes it's possible...
you need some pain relief for her...
without a prescription or a vet you can buy pediatric motrin...I cannot dose that but others here can..
or pediatric benedryl, I can dose that..
otherwise there is a human med Tramadol, it can be given to sqs...they are usually 50 mg, you only need one tablet..see if vet will write a script or has one...ask your friends too, otherwise you need to get one of the OTC pediatric meds mentioned above...
if vet will help ...metacam is vet med or humna med...it is anti inflammatory and pain med...works perfect for this situation, it would be my drug/treatment of choice.
Please hold her upright while feeding....never tilted back like a human baby...
:wave123
Thanks! Darn, I just gave my friend some tramadol that I had left over from my dog. I think I'll have to get the ped meds. As I said, my vet seems very disinterested, I doubt if he will help.

[msriri]

:Welcome
you may not see poops immediately...maybe not for a day or so...
however stimulate after each feeding...you should see urine almost immediately once she is hydrated..
you are getting great help info..
please see our baby sq forums and note the stickys...
they are full of important knowledge..
Thank you for helping a squirrel....!:thumbsup
edit...just realized broken leg...keep warm and quiet in a small carrier...no climbing and do not allow activity...
please refrain from handling as much as possible...
yes you need calcium rich FV , the goats milk recipe will keep her safe until it arrives.
good luck...Sqs Rule bunnies too is great rehabber!
thanks Jackie. I have only seen one little pellet in 5 days...I've ordered my FV and got the goats milk formula. She is peeing very welll, so I wont worry too much yet.
(I sent a PM to Sqsrulebunniestoo, but she hasnt replied)

[Milo's Mom]

If you can get a weight on the baby I can get you a dose for the infant motrin, which will help to keep the baby out of pain from the leg injury.

Yes, I would slowly transition between the two fromulas. 30 goats/70 esbilac for 1 feeding, if all still looks good, then 2nd feeding 50 goats/50 esbilac then for the 3rd feeding do 70 goats/30 esbilac, then by the 4th feeding full strength goats...PROVIDING THAT THE BABY IS DOING WELL. If the baby is not doing well with the transition slow it down a little by doing 2 feedings of the transition mixture, just to give the baby time to get used to it.

[stosh2010]

You are in Very Capable Hands...here...
Feed formula very slow...so she doesn't aspirate.
Thanks for Caring...

[msriri]

If you can get a weight on the baby I can get you a dose for the infant motrin, which will help to keep the baby out of pain from the leg injury.

Yes, I would slowly transition between the two fromulas. 30 goats/70 esbilac for 1 feeding, if all still looks good, then 2nd feeding 50 goats/50 esbilac then for the 3rd feeding do 70 goats/30 esbilac, then by the 4th feeding full strength goats...PROVIDING THAT THE BABY IS DOING WELL. If the baby is not doing well with the transition slow it down a little by doing 2 feedings of the transition mixture, just to give the baby time to get used to it.
I need batteries for my scale! Ill get her weight as soon as I can, thanks! My FV formula will be here monday, so I hope she can last on this stuff for 3-4 days.

[msriri]

Her weight is approx. 50 g...she would not stay still on the scale. It jumped between 47 and 52

[Milo's Mom]

At approx 50 grams the dose of INFANT Motrin (make sure it is Infant) the dose would be .02cc every 5-6 hours. That's the 2nd tiny line on a 1cc syringe. It is just slightly more than a drop. This will help to reduce the pain and swelling from the broken leg. (also, I spoke with Marty (UDoWhat), as she is not able to post right now cause she's feeding babies)

My little guy that is home right with a hurt leg licked up the Infant Motrin like it was going out of style...guess it tastes yummy! (no need to mix it with anything to hide the taste)

Have you been able to reach squirrelsrule& bunniestoo yet?

[msriri]

No response yet
Good news is she pooped!

[Milo's Mom]

:poop :poop :poop :poop :poop

[Jackie in Tampa]

:poop :poop :poop :poop :poop :poop :poop

edit...great minds think alike MM!

[stosh2010]

It's a "CHARMIN Moment "....Ha !

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I am on now. PMd you my number. You're about an hour to an hour and a half from me which in the grand scheme of things isn't too far. There might be one other rehabber closer that is excellent and might be able to take the little fella (if she isn't full).

If the baby is truly 50 grams, then the leg is the least of his worries, he should be at least 80-90 grams at his age (I have 3 now that are skinny and weigh between 78 and 92 grams).

[msriri]

"Stella" is doing great as far as eating and she is gaining well...although I havent fixed my scale yet (worked 2 14 hour shifts), it is very visible. I am more concerned about her leg and her future.
I am posting a pic of her legs ( I dont know how to compress them, sorry). No luck with a video yet..Im working on it. Her right leg is the one that looks bad, but it is her left that she can't move. She can move at the hip...it's mostly her foot that just drags. There is something not right about her bones above her ribs on her left side also. She has become a lot more active, just in two days, but not really like she should be.

[gs1]

I am more concerned about her leg and her future.[/B]


msriri ... you are one of the luckiest people on this board if you can take her to squirrelsruleandbunniestoo.... she's one of our very best rehabbers and will be able to do the most for stella....

I can't encourage you enough to make the trip to take her . it will set your mind at ease and you'll not have to worry about her at all.... she'll be happy and healthy and if she does become a non-releasable because of her leg ...sr&b2 will make sure that she has other nr friends to spend time with ....

:grouphug

i'd also encourage you to take stella as soon as possible because the longer you wait with bones like that the harder it will be to minimize the damage....

:thumbsup

[msriri]

msriri ... you are one of the luckiest people on this board if you can take her to squirrelsruleandbunniestoo.... she's one of our very best rehabbers and will be able to do the most for stella....

I can't encourage you enough to make the trip to take her . it will set your mind at ease and you'll not have to worry about her at all.... she'll be happy and healthy and if she does become a non-releasable because of her leg ...sr&b2 will make sure that she has other nr friends to spend time with ....

:grouphug

i'd also encourage you to take stella as soon as possible because the longer you wait with bones like that the harder it will be to minimize the damage....

:thumbsup
You are right...I have a PM out to her :)

[gs1]

You are right...I have a PM out to her :)
:D :thumbsup

she pmd you her number ...better if you call her... she may not be on tsb at the moment.... it's going to be a busy day for rehabbers....:thumbsup