New to this! Correct Diet? I'm confused!

[hammyhobby]

This is my first post... I just rescued a 4-5 week old gray squirrel. His eyes aren't open yet. I've had him for five days now. I've been feeding him puppy replacement milk because that's what I was told to do. He's been fine with that, but he had his first case of diarrhea today. Now I've seen where the puppy replacement milk is not what I should be feeding him. I was going to order from Fox Valley, and start the home made formula until my order arrives.

Will I just upset his stomach if I switch to feeding him something else?

Also, what should I do about his diarrhea?

Thank you SO much for any advice! I've really grown attached to him and what to do everything I can to make him healthy and happy!

[momma2boo]

You should feed the baby Fox Valley 32/40.
http://foxvalleynutrition.com/prod/d...p?CID=1&PLID=1, http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/product/21013/fox-valley-32-and-40-day-one-formula-squirrels-rabbits-opossums.htm, and http://www.henryspets.com/fox-valley-day-one-formula-for-squirrels-32-40/
The above links are websites you can order from.

In the meantime you will need to feed your baby a home-made formula, but please for the sake of the baby, do not feed this for more than 4-7 days. It's a great temporary replacer milk but it lacks certain vitamins and minerals that the babies need to thrive. This recipe will ensure that your baby will be well nourished until your order from Fox Valley arrives.

Goat's 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.

If you shop Chris' Squirrels and more please pick up some 1 cc syringes (o-ring) and some nipples (my babies LOVE the Chris' Favorites)

[hammyhobby]

Thank you SO much! I ordered from Fox Valley and paid the extra to get it express shipped! I'll start Hammy on the goat's milk formula for his next feeding!

[CritterMom]

He has diarrhea? For now, make the goats milk formula WITHOUT the heavy cream. You will have the Fox Valley before you would even need to start adding it. The cream adds richness and calories but can make the diarrhea worse, where the yogurt and goats milk will HELP the tummy.:thumbsup

[momma2boo]

He has diarrhea? For now, make the goats milk formula WITHOUT the heavy cream. You will have the Fox Valley before you would even need to start adding it. The cream adds richness and calories but can make the diarrhea worse, where the yogurt and goats milk will HELP the tummy.:thumbsup


Thank you so very much Crittermom ... I so overlooked the heavy cream and diarrhea. Thank you for catching that. :thumbsup

[hammyhobby]

He has diarrhea? For now, make the goats milk formula WITHOUT the heavy cream. You will have the Fox Valley before you would even need to start adding it. The cream adds richness and calories but can make the diarrhea worse, where the yogurt and goats milk will HELP the tummy.:thumbsup

Thank you so much! Hopefully his tummy will start feeling better soon! I'm so glad I found this forum!

[CritterMom]

Since diarrhea will really dehydrate them quickly, I would also give him additional hydration IN BETWEEN feedings for the next day. You can use a homemade rehydration formula made from:

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water

Warm it like you would formula and give him a couple syringfuls a few hours after his feedings. You can stop after a few feedings, but the extra hydration really makes them feel better.

[hammyhobby]

Since diarrhea will really dehydrate them quickly, I would also give him additional hydration IN BETWEEN feedings for the next day. You can use a homemade rehydration formula made from:

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water

Warm it like you would formula and give him a couple syringfuls a few hours after his feedings. You can stop after a few feedings, but the extra hydration really makes them feel better.

I have Pedialyte... Is that okay to use to rehydrate him?

[CritterMom]

Absolutely.

[hammyhobby]

Absolutely.

I seriously cannot thank you enough!:thankyou

[CritterMom]

You don't have to get up twice as often tonight - get some into him now, then maybe another syringeful in an hour or so, and then you can do this a few more times tomorrow. Plus of course we need pictures.:D

[hammyhobby]

As soon as I'm out of the "moderation queue" I'll add some pictures of Hammy!

[hammyhobby]

Also, when should I get more worried if the diarrhea doesn't stop? It's been about 6 hours.

[Rhapsody]

Also, when should I get more worried if the diarrhea doesn't stop? It's been about 6 hours.Not right away...... it could take a day or two to get it under control --I am personally dealing with a few babies that have the same issue and its been 24 hrs (pushing pedialyte) and they are finally just starting to show some signs of formed poop. Hang in there and let us know how they are doing in the morning.... :thumbsup

[hammyhobby]

Thank you I will!

I have another question! (Sorry this is my first time caring for a baby squirrel!) I finally figured out "he" is a "she" but... She has a dark spot on her belly right above her "private parts." Is this urine burn? If so what do I do?

[Rhapsody]

She has a dark spot on her belly right above her "private parts." Is this urine burn? If so what do I do?Poss..... but its hard to say with out seeing a PIC - can you POST ONE?
A& D Ointment or Neosporin will HELP!! (if its that)

[hammyhobby]

She was injured and bleeding from her bottom (between her privates and her tail) when I rescued her. So I don't know if it could be a bruise from that? I got a picture of it but she did not want to be still!

Here she is!
http://tinypic.com/r/10cj7gj/7

And here's the spot: (Sorry it's blurry!)
http://tinypic.com/r/33c3rbm/7

[hammyhobby]

It didn't work... Sorry here's the link to the pictures.

Here she is!
http://tinypic.com/r/10cj7gj/7

And here's the spot:
http://tinypic.com/r/33c3rbm/7

[Rhapsody]

She is a CUTIE :Love_Icon ---- and the Spot looks more like a Sore / Bruise, if its open you can put some Neosporin on IT to help with the Healing......
other wise just watch and the spot should go away in a week or two (as most bruises do).

[hammyhobby]

Thank you. Now that I know she's a girl, I have to pick a girl name for her! She's been through a lot! I heard all kinds of commotion in the trees in my yard and heard her squealing (awful sound). She was being attacked. And then my mother's dog picked her up before I knew what it was. Luckily he released her when I told him to. She's a fighter!

[Rhapsody]

Then.....Pick a Name for - A Female from our History that was a Fighter and Made IT through the STORM even though all the odds were Against HER!!

---Hmmmmmmm :thinking :thinking :thinking :thinking

[CritterMom]

OK, if this little one is still having diarrhea, try this:

Stop the formula entirely for the next couple feedings and just give hydration instead. It will help get the old formula out of her system and as long as she has the runs she needs the extra hydration. After a couple hours of hydration only, instead of immediately going to the formula, instead give her some watered down yogurt - like 50/50 with water, warmed by syringe - so the probiotics in it can work in the tummy without the rich formula in there. Make sure you potty her after every feeding, including just the pedialyte. When the runs subside, start giving her the formula again - cautiously - I would make the GM recipe with yogurt only and then cut it 50/50 with water. If poops stay okay, reduce the water every time you feed until she is on undiluted GM recipe w/o yogurt (still without the cream). If that goes okay you will very slowly begin to add in the cream.

If she continues with diarrhea you may need to give her a single drop of kaopectate but you are a lot better off if you don't have to do that, so try to achieve the results using the above method first.

[hammyhobby]

OK, if this little one is still having diarrhea, try this:

Stop the formula entirely for the next couple feedings and just give hydration instead. It will help get the old formula out of her system and as long as she has the runs she needs the extra hydration. After a couple hours of hydration only, instead of immediately going to the formula, instead give her some watered down yogurt - like 50/50 with water, warmed by syringe - so the probiotics in it can work in the tummy without the rich formula in there. Make sure you potty her after every feeding, including just the pedialyte. When the runs subside, start giving her the formula again - cautiously - I would make the GM recipe with yogurt only and then cut it 50/50 with water. If poops stay okay, reduce the water every time you feed until she is on undiluted GM recipe w/o yogurt (still without the cream). If that goes okay you will very slowly begin to add in the cream.

If she continues with diarrhea you may need to give her a single drop of kaopectate but you are a lot better off if you don't have to do that, so try to achieve the results using the above method first.

I will try this! Thank you!

[lila01]

OMG she is so cute!!! Just wanted to say :Welcome and :thankyou so much for taking in this baby!!! I hope she continues to get better and we need lots more pics! lol:wave123

[hammyhobby]

I think I figured out what was causing the tummy problems. I think I thought she was older than she actually is, so I was over feeding her.

About how old does she look? Thanks! :)

[Rhapsody]

Feeding is based on BODY WEIGHT....... you Feed 5-7 % of Her Weight...... HOW much does She WEIGH?
but yes, over feeding can effect the consistency of their poop.

[Rhapsody]

PER IR -----


good news, Rhapsody. It's boring and it's repetitious but MOST of the time, this holds true:

MUSHY Poop = overfeeding
LIQUID POOP = after Pedialyte is NORMAL, once
HARD Poop = dehydration
LACK OF APPETITE = dehydration
LACK OF APPETITE = formula too cold

You can dig out every crazy 'remedy' in the cupboard for these things and mess up your babies, but pretty much 90% of the time, this is how it plays. :dono :)

[hammyhobby]

Feeding is based on BODY WEIGHT....... you Feed 5-7 % of Her Weight...... HOW much does She WEIGH?
but yes, over feeding can effect the consistency of their poop.

I don't have a way of weighing her (yet). I ordered a digital scale from Henry's Healthy Pets which should be in tomorrow because I express shipped it. I'm new to this! I'm learning more and more every day!

How old does she look though? I'm quite exciting for her to open her eyes for the first time and I know that happens at 5 weeks!

[Rhapsody]

How old does she look though? I'm quite exciting for her to open her eyes for the first time and I know that happens at 5 weeks!She is at least 5 weeks old (she has the white under coat) - but she does look tiny/thin for her age, therefore, she may need less to eat than a regular 5 week old.
I say....... give her 6-8 cc per feeding until you get her weighed. How much have you been feeding her?

[hammyhobby]

She is at least 5 weeks old (she has the white under coat) - but she does look tiny/thin for her age, therefore, she may need less to eat than a regular 5 week old.
I say....... give her 6-8 cc per feeding until you get her weighed. How much have you been feeding her?

I was giving her 4cc per feeding. I'm so glad I found this out. I'll up her feeding amount until I get her weighed!

[Rhapsody]

I see you are in Florida...... I am in Lakeland / Are you NEAR BY? --you can answer in PM if you dont want to reply in Open Forum.
I wouldn't change her formula amount atm, wait until you get a WEIGHT on her.... as she already has loose stool.

[hammyhobby]

I see you are in Florida...... I am in Lakeland / Are you NEAR BY? --you can answer in PM if you dont want to reply in Open Forum.
I wouldn't change her formula amount atm, wait until you get a WEIGHT on her.... as she already has loose stool.

I'm in the Panhandle area of Florida. The scale should be in tomorrow (hopefully)!

The past two feedings, I have tried toileting her. She's peed. But no #2. Does that mean maybe, just maybe, the diarrhea stopped, or should I be worried?

[Rhapsody]

I'm in the Panhandle area of Florida. The scale should be in tomorrow (hopefully)!

The past two feedings, I have tried toileting her. She's peed. But no #2. Does that mean maybe, just maybe, the diarrhea stopped, or should I be worried?Possible start to stopping...... keeping Fingers Crossed.

[hammyhobby]

Just to update everyone... My little baby's #2 was more firm this morning! Still not quite as firm as it should be, but it's progress!

[Nancy in New York]

Just to update everyone... My little baby's #2 was more firm this morning! Still not quite as firm as it should be, but it's progress!

More firm is definitely a start.
Just for reference, I am posting a photo of a little 100 gram squirrel. (I know because he turned 100 grams on my daughters birthday, and opened his eyes that day):)
So if your little one was 100 grams (which I don't think he is) he would take between 5 to 7 cc's per feeding.
I would feed no more than 5 cc's per feeding because I doubt his weight is even 100 grams. JMO
Adorable baby, by the way....:Love_Icon

100 gram baby...:)
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/August%202011/IMG_4943.jpg

[hammyhobby]

Just another update. Her last potty was firmer than the last time. Also, I had put rodent blocks in with her so she'd get used to the smell and all like I read and later there were crumbs everywhere! I'm taking the chewing as a good sign!

[hammyhobby]

I just wanted to thank EVERYONE who helped me through this! Her new name (Now that I know she's a she) is Sandy. She seems to feeling much better. No more tummy problems! She now has one eye open! It was so amazing!

I'm going to post a picture below of the contently napping Sandy!