Think my baby squirrel has diarrhea!!!

[Anabelle24]

I found a baby squirrel a little over 3 weeks ago. I immediately took her to the Vet and the Veterinarian who helped me said she was like the Wildlife Rehabilitator Vet there and actually had 5 squirrels at her home presently. She told me what I needed to do to care for her and gave me formula. She gave me KMR liquid in a can and told me to mix 1/2 water and 1/2 formula. So i've been doing exactly this. But I just haven't thought her pooped looked normal. Its been yellow, light brownish, loose, and it has never been formed. I even asked the Vet if this was normal and she said yes and it was because of the formula. I still didn't think it was right so I've been doing A LOT of research and came acrossed this forum and other websites. I'm just absolutely devastated because I feel like I've been feeding the poor baby the wrong stuff from the beginning. I went ahead and ordered Fox Valley 20/50 for her and he said I should have it by Friday. I've been reading so many conflicting opinions though. I have read not to use goat's milk or ebislac puppy formula, but then I see that people do use goat's milk and ebislac...so I'm just confused. I just want to feed her what's best! I'm just so devastated, especially if she has been suffering from diarrhea this whole time. I just can't figure out why this Vet would have given me KMR to use if it's this bad. I just want to know what the best thing to feed her is until I get the FV...and how I should transition her into a formula? Also, I gave him my Visa information over the phone for the FV and I have been checking my bank statement a lot and it hasn't come out yet. My luck my order didn't go through and I'm going to have to call him back and it's going to be even longer before the FV arrives!

[CritterMom]

You will get your FV. Nick, who owns the company is the darndest businessman I have ever seen - it seems to be more important to him to get the stuff out than to charge people - you WILL be charged for it but it may not happen until after you actually recieve it.

Goats milk is not enough for a squirrel alone and that is the problem - not enough fat. The addition of yogurt and heavy cream fixes that.

Many vets really don't know much about squirrels and we are in the unenviable position of having to contradict them frequently. YOu just found that out, unfortunately.

Give this baby supplemental fluids in between the feedings to help keep him hydrated. I would also go to the grocery store and purchase some Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt - get a flavor like vanilla or banana - and all a blob of it to the KMR. The probiotics will help a little with his tummy.

When you get the Fox Valley, I would begin with a 3 part water to 1 part formula mix at first (normal is 2:1). Normally you would do a gradual transition but with the diarrhea I think he should get off the KMR as soon as possible.

By all means, check with Fox Valley and make sure you will get yours Friday. If there is an issue, you will need to switch over to the goats milk formula - don't want him on KMR any longer than necessary. Though if he was mine I would do that right now - put him on goats milk and yogurt (no cream due to the runs) until you get the FV and do a slow transition from that...

[Anabelle24]

This is the first baby squirrel I've ever had so when she told me she was the Wildlife Rehab Vet and even had 5 squirrels...I was thinking OK wow she definitely knows what to do! The baby is growing and getting bigger though. The only issue is the loose stools which just kept eating at me. I just kept thinking something wasn't right. I'm thinking the same thing you are...after reading all the bad stuff about KMR I want her off of it ASAP.

So how long can I keep her on the goat's milk? I thought I saw somewhere that you shouldn't keep them on it no longer than 7 days. Do I just add the yogurt in the goat's milk and stir it together then heat it like you normally do?Also, what kind of pedialyte? I know they have different flavors, or does it even matter? Does it need to be mixed with water or anything?

Thank you so much for your help!! I feel like I've been doing everything wrong this whole time and I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right now! I just pray she's ok and the KMR hasn't really hurt her!

[HHRP]

You are a good person for being concerned about your baby. Stop beating yourself up. You have rescued this baby and you are learning new stuff from reading the Squirrel Board and getting some good info. She will be ok, you will see the difference in her poo after you start her on the FV. It is good stuff. My squirrels love it. I used the Esbilac for puppies for my first squirrel, and I learned of the Fox Valley from talking with other rehabbers who knew what to use. Glad I did. I also feel guilty for not introducing my first squirrel Harry to the FV. He too would have loved it. He made it and is a happy squirrel anyway! Good luck. Your baby will be loving it too very soon!mjs

[CritterMom]

First, I suggest you make your own rehydration fluid - they like it better:

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water

Refrigerate the mixture but heat it before feeding to baby.

Read the following RE: the goat's milk formula. Note the reference to not using whipping cream right away - by the time you would be adding it you will have the Fox Valley. If you don't get the FV by the weekend, then you can buy and start phasing in the heavy cream.

C&P from Nutrition forum:

***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.
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[Wonkawillie]

the temporary goat milk formula listed above is wonderful!!!

[Anabelle24]

Thank you all so much for your help!!! I know I shouldn't beat myself up about it because I know she wouldn't have survived if I hadn't picked her up. But at the same time I don't want to feel like I'm doing more harm than good. I definitely don't want this poor thing to suffer and I will beat myself up if she's suffering because of something I'm doing. I also am worried about these noises she's making. She's very active still and eating good but I notice she's making like clicking noises. Honestly, I can't tell if it's just squirrel noises or if it's clicking. But my fiance helped feed her one day and he used a 3cc syringe (I told him NOT to use that and of course he didn't listen) When I came in the room she was sucking it out of the syringe so fast it started to bubble out of her nose. So of course I'm worried to death she's going to get pneumonia. I'll hold her belly up to my ear and I can hear it. But there are a lot times that she's sleeping or climbing around and she's breathing but she's not making any noises. If it was clicking noises due to pnemonia would the noise be constant no matter what she's doing?