loose stool continues...

[TareChiMama]

I am waiting for the special formula to come in the mail... it should be here any day!... but in the meantime I have switched to goat's milk and yogurt minus the cream as this was suggested to me to help with the loose stools.
Well, in the meantime... I am torn between decreasing her feedings too much because she is thin (scale coming in the mail, too!!! I don't know her exact weight right now but she is visibly a little thin), but she is still having loose stool! Appetite is good; seems energetic enough for her age. She is maintaining her temperature and is hydrated.

So what should I do??? I am worried that even on the new formula this loose stool issue will prevail. Will it really make that much of a difference?
I have dropped off a sample at the vet which was tested and no parasites were seen, but the vet did call me and ask if I would like some Strongid for round worms as often they are present but don't show up in the fecal, just in case. Is this recommended by you guys? I don't want to do anything to make it worse but I want it to get better!!!

Last night I noticed the stool had a tiny bit of blood in it, but this morning it is back to being normally loose... light brown color, mucusy consistency, passing gas while pooping...

Sigh! thank you all so much for being so helpful! :osnap

[jo_schmoe]

Need a bit of background to answer correctly.
When you put her on the goats milk...did you make the switch gradual?
If the switch was done recently....you may just have to give it time.
Make sure she stays hydrated.
Another cause of diarrhea is over feeding.
When she is finished eating....how does her belly look and feel?

[jo_schmoe]

Ok, I just read back on the thread you originally created and I see you did do the switch gradual and you were using Esbilac.
When I was first brought two little pink beans ( now big huge fox squirrels) I was also using Esbilac. I had the same exact problem you are having. Yellow, mucus poohs. It took about 4-5 days after they were off of the Esbilac completly for their stools to become more normal...and about a week for them to become solid.
The main thing right now is to make sure she remains hydrated. Get the FV and I bet you see a world of difference.

[TareChiMama]

Thanks very much! Do you think I should hold off on the strongid for deworming then? I don't want it to affect her negatively nutrition wise and I honestly don't know how common it is for squirrels to have round worms?? My vet doesn't know a lot either as it is technically not legal for him to treat wildlife but he will when he knows the client because he has a big heart. :-)
And I used to work there as a tech for 6 years so that helps ;-)
T

thank you so much!!!! :-) :thankyou

[jo_schmoe]

Thanks very much! Do you think I should hold off on the strongid for deworming then? I don't want it to affect her negatively nutrition wise and I honestly don't know how common it is for squirrels to have round worms?? My vet doesn't know a lot either as it is technically not legal for him to treat wildlife but he will when he knows the client because he has a big heart. :-)
And I used to work there as a tech for 6 years so that helps ;-)
T

thank you so much!!!! :-) :thankyou
Well, I can certainly not advise you to NOT do what your vets says....but I can tell you what I would do.
Most animals have worms and parasites. A healthy immune system keeps all of this in check. If the vet did a slide....and didnt see anything then I would say her immune system is good. (again...just my opinion)
If I was her caregiver I would not introduce anything into her obviously irritated digestive system. Give her some time to adjust to the new formula and take it from there. You can always give the meds later if the digestive issues dont clear up.

[TareChiMama]

If I was her caregiver I would not introduce anything into her obviously irritated digestive system. Give her some time to adjust to the new formula and take it from there. You can always give the meds later if the digestive issues dont clear up.

I feel the same way and would def agree with you. I mean, if she were in the wild like she should be then no one would be deworming her :D
I think the FV milk will be my Godsend... I checked the tracking # and it is now supposed to arrive on Monday per the postal service. I originally thought it would be here today but with all the craziness we've had where I live following Hurricane Irene maybe that slowed things down :dono

Anyway, thanks again! And I will def introduce it gradually just like I did when I went from Esbilac to the goat's milk. :wott

[island rehabber]

I agree that Esbilac is most likely the culprit, and the baby needs to get it all out of her system. I would NOT use strongid -- it is serious stuff and squirrels typically don't need it. It will also cause diarrhea and that makes your problem worse. Just make sure she is well hydrated -- even with Pedialyte or homemade hydration between meals -- and I'll bet her poops clear up ok. :)

[TareChiMama]

Just make sure she is well hydrated -- even with Pedialyte or homemade hydration between meals -- and I'll bet her poops clear up ok. :)

OK! will do! What is the recommended amount/dosage of hydration appropriate for a 5-ish week old squirrel? :-)

[TareChiMama]

Yay! I have been using the new formula from Fox Valley since Friday and stools are now SOLID! :jump :rotfl :thankyou
Thank you all for the advice on getting this product. It was well worth it and price was even cheaper than the "crappy" stuff from the pet stores!!!!

Another question though... the stools are solid now, but are still a light orange/yellowish-creamy color? I am wondering if this will go away with prolonged use of the Fox Valley.

Thanks again! :D

[jo_schmoe]

Yay! I have been using the new formula from Fox Valley since Friday and stools are now SOLID! :jump :rotfl :thankyou
Thank you all for the advice on getting this product. It was well worth it and price was even cheaper than the "crappy" stuff from the pet stores!!!!

Another question though... the stools are solid now, but are still a light orange/yellowish-creamy color? I am wondering if this will go away with prolonged use of the Fox Valley.

Thanks again! :D
Thats the color of a fox valley pooh. :thumbsup
The stools dont get real dark until they start eating solid food.

[TareChiMama]

Thats the color of a fox valley pooh. :thumbsup
The stools dont get real dark until they start eating solid food.

ohhhhh! awesome! well then her poo is completely normal!!!!!!!! YAY!
:thankyou

[jo_schmoe]

ohhhhh! awesome! well then her poo is completely normal!!!!!!!! YAY!
:thankyou
Ok...now honestly....Did you ever imagine yourself getting excited about poop?
Welcome to the club! :D
:poop :poop :poop

[island rehabber]

That is the BEST NEWS :wahoo:alright.gif
Now you need to a start a new thread for this little sweetie that does not have the term "loose stool" in it, or she'll hate you once she's a teenager....:rotfl