View Full Version : New Member with Bloated Baby with Diarrhea
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 01:16 PM
This request for help is copied from a sticky thread.
"I have had a baby squirrel for about a week and has just become bloated with loose watery stool. Any advice? Thank you."
Members name is Heather 413
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=743827#post743827
Here is how I responded.
Heather, thank you for caring for the baby and thank you for coming to TSB for help. I am going to repost your question in a forum where it will be more visible.
We need some more info about the baby.
What are you feeding it?
How often are you feeding?
How old do you think the baby is?
Are the eyes open?
Fully furred or not?
How much does the baby weigh?
Sorry for the duplication, but did not want it to go unread and unhelped.
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 02:01 PM
We are having some technical difficulties at the moment and Heather's response seems to have been misplaced for the moment.
I did read it and here is what I can remember.
Baby is 2 1/2 weeks at most
eyes closed
little bit of fur
on puppy replacement formula (NOT Esbilac) mixed per instructions
baby was rehydrated and slowly transitioned to formula
Hoping Heather finds this thread and fills in some of the blanks
Heather413
04-04-2012, 02:03 PM
He is being fed every 3-4 hours and is eating 1ml-1.5ml each time
Nancy in New York
04-04-2012, 02:05 PM
Thank God your back...Now I'm going to try to fix what I did....:hidechair
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 02:08 PM
Have you been stimulating him to go to the bathroom at each feeding?
Can you take a picture of the baby's belly and e-mail it to me at milosmom041610@gmail.com so I can get it posted (just so the rehabbers can see if it is really bloat - which can be deadly)
I do not think you have the abilities to post pics yet.
island rehabber
04-04-2012, 02:15 PM
I just granted Heather full access to the board -- she should be able to send & receive PM's and post pictures now. :thumbsup
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 02:17 PM
I just granted Heather full access to the board -- she should be able to send & receive PM's and post pictures now. :thumbsup
Thank you IR. U da'bomb!!!
Heather413
04-04-2012, 03:35 PM
Yes he is doing really well using the bathroom with each feeding, I even find he goes by himself when its time to wake him up for a feeding. I will get a pic posted asap. Thank you !!
Nancy in New York
04-04-2012, 03:49 PM
I'm not sure if you posted this before.
But.....:)
How long have you had him.
What formula is he on?
You have him on heat right, heating pad
half under the container set on low.
Do you know how old he is, are his
eyes open?
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 04:26 PM
I'm not sure if you posted this before.
But.....:)
How long have you had him.
What formula is he on?
You have him on heat right, heating pad
half under the container set on low.
Do you know how old he is, are his
eyes open?
Nancy, I know some of the info.
She's had him for about a week.
He is no older than 2.5 weeks.
Eyes are closed.
Heather413
04-04-2012, 05:02 PM
Yes, exactaly. Thank you. He is not on Esbilac. I will have to look at the brand. The store I bought it from said it was the same, and she had used it with baby squirrels in the past. His eyes are not yet open. I have had him a week and I believe he was born shortly before. He fell out of a tree that was being cut down. He was returned the following day, but the mother had moved the rest of the babies. He has a little but of fur on his head and on the tip of his tail.
Orphan Mom
04-04-2012, 06:03 PM
Gas drops for infants (Mylicon but get the generic) will get rid of the bloat, and they love it because it tastes like bubble gum.
Milo's Mom
04-04-2012, 06:25 PM
Heather, is there any way you can get us a weight on the little one? Maybe a pic too?
Just want to make sure it is really bloat before you start giving meds.
How is his hydration? You said he has diarrhea. How long has he had diarrhea?
Hydration is very important, but we gotta figure out if there is really bloat first.
Heather413
04-05-2012, 10:13 AM
You know, I am not quite sure if it is bloat, it has gone down and his belly is normal again. I was super worried as soon as his little belly puffed up. His stool is still a little loose, but much better than yesterday. I was also wondering what kind of yogurt or whipping cream is good for the little guy and how to mix and such. And yes, I will definitely get a pic up right away and a weight.
Nancy in New York
04-05-2012, 10:30 AM
You know, I am not quite sure if it is bloat, it has gone down and his belly is normal again. I was super worried as soon as his little belly puffed up. His stool is still a little loose, but much better than yesterday. I was also wondering what kind of yogurt or whipping cream is good for the little guy and how to mix and such. And yes, I will definitely get a pic up right away and a weight.
I will post a picture of bloat. But if the tummy is large and soft, that is better than large and hard.
I don't use the heavy cream or the yogurt, but I have seen that others use:
3 parts formula
1 part heavy cream
1 part yogurt
What forumla is he on again?
Here is an excellent link from Chris's Squirrels and More
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/basic-steps-to-hand-rearing-a-baby-squirrel?___store=default
BLOAT From her website
167850
Wonkawillie
04-05-2012, 11:52 AM
use the goat milk formula listed in the previous post. Your baby will do great on it. Commercial puppy formula causes a lot of trouble
Milo's Mom
04-05-2012, 03:56 PM
Heather, puppy formula is not the best thing for squirrels. Causes lots of problems, is very expensive and you have to add lots of stuff to it.
Nearly all of us here on TSB use Fox Valley formula. The squirrels LOVE it and it's made specifically for them, it smells great, in comparison to other formulas it's not as expensive, and since it has everything the babies need it takes a little longer for them to digest it, which means that you can spread out the feeding a little, which means more sleep for you.
You can order the Fox Valley Formula at http://www.henryspets.com/formulas/. You do not need to add anything to the FV other than water.
For the time being, the diarrhea is most likely being caused by the puppy formula...this is very common.
Since you do not think he has bloat anymore, I would recommend chaning his formula to FV and while you are waiting for it to arrive, I'd make up some Goat's Milk Formula (see recipe below) for him. In addition, since he's had diarrhea for some time, he's most likely dehydrated and needs to be re-hydrated.
You can re-hydrate him by giving him some extra fluids (pedialyte) in between feedings for a few days.
The Goats Milk Formula Recipe is as follows:
3 parts fresh goats milk (you can buy this at the grocery store, it's normally next to the milk)
1 part full fat yogurt
Some people also add heavy whipping cream, I personally would not right now...it has in the past caused some soft stool in other babies and you've got enough of that right now.
Since you are also trying to rehydrate, you may want to slightly dilute the above goats milk with a little water at first.
AFTER you get the Fox Valley, you will need to transition from the Goats Milk to the Fox Valley. Here's how to do that:
1 part FV to 3 parts goat's milk formula the first day.
then half FV, half GM the 2nd day.
3 parts FV to 1 part GM the 3rd day.
by the 4th day he is on full FV only -- mixed 1 part powder to 2 parts very warm water, of course.
I am hoping that some of our experts/rehabbers weigh in on this and offer advice.
Leave me know if you have any questions.
jbtartell
04-05-2012, 04:35 PM
Ok here was what some one here told me.. for bloat diet is important and well run some warm water and hold baby in it and massage his tummy. I had one die from it cause I did not know what to do and with bloat they stop eating.. It is worth the try, wont hurt just gett wet..lol.
Heather413
04-06-2012, 09:05 AM
Baby squirrel is not doing well. During the day yesterday, he was great. Towards the evening he stopped eating. I noticed he has a white bump right above his leg. It was red around it. He did not want to eat anything at all and only wanted to sleep. The next feeding was the same. This morning he is terribly lethargic, and still will not eat. The bump does not seem to be present but the reddness has spread. I know that it is discomforting to him, he squeaks everytime hes moved a bit. These pictures are from last night. In them you can see how he is losing weight. Do you know of any rehabilitators in the metro Detroit area? Its killing me to see him this way, and I want to get him in the best care right away.
Nancy in New York
04-06-2012, 09:36 AM
I'm not sure of any members on our board from Michigan, but here is a list of rehabbers. Hopefully someone can help you..
http://www.michigandnr.com/dlr/
I also heard this place is outstanding. Even if they aren't close, perhaps they can give you the name of someone to call.
If in NE Michigan, check out the Association to Rescue Kritters, or A.R.K.
3878 South Maple Valley Road
St Helen, Michigan 48656 / USA
989.389.3305
Milo's Mom
04-06-2012, 10:36 AM
Heather, we've got several people working on getting you help locally (trusted rehabber). Hang tight, keep the baby warm, and keep trying to get some sort of hydration into him. Remember to go slowly and each drop counts.
pappy1264
04-06-2012, 10:36 AM
Not in an area to help, trying to tell from the pic, but wondering if this could be a pox pastule coming up? He is going to need sub-q fluids immediately, as he has most likely become dehydrated. Can you see if he will take any pedialyte, make sure it is very warm, go very slowly. Poor little one.
Nancy in New York
04-06-2012, 11:12 AM
Please let us know if you call Mugzi and how the baby is doing.:thumbsup
jo_schmoe
04-06-2012, 12:01 PM
Passing this on....but that white bump could be a bone. This baby needs a vet and some Abs....pronto! :peace
Good save Heather....you are doing all the right things!! :thumbsup
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