9 to 11 week old Need HELP

[MommaLove]

I've had this little guy for 3 weeks now and he was doing perfectly! Running, Jumping, Eating veges, fruits, nuts, and formula (Nurse All)...He has great weight, beautiful shiny coat, his teeth are white and seem to be great condition...

I woke up yesterday morning and he was not moving to quick, he was just laying around. He will move from spot to spot to get away from the others or move in close to just curl up and sleep. He won't eat alot...He nibbles and turns his head with the veges and he isn't taking in much fluid.

I began to worry he would dehydrate and I know he loves watermelon ( I give as only a treat every great once in awhile as they all love sucking on them) So I drench with pedalyte and some formula to get something into him and sucked/nibbled on it (a little smaller than quarter size) and ate about half. I did this all day yesterday and today he is the same.

Now I am noticing slimmy not really normal diarreah, but a sticky goopy discharge (sorry if to graphic). A medium brownish/clear sticky goopy discharge from the anal area. He urinates as of now.

I have thouroughly looked him over. Not marks, bites, lumps, or bumps. His eyes seem clear, and he can climb and hang if he has too. Ive pushed and rubbed all extremities and the belly, and he has no real pains that he shows.

Im extremely worried as I love him dearly and want him to grow and be strong for his release.

Please help...

[kastillo]

I'm not an expert, but here's a link with some expert advice on squirrel stool:
http://www.ewildagain.org/pubs/Squirrel%20Stool%20Problems.htm

[Jackie in Tampa]

how old is he and what is his diet?

[daniellenc]

Diet, parasites, stress, and bacterial infection can cause diarrhea. A little more info is needed like his weight and exact diet. Exact diet meaning the type of formula, how much, how often, and what else is he eating.

Never mix pedialyte and formula- it dehydrates them go with plain sugar water for now or dilute the formula 50/50 with water.

[stepnstone]

Sounds like he is crashing and I'm betting diet is why he is crashing! Nurse all?? What is nurse all? I will bet the farm "nurse all" is not anywhere near the nutrition he should be getting in a formula. Your talking about a squirrel here, their nutritional levels are far different then those of a kitten or puppy. If this is still a baby it should still be on formula with a good rodent block as it's first solid food way before any other foods are introduced.
Do you know the approximate age, can you post or send me a picture, do you have an exact weight?

stepnstone08@hotmail.com

[stepnstone]

NURSE ALL MILK REPLACER
Features
- Multi-purpose instantized all milk, milk replacer for: calves, foals, goat kids, lambs, piglets, crias, fawns, elk calves, kitten and puppies in early life
- 24% protein and 24% fat equals fast, healthy growth
- All milk formula for excellent digestibility and performance
- Naturally acidified to help prevent digestive upset

Not good! Not good at all! :shakehead

[sage4dylan]

IDK about squirrels but in humans, as in myself, watermelon upsets my stomach and gives me runs. i know thats TMI about myself but thought i would mention it. Didn't u say u gave him the melon, then he got diarreah?
Just a thought

[SammysMom]

You have awesome help here already answering you. (Jackie in Tampa and Stepstone in particular) Listen to what they say and you may save all of the little ones. This is probably just the first who is crashing so be prepared.
Rushing, but here is some proper diet info and general baby info:
Baby Squirrel Information


1) Is the baby uninjured? Is mom still around? and if so, warm the baby and place in a safe spot where mom can reunite if possible. Mom will not take a cold baby!
2) Okay, so you couldn’t reunite with mom. Start by warming the baby in a plastic container full of fleece or tee shirt material. (Not towels as the loops catch little claws and can cause injury) Place the container half on a heating pad that is set on low. It needs to be a heating pad that does not have an automatic shut-off. It needs to be half on and half off so that the baby can get off of the heat if it gets too hot.
3) Check to see if the baby is dehydrated. You can do this by gently picking up the skin on the back of the baby’s shoulders. If the skin goes right back down it is not dehydrated. If the skin remains “tented” for a time, you will need to rehydrate with Pedialyte or homemade Pedialyte.

Hydrate them right away (use a 1cc syringe and go slow)........ give some homemade pedialyte every hour for six to eight hours and then you can start start feeding them some formula made from goats milk (if they are thoroughly hydrated).
Pedialyte for no more than 24 hours!!! Too much sodium!!


Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

Feed slowly with a 1cc syringe - head UP tail DOWN
Keep warm at all time – If no heating pad available fill bottle with hot water (cover bottle with sock) or fill a sock with dry rice or beans and microwave. Be sure to squish the rice or beans around to be sure there are no hot spots that might burn the babies.

____________
4) Once rehydrated begin to feed Fox Valley formula which can be ordered from http://foxvalleynutrition.com or while waiting for that to arrive use recipe below. As a general rule you will feed 5 - 7% of their body weight per feeding

Homemade Goats Milk Recipe -

1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)
5) This information is really just meant to get you through until you can get the baby or babies to an experienced rehabber. If you are here on The Squirrel Board, you have access to all of the information you could ever need about squirrels. Most importantly there is generally someone here who can help to find you someone who can take the babies and prepare them for life in the trees. The trees are where they are meant to be and people here know how to get them safely there!

[stepnstone]

This is the first major problem (Multi-purpose instantized all milk, milk replacer) and it will take them all down eventually. This baby is critical and needs immediate help!

[MommaLove]

You have awesome help here already answering you. (Jackie in Tampa and Stepstone in particular) Listen to what they say and you may save all of the little ones. This is probably just the first who is crashing so be prepared.
Rushing, but here is some proper diet info and general baby info:
Baby Squirrel Information


1) Is the baby uninjured? Is mom still around? and if so, warm the baby and place in a safe spot where mom can reunite if possible. Mom will not take a cold baby!
2) Okay, so you couldn’t reunite with mom. Start by warming the baby in a plastic container full of fleece or tee shirt material. (Not towels as the loops catch little claws and can cause injury) Place the container half on a heating pad that is set on low. It needs to be a heating pad that does not have an automatic shut-off. It needs to be half on and half off so that the baby can get off of the heat if it gets too hot.
3) Check to see if the baby is dehydrated. You can do this by gently picking up the skin on the back of the baby’s shoulders. If the skin goes right back down it is not dehydrated. If the skin remains “tented” for a time, you will need to rehydrate with Pedialyte or homemade Pedialyte.

Hydrate them right away (use a 1cc syringe and go slow)........ give some homemade pedialyte every hour for six to eight hours and then you can start start feeding them some formula made from goats milk (if they are thoroughly hydrated).
Pedialyte for no more than 24 hours!!! Too much sodium!!


Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

Feed slowly with a 1cc syringe - head UP tail DOWN
Keep warm at all time – If no heating pad available fill bottle with hot water (cover bottle with sock) or fill a sock with dry rice or beans and microwave. Be sure to squish the rice or beans around to be sure there are no hot spots that might burn the babies.

____________
4) Once rehydrated begin to feed Fox Valley formula which can be ordered from http://foxvalleynutrition.com or while waiting for that to arrive use recipe below. As a general rule you will feed 5 - 7% of their body weight per feeding

Homemade Goats Milk Recipe -

1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)
5) This information is really just meant to get you through until you can get the baby or babies to an experienced rehabber. If you are here on The Squirrel Board, you have access to all of the information you could ever need about squirrels. Most importantly there is generally someone here who can help to find you someone who can take the babies and prepare them for life in the trees. The trees are where they are meant to be and people here know how to get them safely there!


Thank you everyone! He is still alert and moving around more. I was able to get him to feed on sugar water. He ate approx 5ml (almost two droppers)

He is between 9 and 11 weeks old. I have had him for 3 weeks now. *I have his sister who is a dwarf and she is doing fabulous. I also have 4 others who are now about 8 weeks old and doing very well.*

I changed formula's per the advice of another rehabber in Orange Park, FL suggested. She stated that is what she utilizes and said her babies have done wonderful on it. If it isn't good I will def change to what is needed to make these babies prosper.

There are no injuries to any of the squirrels. This little guy and his sister came to me from a woman who found them in her shed. She placed them in a flower pot and left them there for several days waiting on mom to come back and she never did. When I got them they were dehydrated and covered in flees as well as eyes matted almost shut. Since the first week they have prospered and gained weight. The little boy did have issues with sucking on his little pee pee to the point of scabbing up. I had soaked him in warm water and cleansed it daily. Now it is fully healed.

He eats 2x a day. The Nurse All 5ml-8ml 2x a day. He also has veges/fruit cucumber, celery, green pepper, blueberry, blackberry, almond, pine nuts, walnut (all shelled) in the smallest portions but a mix 1x a day. This is put in a community bowl.

His weight is very healthy and still is as of now. He hasn't lost weight yet, just his urge to play. :(

I will try to add a picture for you to see him (Buddy)

I cleanse the their home every other day with new blankets and their houses and toys the same.

I am trying to answer everything. Please ask again if I missed something. My grams scale isn't working right now...I will be making a run to the store shortly to get a new one and goats milk ingred.

[MommaLove]

You have awesome help here already answering you. (Jackie in Tampa and Stepstone in particular) Listen to what they say and you may save all of the little ones. This is probably just the first who is crashing so be prepared.
Rushing, but here is some proper diet info and general baby info:
Baby Squirrel Information


1) Is the baby uninjured? Is mom still around? and if so, warm the baby and place in a safe spot where mom can reunite if possible. Mom will not take a cold baby!
2) Okay, so you couldn’t reunite with mom. Start by warming the baby in a plastic container full of fleece or tee shirt material. (Not towels as the loops catch little claws and can cause injury) Place the container half on a heating pad that is set on low. It needs to be a heating pad that does not have an automatic shut-off. It needs to be half on and half off so that the baby can get off of the heat if it gets too hot.
3) Check to see if the baby is dehydrated. You can do this by gently picking up the skin on the back of the baby’s shoulders. If the skin goes right back down it is not dehydrated. If the skin remains “tented” for a time, you will need to rehydrate with Pedialyte or homemade Pedialyte.

Hydrate them right away (use a 1cc syringe and go slow)........ give some homemade pedialyte every hour for six to eight hours and then you can start start feeding them some formula made from goats milk (if they are thoroughly hydrated).
Pedialyte for no more than 24 hours!!! Too much sodium!!


Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

Feed slowly with a 1cc syringe - head UP tail DOWN
Keep warm at all time – If no heating pad available fill bottle with hot water (cover bottle with sock) or fill a sock with dry rice or beans and microwave. Be sure to squish the rice or beans around to be sure there are no hot spots that might burn the babies.

____________
4) Once rehydrated begin to feed Fox Valley formula which can be ordered from http://foxvalleynutrition.com or while waiting for that to arrive use recipe below. As a general rule you will feed 5 - 7% of their body weight per feeding

Homemade Goats Milk Recipe -

1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)
5) This information is really just meant to get you through until you can get the baby or babies to an experienced rehabber. If you are here on The Squirrel Board, you have access to all of the information you could ever need about squirrels. Most importantly there is generally someone here who can help to find you someone who can take the babies and prepare them for life in the trees. The trees are where they are meant to be and people here know how to get them safely there!


Thank you everyone! He is still alert and moving around more. I was able to get him to feed on sugar water. He ate approx 5ml (almost two droppers)

He is between 9 and 11 weeks old. I have had him for 3 weeks now. *I have his sister who is a dwarf and she is doing fabulous. I also have 4 others who are now about 8 weeks old and doing very well.*

I changed formula's per the advice of another rehabber in Orange Park, FL suggested. She stated that is what she utilizes and said her babies have done wonderful on it (over 20 releases). If it isn't good I will def change to what is needed to make these babies prosper.

There are no injuries to any of the squirrels. This little guy and his sister came to me from a woman who found them in her shed. She placed them in a flower pot and left them there for several days waiting on mom to come back and she never did. When I got them they were dehydrated and covered in flees as well as eyes matted almost shut. Since the first week they have prospered and gained weight. The little boy did have issues with sucking on his little pee pee to the point of scabbing up. I had soaked him in warm water and cleansed it daily. Now it is fully healed.

He eats 2x a day. The Nurse All 5ml-8ml 2x a day. He also has veges/fruit cucumber, celery, green pepper, blueberry, blackberry, almond, pine nuts, walnut (all shelled) in the smallest portions but a mix 1x a day. This is put in a community bowl.

His weight is very healthy and still is as of now. He hasn't lost weight yet, just his urge to play. :(

I will try to add a picture for you to see him (Buddy)

I cleanse the their home every other day with new blankets and their houses and toys the same.

I am trying to answer everything. Please ask again if I missed something. My grams scale isn't working right now...I will be making a run to the store shortly to get a new one and goats milk ingred.

[MommaLove]

I'm sick that I ever changed their formula. I should have never listened to the rehabber that suggested Nurse All. :'-( I'm in tears over this. It is making me ill..

Not sure how to post picture?

[stepnstone]

I don't know why any "rehabber" would even suggest that product for a squirrel, but then again there are many people that call themselves "rehabbers" that don't know squat about squirrels. Guessing has killed more squirrels then this board would like to even think about let alone remember...
You can send a picture to my email addy and I will post it.

[daniellenc]

Order the Fox Valley 20/50 now and use the goats milk recipe posted above until it arrives....you didn't know better so you couldn't do better:)

I would take all nuts and fruit out right now those are really foods to use as a treat and no pine nuts at all:nono

Order Henry's Healthy Blocks growth formula which should be 70-80% of their total diet each day, then formula 2-3x a day, and veggies in between. If you go on Henry's site there is a whole list of the veggies you want to feed and of course you can get the formula and blocks directly from them:)

[MommaLove]

Sent the picture...I have since fed him his 2nd round of the rehydrate formula. He took two full droppers and is perked up, grinding his little teeth, and moving around more.

He def is not his typical scurry self, but seems to be more alert and moving more.

On my way to the grocery for the formula mix ingred you posted.

Thank you!!!

[MommaLove]

Order the Fox Valley 20/50 now and use the goats milk recipe posted above until it arrives....you didn't know better so you couldn't do better:)

I would take all nuts and fruit out right now those are really foods to use as a treat and no pine nuts at all:nono

Order Henry's Healthy Blocks growth formula which should be 70-80% of their total diet each day, then formula 2-3x a day, and veggies in between. If you go on Henry's site there is a whole list of the veggies you want to feed and of course you can get the formula and blocks directly from them:)

Ordering as we speak and Thank you!

[stepnstone]

Here's your little man Buddy...

[MommaLove]

Here's your little man Buddy...

Thank you!!! stepnstone! I love him so much. He is a great little man.

[stepnstone]

Squirrels are wild animals and have very different nutritional needs compared to domesticated and or farm animals.
When they are "captive", it is up to the caretaker to provide those needs.
TSB covers a multitude of information in it's forums on squirrel nutrition, I would suggest you read all that you can
and educate yourself to ensure the healthy survival of these babies.
There are no foolish questions! Ask anything that you are unsure of or confused by.
We are here for the squirrels and we are always here to help!

[MommaLove]

I will read all the information I can and just arrived home with the receipe you had given earlier. I also ordered the Fox Valley 20/50 Formula and Squirrel Blocks.

All the babies are now snuggled and looking really comfortable. I want to give them the best chance of survival I possibly can. We are setting up nesting boxes/homes in the woods behind our home so that when it is time to fully release they have safe homes to go too.

Another question which isn't life threatening regarding the female (his sister) she is full of spunk and energy and very healthy just super tiny. She looks like she is only 7 weeks but she is closer to 11 weeks. Her fur is a different texture. Fuzzy and silky vs soft and fluffy. Not sure if that makes sense. She is petite in every way and even has a different weight feel. She is very light weight. We call her Princess because she tries to rule the roost with all the others. Mothering them and teaching them. Very interesting to watch. She is just very tiny like a dwarf. I didn't find a lot of information on that. She has no abnormalities to look at her as she is very proportioned. Just itty bity.

My Little Man seems to be doing better already! I will continue to hydrate for 24 hours prior to introducing the new receipe. Hopefully the fox valley will be here in a short time.

Thank you all!!!

[stepnstone]

It may be hard to get them to start eating the block when you first get it since they have already sampled other foods, this is why we stress formula then block before introducing other foods. Your going to have to apply tough love but they will start eating it! Block is the most important food outside their formula they need to be eating and the only real prevention captive squirrels have against MBD. (Another subject you need to read up on and familiarize yourself with.) MBD cripples, MBD kills! They can appear happy and healthy one minute climbing and jumping around, drop the next minute without a warning. Other times one may see warning signs that indicates low calcium levels, I can't help but wonder if your little guy is exhibiting some of those signs?

We have had a few genuine dwarf squirrels on here and again sometimes the dwarfism is contributed to improper nutrition that will correct itself under the right nutrition. Time will tell if this is what it is in the little girl's case. Fur, fur texture has a lot to do with their nutrition.

Knowing the weight, preferably in grams, is very important as each should be consuming 5-7% of their body weight at each feeding. Having a scale is also extremely important if one would have to be treated for an illness of any kind as meds are only given according to body weight.

[MommaLove]

My little man Buddy is stable. He continued with the hydration through this morning and while I was feeding the other babies he made his way over and moved Roscoe out of the way to feed. :)) great sign. He is slow moving around his home but moving more and more.

He still has diarrhea but is going each time he eats and he is urinating as well. I had to bath him as he had clumpy stuff in his tail :/ he didn't care for that today.

He is resting with the other little ones snuggled up.

They all ate at 5am and then played until about 10 mins ago. Now they crashed for about an hour. So ill get some house work done until our next feeding and today is their home cleaning and fresh blankets.

I'll try to send pictures of their home today and all my other babies.

Thank you everyone for your help. Keep Buddy in your thoughts as we are not out of the woods yet, but looking much better.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Princess, her fur issue sounds like kitten fur syndrome..
usually a nutritional issue.
glad the little boy is doing better:grouphug

[MommaLove]

Princess, her fur issue sounds like kitten fur syndrome..
usually a nutritional issue.
glad the little boy is doing better:grouphug

Hopefully with the mix I made up until fox valley shows up will help. She seems very good condition and does everything she's supposed to and more. Shes my high jumper. She can jump about 5 feet for such a little girl. Literally from floor to my shoulder. I'm only 5'1" so thats not saying a whole lot, but surprised me!

It's just about feeding time and they are going crazy. ;-)

[MommaLove]

So my Little Man Buddy is still the same...just his temper has changed with me. He nipped me two times today. (1st time got me good, 2nd just grazed) and now he tried again during feeding which he didn't really want. :/ He's probably just mad and sick. I don't wear gloves but to use a towel when I feed him now. I can tell when he is getting ready to bite.

Also, I never yell shake or move when he bit me. I just gently put him down in his home. ***then ran to the bathroom to cleanse it out.*** I felt terrible for him. I know how I get when i am sick. I would love to bite someone when i am sick heheheh.

Let me know what you think.

All the others are still very vibrant, playful, eating, and play well....

[MommaLove]

So my Little Man Buddy no longer has diarrhea!!! Very happy. He is still nippy and slow by seems to be jumping, moving, and staying awake longer. I think maybe he is nippy because he has lost some weight and feels crudy. I'm now giving him the formula mix. Fox Valley should be here Friday.

Thank you everyone that has offered advice and help!!! I appreciate you in helping save his little beautiful life.

All the others seem to be gaining weight and thriving

[Nemehoto]

My guys like to nibble on my fingers, when they start to pinch (nibble too hard) I tap them lightly on the bridge of the nose and growl "no or ah-ah" at them. So far even in raucous play they haven't drawn blood. Even a momma squirrel would discipline their babies for hurting her. I wouldn't shake him or anything like that, maybe a growl, a light tap on the bridge of the nose etc. something a momma squirrel would do.

[PennyCash]

I'm so glad diarrhea has stopped and he's feeling well enough to nip.:wott Will continue to send postitive thoughts his way:grouphug

[Anne]

MommaLove-we are neighbors, just saw your post for the first time today. Thanks to TSB, I have Fox Valley on it's way from Henry's Healthy Pets. Things have been pretty rough here, but I expect my FV to come very quickly=I got an email saying it has been shipped. I am going to send you my phone number in a PM so please call me and I will give you directions to my house. I can't stand the thought that your babies will have to wait until Friday for good formula. I ordered enough for situations like yours so I can share :D . Call me don't make those babies wait another day.

[daniellenc]

Mine are nippy in play though my male is just plain nippy...I hear it gets worse:sanp3 . He got my finger so good yesterday I can't bend it today:D must mean he loves me. I have been intentionally handling them more since our winter together won't be much fun if they wild up too much so definitely keep them out with you when you can supervise and make it a point to touch and pet them.

[stepnstone]

MommaLove-we are neighbors, just saw your post for the first time today. Thanks to TSB, I have Fox Valley on it's way from Henry's Healthy Pets. Things have been pretty rough here, but I expect my FV to come very quickly=I got an email saying it has been shipped. I am going to send you my phone number in a PM so please call me and I will give you directions to my house. I can't stand the thought that your babies will have to wait until Friday for good formula. I ordered enough for situations like yours so I can share :D . Call me don't make those babies wait another day.

How lucky can you get!! Experence practically in your back yard! :thumbsup

[MommaLove]

Big thanks to Anne!!! Thank you thank you....

I handle my babies quite often and we have one on one play time as well...luckily i work from home so i can be here for them. I adore them and i am enamoured by these babies.

I will be calling you as soon as i get my children picked up from early release. also awaiting information from the state on getting my license.

Have a great afternoon everyone.

[MommaLove]

Update on Buddy. He ate about 3.2 ml for dinner. Not a lot but a lot better than before. still have to make him take first few drops then he eats. Almost like he's still got an upset tummy.
Now its time for my bed time so I put their vegetables in for vege din. Buddy woke on his own crossed the cage and drank some water from his feeder and ate a little califlower, snow pea, broccoli, and parsley. Now he only took tiniest bite out of everything, but the califlower. He loves that and had a bit more. Drank more water and then off to venture with his family.

I'm so so so happy he is doing so much better!!!

[MommaLove]

This morning we are almost back to square one :( He was last to wake this morning at about 6-615..His belly bloated and he is sluggish, he will move and run/climb when the others bother him or if I try to pick him up.

I sat him in warm water for about 5-7 minutes (which was a little fight and then dried him and put him in a clean warm home ( i have soft fleece hanging bags for the babies they love and feel safe/hide) he scurried in right away.

He just came out when the others woke from the morning nap. I laid a few greens out for them to nibble and play. His belly is still bloaty and the female (his sister) would NOT let me pick him up when I tried. She actually batted my hand and nipped at me. Then when I was just setting there watching them she came out and gave me kisses and did her usual run up and down my arm on top of my head and played...???

His diarrhea is back. yellowish/green not clearish/brown like before? could be that he nibbled on greens yesterday (green pepper/califlower/broccoli/watercress)

I don't want to give him anything else to eat food or formula until his belly bloat goes away. Just hard to because he really hasn't eaten but such small portions in the last 72 hours. :(

Suggestions would be great! Thank you

[MommaLove]

Buddy is not peeing. :-( I've tried warm water stimulation????? Don't know what to do...help