Small Baby- trouble getting him to poop

[4Mister]

Hi, I'm new to raising a baby and I have some questions. I have what I'm guessing is a 4 week old fox squirrel. We found him on the sidewalk and after a few hours of waiting for his mom to return and realized he was being bit by fire ants, brought him in. I contacted our local vet but he didn't have any recommendations for me other than to keep him warm and feed him puppy milk, which he had for the first 2 days. I've had him for 6 days now. I got him warm, hydrated him and he's currently on the goat milk mix. He has a great appetite but is not pooping. He does not seem bloated. From what I've read, he was born at the wrong time. He had to have been born late December. He's very small for his age. 52 grams. He was skinny when I got him. His ribs aren't showing so much now. Could him being born in December have something to do with his size? Stimulating him does not produce poop. I've tried a soaking him in warm water also. I also tried a drop of diluted apple juice yesterday. He's being fed 3ml every 4 hours. What do I need to do? Thanks in advance for your help. This board has helped me so much the last few days.

[farrelli]

Switching formula can sometimes cause digestive issues. It usually passes. When you soaked him, did you gently massage his belly and sides?

You could try feeding him a little bit of pumpkin or pumpkin pie mix, or prunes, or most of the usual stuff that gets a human to go. Have you tried any of that? Be sure not to overdo it as you don't want the opposite problem.

How long has it been since he pooped? Got any pictures?

[Nancy in New York]

We have members in Texas if you want us to try to find someone to help.
You will need to get him Fox Valley formula, as the goats milk is only temporary.



http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com/product-lines/milkreplacers/You will want to order the 20/50.
You can also order this at:

http://henryspets.com


You can use pumpkin, but NOT the pie filling. Just go to the store and get plain canned pumpkin.
Are you using a syringe to feed him?
Hydration is key to pooping too, so in between feedings, make sure that you give him some hydration. You can use pedialyte or homemade hydration fluid.

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water

Keep refrigerated.

He is really in bad shape if he is 52 grams at this age and a fox squirrel. I have had baby greys who just opened their eyes that weigh over 100 grams.

Let's try to find help for this little one.:grouphug

[quagmire]

Try some apple juice. Have had luck with loosening bowel movements and causing squirrels to poop. Good Luck.

[Nancy in New York]

When you do the goats milk formula are you making it this way?

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.

[Skul]

East Texas is larger than half the states in the country. :rofl4
As you can see, I'm just north of Houston.

[4Mister]

I have not tried the pumpkin yet. I have tried diluted apple juice..just a little bit though. That is the recipe I am using for the goat milk. I haven't added the whipping cream yet though because I read to wait until his system get used to it. I do hydrate in between feedings. He was 45 grams when I found him and surely he didn't go too long without his mom. It was 30 degrees that day. I'm going to try to upload a few pictures. I'm guessing he is 4 weeks old. He has put on more fur since I've had him and he has his bottom teeth. His eyes are still closed though. He has only pooped a very little bit in the last day and 1/2.http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h45/llmitchell/mister2_zps64072f91.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h45/llmitchell/mister1_zps17d13c2c.jpg

[4Mister]

BTW I'm in Austonio. 2.5 hours from Houston 3 from Dallas.

[4Mister]

No signs of pneumonia and is urine is clear.

[Nancy in New York]

Great that his eyes aren't opened then at that weight........:)
He looks so adorable.
If you do the pinch test on his back shoulder blades (pull up skin gently), does the skin tent when you release, or does it go back down?

[Skul]

For being new to squirrel care, you seem to be doing a pretty good job. :thumbsup
Foxers are cool squirrels.

[Nancy in New York]

BTW I'm in Austonio. 2.5 hours from Houston 3 from Dallas.

I'm hoping that we have some members that can help you with some Fox Valley.
I have it here, but it wouldn't get to you until at the earliest next week.
Do you have syringes and nipples?

[4Mister]

It goes back down.

[Nancy in New York]

It goes back down.


Good.
I am just concerned that you have had him for 6 days, and his weight gain is just 7 grams.
Are you weighing him the same time daily?
You have a digital scale right?

[4Mister]

I do have syringes. He seems to be getting more active everyday. He's such a sweet little guy. It's definitely been a learning experience. It's like having a newborn in the house. Isn't it unusual for him to be born this time of year?

[4Mister]

I wasn't originally weighing him at the same time but for the last 2 days I have and he's gained at least a gram a day. And yes, it's a digital kitchen scale. I was feeding him 2.5 ml every 3 hours but I did skip a meal yesterday in case of constipation and went to every 4 hours. He would eat so much more if I'd let him. Should I try more apple juice until I get to town later for pumpkin?

[Nancy in New York]

I do have syringes. He seems to be getting more active everyday. He's such a sweet little guy. It's definitely been a learning experience. It's like having a newborn in the house. Isn't it unusual for him to be born this time of year?

I know in Florida they are seeing the babies (grey) already.
I am not familiar with Texas.:dono But it seems strange.
You seem to be doing really well so far.
Does he seem still hungry after you feed. Does he stop himself,
or do you cut him off after a certain amount.
The rule of thumb is 5-7% of their body weight.
As long as they don't bloat, I give them what they want, within reason.
Meaning if you go up a couple cc's more and wants it, and he doesn't bloat up, you are fine.
When you switch to Fox Valley, you will notice that they stay full longer, but we will address that once he is on it.:thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

I wasn't originally weighing him at the same time but for the last 2 days I have and he's gained at least a gram a day. And yes, it's a digital kitchen scale. I was feeding him 2.5 ml every 3 hours but I did skip a meal yesterday in case of constipation and went to every 4 hours. He would eat so much more if I'd let him. Should I try more apple juice until I get to town later for pumpkin?

When was the last time you saw poop?

[Skul]

I'm hoping that we have some members that can help you with some Fox Valley.
I have it here, but it wouldn't get to you until at the earliest next week.
Do you have syringes and nipples?
Closer to me, than Pat.
Could meet up in Madisonville.
Got to check if we have any FV, first.

[farrelli]

How diluted was the apple juice that you used? Perhaps full strength would be better? The idea behind using sugared fluids is that sugar is hygroscopic and pulls more water into the intestines, thereby softening the stool.

So did you gently massage his belly and sides, especially when he was soaking? The idea there is to stimulate or mimic peristalsis which is the rhythmic muscle movements in the gut which move things along.

[4Mister]

I did massage him while he soaked. The apple juice was 1/2 water and I only gave him a little over a cc of it. The last little bit of poop was yesterday morning. Not much at all though.

[4Mister]

I've been cutting him off, he definitely wants more.

[Nancy in New York]

OK I have to run in a couple of minutes for about 3 hours.
I scanned in some information for you and will pm it to you in a minute.
You have to order the Fox Valley formula. I believe that Skul is seeing
if he has any extra to give you until your supply comes.
You are in good hands, lots of great people that will help you with your little one.
Look for a pm in a couple of minutes.:thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

Closer to me, than Pat.
Could meet up in Madisonville.
Got to check if we have any FV, first.

Thank you Skul. Let us know if you have any.
I am running until around 5:00 or less.:thumbsup :grouphug

[farrelli]

I'm not one of the experts, but if he wasn't more, I'd say give it to him. From what I've read on these boards, it seems as if there's two schools of thought where one advocates feeding only a certain percentage of body weight while another is give them all they'll take - this is in reference to formula. When it comes to the juice, seeing that you only gave him 1CC of diluted before, I'd give him some more of the undiluted.

[Nancy in New York]

I've been cutting him off, he definitely wants more.

OK after we get him moving/pooping, we will address that.:thumbsup
You can actually give him a couple of drops of mineral oil.
The info is in the scanned pages that I sent to you. :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I'm not one of the experts, but if he wasn't more, I'd say give it to him. From what I've read on these boards, it seems as if there's two schools of thought where one advocates feeding only a certain percentage of body weight while another is give them all they'll take - this is in reference to formula. When it comes to the juice, seeing that you only gave him 1CC of diluted before, I'd give him some more of the undiluted.


Your right, I usually give more at this age, not when they are pinkies though.............but after we get the poop straightened out.:thumbsup :)
AND you have to know what you're doing because they will bloat easily.

[farrelli]

And if you don't have mineral oil, I've also seen olive oil used successfully.

[4Mister]

:thankyou

[Skul]

Just checked. We do have a little FV to give, if needed.
If you call Henry's Heathy Pets before 4:00, they can get it in the mail, and should arrive Monday.
Number is... 321-626-1897
Web site is here... http://henryspets.com/formulas/
Suggest calling for faster service.

[4Mister]

Just ordered. Thanks!

[Skul]

Just ordered. Thanks!
:thumbsup

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

I am also having trouble getting my ~10 day old squirrel to poop. Isn't it weird for a squirrel to be born this early? It's the beginning of March and over here, it hasn't hit above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and it frosts almost every night! Also, its been raining a lot. Well here is Sky Fall's story (my 10 day old grey squirrel)... My husband is a certified Arborist (he cuts trees down for a living). Well I get a call from him on Thursday asking me if I want to help a baby squirrel! This squirrel dropped from the top of a 50 ft height, his sibling died but Sky Fall made it despite not being discovered until 20 minutes after the tree had fallen (keep in mind it hasn't been all that warm here). Well luckily my lumberjack husband's buddy had sense to put the baby squirrel in his chest pocket to keep him warm.
I filled a zip-lock baggie full of hot water and wrapped a blanket around it and rushed over to get the baby squirrel. I then purchased a heat pad, Esbilac powder formula, pedialyte, and a syringe. Other than being cold and breathing rapidly, he seemed fine, so I began treatment. I warmed him up, gave him pedialyte, relieved him, and let him rest. I noticed his color was pink and his skin passed the dehydration pinch test. Also, when he urinated, the color was clear so I started him on formula ( 2 parts boiled water: 1 part formula). At first, he did not seem to comprehend the syringe but eventually I got him in a position where he would take to it.
He seems to be doing fine except he hasn't defecated since this morning, and it was a lousy, small, dark, and dry one too. But I don't think he is dehydrated because he is urinating a lot and its clear! I have given him pedialyte which he absolutely loves! Can he be dehydrated even though he is urinating frequently and it is clear? I have also noticed that he defecated on his own in the night time, the first night I had him (which was after I relieved him in the evening). Anyone have any input as to what might be going on and how he defecated on his own?!?!

[SammysMom]

How much does he weigh and how much is he eating, how often?

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

I feed him every two hours except in the night time. He eats inconsistent amounts (about 0.5 cc's per feeding). I read that Esbilac formula is no longer recommended? Why not? Do I need to change formulas? I have also ordered a feeding nipple because he doesn't like the syringe and he keeps trying to suck the soft parts of my hand. He pretty much will not eat if he is picked up in a blanket. He is really sweet and loves to twitch in his sleep and reach out with his little paws. He makes sweet tiny noises when I pet him. I do not have a scale that will measure his weight, I will go buy one tomorrow. I do not think he is under weight, his ribs are not showing and neither is his spine. Thank you SammysMom for your swift response!

[kastillo]

He seems to be doing fine except he hasn't defecated since this morning, and it was a lousy, small, dark, and dry one too.

I wouldn't be alarmed at the poop. Usually the very first poop after they are in a person's care is dark and small because they are still processing momma's milk. Once the formula has time to move through them, their poop will be gold nuggets. It takes some time for a small baby like that (10 days?) to adjust to the formula. Did you hydrate the baby real good with pedilyte before starting the formula? And what kind of formula are you feeding it?

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

He pooped a little early this morning! And he has some more that is on its way out. The color is getting lighter, but not yet golden. Yes, I think he is about 10 days old, because he is just barely starting to grow some hair on his nose and chin, and he is getting some dark tiny hairs on his head. His color is also getting purple on his back where his dark hair is coming in. I used section F of this website http://www.squirreltales.org/ to estimate his age. I don't know how to attach pics on this site yet but I will try. I am feeding him Esbilac puppy formula powder.

[kastillo]

When you do the goats milk formula are you making it this way?

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.

Mrs. Lumberjack,
Esbilac is not this best thing for this baby. The goat's milk outlined above minus the heavy cream until you can get the Fox Valley will be much better than the puppy milk.

By the way, he is adorable. At this age, feed at least every 3 hours, including through the night. If he's much smaller, like around 20 grams, I would do every 2.5 hours, smaller amounts, like .5 cc to1 cc every 2.5 hours.

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

Oh my gosh, what's wrong with the Esbilac formula? People were saying that it's the best formula for baby squirrels!

Well Sky Fall is defecating very well now, his feces are completely the golden brown color that has been mentioned, but now I can't get him to eat much... he squirms around trying to look for a teet and he makes this little cute sound as if he is frustrated and I try to place the syringe in his path but he doesn't take. He will suck on it for a few sucks and then he just keep looking for a teet on the soft parts of my hand... I am using Esbilac and I have played around with different ratios of formula to milk and he just doesn't like it... however he does love pedialyte.... should I sweeten the formula with honey or just mix it with pedialyte? I have a feeding nipple on order because I think he just hates the syringe. I weighed him this afternoon at 27 grams. He is about 10 days old.

I am also curious, should I be giving him sun exposure? And what about water aside from his formula feedings?

[farrelli]

Esbilac was reformulated some time ago and is no longer good for squirrels. It can cause digestive issues, malnutrition, and even death. Best plan is ordering the Fox Valley and changing to the goat's milk formula until it arrives.

You don't have to put them in the sun, but if you can do so safely indoors, it wouldn't hurt. However, most windows block the necessary rays. The vitamin D that they would get from the sun will be replaced by the fox valley, and later, rodent blocks. Don't try giving D yourself though, as incorrect levels can be toxic.

You should give water or Pedialyte between feedings if he is dehydrated. Is his skin loose and wrinkly? If so, you should rehydrate him. A dehydrated baby won't make efficient use of their food. However, you should only use Pedialyte for the first 24 hours because of all the salt. You should then switch to just water or water flavored with a little juice.

[SammysMom]

You never want to mix formula with anything except water. There is to much sodium in Pedialyte for more than 24 hours.
Esbilac can cause some digestive issues. Changing over to Fox Valley would be the best idea at this point since it is made specifically for squirrels.
As for sunlight, if he was still with his mama, he wouldn't see the sun until he was MUCH older! No need to worry about it now.

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

Thank you Farelli
I have ordered my fox valley formulas and am going to make Jackie's goat milk formula.... how do I transition between the Esbilac and Jackie's goat milk, can I just start feeding him the Goat milk or do I mix half Esbilac, half goat milk formula?

Sky Fall is doing great, he is eating and pooping and he is now 30 grams! Hope he makes it!

[kastillo]

I would think a slow transition to the goats milk formula,
anybody else?

[CritterMom]

If you have Fox Valley on the way, and he does not have diarrhea from the Esbilac, don't switch to goats milk and then a day or two later to the Fox Valley - too many changes. If his poops are okay, keep him on the esbilac until the FV arrives. Then, you want to mix up contaiers of both formulas and blend them together so as to slowly transition from one to another. Do 3/4 esilac and 1/3 FV for a feeding or two, then go to 50/50 for a couple, and then to 25% esbilac and 75% FV, and then finally all FV.

If he had runny diarrhea I would tell you to yank him off the esbilac right away, but that does not seem to be the case.

[Mrs. Lumberjack]

Thank you so much everyone who posted. Sky Fall is doing great, he is about 16 days old now and 32 grams. I have him on Fox Valley 32/40 and he is loving it. His defecation is outstanding and the color is superb! He has gained a lot of strength and is a total wiggle worm! He can push my fingers apart with his nose and he can cling on to my fingers and hang! Here is a pic of him growing hair! I am now thinking he is not a Grey Squirrel but a Fox Squirrel, but I guess we will find out :)

[newsquirrelmommy]

:Love_Icon Sky Fall, youre adorable:Love_Icon