Lil bit is going downhill fast

[breazmai]

We are not doing well right now...My lil bit is not eating...he is only sleeping. he has been doing good all day. Eating 1cc every two hours. he now has not eaten in almost five hours. He has gas but hasn't pooped in nine hours, is bloated. He wasnt dehydrated anymore but now he is showing signs of it again. i have tried to force feed him but I cant. He just lets it dribble out of his mouth. He is still peeing though and when I stimulate him to go potty he does fight me but not for long. I don't know what to do. I'm freaking out here.

[skippy]

Do you have any baby simethicone? 1 drop to relieve the gas?
You can also try rubbing a small bit of karo syrup on his gums to bring up his sugar levels for the moment.
Is he nice and warm?

[breazmai]

He is nice and warm. I just put him on the scale to weigh him(16g still) and he had a really big blowout of diarrhea. like really big. I got him to take a little less than a 1/4cc formula just now. Then he went back to sleep. he is stressing momma out bad.

[farrelli]

Karo is fine but I think molasses would be better as it has nutrients as well as sugar. We recommend it in a variety of circumstances.

Btw, I can't remember if you've soaked his lower half in warm water while massaging his tummy and sides. Have you done that?

[skippy]

What have you been feeding him? Fox Valley 32/40? Were you able to get him sub-q'd with ringers today? Make sure everything going into his little body is warm enough.

[skippy]

He is nice and warm. I just put him on the scale to weigh him(16g still) and he had a really big blowout of diarrhea. like really big. I got him to take a little less than a 1/4cc formula just now. Then he went back to sleep. he is stressing momma out bad.

What color is his poop? Is it frothy and smelly?

[breazmai]

farelli- yes I did soak him and massage him a few times today.

skippy- we are in the process of switching to the FV from the goats milk formula. I'm at half and half and diluted for the dehydration

[breazmai]

What color is his poop? Is it frothy and smelly?

yellow and kinda like flemmy(best description) and yes it is smelly

[farrelli]

So is he no longer bloated after the blowout? If he was dehydrated before it, he'll be worse now. Seeing that he just ate, in awhile I'd give him some water. If he's still having diarrhea, cut back on the sugar because sugar pulls water into the gut.

[skippy]

We are not doing well right now...My lil bit is not eating...he is only sleeping. he has been doing good all day. Eating 1cc every two hours. he now has not eaten in almost five hours. He has gas but hasn't pooped in nine hours, is bloated. He wasnt dehydrated anymore but now he is showing signs of it again. i have tried to force feed him but I cant. He just lets it dribble out of his mouth. He is still peeing though and when I stimulate him to go potty he does fight me but not for long. I don't know what to do. I'm freaking out here.

So he's getting formula every 2 hours round the clock?
I would only be offering him 5% of his weight. If he's bloated, tummy is still full, I wouldn't feed him. Fox Valley formula takes longer to digest.

[skippy]

yellow and kinda like flemmy(best description) and yes it is smelly

He may have a flare up of coccidia.
That will cause voluminous, mucous y diarrhea and smells very bad.
Does he need sub-q'd? If his stomach is taunt and bloated it's not going to help him by adding more fluid to his stressed out digestive system at the moment.

[breazmai]

So do i worry about the fact that he isn't eating like he should? and that he's sleeping so much?
Skippy- yes every two hours because we have been dealing with the dehydration on him and his brother this week. we do go four hours at night. feed at 12 then at four and six and so on.

[skippy]

farelli- yes I did soak him and massage him a few times today.

skippy- we are in the process of switching to the FV from the goats milk formula. I'm at half and half and diluted for the dehydration

What ratio of dilution do you have him on? 4:1 or 3:1 4 water/1 formula?
Also are you making fresh with bottled H20 every 24 hours?

[breazmai]

What ratio of dilution do you have him on? 4:1 or 3:1 4 water/1 formula?
Also are you making fresh with bottled H20 every 24 hours?

yes i am making it fresh every 24 hours. I am making the formula the way you are supposed to 2:1 because his bigger brother is just fine. Since lil bit and mo have the dehydration, when I feed them i dilute that down to half formula mixture and half water.

[skippy]

So do i worry about the fact that he isn't eating like he should? and that he's sleeping so much?
Skippy- yes every two hours because we have been dealing with the dehydration on him and his brother this week. we do go four hours at night. feed at 12 then at four and six and so on.

5% - 7% is what feed my babies but this one has special needs.

I would stick to the 5% of body weight until this clears up and he is eager and able to eat without difficulty.

I've not used goats milk, only Fox Valley 32/40 for the babies. Many here on TSB have great success with the goats milk and if that's what you've been advised than please continue with what you are doing to transition him.

I've had babies that cannot tolerate full strength FV and have had to stay at a 3:1 dilution ratio until weaned. Every baby is different and you have to adjust to their system.

Do you know how to sub-q ringers?

[breazmai]

i have never sub q'd any animal this small. Kittens were the smallest i have done. If i'm figuring it right 5% would still be .8cc and other than this morning at two feedings he hasn't eaten more than .5cc. I figured it's because of the cipro and pneumonia.

[skippy]

i have never sub q'd any animal this small. Kittens were the smallest i have done. If i'm figuring it right 5% would still be .8cc and other than this morning at two feedings he hasn't eaten more than .5cc. I figured it's because of the cipro and pneumonia.

Yes they are small to have to sub-q and I don't do it unless they are severely dehydrated and unable to take orally.

Our posts crossed each other. Sounds like you are diluting the formula which is great. 5% is 1/2 their body weight. In an earlier report I thought you wrote he was getting 1cc every 2 hours. If he's 16 grams than .8cc is 5% so I would try to stick to that amount. I wouldn't force feed him if he is bloated. You can check his milk line on his belly to see if he has digested the previous meal. He may only need a small amount of formula at one feeding and be able to take more the next. As his health improves he'll want more and can take up to 7% of his weight. This is why the scale was so important for you to have. It sounds like you are doing all you can for him at the moment and getting your rest between feedings will help with your stress. :)

[Jackie in Tampa]

Cipro/baytril will cause or add to diarrhea...
ABs cannot distingush between bad bacteria and good...they kill everything...
adding the yogurt will help put his gut flora back together...
you must use a probitic. BenBac is also wonderful, just a wee pearl sized drop in the corner of his mouth applied with your pinkie.

I would do exactly what you are with diluting the formula as a rehydration fluid and nutrition... they will not get better without nutrition. They need calories to heal.
every drop counts.:grouphug
Rally baby sqs:Love_Icon

[breazmai]

Yes they are small to have to sub-q and I don't do it unless they are severely dehydrated and unable to take orally.

Our posts crossed each other. Sounds like you are diluting the formula which is great. 5% is 1/2 their body weight. In an earlier report I thought you wrote he was getting 1cc every 2 hours. If he's 16 grams than .8cc is 5% so I would try to stick to that amount. I wouldn't force feed him if he is bloated. You can check his milk line on his belly to see if he has digested the previous meal. He may only need a small amount of formula at one feeding and be able to take more the next. As his health improves he'll want more and can take up to 7% of his weight. This is why the scale was so important for you to have. It sounds like you are doing all you can for him at the moment and getting your rest between feedings will help with your stress. :)

He was for a few feedings. I've starting keeping a log of their weights and amounts they eat per feeding. since i have three of them I want to write it all down so I know what is going on with which baby. Makes it easier on me and them so I don't screw up.
Thank you. I guess it is always a wait and see game with these guys. So worth everything though. I keep pulling the blankets off these guys just to check on them and make sure they are ok.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Good night Skippy:wave123

[SammysMom]

Good morning! Stopping in to see if Lil Bit is doing any better this morning...:Love_Icon

[breazmai]

it was a rough night for us here. but he did make it through. i was up every hour with him trying to get some fluids in him and i had to change the bedding and bath him. he had leakage all night. right now he is cuddled up with his brothers sleeping. he's not improved much but he hasn't gotten worse either.

[SammysMom]

Poor little guy...lots of prayers for healing strength...:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[stosh2010]

LONG Distance Prayers for your babies....

and strength for you,also....

[kastillo]

Poor baby, praying for a turn around....

[Shewhosweptforest]

My prayers are with you and Lil bit....he's so lucky to have you with him:Love_Icon

[Chickenlegs]

One more prayer for a valiant little fighter. Get well Lil'bit :Love_Icon

[skippy]

Just checking in to see how you and the babies are. Hope all is well.

[SammysMom]

:Love_Icon

[kastillo]

Checking on Lil Bit.......:Love_Icon

[MJS]

:grouphug :Love_Icon LIL BIT :Love_Icon :grouphug

[breazmai]

Sorry I was really busy yesterday with the babes and forgot to update. They are three weeks old today. I have all of them on AB now. They were all clicking when they breathed so I put them all on cipro. I am happy to say though, they all are doing great right now. Both lil bit and curly(big guy) have diarrhea still and I am still diluting all of their formula. Mo and lil bit are eating excitedly again and are eating 1cc at almost every feeding. They even scream at me if I don't feed them fast enough. It is so cute. They all love to talk. lil bit is still a little dehydrated but nothing like before. He still is really really skinny but I am hopeful that he will start gaining weight like his brothers are. Hopefully they continue to get better and we don't have any backslides with em. I am praying for it anyway. I took some pics and videos of them and I will include a few pics here. I don't know how to upload vids or I would.

weights comparison from saturday:

lil bit: 16g(sat) 18g(today)
Mo: 17g(sat) 21g(today)
curly: 26g(sat) 30g(today) I think his big head is why he weighs so much lol

Wow I just weighed them and I can't believe how much weight they have gained. Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers for these guys. I'm sure they have helped.

Top pic I just took. lil bit is on the bottom. two other pics were yesterday. Curly decided he wanted to lay on lil bit and lil bit was having none of it and knocked his brother off.


http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/i-qQVGSS5/0/M/2013-03-10%252001_54_09-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/28182094_d4nbWs#!i=2403386191&k=qQVGSS5&lb=1&s=A)

http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/i-XpsmDsq/0/M/2013-03-10%252001_53_44-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing/28182094_d4nbWs#!i=2403386194&k=XpsmDsq&lb=1&s=A)

[breazmai]

I don't know y the two pics are so big. I don't know how to resize them

[Shewhosweptforest]

Breazmai they are beautiful :Love_Icon Lil Bit is a feisty little fuzzermjs sorry I'm not able to give advice ...all I know is to stick with it and follow the great advice you're getting here:bowdown I'm rooting for y'all..and sending lots of love :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug. Just a thought....Nancy in NY ..help! Fix the pic..oh wise one :)

[breazmai]

Breazmai they are beautiful :Love_Icon Lil Bit is a feisty little fuzzermjs sorry I'm not able to give advice ...all I know is to stick with it and follow the great advice you're getting here:bowdown I'm rooting for y'all..and sending lots of love :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Yes he is a fighter. With how lethargic he was on saturday I was happy to see how mad he got when his brother laid on him. He even screamed at him. I got it on video and it was so cute. Mo is bloated still but we are working on that too. He is the one on the left in the top pic so you can see he is bloated

[farrelli]

To post vids you need to put them up to Youtube, or photobucket, or somewhere that hosts vids and then put a link here. Or, if they're not too huge, you could email them to me and I could post them farrelli-at-rcn.com. I'm going out in about 15 minutes but will be back 30-60 minutes later.

[Nancy in New York]

I don't know y the two pics are so big. I don't know how to resize them

I just resized your photos.:thumbsup

[breazmai]

To post vids you need to put them up to Youtube, or photobucket, or somewhere that hosts vids and then put a link here. Or, if they're not too huge, you could email them to me and I could post them farrelli-at-rcn.com. I'm going out in about 15 minutes but will be back 30-60 minutes later.
I can email them to you. I don't think they are huge. Thank you for offering farelli.

[Chickenlegs]

Lil'bit is still kinda skinny but sure looks better. You can do it baby boy!!!!!! :Love_Icon

[stosh2010]

. I am happy to say though, they all are doing great right now.
WONDERFUL news,,,, your LOVE and Care are showing POSITIVE results.

Hedre is a link to a Pneumonia CLICKING squirrel....
MiriamS made the video--and this little guy pulled thru OK...


http://s1088.photobucket.com/albums/i336/mstein1000/?action=view&current=MVI_0318.mp4

[skippy]

Oh so glad to see they are gaining weight. Especially Lil Bit. Precious little boy working so hard. He's so thin. It's great to know he has fight in him. A will to survive. tinfoil
You're doing great! :)

:thinking Perhaps some other experienced members could chime in on this thought.:thinking

There is a product called nutri-cal you can pickup at a pet or feed store. Its a high calorie replacement in a tube for sick, post surgical, low weight critters. I pull it up in a syringe and just put a dab in their mouth like you would molasses or karo syrup. It is thick so diluting it a bit may help.
I've not had to use it on a wee one but it has worked wonders at adding additional calories without the bulk of formula on older squirrels.

[SammysMom]

Happy news!!! I have been praying for these littles! They look terrific. Thanks to your hard work an dedication to learning what the best thing for them is. You are awesome!!!:grouphug :bowdown :Love_Icon :bowdown :grouphug

[farrelli]

Still haven't received the videos. Did you send?

[breazmai]

Still haven't received the videos. Did you send?
Yes i sent them from my gmail. It said it sent them

[farrelli]

Maybe they were too big or maybe they're just slow. We'll see.

[California Squirrel Lover]

I'm saying some serious prayers for you guys. Get well Lit Bit, you can do it :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[SQUIRRELSAREME]

Hi just checking on the little ones. They are looking good. Have u tried any of the ultra boost in the formula yet? Lets see if the experts think its a good idea. I just thought it would add extra nutrient for lil bit

[farrelli]

Oh, you sent it to the email in my profile instead. I wasn't checking there. here's the link:

http://tstlab2.dfci.harvard.edu/LilBit.3gp

[farrelli]

That didn't work. IIS didn't like the file type. Try this:

http://tstlab2.dfci.harvard.edu/lilbit.mov

[SammysMom]

What a lotta pink cuteness!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[MollyBear361]

:Love_Icon

[breazmai]

That didn't work. IIS didn't like the file type. Try this:

http://tstlab2.dfci.harvard.edu/lilbit.mov

Thanks for posting that. I had a few more but they were longer and really dark. I didn't have any other email for you but glad you got it.

squirrelsareme: I haven't used the boost yet. I wasn't sure of the mixture and with all the issues we've been having, I didn't want to add to them. If someone can tell me how to mix it and if it's ok for him, then i'll do it.