Very loose stool/diarrhea in a "baby" squirrel

[Wolfe]

This last Friday, I went out for a smoke, It had not rained in weeks, but it was lightly raining this night. I hear what I thought was a bird, it sounded really close, so i got a flash light and found a baby squirrel on the ground. Immediately i picked it up and brought it inside. My first reaction was to get it warm because it felt cold. I warmed it slowly but as fast as I could, I simply held it really close for a long time, I found an old heating blanket and let him rest/sleep on it with an old white cotton T-****. once i was done having a heart attack. I looked online regarding finding one of these little critters. I fed it some warm very clean expensive bottled water, next day I got some pedialyte and fed him some of that warm. I didn't "stimulate" it until the next day because I didn't know better.
It pooped out 3 decent sized pellets that were very brown and solid'ish. i fed it the water stuff for a day, like once every hour or so, waking up just to feed it and stimulate it. It peed plenty but the feces were not the same. For all intents and purposes the little critter looked and looks very healthy (to an untrained eye at least) He moves, makes noises and seems to have energy. I did a bit more light reading online and read not to give it cows milk etc etc (I would not have fed it cows milk or any other thing without some knowledge) the one thing that kept popping up on different sites is Esbilac. (this is the first site I read that says that Esbilac changed or something and no longer good for squirrels [?]) so I bought some and fed it a diluted solution of it. He has taken it and continues to take it well.

So thats the backstory, here is my problem. Since around Saturday evening his little stool has become more and more watery, as of this morning its just yellow watery stuff with what looks like tiny yellow pellets, i'm extremely worried (as is my nature) The other problem is even when he does "go" its not very much, it even does not pee as much. But, the shirt I've had him on is white, so ive noticed several yellow spots, some more watery than others, on the shirt, so he must be going on his own (?) although I thought they didint do that (?) until they are older. Im so very worried for it, I mean, by all rights it should have died that night, but by luck i found it and it would be a damn shame if it didint make it to adult. I never planned on keeping it permanently, but I did want to be the one to help it and release it. I dont have much money, but I have all the time in the world.

http://i.imgur.com/14JbEED.jpg
The spots it leaves, Ive caught it doing it on its own. Like I said, there seems to be tiny yellow pellets in the watery discharge.

http://i.imgur.com/I7EODPT.jpg
him/her

http://i.imgur.com/E60tYDS.jpg
another concern I had, and its not very visible in the picture. it seems to have developed tiny bumps around its gentiles and anus, kind of like a rash. what to do... *sigh*

http://i.imgur.com/hoRKTVq.jpg
this is what it looks like as its coming out.

Oh, about how old would you all say it is?

[farrelli]

He looks 3-4 weeks old. Unless you're using the new Esbilac with probiotics, stop the Esbilac. It causes just these kinds of digestive issues. You should order some Fox Valley, but in the mean time you should use the temporary goat's milk formula shown below:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?29903-Do-NOT-USE-ESBILAC!-**TEMPORARY-Goat-s-Milk-Formula***

You should also use a needeless 1cc syringe to feed and use the proper feeding technique shown below. It's very important. If you ever hear clicking when breathing, we need to know immediately.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?36777-PROPER-FEEDING-TECHNIQUE!!

You should also be keeping him warm as they cannot regulate their body temp a this age. Their container should be places half on a heating pad set on low so that they can crawl off if too hot. Obviusly they need to be kept away from the cord.

I'm already late to bed but there may be some people on here active tonight. If not, come back tomorrow.

Oh, because of the diarrhea, you should give supplemental hydration "feedings" with the following recipe. Do not mix it with the formula.

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

But first thing tomorrow, go out and get the goat's milk stuff. Many markets have it fresh, including Walmart, but if not fresh, it's often canned next to the evaporated milk and such.

Good night.

[Rhapsody]

Stop the Esbilac, get the Goat Milk ingredients as mentioned above (hold the heavy cream for a week) --feed the baby squirrel 5-7%
of its body weight every 3 hours (change to every 4 hrs when her eyes open). Keep baby warm at all times, especially before eating.

[lilidukes]

The little bumps you described are more than likely
ant bites and these are just best left alone and will
clear up on their own.

Do not give salt for more than 24 hours after than
sugar water can be given but no more salt.

The first dark poopies you saw is from mamma and
normal. Dark tannish and gold are from formula.

They need to be stimulated until their eyes open.
And them going on their own is sometimes is
normal too.

How diluted is the E you are feeding??

SHE is a beauty and looks very good. Worry away
and you will learn lots by asking all kinds of
questions.

Prepare yourself for having your entire world turned
upside down by this amazing little creature. Your
life will never be the same again!:grin3

[Unikorngrrl]

The little bumps you described are more than likely
ant bites and these are just best left alone and will
clear up on their own.

Do not give salt for more than 24 hours after than
sugar water can be given but no more salt.

The first dark poopies you saw is from mamma and
normal. Dark tannish and gold are from formula.

They need to be stimulated until their eyes open.
And them going on their own is sometimes is
normal too.

How diluted is the E you are feeding??

SHE is a beauty and looks very good. Worry away
and you will learn lots by asking all kinds of
questions.

Prepare yourself for having your entire world turned
upside down by this amazing little creature. Your
life will never be the same again!:grin3

:goodpost :thumbsup

[Wolfe]

alright. well I did not get a chance to look at the can of esbilac before the dumptruck took the trash so im not sure what kind it was. I will do my best to get this goats milk formula going.
The FV stuff seems cheap enough i can afford it.
As of late last night she (im fairly certain its a female) started to poop more normal, more solid, I fed her diluted pedialyte with plain bottled water for like 3 feedings and this seemed to have helped.
Her little bumps seemed more like a diaper rash, but they are not so prominent now.

oh, one question, does she look too thin?

[farrelli]

Can you get a pic of her laying down? Do you know her weight? Weight is important not only to tell health and development, but to know how much to feed. They should get 5-7% of body weight. Can you get a kitchen scale?

I;m sorry no one's answering your questions in a timely manner. The list sucks of late and there's also been a lot of sadness which has limited the time certain people can spend here.

never mix Pedialyte with formula.

When you get the GM, it goes bad very quickly, so the best bet is to freeze it and use as needed. Many people use an ice cube tray.

When you get the FV, we'll tell you how to transition from GM to FV.

[island rehabber]

alright. well I did not get a chance to look at the can of esbilac before the dumptruck took the trash so im not sure what kind it was. I will do my best to get this goats milk formula going.
The FV stuff seems cheap enough i can afford it.
As of late last night she (im fairly certain its a female) started to poop more normal, more solid, I fed her diluted pedialyte with plain bottled water for like 3 feedings and this seemed to have helped.
Her little bumps seemed more like a diaper rash, but they are not so prominent now.

oh, one question, does she look too thin?

hi Wolfe. How often are you feeding her? At her age, feeding goats milk, I would do at least every 3.5 - 4 hrs, and don't let her go longer than 6 hrs overnight without anything. She looks a bit thin but not emaciated. Poop issues often occur when we switch them from mamma's milk to our milk replacers, that's inevitable. Her poop should firm up now, and be golden-tan in color or even orange. If you see very light beige or white poop, or mush, that would be from overfeeding. We're here whenever we can be; it's been a tough fall season so far in many ways. But she's beautiful and you sound like a smart person who has the time to do this right -- we're here to help!

[Wolfe]

http://i.imgur.com/HnVPQM2.jpg
this and the next pic is what its been doing.
http://i.imgur.com/giHQFz8.jpg


http://i.imgur.com/EKfNPRF.jpg

Ive only been feeding it the E milk and been feeding it ever 4 hours.
its never had the small pellet form of poop yet.
Ive called a rehab place and will be taking it there today.
im too worried and dont have the funds or knowledge to care for it, the time, love and Will I have but its not enough.
but just out of curiosity, is there something wrong with it?

[farrelli]

Firstly, make absolutely sure they won't euthanize. Some rehabers/centers are very full and will just euthanize.

As stated, Esbilac is famous for causing diarrhea. That's why we recommend changing to goat's milk and ordering Fox Valley.

[Wolfe]

Firstly, make absolutely sure they won't euthanize. Some rehabers/centers are very full and will just euthanize.

As stated, Esbilac is famous for causing diarrhea. That's why we recommend changing to goat's milk and ordering Fox Valley.



well I am just [extremely] worried for its safety, I mean is what she seems to have diarrhea ? I knwo what it looks like in humans but, no clue about squirrels.

Ill ask the guy if the euthanize, but I just want to know if I'm making the right choice, and if they do euthanize, then what?

[farrelli]

If they euthanize, buy the ingredients listed below.

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

This is what we switch to when this happens while you order some Fox Valley online.

Are you hydrating him to make up for the fluid loss?

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

I noticed the poo had some bubbles in it. What does it smell like? Seriously, does it have a strong odor?

[Wolfe]

I feed her some very small amounts of water after or before a feeding.
The feces has no smell.
she urinates fine. im just really worried about the poop, afraid its some medical problem and I have no money for a vet.
Also what you see in the pictures is basically all she poops out in a sitting, i rub her for 10 minutes sometimes and that still all I get.
All i keep thinking is what luck it was to find her since it was raining and cold hta tnight, she would not have made it, and for her to die after is a damn shame, Ilove animals and would remember this forver if she died in my care. Thats why I want to give her to a rehab

[farrelli]

How much have you been feeding? How often? How much does she weigh? Maybe you're not feeding properly. You're clearly not feeding the right food.

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

If her poo does not have a strong smell, it could be that the Esbilac is disagreeing with her. When I have a new baby, I always start with goat's milk & full fat vanilla yogurt. The fat from the cream can cause loose stool, so I don't use that right away.

Overfeeding can cause loose stool, so only let her have 5% - 7% of her body weight per feeding.

[Wolfe]

http://i.imgur.com/3gZAEBG.jpg

She drinks about 1-2 of these about a little over half full.
its the Esbilac stuff.

[farrelli]

You should get her to a rehabber who won't euthanize immediately or change the way you're feeding immediacy. Pick one.

If you keep her, you need to change to the GM recipe now. Get in your car and go out and get the stuff. You also need to stop by a drug store and get a needelless 1cc syringe. The pharmacist will probably give you one or two for free if you say what it's for.

And ideally, if you can afford it at all, you should get a kitchen scale to weigh her. Many grocery stores sell them, Target, Walgreens, etc. They cost about $10-20.

You really need to get moving on this. Make a decision and commit.

[farrelli]

Btw, if you opt to keep her and get the GM, don't add the cream initially as it can cause loose stools, and you already have that. You will add it in a couple days.