Hard orange poops

[Will's Mom]

I've got two, 2-3 week old baby reds that are infrequently producing hard orange poops. They're being fed the FV/esbilac mix(50/50).
They're producing lots of clear urine, which makes me think they aren't dehydrated. Am trying to decide to give them a drop of laxatone (laxative), or not.
Have been massaging their backs & stimulating them. Anyone had similar-looking poops or trouble/no trouble after giving a laxative?

[island rehabber]

I would NOT give a laxative to a baby squirrel. :nono
FV often causes harder poops at first, and I would simply add a bit more water to your formula for a day or so until their systems get used to it. Maybe 1 scoop powder to 2.5 water.

The orange color is perfect.

[farrelli]

You could also give supplemental hydration between feedings. You could add some apple juice too. Sugar draws water into the gut, and apple juice contains sorbitol, a natural gentle laxative.

[Will's Mom]

Thank you for your suggestions -
I didn't want to use a laxative unless I knew for sure it was safe.
I tried giving fluids between feedings & they did poop more, but still very hard poops.

I've gone to my next plan, & am taking the FV out of the FV/esbilac mix equation & trying just esbilac; an amount of undigested formula in their milk lines was increasing as I approached full strength with the FV/Esb (tried diluting & bringing them up to full strength 2 days ago). Am almost up to full strength esbilac now, & so far they're digesting it, all except a little amount that seems to be hanging around after each feeding, that was there before I cut out the FV(undigested FV??). Hoping this will go away.......
Also they're pooping more & the poops are firm but not crispy-looking.

[farrelli]

Yes, FV has had digestibility issues.