I have a baby, advice on condition

[Monipenny]

I picked up this baby 4 hours ago from my vet, he kept her warm. Brought her home, put on heat immediately. I guess age to be about 1 week. Belly appears a little bloated, please advise. I did warm water soak. No pee or poop from stimulating her yet, I tried gently expressing, nothing. Home made hydrating solution for the first 2 hours, at 1:30 I gave her .75 cc milk with yogurt (fox valley 20/50 that is what I have on hand, I ordered the 32/40). She appears to be slightly dehydrated, please tell me from the pictures if you can if she appears bloated and dehydrated and what should I do with her for the next 24 hours, ie, feed milk, hydrate solution, how often.

Also, her hind feet and legs are bruised. :( She was found with 2 other babies (dead) by a dog. The finder assumed the baby was a premature puppy. She called the vet who had her bring the baby in and he called me. I don't know how long she had her and I was told by someone else at the vet that the finder did feed her, I don't now what she was fed.

I am not knew to rehabbing squirrels, I know all the basics, but it has been years since I had one this small and bloated. A refresher is welcomed.

I need to figure out how to add photos. Sorry

Thanks everyone.

[Monipenny]

I am trying to upload photos, not sure if this is working.

[bamababies]

:grouphug AWWW poor baby, her belly does look puffy to me, could she possibly have interal injuries do to the dog? Prayers from down south :Love_Icon

[Monipenny]

Thanks, I do not know, I don't see any bruising in the belly area, though the color seems off to me like slightly yellow.

[Monipenny]

This baby is pooping by herself, I thought that was odd for her age until I saw it stuck to her bum just now.

Since no one is advising, I am going to continue with hydrating solution alternating it with formula.

[farrelli]

Is it hard? Is should be soft and squishy like a partially filled water balloon. Do you think a couple drops of simethicone would help? Gently massage her belly and sides if you don't think there are internal injuries. I think that Nancy recommends gentle patting as well.

[Monipenny]

Thanks Farrelli, No her belly is not hard. I don't suspect internal injuries, she hasn't peed yet though.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Thanks for helping her...poor babe :shakehead and you have been stimulating her...gently rubbing her genitals...a soft flicking...with damp warm cotton ball, tissue, q-tip? If I were you I'd just give hydration fluid, then sugar water, to make sure things are moving....especially since you don't know what the finder gave her. Also, if you're giving her formula...dilute it....for pinkies they recommend 50/50 FV/Esbilac with probiotics :thumbsup So if you're just using FV try diluting...there has been suspicion of it clogging and not moving in pinkies intestines :( 4 parts water to 1 part FV....but as I said, just hydration at first :dono until you see her losing some of that belly. Others with more pinkie expertise will come on soon:thumbsup :Love_Icon

[Chickenlegs]

Thanks, I do not know, I don't see any bruising in the belly area, though the color seems off to me like slightly yellow.

Can't go wrong with hydrating. When you get pee and poop start feeding her diluted formula. You want to make sure everything is passing through. Can you see a milk line?

[Duckman]

The belly doesn't look too bad to me. I would continue down the path you are taking. Hydration and food. One thing I always recommend for any pinkie is to dilute 2/3 water and 1/3 FV (already mixed) for the first day then 2/3 FV (already mixed) and 1/3 water the 2nd day before transitioning to FV full strength to get them used to it. I have had really good luck with this and haven't had any formula related issues with any of mine.

[Monipenny]

Chickenlegs, no milk lines but her belly doesn't look like she went without a meal prior to today.

Shewhosweptforest, I have been stimulating her from the very beginning, I finally got 1 drop of urine around 6:00pm and again at 8:15pm. Not enough urine output. She has had a very small bowl movement soft to loose medium yellow poop at the last fluid feeding an hour ago. I have been holding off on formula since 4:15pm per instructions here. So far she had formula at 1:30pm only took .75cc and again at 4:15pm only .3cc. She weighs 39 grams.

She took hydrating fluids slow continuous for the first 2 hours today from 11:00am- 1:00pm
then again at 3:30pm .75cc
then again at 5:20pm 1cc
again at 6:00pm 2.4cc
again at 6:45pm .6cc (Giving her a rest break)
again at 8:00pm 1.7cc

Should I continue on hydrating fluids only or should I start her on diluted formula 2/3 water to 1/3 fv already made?

[Shewhosweptforest]

:dono I sure hope she hasn't had an injury that would affect ability to urinate :dono Can you feel her bladder? I don't about a pinkie.....it would feel like a marble in a juvie squirrel ...you could rub down her belly gently...if it's extremely full that should relieve it :dono I hate giving her formula when she's not urinating ......I think hydration for 24 hrs is not going to hurt her....she's not malnourished looking :thinking :Love_Icon

[Monipenny]

Thank you for a quick response. She doesn't look malnourished, I agree. I tried a couple of times to express her bladder, I can not feel it, she didn't like it. She is heading towards the loose yellow poops that I believe is indicative of dehydration. She had very dark hard stools on her own earlier, so I am thinking that she had not been fed by human prior to her coming to me. But I didn't think they could have bowl movements without being stimulated unless it's loose stool. How often do you think I should feed her hydrating fluids? I'll start the diluted formula tomorrow morning around 11:00am.

[SammysMom]

I wonder if she isn't peeing in her blankie after you hydrate her. It seems impossible for her to not have any output when she took so much in... These are such tricky little devils! Many prayers for your little one and you...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[Shewhosweptforest]

I wonder if she isn't peeing in her blankie after you hydrate her. It seems impossible for her to not have any output when she took so much in... These are such tricky little devils! Many prayers for your little one and you...:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug


:goodpost Maybe that's it.....if you could put some white fleece ....or white t-shirts under her then you could see if she's urinating on her own at all :dono I'm glad you couldn't feel a full bladder...I hated squeezing my juvie to adult squirrel's bladder :shakehead one this small scares the begeezes out of me :eek SammysMom has tons of experience with pinkies :thumbsup :grouphug

[Monipenny]

I've been feeling for wet/damp in her bedding all day. An hour ago with the last hydration feeding, she peed 2 drops. I don't know. Do you think maybe a warm water soak might help? I can't tell if there are any internal injuries, I don't feel anything out of the norm. How often should I be giving her sugar water?

[Monipenny]

Little stinker, she peed her bed. :grin3 Right after I posted my last comment I checked again and felt a small wet spot.

Should I go ahead and start feeding her diluted formula and how often for this age (between 1-2 weeks old)? Every 2-3 hours?

[Shewhosweptforest]

Little stinker, she peed her bed. :grin3 Right after I posted my last comment I checked again and felt a small wet spot.

Should I go ahead and start feeding her diluted formula and how often for this age (between 1-2 weeks old)? Every 2-3 hours?

:fireworks :wahoo peeeeeeeeee :grin3

If she's hydrated....(skin tent test) I think it would be fine....but definitely start diluted :thumbsup I believe Duckman set a time table....he's another pinkie Squaddy :grin3 I would go every 2 to 2 1/2 hrs....and just feed 5% ....that way you're not over feeding and taxing her digestive system at the start :thinking when she seems like she's doing well, then go to 3 to 3 1/2 hrs at the 7% :dono I haven't taken care of pinkies long term ....just Lil Feller over the weekend for Chickenlegs....when he started rooting around I'd feed him....if it was close together I'd feed less...if he stretched it out...I didn't go past 2 hrs cuz of his age (he still had his umbilical cord) I fed him more :thumbsup

I believe they let you know:grin3 I sure am glad she's peeing...what a relief ...with those poor bruised legs, I was really worried there may have been some damage done.....thank goodness :bowdown it doesn't look that way :Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

I feel your pain...:shakehead these little ones will cause you to go batty...:rofl4
So glad she is just a shy piddler...:grin3

[Monipenny]

Thank you everyone for commenting and your help and support. She ate .9cc of diluted formula at 11:40. I made a new batch and will dilute her milk 1 part prepared milk to 2 parts water for a day per Duckman, thank you. I am waiting to feed her again around 2:00-2:30am.

The beginning phase of hydrating and getting them adjusted to formula is so tricky, it makes me very nervous as I worry they will end up with uncontrollable diarrhea. I don't rehab squirrels on a regular basis, it's been a year and half since my last 2 slightly older babies. Thank you everyone. :thankyou

[island rehabber]

Monipenny, relax a bit -- you're doing fine. You've gotten great advice here. Just a couple of things:

*don't try to express her bladder. At this age you could do some damage in there without, of course, meaning to. Try different pottying techniques before giving up on her peeing: 'flick' back and forth with the corner of a tissue. Flick up and down with same corner of tissue. Different babies prefer different directions :rotfl

*transitioning them to formula isn't all that tricky, really. They want to eat, and they want to live. You can hydrate in between feedings, if necessary, until the baby is fully hydrated and pee is clear or almost clear. If she's already hydrated, don't do the sugar water at all. Just formula, ramping up to full strength, every 2.5 - 3 hrs. Watch the milk line -- it's your best gauge as to how quickly she's digesting. :thumbsup

[Mommaluvy]

I am not as seasoned ( with squirrels at least ) as some here but I agree with duckman recommendation .

My pinky is just a little older than her now . And he was also pooping a little in between feeds. I have not witnessed him urinating yet on his own. Mines a boy and it's easy to see the drop or two of ursine at first .

Keep us posted.

[Monipenny]

Thanks Island Rehabber. I can't stand the thought of losing a baby, I worry so much in the early phase until they are used to man made formula and adapting well to it. She is a hard one to make urinate, though she goes on her own some times. Her pee is very clear. You know, I think this babies nest was blown out of the tree from the storm we had Sunday night and I got her the following morning. She resist the milk but two feedings ago she started taking to it better, she still would rather sleep than be bothered to eat. She squeaks when I have to wake her up.

We will be vacationing in a little over a week and I had been running through my mind how I am going to care for her on this trip. This will be interesting.

[Monipenny]

Someone recommended simethicone for bloating. Is there a particular brand of gas drops for babies that I need. I am going to Walmart to get something. I have soaked her in warm water, it helps at times but I don't think it is giving her enough relief for the bloating. I don't know why she keeps bloating, I am wondering if it is the formula, I am using Fox Valley 32/40, warm, slow with a nipple on a 1cc syringe, holding her in a facing forward position, mouth downward. Am I missing something? She is urinating well, I think she can poop more though. Her poops look good. Up until today, I had to pretty much force her to eat. All day today, she took her milk good until this last feeding, she took 1 cc but I had to force the 2nd cc. She weighs 54 grams.

Please advise, I will try to get some recent pictures up here.

[Monipenny]

Her belly isn't bloated like it was before the warm water soak. But what do you think of her belly? Does it look okay, it isn't hard. I don't think her belly ever was hard but would become large and I am thinking that is why she would refuse to eat.

[farrelli]

Infant simethicone. Don;t think the brand matters.

Have you massaged when soaking? I think one of our members also suggests gentle patting.

Are you feeding 5-7% of body weight? Are poops golden?

Many people hate FV now and say that it doesn't digest well. Most people now use powdered Esbilac with probiotics, gotten at most pet stores.

[Monipenny]

Infant simethicone. Don;t think the brand matters.

Have you massaged when soaking? I think one of our members also suggests gentle patting.

Are you feeding 5-7% of body weight? Are poops golden?

Many people hate FV now and say that it doesn't digest well. Most people now use powdered Esbilac with probiotics, gotten at most pet stores.

Thank you farrelli, I do massage as much as I can, she squirms in the water, she always squirms except when I am holding her in her favorite position. I am actually feeding her slightly below the 5% rule because I can only force her to eat so much so I don't over do it. Her poops are a good mustard yellow color and good consistency. I am leery about switching formula at all especially esbilac. I was around when that brand was considered very bad and fox valley was the preferred formula and I had just gotten her transitioned onto that. I would want to hear a lot of good testimonials from users of esbilac before I would use that in the future.

What do you think how her belly looks in the pictures? I just took those and she last ate 2 1/4 hours prior to those pictures.

[farrelli]

Believe me, things are totally opposite now. We've had several deaths on TSB that have been linked to FV. Esbilac is now the preferred formula, well, actually a 50/50 mix of Esbilac and FV is optimal. Esbilac is much more easily digested. The only complaint about it now is that it's a little light in calcium. Here is but one thread of many dealing with such issues:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?41878-FOX-VALLEY-amp-PINKIES-Discussion-Thread

[farrelli]

Btw, just make sure it's the NEW Esbilac with probiotics (pictured above). That's the new formulation. The old one that you can still find as old stock is still bad.

[farrelli]

Btw, can you see the milk line? You might want to have it pretty much go away before another feeding. Hydration between feedings is fine though.

[Monipenny]

WOW!!! I had read up to page 7 so far of that link you provided. From what I have read so far, it appears that goats milk formula is what is mostly recommended. I haven't read through the whole thing yet. I have less than an hour to feed Nolana again. If I run to Walmart to get goats milk formula supplies. Should I transition gradually or just straight up switch to goats milk? I would rather go the goats milk route than esbilac at this time.

[Monipenny]

Btw, can you see the milk line? You might want to have it pretty much go away before another feeding. Hydration between feedings is fine though.

I believe for the milk line has not been visible prior to feeding except maybe a couple of times that I can recall, I thought that was odd.

[farrelli]

You can go straight to GM. However, it seems that most people do GM for pinkies (or Esbilac), and then for a bit older ones they go to Esbilac, and then a bit older, they go 50/50 Esbilac/FV. FV is fine for older babies, a few weeks old. I assume that somewhere in that thread is the fact that GM is mixed with yogurt and heavy cream, and that the cream is mixed in slowly?

That was an older thread and the issue has evolved. There's really nothing to fear about Esbilac anymore as long as it's the new kind. Though I think most people mix it the night before and let it sit in the fridge.

[Monipenny]

Thank you so much for baring with me on this. I have continued reading that thread all morning through page 14 now and is at that turning point of what you are saying here. Right now, I am so torn on what to do because I do not want to screw up this baby's system, she is stable and poops are fine.

I had inadvertently mixed her milk 48 hours ago with 4/1 ratio, 1/2 cup of water to 2 Tbsp. of 32/40 FV and fed her that for the past 48 hours. Noticing all the while on her chart for the past 48 hours she had been taking the milk good, before she would refuse it and I force fed her. I just realized this morning that I must have mixed this diluted formula and that is what I had been feeding her for the past 2 days.

I will be feeding her next meal in about 25 minutes with a brand new batch of FV 32/40 I made about 3 hours ago ratio 2/1 of water/FV. I did not run to the store to begin changes until I received further advice as I do not want to make too many sudden changes.

At this point, you recommend that I switch to Esbilac with probiotics, okay, I will do that. Please advise me on the transition of this formula, ratio mix for the next several feedings.

[farrelli]

I think most people go 25% of the new stuff at a time for a couple feedings, then add another 25%...

I don;t know why no one else is responding to this thread.

[Monipenny]

Thank you so much. Here is what I bought, are both of these products okay?

[farrelli]

Looks good to me!

[Monipenny]

I just now noticed the message on the bag behind these products in the picture, "Start Now", That must be a sign. :) I am being silly, I don't believe in signs, lol just wanted to point out the irony or coincidence.....

[Shewhosweptforest]

I just now noticed the message on the bag behind these products in the picture, "Start Now", That must be a sign. :) I am being silly, I don't believe in signs, lol just wanted to point out the irony or coincidence.....

:grin3 :rofl4 "Message received!" :thumbsup :Love_Icon

[Monipenny]

2 feedings ago, I started the transition, 1 part Esbilac to 4 parts FV 32/40. She drank 2.8cc, I went to feed her again 1/2 hour ago (3 hour intervals) with 1 part Esbilac to 3 parts FV 32/40. She bloated right up after only 1 cc, no poops, very little urine (she is not dehydrated, I checked). I did not/could not see a milk line in the abdomen but I did see a milk line in her back side after feeding her 1 cc. That milk line would have been from the last feeding because of the size. I took pictures to show her present condition.

Now I need to know what do I do to get her to digest that milk. Before I started to feed her, her belly look fine. Also, It has almost always been easier to see the milk line in her back side more than her abdomen.

If someone suggest that I give her fluids, please specify whether, plain water, sugar water or homemade hydrate solution.

Thanks.

[SammysMom]

Do you have any infant gas drops? I would go with a drop of that from a 1cc syringe to begin with then hydrate with just sugar water. Then, stop the FV. I had a similar issue with a baby and once I stopped the FV and used just diluted Esbilac with probiotics it was smooth sailing.

[Shewhosweptforest]

:thinking Hmmm..that's strange, because she was doing ok on the FV straight...right? I mean her last few feedings had been better...everything moving. :dono I definitely would dilute what ever you're feeding her, like SammysMom suggested :thumbsup

[Monipenny]

Yes, she had begun eating the FV without forcing her. She would still bloat but at least she was digesting it and pooping. I think I am going to use the motto, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. She did not digest her milk that was mixed with the esbilac. What I need to know is what is the protocol for helping her to digest the milk. Since she is not a neonate and is 3 weeks old and doing at least okay, I am just going to stick with this FV and get the 20/50 FV to transition her to that later.

I do have infant drops, have used that twice today already, how many times a day is safe for them to take?

[Shewhosweptforest]

I'm pretty sure you can use the drops with every feeding....hopefully, she'll straighten out before her little digestive system becomes dependent on them :thumbsup remember, you can dilute the formula even just a small amount...oh and I always put the yobaby yogurt vanilla..the equivalent of one part....for instance, one scoop FV, three scoops hot water, one scoop yogurt...and I think we've hit that you need to let the formula sit for a few hours to completely dissolve :thumbsup:grin3 You're really doing an awesome job with your baby :Love_Icon she's so lucky to have you:grouphug

[Monipenny]

I gave her a drop of gas relief, 2.5 cc of sugar water then an hour later gave her diluted milk - 1 part water to 3 parts prepared fv. She started out taking it but then resisted, I had to force her to take a total of only .8cc. and then another drop of gas relief after that since she bloated right up again. For the next 2 feeding I am going to dilute it to 2 parts water to 4 parts fv. I made up a new batch this evening with 1 Tbsp. apple juice, 3 Tbsp. water and 2 Tbsp. fv to help her bowel movements, I plan to start that tomorrow but I will dilute that mixture 2 parts water to 4 parts fv before I feed it to her unless anyone objects.

[farrelli]

I thought you were going with Esbilac.

[SammysMom]

There are several of us here who have had this issue with fv as well as rehabbers who are not on tsb. I am sure if i hadnt stopped the fv, Miracle would be dead. Please consider the suggestion of stopping fv. Perhaps the temporary goats milk formula is the way to go? :dono i just know that you are not the first and likely not the last to have this issue.

[Monipenny]

When she didn't digest the milk that was mixed with esbilac and didn't have bowel movements, I don't want to risk her dying from not digesting her food. At least with FV, she is digesting it and going poop. From what I read of the FV issue it was primarily related to neonates, Nolana is over 3 weeks old now, I have had her now almost 11 days, it wont be too long before switching to the 20/50.

I just finished feeding her this time 2 parts water to 4 parts prepared fv. She took it fairly well, I was able to get her to take 3cc and she had a good bowel movement. If she has another good bowel movement at next feeding, I will feed her the same 2 parts water 4 parts prepared fv instead of the fv with apple juice that I was going to do and then gradually get her back to full strength fv. I don't want to cause even more stomach upset with her than what she had already been having.

Could she have parasites, could I be wrong about her being bloated since her tummy is never hard? Anyone have experience with that and know the symptoms?

[Mommaluvy]

I am new. ( disclaimer) but she does not look bad to me.
After checkering milk line I turn pip to the side
If front of the belly is flat. Then I don't worry.


How is she this morning ?

[Monipenny]

She's doing better, the milk passed through. This morning she had an okay bowel movement but still large belly than should be, since her belly has not ever been hard I am not thinking that it is a bloating issue, so I am going to leave here shortly to take a stool sample to the vet to check for parasites.

[farrelli]

Really, most people just go with Esbilac. I don;t know why you;re resisting.

[Mommaluvy]

She's doing better, the milk passed through. This morning she had an okay bowel movement but still large belly than should be, since her belly has not ever been hard I am not thinking that it is a bloating issue, so I am going to leave here shortly to take a stool sample to the vet to check for parasites.

That sounds like a good idea. Glad she pooped !

[Monipenny]

Really, most people just go with Esbilac. I don;t know why you;re resisting.
Even when the babies are not digesting the milk? That is too risky and just because some people, not most like you are implying are using a certain formula does not mean that I will follow. Sorry, I will do what works for the baby. Have you not read where she did not digest the milk before the next feeding? I am not going down that road. She will be on 20/50 in a week and a half. And it seems to me that most people are using the 20/50 fv I do not want o transition her again from Esbilac to 20/50 fv, she does not take to food changes well at all.

Her fecal test came back negative, no parasites, since she doesn't poop as much as she should, I had started her at last feeding on fv with 1 part apple juice. Maybe her big belly is due to back up, we'll see. She poops, it's a challenge to get it out and her bowel movements are less than should be. Last night, I did get her to have a good bowel movement and just 45 minutes another decent one.

[Shewhosweptforest]

What farelli says is true...most people have had good luck with the Esbilac ....but I also agree with your reasoning ....if she's pooping on the diluted FV and apple juice....and did not digest her first feeding of Esbilac ....you said she backed up, correct? Then as you said earlier You've worked too hard to get her bowels moving and if the Esbilac stopped her up again :shakehead I'd be afraid to switch over. I know you're working hard and diligently on her....you're almost over the hump :thumbsup then you'll get to enjoy her a little more....without all the worry :Love_Icon

[Monipenny]

She just had her biggest bowel movement yet and I am taking this to the vet to look at, it appears to be something there, you can see a 'string' between two pieces. I think maybe they didn't see anything in the last fecal sample because there was not enough poo.

[farrelli]

I thought the first Esbilac feeding was mostly FV.

If it's diluted, you have to make sure she's getting enough nutrition.

Watch out for the AJ so you don't get the opposite problem. AJ has sugar which draws water into the gut, but it also has sorbitol which draws even more water. It's actually used as a gentle human laxative.

I've seen many on here with strings which were fine, so probably nothing much to worry about.

[Monipenny]

The doctor could not positively identify the 'string', there were no eggs but he gave me medicine to treat her. He gave 2 doses of Strongid-T, one for now and the other in two weeks. I will hold off on giving it to her to see what other rehab experts that has experienced parasites and dosing this medicine, I will wait until late tonight to give it to her. She weighs 59 gr. Thank you everyone.

[Monipenny]

I thought the first Esbilac feeding was mostly FV.

If it's diluted, you have to make sure she's getting enough nutrition.

Watch out for the AJ so you don't get the opposite problem. AJ has sugar which draws water into the gut, but it also has sorbitol which draws even more water. It's actually used as a gentle human laxative.

I've seen many on here with strings which were fine, so probably nothing much to worry about.

It was and she had two feedings with esbilac. Thanks for the apple juice info, I am watching her very closely for dehydration. I am using the apple juice to help her with the constipation. It's been a struggle each time when she defecates.

[Monipenny]

"...she had two feedings with esbilac" She had esbilac mixed with fv not straight. Just clarifying.

[farrelli]

You might try what SM suggested and go straight to the Esbilac.

[Mommaluvy]

She just had her biggest bowel movement yet and I am taking this to the vet to look at, it appears to be something there, you can see a 'string' between two pieces. I think maybe they didn't see anything in the last fecal sample because there was not enough poo.

My un professional experience an opinion is that this is mucus from an upset bowel. Maybe it's from adding, or subtracting, or any dietary change over the last few days. Not saying your doing anything wrong .. I just can't remember when the esbilac went in or about and the apple juice etc.. May just be from the change.. And maybe it's making her poop and that's a good thing too. But do ask the vet. I am curious of his response.

My little one started it just after antibiotic. It was the only change in his diet. I have a video on YouTube where you can see the the string line that .

He was also neg . For parasites ( 5 week er )
I have had him since he was but a few days old.
Our vet saw it ( the mucus poo) - switched him to injections instead of oral antibiotics due to the mucus and had me add probiotic.

This fixed the mucus string right up. Cleared up in a few days.
I don't use FV and have no opinion on it.. But does it have probiotics? You may have said earlier and I missed it. Glad she is pooping. Love consistent poop :)

[Monipenny]

My un professional experience an opinion is that this is mucus from an upset bowel. Maybe it's from adding, or subtracting, or any dietary change over the last few days. Not saying your doing anything wrong .. I just can't remember when the esbilac went in or about and the apple juice etc.. May just be from the change.. And maybe it's making her poop and that's a good thing too. But do ask the vet. I am curious of his response.

My little one started it just after antibiotic. It was the only change in his diet. I have a video on YouTube where you can see the the string line that .

He was also neg . For parasites ( 5 week er )
I have had him since he was but a few days old.
Our vet saw it ( the mucus poo) - switched him to injections instead of oral antibiotics due to the mucus and had me add probiotic.

This fixed the mucus string right up. Cleared up in a few days.
I don't use FV and have no opinion on it.. But does it have probiotics? You may have said earlier and I missed it. Glad she is pooping. Love consistent poop :)

I know what you are talking about with the mucus, I've seen that. This was something kind of tough, like not easily broken. When I dropped it into a container to take to the vet, it stayed connected, possibly a round worm but can't be sure what since there were no eggs in the sample. I have not given her the medicine yet, I am holding off on that for the time being. I don't want to medicate her if not necessary and I would like to hear feed back from other rehabbers with this kind of experience. I may wait until we get back from our trip before I give it to her so that we are close to the vet if it becomes necessary.

Without looking at the chart and going off the top of my head, I am not sure but I think I didn't start the formula with apple juice until her feeding following that poop picture. I was transitioning her on diluted fv for a couple of feedings before I started her on the diluted apple juice/fv for 2 feedings and then full strength fv/apple juice one time to only fv this last feeding tonight.

[Monipenny]

This has been a very tough baby to keep alive. Friday night I started to transition her to fv 20/50, her stools became loose and started getting lighter in color yesterday and then pale yellow very loose today. She was not fully transitioned to the 20/50. Was dehydrated this morning. I hydrated her with home made solution throughout the morning and afternoon and then started transitioning her back to 32/40 diluting her first feeding with water and added a little plain yogurt then continued giving her plain water in between feedings. At 9:00pm tonight, I went to give her full strength 32/40 with yogurt, she resisted, I forced her to drink 2cc. She is still having very pale stool. She is not over eating, never was a big eater. She is kept warm, weighs 87 grams at almost 5 weeks old, eyes still closed. I suspect that the milk is not digesting because of the pale color and loose stools, but no milk line, it is going through her. Am I missing something? I can't figure out what else to do for her.

She can not tolerate any changes in her milk, if she makes it, I will have to keep her on the 32/40, should I add anything to that formula so she grows properly and gets the nutrition she needs.

So far, I had not given her the medicine for parasites.

What is wrong with her?

[Milo's Mom]

You can try Bebebac for some additional probiotics or mix the 32/40 with Esbilac (the new kind with probiotics).

I've had kids in the past that simply cannot tolerate 20/50 and I've raised them entirely on 32/40. They've all grown into beautiful squirrels and they were all released.

Due to having pinkies this year I was forced to go to the Esbilac and although I think it stinks to high heaven I have to admit my kids did very well on it mixed 50/50 with 32/40.

Are you mixing the FV with VERY HOT water and allowing it to rest for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight)? By VERY HOT I mean so hot you cannot touch it.

I also do not add yogurt to my FV. Some people do and swear by it, I never have and have not had a reason too. Since she's having so many problems it might be an idea to take the yogurt out and go with straight formula...take her back to square one and build from there, know what I mean?

All of this may have been discussed earlier in the thread, I did not go back and read so if this has already been tried, sorry for the duplication.

[Monipenny]

You can try Bebebac for some additional probiotics or mix the 32/40 with Esbilac (the new kind with probiotics).

I've had kids in the past that simply cannot tolerate 20/50 and I've raised them entirely on 32/40. They've all grown into beautiful squirrels and they were all released.

Due to having pinkies this year I was forced to go to the Esbilac and although I think it stinks to high heaven I have to admit my kids did very well on it mixed 50/50 with 32/40.

Are you mixing the FV with VERY HOT water and allowing it to rest for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight)? By VERY HOT I mean so hot you cannot touch it.

I also do not add yogurt to my FV. Some people do and swear by it, I never have and have not had a reason too. Since she's having so many problems it might be an idea to take the yogurt out and go with straight formula...take her back to square one and build from there, know what I mean?

All of this may have been discussed earlier in the thread, I did not go back and read so if this has already been tried, sorry for the duplication.

Thanks, I am mixing it with very hot water (bottled water) ahead of time, letting it sit at least 3 hours. She can not tolerate esbilac, tried that already. She can not take formula changes. It seems that no one around here carries benebac, I have looked for that before for Lily last year. The only reason why I added yogurt today is due to the diarrhea, before when I added yogurt it seemed to contribute to her constipation we battled before. She tolerates the 32/40 enough to keep her stable, not perfect but stable, anything else throws her little system through a loop. I am worried about her. :(

[ALittleNutty]

This has been a very tough baby to keep alive. Friday night I started to transition her to fv 20/50, her stools became loose and started getting lighter in color yesterday and then pale yellow very loose today. She was not fully transitioned to the 20/50. Was dehydrated this morning. I hydrated her with home made solution throughout the morning and afternoon and then started transitioning her back to 32/40 diluting her first feeding with water and added a little plain yogurt then continued giving her plain water in between feedings. At 9:00pm tonight, I went to give her full strength 32/40 with yogurt, she resisted, I forced her to drink 2cc. She is still having very pale stool. She is not over eating, never was a big eater. She is kept warm, weighs 87 grams at almost 5 weeks old, eyes still closed. I suspect that the milk is not digesting because of the pale color and loose stools, but no milk line, it is going through her. Am I missing something? I can't figure out what else to do for her.

She can not tolerate any changes in her milk, if she makes it, I will have to keep her on the 32/40, should I add anything to that formula so she grows properly and gets the nutrition she needs.

So far, I had not given her the medicine for parasites.

What is wrong with her?

Her little system has been through a lot. I was a FV fan for years but I have switched to the new Esbilac for my grays and am not having any troubles. Poops were a little softer and paler during the transition time from the GM formula. I don't see where you are adding heavy whipping cream to the FV. You might want to consider adding that a little at a time.
2 parts FV
4 parts very hot water
Heavy whipping cream (gradually work up to 2 parts)
1/3 part vanilla yogurt

I have always added vanilla yogurt to mine as well. My flyers are still on FV at almost a year old and this is the recipe I use.

Formula temperature can make a big difference in getting them to take it. Some like it very warm while others like it a little cooler, but never cold.

[Monipenny]

My heart is broken, my baby passed away during the night. Yesterday she had labored breathing and clicking sounds which only lasted a couple of hours but the labored breathing continued. I could see it in her eyes, she was not doing well but I was not expecting her to be gone by morning. She couldn't get comfortable laying except in my hand as shown in the picture that I took last night.

[TubeDriver]

Gods Speed little precious squirrel. :(



You worked so very hard to save this little one, I know she knew this and was fighting hard too but it was not to be. :grouphug

[grampyngramy]

Godspeed little one. At least he passed knowing love and warmth.:grouphug