Anyone having trouble with sick squirrels?

[Lynn31545]

Hello,

I kind of got thrown into the squirrel world a couple months ago. I was having really good luck until my three got sick. I (heartbroken) only have two now. My Lenny Bug is no longer with us because of this bug going around the Portland area, according to my vet. My other two squirrels have it but I got the antibiotics to them (hopefully) in time, They seem to be doing better.

My question to you is have you guys had problems the last couple months with your squirrels getting sick? I'm pretty sure mine are on their way up (knock on wood) but still wondering what other people have noticed.


Thanks!

[SammysMom]

So sorry that you lost a baby...:Love_Icon Maybe tell us a little more in detail about what was wrong with the babies so we can identify similarities.

[Duckman]

I am right across the Columbia from you and yes, we have been hit by the terrible sickness in droves this year. What medicine did your Vet recommend? Can you tell me more about the symptoms your squirrels are exhibiting? There are several bugs going around and unfortunately, we have had to use different meds depending on what the symptoms are. If you need help in any way, just PM me and I will send you my contact info.

[Lynn31545]

Bad diarrhea, dehydration, wont eat, wont move, making distressed sounds. I really don't know what else to say. The vet said it's a bacterial thing going around. I've been keeping them hydrated and warm. They have been getting there meds twice a day. It started with just a little diarhea and like in a week went from a little to a lot and to dead, It happened really fast. It took 12 hours for my Lenny bug to pass after he was noticably sick. He wouldn't eat, he had to get fluid pumped into his back with a needle. :boohoo

Like I said in my first post, i've never done anything like this before. I've had my female (Remy) since she was four weeks of age, Rico sassy pants since he was like five or six weeks, and Lenny bug since he was 4 weeks. I've talked to and gotten a lot of help from a few people that have done this a lot. Remy is now 14 weeks and Rico is now 15 weeks old. I have them on Veta-Lac... I believe thats what it's called... with whipping cream and acidophilus powder. I put some rat block in there for them. They have water and fresh fruits and veggies. Every once in awhile i'll give them some nuts in the shell. (not salted) I've been trying to wean them for awhile but I guess they're not ready...

I deep clean the cage once a week with bleach water and change paper out and whipe everything down a couple times a week. They are fat sassy squirrels, other then being sick of course.

Any tips anyone has I would be greatful, I'll never turn down help! I do plan to release them.

[SammysMom]

We recommend feeding Esblac puppy formula (powdered with probiotics) with Fox Valley 20/50 formula (available at http://henryspets.com) 50/50 mixture. I will say that Henry's also carries the very best blocks. They are Henry's Healthy Blocks. The baby ones are extra protein. I am not familiar with the formula you mentioned. Is it from a pet store?
When you have the heavy cream in formula it can make loose stool worse.

[Lynn31545]

I had them on that but the wildlife people i've been talking to told me the switch to the Veta-Lac. The only one that didn't like the switch was Lenny. The other two are doing just fine. I've wondered about the whipping cream. All there stool became loose after I switched. Makes me wonder...

I'll check out the healthy block stuff. I'm not sure the brand of stuff I use. Thank you for the info.

What are your cages like? My cage isn't big enough. I wasn't really excpetcing to be raising baby squirrels so I built a cage as big as I could afford. It's six foot by five foot. I think it's four foot wide. ... I think... I plan on making it a big walk in after my bank account recovers from all the $$ spent from everything else squirrel related. lol

How old do they have to be to be released? I was told by the wildlife people they needed to stay in my care until the winter is over. I don't have a problem with that but I'm curious about the age???

[SammysMom]

I am afraid that the people might be mistaken about the formula. We have a LOT of experienced folks here who have raised collectively thousands of squirrels. I have never heard of that formula. Go back to what you were giving them (Esbilac powdered with probiotics) and if possible, order a bag of Fox Valley 20/50 so as to make it 50/50. The shipping is flat rate from Henry's so order a bag or two of block while you are at it. As far as age for release goes, you are going to have to wait until spring. You want them to be at least 16 - 18 weeks and there have to be a lot of natural things for them to eat and good warm weather for their first time in the wild.
That cage size sounds perfectly large enough to me too.:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

Which sort of formula is it that you are using?

[Lynn31545]

I'm using Veta-Lac. I was using the Esbilac.

[SammysMom]

I meant which Veta-Lac...feline, canine etc?

[stepnstone]

Even if the Veta-Lac is canine there is quite a difference between
the ingredients in that compared to the Esbilac. That being said the
diarrhea alone would have made me switch back.

[island rehabber]

Even if the Veta-Lac is canine there is quite a difference between
the ingredients in that compared to the Esbilac. That being said the
diarrhea alone would have made me switch back.

I totally agree. Always look for the most obvious cause when something goes wrong, like the most recent change of formula in this case.....or solid food....or an air freshener or scented candle that is making them sneeze....or a new laundry detergent. Most of the time, rehabbing is not like an episode of "House"; it's not the weirdest most exotic diseases that affect our squirrels...it's little mistakes we just made. :grin3

[Lynn31545]

I meant which Veta-Lac...feline, canine etc?
the one for canine

[Lynn31545]

Thank you all so much for your help. They are doing much better now. (knock on wood) I think they are almost done with their meds. =]

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

also what paper is it you are using. I use fleece no paper.