Please help Jack! dmiller

[dmiller]

PLEASE HELP JACK!!!!

I have an eastern gray squirrel named Jack. Jack is 6 months old. I live in a state that doesn't allow you to have squirrels. I have researched on here for every thing I can think of and went with most of the suggestions. Personally I would love to speak with someone experienced to help save my baby. I just lost my mom January 12th I can't take another great loss this soon.

Symptoms:
Day 1-3 loose stool
Day 4-6 jelly consistency (4 of the stool had blood)
Stool has an odor to it
Wants me to hold and rub him constantly (which i do)
I can put him at the end of my queen size bed and he will run to me at the head of the bed but his gate seems a little off.
I have noticed him bobbing his head at times

Squirrel type: Eastern Gray
Age: 6 months
Food:
Kale (as much as he wants per day)
cabbage (as much as he wants per day)
green beans (2 a day)
apples & blueberry ( sugar cube size of one or the other each day)
sweet potatoes (every other day)
brussell sprouts (sugar cube size per day)
unsalted peanuts and pecans (2 nuts per day).
He has a cuttle bone and deer antler in cage.

What I have tried when I noticed he didn't touch his food all day:
Gave him immediate dose of 500mg tums mixed with water
Giving him 250mg of tums in morning and then again at night mixed with water.
Grape pedialyte for a 24 hour period. Have had to mix with rice cereal or tums on occassion
2 days on yoplait vanilla yogurt ( he loved it) 4 feedings per day about a tsp each time
Baby rice cereal mixed it with grape pedialyte first time then with water other 3 feedings for 2 days
tried 100% pumpkin in can he refused to eat it
he has had 3 grapes in the past 2 days
Rice Krispie cereal and cheerios in bowl and he will occasionally eat it.

Not sure if I did the right thing now but I have an amoxicillan pill 875mg I shaved a little of mixed with water and gave that to him at about 11:30 this morning and it is now almost 2pm hasn't killed him yet, Thank God!

I ordered the HRB for him but they have yet to come in mail possibly do to ice storm and mail not running. This little guy has been my world since the end of July 2014. No I agree after reading on here that I haven't always made the best decisions for him but I have done my best. My priority is to get him back to being healthy and taking proper care of him from this point forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Duckman]

Others will be on, who can help you deal with this better, but a couple of notes. The diet needs to change. I am running out the door, but someone should be able to link the healthy diet. Second, from what you are describing, it sounds like Coccidia, which is a bacteria that causes the foul smelling, runny poops. Do you have access to Antibiotics? We have several members in NC, so someone there can probably get some AB's to you, if you don't have access to any. Do not give to the squirrel though, until someone replies if the AB you have on hand (if you have any) are safe for squirrels and someone will need to dose it for you. You will need to give a weight in grams, if you can, or in oz if not. I will check back when I get home and see how things are going. Welcome to TSB too!!! You will find a wealth of knowledge and a passion for squirrels here!!!:Welcome:serene

EDIT - Just saw that you have Amox. I believe that will work, but please do not dose anymore, until someone can dose it propery.

[dmiller]

Thank you for the quick response! I just got the Henry's Blocks in the mail and gave him one he is going to town on it. I won't give anymore meds until further notice from here. Again thank you so much

[SammysMom]

Are you near Raleigh, NC by chance? There is a wonderful vet there who would probably see your baby.

[SammysMom]

Is it possible that he got into a house plant or ate something that he shouldn't have? Giving extra fluids is something that will be good no matter what the issue is. Giving plain water is probably the best course of action at this time.

[dmiller]

Raleigh is 2 1/2 hours away and last night we just got hit with a winter ice storm so no traveling far at this point

[SammysMom]

Where in NC are you?

[dmiller]

No house plants for him to get into. I do know this didn't start until after feeding him the blueberries. I bought them at the local food lion. He isn't around any other animals. I am dumb founded as to how he got sick because there isn't anything for him to get into.

[dmiller]

XXXXXXXX

[SammysMom]

Is he in a cage or free-roaming? I ask about where in NC because we might have members who are int he area and could help or might be able to find vet help for you. We will NEVER do anything to jeopardize your little friend!

[dmiller]

He is in a cage. I monitor him during playtime, for the most part he stays right with me or nearby.

[SammysMom]

Can you take a picture of him as well as a picture of the poop? If you want, you can text them to me at (203) 214-7427

[dmiller]

I must admit he is just as much attached to me as I am to him. I don't want anyone to take him from us or to report us. A friend of ours had one and someone reported her which led to confiscation of her little guy 8 years and they put him to sleep. I would kill over my baby.

[Annabelle's papa]

Is it possible that he got into a house plant or ate something that he shouldn't have? Giving extra fluids is something that will be good no matter what the issue is. Giving plain water is probably the best course of action at this time.

:Love_Icon Please keep giving as much Water as possible as SammysMom asked.

[dmiller]

i am texting it to you now

[SammysMom]

Okay, you need blocks. When did you order the HHBs? Do you have a Petco or other such store there for pet supplies?

[SammysMom]

Here is Jack...One is now, one is poop and one is him 2 weeks ago when he was a happy healthy guy feeling good.

[Nancy in New York]

Did anyone reach out to sissy?

[SammysMom]

Jack is about 6 months old and weighs 234g. I am not convinced that is a correct weight from his looks, but it is what the scale says. He has been with his squammy since he was a few weeks old. I will post a pic of day 1 in a minute?

[SammysMom]

Jack one week after he was found, but Day 1 with his squammy...

[dmiller]

I was looking for something that had grams to weigh. The bag of Henrys blocks says 340 grams (i'm sure that is minus the actual bag). The weight on the scale reads 364 grams. Minus one block I gave to Jack.

[SammysMom]

Not yet Nancy. She is a bit far with the ice storm. She is next on my text list.

[SammysMom]

Hydration is the way to go for the moment. Keep offering water via syringe. He looks spiky to me and hydration is caused by diarrhea quite quickly.

[dmiller]

how often should i make him drink the water and how much? I don't want to over do it.

[SammysMom]

As much as he will take every hour or so. Don't force so much as encourage. You don't want to aspirate him after all of this.

[dmiller]

not really afraid of him aspirating at this point because he has always just licked it off the top of the syringe. He just drank 2mls of plain water.

[SammysMom]

Let him have it if he will take it for sure!

[Nancy in New York]

No that weight cannot be correct. He looks heavier.
HE is way too precious!
I just read that she weighed the bag of blocks.
WOW then this is ONE tiny little compact peanut.
Gayle, I would text if I could. Sorry. :(

[dmiller]

I will try to weigh him again. Thank you he is my heart

[SammysMom]

He looks like 450g to me, but maybe a smaller squirrel in general? Can you take a pic with a soda or soup can in the picture?

[dmiller]

ok I think I got it! You may laugh but a mommy has to do what a mommy has to do lol. I have a block of kraft extra sharp cheddar cheese (unopened) on the package it says 226g on my scale it says 223g. I weighed Jack and it reads 302g.

[CritterMom]

Yes, hydrate, hydrate. It is the most important thing with diarrhea.

We are trying to find someone near you who can help - it will NOT be anyone who will confiscate him. Until then...you are on a fairly good track with the rice cereal. Rice continues to absorb water even when in the gut, and it can help to bind loose stools. It isn't a cure but it will help. I prefer RICE CHEX. They are vitamin and mineral supplemented and their calcium to phosphorus rating is actually quite good (about 3:1). They will help a little and will not cause other problems. For now, don't give him any fruits or veggies - want to try to concentrate on dry food. And lots of water.

They are also going to be affected by the huge number of bad bacteria that often occur in produce and make HUMANS sick - this could have started with a bad blueberry.

[Nancy in New York]

ok I think I got it! You may laugh but a mommy has to do what a mommy has to do lol. I have a block of kraft extra sharp cheddar cheese (unopened) on the package it says 226g on my scale it says 223g. I weighed Jack and it reads 302g.

I think that mama is really a genius! :grin2

[dmiller]

TSB Has been very helpful. I only wish I would have found it sooner and not been so scared to join for fear of someone confiscating my baby. THAT IS A BIG FEAR!!!! I will do whatever necessary to help my baby but call it whatever you want I refuse to turn him over to anyone else. He doesn't even realize he is a squirrel.

[SammysMom]

Jbtartel is also in NC and has the antibiotic that you need. Can you text me your address so she can send it to you?

[CritterMom]

TSB Has been very helpful. I only wish I would have found it sooner and not been so scared to join for fear of someone confiscating my baby. THAT IS A BIG FEAR!!!! I will do whatever necessary to help my baby but call it whatever you want I refuse to turn him over to anyone else. He doesn't even realize he is a squirrel.

We understand - believe me. And it looks like we may have found some help for you.

[Chickenlegs]

When my babies has Coccidia I put a little rice baby cereal in their formula. They were on Albon for 10 days/2weeks. The rice cereal helped tighten them up until the Albon got the Coccidia under control.

[Chickenlegs]

TSB Has been very helpful. I only wish I would have found it sooner and not been so scared to join for fear of someone confiscating my baby. THAT IS A BIG FEAR!!!! I will do whatever necessary to help my baby but call it whatever you want I refuse to turn him over to anyone else. He doesn't even realize he is a squirrel.

You're one of US :grin3

[Annabelle's papa]

:serene

[dmiller]

Jack isn't on formula but I have been giving him the gerber baby rice cereal mixed with water. He seems to be perking up some after 3mls of water every hour since earlier. I tried rice cereal again he nixed that idea so i changed it up and gave him the yoplait vanilla yogurt, which he ate 5mls. He has only pooped 3 times since about 1:30pm and its now 7:30. No blood in poop. Could it be the hydration or the fact that I gave him the amoxicillin, who knows? I just want my baby to be happy and healthy again.

[CritterMom]

The hydration helps, the probiotics in the yogurt will help a bit too. And the rice cereal will help as well.

The big issue with diarrhea is the dehydration it causes. As long as you keep ahead of that he may even begin to feel a little better.

[dmiller]

I certainly hope so and thank you guys for all your help thus far.:Love_Icon

[SugarHill]

I've used just a small drop (approx. 0.1mL/cc) of kaopectate (purchased at drug store) for my little guys when they got diarrhea. It was an occasional problem when they were on formula, so I would add a drop to their formula so they wouldn't taste it. It would turn their poops grey but seemed to help after a couple days. I just did it once a day for a few days until I saw improvement.

[Nancy in New York]

No house plants for him to get into. I do know this didn't start until after feeding him the blueberries. I bought them at the local food lion. He isn't around any other animals. I am dumb founded as to how he got sick because there isn't anything for him to get into.

I'm sure that you always wash everything before you give it.
When was the first time you gave these blueberries?
Do NOT feed him anymore until we get this straightened out, ok? :hug

[wdlady59]

Just to add my two cents... I felt just like you did once upon a time hun... I just knew someone was going to trick me to take my Tasha girl!!! The people on this board love their babies as much as I do and WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF ANY SQUIRREL. PLEASE TRUST THEM BECAUSE JACK'S LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT....:Welcome

[SammysMom]

Jack's mama has trusted me to send supplies. :fireworks
Hopefully with a good deal of hydration and care, Jack will be feeling better very soon. How's it going with the hydrating?

[SammysMom]

Thank-you for your vote of confidence, WDLady! I assured Jack's mama that we have all been where she is and TSB has never done anything except help.:Love_Icon

[dmiller]

I'm sure that you always wash everything before you give it.
When was the first time you gave these blueberries?
Do NOT feed him anymore until we get this straightened out, ok? :hug

Omg I feel like a complete idiot right about now, no I never wash the veggies or fruits except grapes because we eat them as well.

[dmiller]

With the help of Sammy's Mama my confidence is growing with everyone on this site. She put the antibiotics in the mail for Jack. I was surprised when she said she didn't want us to pay for the medicine or the postage. I just hope I will one day be able to pay it forward.

[SammysMom]

How is Jack doing? Has his fur gotten smoother looking with the hydration? I feel very happy to be able to help.

[Chickenlegs]

With the help of Sammy's Mama my confidence is growing with everyone on this site. She put the antibiotics in the mail for Jack. I was surprised when she said she didn't want us to pay for the medicine or the postage. I just hope I will one day be able to pay it forward.

That's how it works. TSB is how folks SHOULD behave to each other! :Love_Icon Jack :Love_Icon

[czarina]

Yup, I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
There is NO WAY IN HELL that anyone would ever get my Churtle away from me!
There would be a Mexican stand-off. He has my heart. I'd sooner give up a breast, than give up my fuzzer!

There is absolutely NO way, that anyone on this board would ever put ANY squirrel in jeopardy of being seized! But, we all understand how scary it is when you first come here. We are all so used to living like "outlaws", because we have squirrels in the first place.

Thats us, a bunch of criminal housewives, that have taken in wildlife in need of help, spending huge amounts of money and time rehabbing them. Losing sleep, missing work when we are worried about them. Yup, you'll probably see my picture on a poster at the post office. But, I wouldn't change any of it. My door will always remain open to any critter in need. Period.

But, just to caution you, the less people that know about your squirrel, the better. You never know when someone down the line will mention your squirrel to the wrong person. I never talk about my squirrels at work, and only my closet friends know about them.

So sorry your little bub is feeling poorly. Hopefully, when his meds arrive, he'll be back up and about.

As for how he got sick, any of the fresh produce can be contaminated. From people not washing their hands after using the restroom, or going to the bathroom in the field itself, or animals going to the bathroom in the fields.
I was getting some lettuce for my boy, and my daughter said, "Wash that some more, who knows what those stock boys do in the back of the stores!"
Now, I look suspiciously at them, poor things.
But, she's right, who knows where their hands have been? And, as a nurse, I can tell you how fast germs spread. In reality, there is no such thing as the "3 second rule" when you drop something. You're floor could be spotless, but you could have stepped in an area where a dog has soiled, and never know it. It does not require a solid mass to have germs.

So yes, always wash all produce well, and if still doubtful, after washing it, you can dip it in a mild solution of white vinegar. It has mild antibacterial and antifungal properties, so will actually help the produce stay fresh longer.

Oh, and keep an eye on those stock boys! Ha ha I could kill my daughter for putting that image in my head! :eek:eek:nono:nono:nono:wash

[CritterMom]

Oh heavens yes - our food supply chain is so ghastly and so poorly regulated that I assume everything I buy is covered in pesticides and layered in e coli bacteria and I am probably right more often than I am wrong. This is what I do with EVERYTHING, including those bagged salads that are supposedly triple washed.

First, I put them in a huge bowl in the sink and cover them with water for a few minutes. Then I drain and rinse. Then back in the bowl with a bit of the vegetable wash stuff they sell in the produce department and swish swish. Drain and rinse well again, back in the bowl. I then cover with clear water that has a few drops of grapefruit seed extract (purchase at health food store, called "GSE") and swish some more. Then drain, rinse again, and I lay everything out on towels for a couple hours until they are dry or mostly dry (last longer in the fridge if they are dry when you put them away). THEN they are ready to eat. On grocery day I have bath towels laying all over with drying produce on them!

Things like watermelons, pomegranites - stuff you cut through the outside and eat the inside only can be a real problem - most people don't wash because they don't eat the skin, but the knife you cut them with will transfer anything on the outside to the inside when you cut. Those I scrub with an abrasive scrubber and Dawn just like I would my dishes and rinse well before slicing.

[czarina]

:goodpost:thumbsup

[island rehabber]

lurking here.....I believe we did have one other squirrel a few months ago who had a bad reaction after eating blueberries -- diarrhea, etc. There very well may be a spray they are using on berries to keep them plump and blue that is NOT good for our squirrels. (Or us, probably.)
Please keep us posted about little Jack,ok? We're all his family, now. That's how it is around here. :grin3

[dmiller]

I would like to report that Jack was a little more perky this morning. On a normal day my little lazy guy doesn't usually get up until about 10 am. Since he has been sick I have been waking him up for water and food. This morning he was up at 8 am. He ate 3 cheerios (sammy's mom said no more of those for now) and 3 mls of yougurt. He was climbing up the side of his cage (not high) but his gait was a little off. However, after eating he went back to bed. He has still had some diarrhea (not as much and no blood). His fur is smoother this morning and eyes aren't as squinty.

I always wash the fruits and veggies my family eats but just thought since technically Jack is a "wild animal" I didn't need to wash his (slaps forehead), but best believe I will now. Jack and I have come too far together for something to happen now. I just wouldn't be able to take it so soon after losing my mom. I know I just turned 37, 3 days after burying my mom but I swear I feel like a little kid at times. Jack has been a great help/distraction. Just don't want a sick baby distraction but a healthy baby playing and running around with his crazy antics. With the help of all of you I am sure we will be back on track in no time.

Please keep sending the advice and helpful hints Jack and I are taking it all in. Again, thank you all for your help!

[CritterMom]

You mentioned in the beginning of the thread that you had started boosting Jack's calcium intake. Are you still doing this? I think you should - has he got the HHBs yet? If he does and is getting (and eating) two a day, I would also be giving him about 150-200mg per day of additional calcium. I don't like your description of being wobbly in the back end - this boy may actually have MBD and I don't want to focus so much on his diarrhea and forget that.

I know - broken record, but the more hydration he gets the better he will feel. Most of his not feeling good is from diarrhea caused dehydration. You need to be giving him plenty to replace what he loses from the poop, PLUS what he would normally be drinking.

[lennysmom]

I have had a few issues with blueberries myself - twice my fuzzers have gotten loose stool after eating blueberries, even after they have been washed.

[Nancy in New York]

Not sure if anyone gave you the link to the healthy diet.
You will notice that Kale is in group 3.
You can feed everything from groups 1 and 2 freely and everything in group 3 limited. (Sure that's all the good stuff :tap:grin2)

Also what formula was he raised on, and when did he wean? Sorry if you already wrote this, just trying to think
of all possibilities.
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

[Nancy in New York]

I have had a few issues with blueberries myself - twice my fuzzers have gotten loose stool after eating blueberries, even after they have been washed.

Then I will bet you are the one we were wracking our brain trying to remember.............Thanks for posting this, now I can give my brain a rest. :)

[dmiller]

You mentioned in the beginning of the thread that you had started boosting Jack's calcium intake. Are you still doing this? I think you should - has he got the HHBs yet? If he does and is getting (and eating) two a day, I would also be giving him about 150-200mg per day of additional calcium. I don't like your description of being wobbly in the back end - this boy may actually have MBD and I don't want to focus so much on his diarrhea and forget that.

I know - broken record, but the more hydration he gets the better he will feel. Most of his not feeling good is from diarrhea caused dehydration. You need to be giving him plenty to replace what he loses from the poop, PLUS what he would normally be drinking.

Yes I am still giving him the calcium. I am following the chart I read on here for MBD. I have been doing week 1: I give him 250mg in the morning and 250mg at night each day. The chart I seen wasn't very clear as to just give him the full 500mg at once or to split it up. I decided to split it, thinking I didn't want to overload him all at once with calcium. If this isn't correct, please correct me. We just got the blocks in the mail yesterday. I gave him one and he ate about half of it. This morning I gave him 3 cheerios (well they were left over in his bowl and he ate them) and 3 mls of yougurt. Sammys mom corrected me, no more junk food lol. BLOCKS! BLOCKS! BLOCKS!

Still hydrating!

[Nancy in New York]

Yes I am still giving him the calcium. I am following the chart I read on here for MBD. I have been doing week 1: I give him 250mg in the morning and 250mg at night each day. The chart I seen wasn't very clear as to just give him the full 500mg at once or to split it up. I decided to split it, thinking I didn't want to overload him all at once with calcium. If this isn't correct, please correct me. We just got the blocks in the mail yesterday. I gave him one and he ate about half of it. This morning I gave him 3 cheerios (well they were left over in his bowl and he ate them) and 3 mls of yougurt. Sammys mom corrected me, no more junk food lol. BLOCKS! BLOCKS! BLOCKS!

Still hydrating!

:thumbsup What kind of calcium is this?
Again, sorry if this was already mentioned.

[dmiller]

Tums

[CritterMom]

Tums

OK. There is a trick to reading the Tums bottle.

Flip it over and on the back label is a window that says "Supplement Facts." For example, I have a bottle of "1000mg Tums) sitting here. If I flip it over and look in that window, I see that a "Serving Size" is TWO tablets and those two tables contain 800mg of calcium. If I just looked at the front, I would assume that each pill had 1000mg of calcium - nope, each one has only 400mg. The rest is the stuff that flavors and sticks the pill together. You need to use the window to determine how much calcium you are actually giving.

And split the dose up into as many as you can through the day. Two is okay but more is better.

[dmiller]

Ahh yes I see that now! Mine are the same as yours

[dmiller]

so now i know that i haven't been giving him the correct amount. ugh why why why can't it just be easy lol The chart i seen was this:

600-800 mg calcium a day

Week1: 500mg a day
Week2: 250mg a day
Week3: 100mg a day

Is this the correct chart? Should I continue the regimen even though I am giving him the blocks now?

[CritterMom]

The chart is okay but better is observing improvements and other signs and adjusting slowly to that. I prefer to back down by about 50mg per week.

Guesstimate about 100mg of calcium per HHB. Obviously they vary in size but that should work. If you give him two and he eats 1.5 and crumbles the other half block, he will have consumed about 150mg of calcium. You would subtract that from your total and make up the balance with the Tums.

The next time you order from Henrys, buy this: http://www.henryspets.com/calcium-carbonate-powder/ It is unflavored, and more potent since it has no binders, fillers, flavor, etc. 400mg = 1/3 teaspoon. It is easier to supplement them with the pure calcium, but calcium powder without added Vitamin D is difficult to find locally. They need Vitamin D to process it, but they need way less than human supplements are manufactured with. The HHBs have PLENTY in them.

Jack is small - I would start him at about 400mg per day total and back him off about 50mg per week from there. Observe his poops - if they appear to have a white, dusty appearance when they dry it is unused calcium being excreted by the body and a sign that you need to lower the dose, as it is not being used.

[Duckman]

The chart is okay but better is observing improvements and other signs and adjusting slowly to that. I prefer to back down by about 50mg per week.

Guesstimate about 100mg of calcium per HHB. Obviously they vary in size but that should work. If you give him two and he eats 1.5 and crumbles the other half block, he will have consumed about 150mg of calcium. You would subtract that from your total and make up the balance with the Tums.

The next time you order from Henrys, buy this: http://www.henryspets.com/calcium-carbonate-powder/ It is unflavored, and more potent since it has no binders, fillers, flavor, etc. 400mg = 1/3 teaspoon. It is easier to supplement them with the pure calcium, but calcium powder without added Vitamin D is difficult to find locally. They need Vitamin D to process it, but they need way less than human supplements are manufactured with. The HHBs have PLENTY in them.

Jack is small - I would start him at about 400mg per day total and back him off about 50mg per week from there. Observe his poops - if they appear to have a white, dusty appearance when they dry it is unused calcium being excreted by the body and a sign that you need to lower the dose, as it is not being used.

:goodpost:attention:goodpost

And when you have a squirrel, you become obsessive about :poop because it is the best indicator of a squirrels health.

[riefderrico]

Just to add my two cents... I felt just like you did once upon a time hun... I just knew someone was going to trick me to take my Tasha girl!!! The people on this board love their babies as much as I do and WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF ANY SQUIRREL. PLEASE TRUST THEM BECAUSE JACK'S LIFE MAY DEPEND ON IT....:Welcome

Totally agree :grouphug

[SammysMom]

Okay, there is a new twist to poor Jack's issues. This is a pic of his poor little bottom. The small circle is around his anus. The large circle is around an area that is swollen and feels like it has a large hard thing in it. Perhaps a back-up of poop?

[CritterMom]

Oh, that is possible. The pasty diarrhea can dry into something almost like cement. When is the last time you saw him poop? Was it still runny?

And are you continuing to give him hydration?

Will Jack let you put him in water? If you would dip him in a big bowl of warm water for a while, the water will help soften it and it also relaxes their muscles so he may go right in the water. It may take a bit. If it is nice and warm and you keep it that way, he may like it. Obviously if he goes nuts don't force the issue.

[SammysMom]

Jack actually seems to enjoy water soaks. His mom says he relaxes and almost seems like it makes him feel better. He is grunting when pooping as though it is difficult. Is it possible that he is actually blocked and the diarrhea is what is getting past the blockage? That would be mucus-like from the irritation to the colon, right? I may be totally wrong, but that hard part of his bottom really worries me that it might not be what we are thinking it is. :dono

[stepnstone]

Personal opinion, he's definitely backed up. Most likely has a "dry plug" in his intestines.
I'd start with the warm sitz baths asap with anal massage. He's got to open that muscle.

[riefderrico]

Awe poor baby. You need to be careful with that. Others will chime in shortly but I'm gonna have to go with his gut flora is prob way off with the tums and antibiotics plus whatever the original issue was. Those warm baths are a great idea if he will let you. Probiotics and proper diet lots of fluids to flush the system and balanced diet, would be my advise. Also get with the rehabber in your area to see if she recommends outdoor foods. Oak, hickory and maple trees may be budding in your area, along with pine cones and other natural foods and that may help the little fella. Just be real careful as some wild food is poisonous. I thought I read on here that there was a squirrel friendly vet in the area? It may be time if he is backed up and/or has a blockage that can turn serious quickly ...

The people on here are a wonderful collection of souls that their only interest is what is best for that baby. I do not feel anyone here would direct you somewhere not safe or to someone who would turn that baby over to DNR. The last thing anyone wants here is for a healthy baby to be put down for no reason.

Through this board I found a local vet that is wildlife knowledgeable and friendly (I also am in a not-so-squirrel-friendly state). He is about an hour away but I have no qualms calling or bringing anyone there. If your little guy is not going to be released, you will prob. need to get to know a local vet who is wildlife knowledgeable (not all are) pref. with squirrels. They have a habit of getting into things and are sensitive to things you would never think of. :eek

[CritterMom]

Yes, but so far down that it can actually be felt through the skin like that, it would still basically be poop blocking it. The other thing is those two glands that male squirrels secrete that brown goo they use to territory mark are shaped like elongated kidneys and sort of encircle the anus. I have had P get constipated when he gets all swollen in the boy area just because I believe it applies pressure to the end of the anus. I give him "poop food" when he gets like that to prevent it.

I do think she should soak him - if he likes it then it isn't going to hurt anything. If she can keep him in there for a while it may help.

[CritterMom]

Can she feel whether or not the lump is symmetrical or of it feels irregular or only on one side and not the other?

Also, stimulate his butt like you did when he was a baby to go to the bathroom - while and after you soak him.

[SammysMom]

Mom will be here in a few minutes. Daughter is using the computer. I did tell her to continue soaking and massaging. Here is a better pic. It looks like it is symetric.

[jbtartell]

Okay, there is a new twist to poor Jack's issues. This is a pic of his poor little bottom. The small circle is around his anus. The large circle is around an area that is swollen and feels like it has a large hard thing in it. Perhaps a back-up of poop?

Ok, here is my 2 suggestions.. I have read all I can, my eyes are bad.. soo bare with me.. soo either get him to a vet right away, or if that is not possible give this baby some 1/2 water 1/2 apple juice.. it will open him up.
not sure what is the cause or what the whole story is. You could also try giving whole pumpkin. u can email me at joebeert@comporium.net

I can try and help u with this.. I have 4 vet experts with squirrels if I don't know the answer..

[SammysMom]

Thank-you Jbtartel! She doesn't have apple juice, but will get some tomorrow.

[jbtartell]

time is very important... not trying to scare u but the intestines is nothing to mess with... sooo time is important
:poke

[dmiller]

i am here sorry but i put him in a bath and massaged his anal area. he is really going now

[SammysMom]

He is pooping? Is that lump going down?

[dmiller]

it seemed to be but now not so much it has gotten harder
trying to get apple juice

[jbtartell]

great that is the whole thin got to get it out of him but, not cause him too much diarrhea... I give sammys mom permission to give u my number or u can pm me and I will give it to u.. this is not anything to play with please call me if u need help.. I am probably an hour away from you.. we can figure it out.. soo call me if things get worse or if u have any questions..:grouphug

[dmiller]

no such luck getting apple juice. nobody wants to drive for fear of black ice on roads. i know this may sound strange but when my daughter was a baby and had issues with being blocked we put dark kayro syrup in her bottles to help her go. do you think i could give him a little?

[SammysMom]

Just a little bit, but yes.

[dmiller]

since he has started really going he is actually perking up

[Nancy in New York]

I believe it was shewhosweepsforest that once gave just a sliver of a suppository to a squirrel. (anally of course :))
Does anyone remember that?

[jbtartell]

Yes, that will work for now.. better yet use sugar,,, it helps tooo.. lets try 1/2 sugar and 1/2 water.. and see how that works... I am her for a while sooo ty it and see how that does..

[Nancy in New York]

since he has started really going he is actually perking up

:bliss:bliss:bliss

[jbtartell]

give it about an hour and then we can try the kayro:idea

[dmiller]

it stinks something awful. I gave him sugar water at 6pm and put him back on the heating pad in his cage. When i checked on him about 15 min before i got back on here he was sitting up in cage so i took him out and he was very lethargic. I put him in the warm bath and massaged his anal area. he has been pooping a lot but isn't acting lethargic anymore and is very actively moving around now.

[SammysMom]

It very likely was fermenting in his colon and so it will stink to high heaven. Keep up the soaks and massages. You are doing a great job!:thumbsup

[jbtartell]

he may need some abs..... I was thinking constipation.. but now I am thinking different since it is smelling bad... not sure but he needs it out but we don't need to cause tooo much diarrhea. that would be bad too.. soo we need to get him going but under control... I wish I had him closer, I would be able to monitor him and get vet care as needed.. is there any way to make this happen??:poke

[SammysMom]

Cipro and SMZ will both be there tomorrow. It is snowing and travel is difficult. Thank-you for always being there to help, Laura!

[dmiller]

what is abs

[island rehabber]

antibiotics.

[jbtartell]

anytime:grouphug

[dmiller]

I am giving him a little break from stimulation for now

[SammysMom]

Did the swelling go down? Since it is moving, I wouldn't wait too long to keep trying. Giving the Karo some time to work is fine though.

[dmiller]

It has gone down a little i figured i would wait about 30 min and put in back in the water. he seems to go move after soaking

[SammysMom]

Perfect! Nice warm water... Good thing the little devil likes WATER!:grin3

[dmiller]

i know :grin3

[jbtartell]

got to go iff you need me text or call me... ttyl..:Love_Icon:grouphug:Love_Icon

[dmiller]

Update on Jack: Thank God he is still alive!

Late last night we did another sit bath with him. As I was stimulating him I noticed he had tons of gas (yes I observed the bubbles coming out) lol but as soon as the gas was done he let out about 1/2 in stool. I could tell it was rough to get out by the way he was pushing. It came out almost as if it was in 3 sections but was attached by thin mucus. It was definitely poop though and not tissue. He had a little blood like as if it tore him some. Not anything I am really worried about. As I said in a previous post my daughter had a lot of issues with going and we used kayro with her and it wasn't unusual for her to have a little blood from a hard poop (i do know humans are a little different). Poor little guy went even more limp in my hands as if he was exhausted but after about 10 minutes was still active. He woke up this morning and had a little sweet potato, not enough to say he ate a lot. Today he has done better about hydrating but will only drink the grape pedialyt. Sammys Mom suggested diluting it gradually so I am doing that. I am praying the meds will arrive today but mail here tends to run late. Again, thank you all very much for welcoming Jack and I into your squirrel family. Any and all advice is accepted. :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Update on Jack: Thank God he is still alive!

Late last night we did another sit bath with him. As I was stimulating him I noticed he had tons of gas (yes I observed the bubbles coming out) lol but as soon as the gas was done he let out about 1/2 in stool. I could tell it was rough to get out by the way he was pushing. It came out almost as if it was in 3 sections but was attached by thin mucus. It was definitely poop though and not tissue. He had a little blood like as if it tore him some. Not anything I am really worried about. As I said in a previous post my daughter had a lot of issues with going and we used kayro with her and it wasn't unusual for her to have a little blood from a hard poop (i do know humans are a little different). Poor little guy went even more limp in my hands as if he was exhausted but after about 10 minutes was still active. He woke up this morning and had a little sweet potato, not enough to say he ate a lot. Today he has done better about hydrating but will only drink the grape pedialyt. Sammys Mom suggested diluting it gradually so I am doing that. I am praying the meds will arrive today but mail here tends to run late. Again, thank you all very much for welcoming Jack and I into your squirrel family. Any and all advice is accepted. :grouphug

The next time Jack goes, can you take photos?
I'm glad that he passed a lot of gas, and that he appeared better.
Is he still swollen in that area?

[dmiller]

The next time Jack goes, can you take photos?
I'm glad that he passed a lot of gas, and that he appeared better.
Is he still swollen in that area?

I certainly will take photos but i don't really know how to post them sammysmama has been posting them for me. He is still swollen but I do believe it has went down a little and it isn't as hard as it was. I would like some input on food. Yesterday he ate 1 1/2 HHB some yogurt and a piece of sweet potato but I had an awful time getting fluids in him. I am inclined to believe if this is an issue with constipation by giving him more food I am impacting him more. I was thinking today to just try and push more fluids. What do you think?

[Nancy in New York]

I certainly will take photos but i don't really know how to post them sammysmama has been posting them for me. He is still swollen but I do believe it has went down a little and it isn't as hard as it was. I would like some input on food. Yesterday he ate 1 1/2 HHB some yogurt and a piece of sweet potato but I had an awful time getting fluids in him. I am inclined to believe if this is an issue with constipation by giving him more food I am impacting him more. I was thinking today to just try and push more fluids. What do you think?

I do believe this is the way to go for now instead of giving him more solids.
I hope others chime in as well with their thoughts.
Is he acting hungry? Is he lethargic today?
Are you going to try more water soaks and messages?
I am so thrilled that he likes being in the water!
IF you want to email me photos please do, SM works through the day
and if you need anything posted I can do so.

[jbtartell]

Just checking in on little jack.. this is good.. I want to ask if you have a constant source of water in with him.. I would suggest u keep a water bottle and a bowl of water to his access.. soo if he does decide to take some he can.. sometimes they are funny and will only drink when you are not looking...lol I have had a few like this..I have also had soe that were too sick and when they felt better just started... soo just have it there to offer and keep an eye on it to see if it is missing any. also u could add a little apple juice to it to help loosen the stools and entice. I will be lurking...:grin3

[dmiller]

I do believe this is the way to go for now instead of giving him more solids.
I hope others chime in as well with their thoughts.
Is he acting hungry? Is he lethargic today?
Are you going to try more water soaks and messages?
I am so thrilled that he likes being in the water!
IF you want to email me photos please do, SM works through the day
and if you need anything posted I can do so.


Not so much hungry today as thirsty. He is more active today than yesterday. Yes I soaked him this morning and just got done soaking him a few minutes ago. He absolutely loves the water now whether that is because it feels good to his bottom will be determined once he gets well. I use to bathe him when he was little so I think that makes a difference.

[dmiller]

Just checking in on little jack.. this is good.. I want to ask if you have a constant source of water in with him.. I would suggest u keep a water bottle and a bowl of water to his access.. soo if he does decide to take some he can.. sometimes they are funny and will only drink when you are not looking...lol I have had a few like this..I have also had soe that were too sick and when they felt better just started... soo just have it there to offer and keep an eye on it to see if it is missing any. also u could add a little apple juice to it to help loosen the stools and entice. I will be lurking...:grin3

He has a water bottle in the cage that I change daily. I just gave him 1/2 apple juice and 1/2 water.

[SammysMom]

Here is the lump from just now. Top is yesterday...bottom is today.

[SugarHill]

I didn't know about the baths until catching up on this thread- what a great idea! Especially if he's okay with it. I'm glad the little sweetie is getting his fluids down (-:

[CritterMom]

Oh that looks much better. It will take a bit for the tissues to shrink but it looks like she got most of the old stuff out of him. Is he doing ANY poops on his own?

[dmiller]

Oh that looks much better. It will take a bit for the tissues to shrink but it looks like she got most of the old stuff out of him. Is he doing ANY poops on his own?

yes today he has mostly went on his own. i am trying to get a picture to share but he isn't going quite as much today.

[SammysMom]

I spoke to another rehabber today who saw the pics and suggested that it might be worms. The more I thought about it the more it started to make sense. Particularly with the gas. I am wondering if you might be able to get a fecal float done. Perhaps if you call a vet and ask about a fecal for your pet "rat". Do you maybe know someone who works at a vet?
Do you have any other pets?

[dmiller]

I spoke to another rehabber today who saw the pics and suggested that it might be worms. The more I thought about it the more it started to make sense. Particularly with the gas. I am wondering if you might be able to get a fecal float done. Perhaps if you call a vet and ask about a fecal for your pet "rat". Do you maybe know someone who works at a vet?
Do you have any other pets?

Hi!

I don't know a vet here that would do that. I do have 2 dogs that we have on heart worm preventive. They have never tested positive for heart worms. They aren't allowed in my room where Jack is kept all the time. All the vets here want to see the pet before giving anything so I don't think getting a fecal done would be an option.

[CritterMom]

You said she was pooping on her own now. Is it formed? Diarrhea?

[jbtartell]

I pmed you and texted gayle...

[SammysMom]

Sitting at the vet with boo kitty, but I did email the pics to nancy. I can't post them from my phone. If you're on nancy, could you post them?

[Nancy in New York]

Sitting at the vet with boo kitty, but I did email the pics to nancy. I can't post them from my phone. If you're on nancy, could you post them?

Will do Gayle. Just give me a minute.:)

http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-NDRgWbX/0/M/i-NDRgWbX-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing-2/n-GmzqZ/i-NDRgWbX/A)
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/photos/i-VDRkhMS/0/M/i-VDRkhMS-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/TSB-resizing-2/n-GmzqZ/i-VDRkhMS/A)

[Nancy in New York]

Does anyone else think this looks bloody, or is it just the picture?
This doesn't look good to me. :shakehead
I really wished that you would call Dr. Dan and get your little one in to see him.
We can only do so much on the board, but without expert eyes on him, all we
are doing is guess work. :shakehead

[SammysMom]

It is the pic. Mom told me it looks a different color in the pic. Also, the lump is no longer hard.

[Nancy in New York]

It is the pic. Mom told me it looks a different color in the pic. Also, the lump is no longer hard.
OK, so where do we go from here? Has this little one pooped anything hard/solid?
Is this typically how much he goes everytime he is out?

[jbtartell]

I can call or text dr dan for you if you need me to. I know him. he was a heaven sent for my Sam and me when she had her surgery as most of u know, If I am not needed here and you all have this handled let me know.I just don't want to overstep here. I wont be offended, just let me know please so I wont keep posting.. I am just trying to offer help.

[Nancy in New York]

I can call or text dr dan for you if you need me to. I know him. he was a heaven sent for my Sam and me when she had her surgery as most of u know, If I am not needed here and you all have this handled let me know.I just don't want to overstep here. I wont be offended, just let me know please so I wont keep posting.. I am just trying to offer help.
Thank you for your offer Laura. I'm in the dark just like you. :dono
I think it would be very helpful for Dr. Dan to get involved as this just does not
seem right.