HELP NEEDED IMMEDIATELY

[sqrl luv]

I have a 90 gram black squirrel in rehab. He's not gaining weight, but eats like a pig, no diarrhea, but is very lethargic. I'm thinking parasite, but albon isn't working. He's dying before my eyes!!! Suggestions?????
Thank you

[pappy1264]

What are you feeding and how often? Is it warm and is he (has he been on heat)?How long have you had him? Is he pottying ok? Also, do you hear any clicking when he breathes?

[sqrl luv]

Fox Valley, yes it's warm, yes peeing and pooping fine! No diarrhea. I've had him since July 31st. Seemed fine at first. I have him in my incubator

[Squirreleesi]

Fox Valley, yes it's warm, yes peeing and pooping fine! No diarrhea. I've had him since July 31st. Seemed fine at first. I have him in my incubator

Which Fox Valley? 32/40 or 20/50?

[Rocky1]

Diabetes? Any other symptoms?

[sqrl luv]

32/40

[sqrl luv]

How do I know if it's diabetes?

[Rocky1]

How do I know if it's diabetes?

Urine test for glucose is the best indication. A good vet could do that. It's also possible that you could buy test strips to figure that out at home, but I wouldn't try that unless someone on here can confirm that they work for squirrel urine and point you to a reliable brand.

A google search for "test strips urine glucose" will reveal many brands of test strips. I would prefer for someone to recommend a good brand or for a vet to do this if time permits and if possible to find a squirrel friendly vet, as some vets are horrible to squirrels. A recommendation may be needed for the vet part.

[sqrl luv]

Ok

[Rocky1]

Do you have a vet?

[island rehabber]

I see no reason to suspect diabetes in such a young squirrel. Highly unlikely as he is not old enough to have been fed a poor diet which results in diabetes.

FV 32/40 has proven to be problematic with young squirrels (three weeks old or less). Siometimes they bloat, cannot digest the formula which turns to cement in their intestines. Other times they get no nourishment from the formula and waste away. Some say that making the formula in advance and letting it sit at least 12 hrs is the way around this one. You could certainly try that, or switch him to Esbilac with probiotics and see if that helps. A fecal smear should be able to determine if parasites are present.

[Nancy in New York]

Switch to Powdered Puppy Esbilac with probiotics OR Fox Valley 20/50.
There were MANY problems last year with the 32/40.

You said he is 90 grams, are his eyes open, do you have a guesstimate on the age?

[stepnstone]

Switch to Powdered Puppy Esbilac with probiotics OR Fox Valley 20/50.
There were MANY problems last year with the 32/40.

You said he is 90 grams, are his eyes open, do you have a guesstimate on the age?


Also, do you hear any clicking when he breathes?

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/question-mark-smiley-emoticon.gif

[pappy1264]

I was asking about the breathing because of him being lethargic.

[stepnstone]

I was asking about the breathing because of him being lethargic.
Absolutely and I got that! :thumbsup

[sqrl luv]

Breathing is fine! I have esbilac so will switch

[Nancy in New York]

Breathing is fine! I have esbilac so will switch

As much as I hate to say this, you have to do a gradual switch. I will suggest
you do this quicker than I would typically but we will go with this, we just don't want him to get diarrhea,
which will happen unless you transition.
Do you have the powdered Esbilac and does the third ingredient say dried whey protein?
If so, then start with 1/4 Esbilac to 3/4 FV. Do this for 2-3 feedings, then go to 50/50 for ~3 feedings,
then go to 1/4 FV to 3/4 Esbilac, for 2-3 feedings, then go to straight Esbilac.
Are the eyes opened on this little one?

[Mommaluvy]

If you don't have access to a vet.. you can get fecals done online with a bearded dragon site.

But .. You can also DIY.

2 ways.. Fecal Smear or a fecal float. I can send you directions ifyou have a microscope

But better to get a vet to do it as your in a hurry.

[sqrl luv]

Yes I have that esbilac and will do the switch. Our vet won't see wildlife!

[Nancy in New York]

Yes I have that esbilac and will do the switch. Our vet won't see wildlife!

Can you post a picture of this little one?
Are the eyes opened?
I'm just trying to determine the age.
Is this a grey or foxer?

[sqrl luv]

261785
261784

Fox and 4 weeks old

[sqrl luv]

I posted 2 pictures! I have 10 other babies and they are all fine.

[stepnstone]

I have a 90 gram black squirrel in rehab. He's not gaining weight, but eats like a pig, no diarrhea, but is very lethargic. I'm thinking parasite, but albon isn't working. He's dying before my eyes!!! Suggestions?????
Thank you

These two comments are very conflicting to me. :dono
This baby looks extremely dehydrated and bloated.
The 32/40 has been the culprit of many failure to thrive babies.
I can't say that the formula did or didn't create this problem,
I do know with dehydration they can not properly digest or process
their intake. And you say he is "peeing and pooping fine" ??

[Nancy in New York]

These two comments are very conflicting to me. :dono
This baby looks extremely dehydrated and bloated.
The 32/40 has been the culprit of many failure to thrive babies.
I can't say that the formula did or didn't create this problem,
I do know with dehydration they can not properly digest or process
their intake. And you say he is "peeing and pooping fine" ??

I totally agree, he is definitely bloated.
Switch to the esbilac as I described on the other page.
And hydrate, hydrate, hydrate with plain water, or sugar water.
Go slow with him, he looks fragile.
This is a little grey squirrel, (who happens to be black), not a fox squirrel. :)

[Mommaluvy]

One of my coccidia babies bloated and yet peed and pooped

And then a few days later massive bloat with diarrhea.

She lived to be released... But needed meds.

I would follow NINy etc advice...

Try the fecal test if you can get it.

[Mommaluvy]

Yah know what....


He is awful thin. Was he like that when you got him in?

[sqrl luv]

I will hydrate him! And he's a fox squirrel that happens to be black! I live in Nebraska and we have fox squirrels, not gray squirrels! I have been doing this for a while so I'm not a beginner! Not trying to be mean but I do know what kind of squirrels I care for. We have gray squirrels in the lower southeastern part of our state. Thank you for your help and advice!

[sqrl luv]

I will hydrate him! And he's a fox squirrel that happens to be black! I live in Nebraska and we have fox squirrels, not gray squirrels! I have been doing this for a while so I'm not a beginner! Not trying to be mean but I do know what kind of squirrels I care for! There are eastern grey squirrels in MN that happen to be black but our black squirrels are fox squirrels that have a melanistic trait that makes them black. We have gray squirrels in the lower southeastern part of our state. He may look bloated, but these pics were taken immediately after he had been fed. Thank you for your help and advice!

[Nancy in New York]

I will hydrate him! And he's a fox squirrel that happens to be black! I live in Nebraska and we have fox squirrels, not gray squirrels! I have been doing this for a while so I'm not a beginner! Not trying to be mean but I do know what kind of squirrels I care for. We have gray squirrels in the lower southeastern part of our state. Thank you for your help and advice!

WOW, I never knew there were BLACK fox squirrels, but then again, why wouldn't there be? :thumbsup
I only ask because typically foxers are larger than greys and I wanted to determine if 90 grams was average for the type squirrel.

[sqrl luv]

Our red fox squirrels are much larger than the black ones. Why? I'm not sure. The black ones are much more aggressive though. I hydrated this guy and am hoping for the best. I have 11 babies and 1 injured adult who had babies while in my care so I'm a bit tired and my nerves are shot so I'm a little grouchy. I'm worried about this guy. Didn't mean to take it out on anyone.

[Nancy in New York]

Our red fox squirrels are much larger than the black ones. Why? I'm not sure. The black ones are much more aggressive though. I hydrated this guy and am hoping for the best. I have 11 babies and 1 injured adult who had babies while in my care so I'm a bit tired and my nerves are shot so I'm a little grouchy. I'm worried about this guy. Didn't mean to take it out on anyone.

I would be grouchy too.........not to worry, you were fine. :hug
Sounds like you are doing all you can for this little one.
I do wonder if there is a problem with him digesting the formula?
I so hope that him switching to Esbilac will solve the problems.

[pappy1264]

How about using panacur to treat for parasites?

[pixiepoo]

This is probably a stupid question but how much is he eating and how often? If it were me, I would stop the Albon and use SMZ. My experience with Albon has been very negative and I've had kittens full of Coccidia after being on Albon for 2+ weeks. It does smell nice though (butterscotch lol). I so hope he improves. Can you give subQ fluids? I aplogize if you have already answered some of these questions in a prior post and I missed it.