Soft Stool? Please help!

[Kaeli]

Hello, squirrel-loving friends! I'm new to the forum, so I'm eager to engage with all of you here. Right now, however, I have a concern that I will detail:

My father became caregiver for a squirrel (Simon) a few years ago that cannot be released, and we haven't encountered any health problems until now.

The squirrel is a grey squirrel, male, and three-and-a-half years old. For the past five days, he's had soft... poos? Usually they are dark brown and solid, but lately they've been light/medium brown, falling between the consistency of clay and pudding. From what I've observed, I've seen him have at least two normal stools interspersed between the soft stools. Aside from the change in texture (there is no scent either), he's happy/playful/affectionate, and eating/drinking the same amount.

We've tried, through the process of eliminating outdoor food sources, to see if certain foods have been upsetting his digestion, but it's been unavailing. I have a hypothesis, however: I've noticed that when autumn is coming, Simon becomes more inclined to stash treats and other foods, so maybe he has stashed a spoiled hickory nut or something, and has been consuming it. My dad is somewhat more complacent with things, so now we are finally making our first strides to eliminate the hickory nuts and other variants prone to spoiling, and see if that is the source.

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for how to care for the little bugger, or ideas about what may be the root cause of his soft stools?

Thank you very much!


Kaeli

[Milo's Mom]

Is sounds like you've got the right idea. As I was reading my first thought was about his stashes. Make sure you get them all cleaned out and wash all his bedding too. He may get mad at you....he'll get over it. Don't miss a crumb!
With soft poop there is a greater chance for dehydration so please make sure he's drinking water.

Question: What does his daily diet consist of? Please list everything he gets. Being a captive squirrel his diet is critically important.

[ReRe]

Miss Odus is somewhat having the same issue. She is 7 months, never a issue with poop until last night. It was watery. I honestly thought she may be coming in 'heat', but after reading about it and discussing with my TSB friend, I have ruled it out. This morning her poop is soft and gold in color, but not watery...it is a firm soft. Normally her poop is dark and a little hard.

Thought of everything I have done different and the only thing was to change from 'city' water to 'well' water. My thoughts were well water would be better. Noticed the poop change within 24 hrs of the water change. DID YOU Change water sources by any chance?

I have changed her back to 'city' water, and giving her pedialyte. She is/was acting normal so if I hadn't seen her poop I never would've known she was/is having an issue.

Does TSB members think a change of water could've caused this issue? About how long should she be on the pedialyte before slowly giving her normal foods back?

Sure hope your baby improves. I know TSB will be there for any questions. As you I am very concerned as to what could be causing it.

[stepnstone]

Question: What does his daily diet consist of? Please list everything he gets.
Being a captive squirrel his diet is critically important.

:yeahthat

[Kaeli]

Hello again, everyone! Thank you so much for responding promptly. It appears I'm the one who is somewhat late to respond, but that is because I had not been expecting such a devout number of squirrel lovers (what else should I have expected ahah?)

@Milo's Mom: I will address his diet in this post, and I'll tell you that we have cleaned out his bedding last night. I did find a spoiled corn (who knows how long he's had it) in one of his stashes, and some old hickory nuts, so perhaps that was the cause. Also, it's really cute that you're a mom!

@ReRe: I'm really sorry to hear what happened to the noble Miss Odus and I really hope she's doing better. Simon hasn't had a change in water source, but I'm curious if you've found out if there's a correlation between consuming city water and squirrels having irregular bowel movements.

Before I have to deal with the ire I will provoke, let me preface my response with this: I am twenty years-old, and my father has had the squirrel since I was about 17 or 18. I have always told him to feed Simon differently, and I will admit that Simon does not receive adequate nutrition. My father is not a bad man, nor is he a careless man, but he is dissonant. My father leads a very stressful life, and Simon is more precious to him than anything, but the thought of Simon not being handled properly is too much for him to process emotionally, and bad feeding habits repeat themselves. I know that this is not an excuse, but I wanted to explain in case anyone thinks he is a brute. My dad is willing to change now, as the health issue is opening his eyes. I am not looking for scrutiny, but constructive advice and information, as I am well aware that immediate change is needed, and have maintained for a very long period of time that this should be the case.

As far as diet goes I will do my best to list everything that I see him consume on a regular basis: peanuts (which are horrible for squirrels, I know), filberts, walnuts, maple keys, hickory nuts, sweet potatoes, corn (which is also bad), occasionally types of lettuce/carrots/blueberries/other vegetables, rye bread, peanut butter, odd things he shows interest in (like junk food, which is a huge no-no). I try to introduce him to vegetables, but his tastes are so spoiled by the junk he picks up, that he doesn't consistently eat them.

We're looking to change now and do whatever is necessary. I worry that Simon does not get enough Vitamin D, as I believe squirrels need it to synthesize calcium. I also worry about Simon's calcium needs as well, as squirrels are prone to MBD, and I know that blackberries/blueberries/beets/varieties containing oxalic acid are to be fed in moderation, since it prevents calcium absorption. I know rodent blocks are suggested for captive squirrels, but when he was younger, he would never touch a rodent block despite them being available (which can be attributed to a multitude of factors). To fulfill calcium needs, there is a recipe that I am interested in making:

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Is this recipe adequate for grey squirrels, and how else can I improve the health of little Simon? If dietary needs can be addressed within the same thread, I would be very happy for that. I would also like to point out that Simon's diet, despite how insufficient it is, hasn't changed, and I don't think it would be the cause of his suddenly soft-ish poo. :c

EDIT: Also, as an update, Simon still has somewhat soft stools. He's still very playful, affectionate, and very much like his normal self.

[Spanky]

Be careful about the Vitamin D, as too much vitamin D is dangerous (Vitamin D is actually used as a rodenticide).

If you provide the blocks, and nothing else he will eat the blocks eventually. He will not simply allow himself to starve. But if he knows you will give in, he'll try to wait you out. It only requires your will be greater then the squirrels (no easy task!). :thumbsup

We all love Henry's Healthy Blocks (HHB), which are specifically made squirrel food. The picky blocks may be the ones you need for Simon, here is a link:

http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

If you are willing to make your own blocks, here is a link to the recipe (which mimics Henry's) I would recommend:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?48634-adult-squirrel-recipe&p=1061499#post1061499

You can buy the Vita-Mins that are used in the recipe from Henry's as well. Making them yourself is a less expensive alternative while buying them pre-made is more practical (but more costly). A couple HHB's a day (and the first thing each day; Simon should get nothing else until he eats his block) and Simon will be a much healthier, happier and energetic squirrel in a few short weeks. You may get lucky and he'll love the picky block!

I'd encourage you to not dismiss completely the possibility that it is his diet causing these recent issues. Depending on the diet it can indeed take a very long time to impact the squirrel (yes, sometimes years). They are also very good at disguising weakness (a natural instinct to not appear weak and easy prey) and once they get too weak to keep up the masquerade they can crash very quickly. We see that all too often here. Captive squirrels are very susceptible to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), which occurs over a long period during which calcium is slowly leached from their bones. MBD is very painful and deadly. It also takes a long time too to completely reverse, as you can imagine, since it involves the very make up of bones.

I hope this helps! Say hello to Simon for me! :wave123

[Kaeli]

@Spanky: Thank you so, so much for giving me the recipe to make at home. I DID order the Picky Blocks from Henry's, but they came to almost $50.00 for a single package due to shipping. Sigh. I was a bit dubious of the recipe that I posted because the vitamin ratio seemed a bit excessive for a small critter, so I appreciate you confirming it wasn't safe as I probably would've doubted my suspicion. It was e-mailed to me from an apparent "squirrel rehabber". Why are people allowed to advertise that sort of pseudo-nutrition when it can probably kill an animal?

UPDATE: Simon's stool has been hardening up, and it's almost back to normal. The scare, however, will be the impetus for us to care for him better. In celebration, here are some photos of Simon that I've taken over the years:

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