About to acquire 7-week old fox w/diarrhea

[Randy14]

Hi, I'm trying to help someone who's raised a fox squirrel since she was several days old. Now she's about 7 1/2 weeks, and reported to have diarrhea. When I get her for my care I will immediately check if she's dehydrated and feed her pedialyte. I also have Fox Valley 20/50 which I intend to give her. Since she's started to eat solid food any tips ? applesauce ? grapes (I always peel the skin) ?

Many thanks,
Randy14

[cava]

Hello! I'll bet she's a cutie!

Here's a helpful link regarding solid foods and the order in which to introduce them.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

As for the diarrhea, rehydration, formula...I would like a senior member to give advice.

Good luck with your little one!:Love_Icon

[RiverSong]

Not a senior member here but I do Fox rehab... a little bit of vanilla yogurt (not the 'light' version) or pumpkin baby food. I use the Gerber Organic because it has a lot of nice varieties for squirrels (& my older ones get this one as a 'treat' occasionally - https://www.gerber.com/products/organic-products/product/gerber-organic-2nd-foods-pouches-sweet-potato-squash-pumpkin/44).

There are also medications, if it can't be corrected with diet, but that's where I'll also let senior members respond.

[DaSquirrelMom]

After you correct the cause of the diarrhea (fed too concentrated formula/lovingly overfed or fed too frequently/post antibiotic administration/fed too many vegetables/intestinal infection) and get him hydrated, Cheerios and rice Chex squares can help quickly firm stools. Leave them in his cage 24/7 with his rodent block. At this age, he only needs a tiny amount of veggies/day. Tiny =one quarter-sized piece of fruit/veggie each day. Sweet potatoes and apples don't cause juvenile squirrels to have diarrhea, but will if fed in large amounts.

[Randy14]

I finally just picked up this female squirrel named Charlie who is nine weeks old now. The person I got her from is an RVT. Charlie had first signs of diarrhea about 10 - 11 days ago. She said she treated her with a round of panacur and metronidazole (for possible coccidia). She said Charlie responded well and all signs back to normal as of Sept 12th. However I just noticed signs of diarrhea again. I will give her pedialyte tomorrow morning. Should I hold off on the Fox Valley 20/50 formulae ? Can I still feed her nuts ? Don't know if I can get panacur or metronidazole. If the diarrhea persists I know a local vet to take her. But if you have any suggestions in the meantime, please advise.........Many Thanks - Randy14

[Rhapsody]

Do you happen to know what the other people were feeding the squirrel and if they were following the 5-7% feeding rule, therefore, not over feeding...... which can cause diarrhea.

Please hold off on feeding nuts. We want the squirrel to drink it's formula for as long as it will and to eat fresh vegetables from the diet list with limited fruit, and nuts only as a treat at night once the other has been eaten.

P.S. ..... dont forget the HHB

[Randy14]

What is HHB ? I found a vet assistant who can get me panacur and metronidazole. Since the person who I just got Charlie from was an RVT, she gave her (Charlie) these drugs and it worked and was fine for about six days. But now her diarrhea is back again. It seems logical to me that these drugs may have to be administered again.
Thanks - Randy14

[DarkLies212]

What is HHB ? I found a vet assistant who can get me panacur and metronidazole. Since the person who I just got Charlie from was an RVT, she gave her (Charlie) these drugs and it worked and was fine for about six days. But now her diarrhea is back again. It seems logical to me that these drugs may have to be administered again.
Thanks - Randy14

HHB is Henry's Healthy Blocks sold by henryspets.com made specifically for squirrels.

Did she have worms? :thinking And was she given probiotics?

Or did the diarrhea just come up again? What's her current diet?

[Randy14]

Charlie is a 9 1/2 weeks old now, fox female. I got this drug similar to Metronidazole from someone I know at a local pet clinic. I grounded it up better and mixed it with pedialyte. Results were a vast improvement. But her poop is still a lighter shade of brown than it should be, and a little on the soft side compared with other squirrel's poop. I've been feeding her that 20/50 Fox Valley formulae, SF seeds, skin-peeled grapes, applesauce, corn. I give her a small bit of walnut as a treat before bedtime. Any care/diet suggestions are appreciated.

After having her four days, I received another fox squirrel, male, same age as Charlie just yesterday. They're in same cage. I'm hoping they will get along, but a bit timid towards each other at the moment. It might take a few days before they warm up to each other. I don't think Charlie is stressed, but the newcomer (Rocky) is, who is in perfect health Many thanks, Randy14

[DarkLies212]

Keep feeding formula, but stop that solid food diet. No SF seeds, no corn, and no nuts (yet). Good job for peeling the grapes though!! :thumbsup

Get some block from here http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-diet/

Feed them that until they're eating it ALL.

Then and only then can you start on veggies starting with the good group here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels


Please please please don't just crush up the medication and give it to her without it being dosed. Too much can and often is way too much and can cause more problems :(

Also, don't do pedialyte for more than 24 hours and it can have the reverse effect and make them sick and dehydrate them.

Can't wait to see pictures of Charlie and Rocky!!

[Randy14]

Many Thanks, I'll do those suggestions. If her poop doesn't look normal over next few days, I know a local vet that will treat squirrels. I was very fortunate to find one. Here's a photo of Charlie & Rocky (hope I uploaded it ok).278579

[Randy14]

I just got back from the vet where Charlie was diagnosed and given a prescription of Albon 5%. She weighed in at 9.8 oz and I'm to give her 0.3ml of Albon once a day. I gave the clinic a fecal sample where the lab will check it out. I'm still giving her the FV 20/50 and pedialyte which the doctor said is ok. I'm fortunate to have found a vet within 10 miles where I live in SoCal.

[Randy14]

I just got back from vet for Charlie's follow-up. The Albon seemed to have worked for about two days, though solid droppings were still that light brown/greenish appearance. However the diarrhea came back again, greenish yellow this time. Vet suggested to feed her less formulae and more solid food like seeds and nuts over next several days. Depending on how Charlie does, they might inject her with some antibiotic.