Harriet has diarrhea (pox baby)

[Meirby]

She has had loose stools off an on, I've been careful about the amount of formula she gets, today she went from loose to needing to be rinsed off in the sink because her tail was matted from it. She is 220g. Her diet includes 15cc (or less--depending on her) 2x/day. The other two won't even take that much anymore, but she still wants it. She takes acyclovir .5cc 2x/day and COAH immune booster .3 cc 1x/day. She has rodent block (always), kale, broccoli available most of the time. And after they eat in the morning I usually put a few red grapes in their cage. They may get a pecan half while they are out for play or following taking formula, but that's not every day. Harriet worries me a lot. She does not act very squirrelly. She's always been super laid back, she doesn't typically run circles when she's out for play. She also had a hurt foot last week but seems to be over it. If there is anything I can try or any suggestions I would appreciate it. I'm just scared she's a lot sicker than the other 2.

[Mel1959]

First, eliminate the grapes. Any fruit can cause loose stools. Try offering either some pumpkin from a whole uncooked pumpkin, or buy some baby food pumpkin and try offering that via a syringe mixed with the formula. Have you tried Pepto-Bismal? I believe someone suggested that and that it would turn the stool black, so don't be alarmed. That also lets you know that it has passed through their intestines.

[CritterMom]

If she still has diarrhea now, give her .2cc pepto bismol liquid. As mentioned above, the bismuth in the pepto will turn their poop black - like totally freak you out if you aren't expecting it black. While startling, it is also kind of nice because at that point you know it has gone from one end to the other. If after THAT point she still has problems, give another dose. I like to be very sparing because nobody wants to then have to deal with a blocked up baby... The most doses I have ever had to give was 2. Also, very important, you need to give her supplemental fluids for hydration the entire time she has diarrhea. If it is coming out that end you need to make sure you are replacing it constantly.

If this baby has some actual illness causing the diarrhea, the pepto either won't work or it will harden things up but then it will go back when you stop. If that is the case, obviously another tactic will have to be taken. Often, something just disagrees with them, causing the runs, and the diarrhea inflames their bowels causing more diarrhea and they get on this very bad diarrhea/inflammation spiral, and if you can just STOP it for a day it gives everything a chance to heal and everyone is happy again.

Like with humans, rice will help, too. The very best bet is to get a box of Rice Chex. Most squirrels LOVE them and will consider them a treat. Rice is very high in phosphorus, which isn't good, but rice chex are suplemented to the point where they actually have a 3 : 1 ca : ph ratio, which IS good. Rice absorbs water as it passes through the gut, which allows things to dry up and solidify and slow down enough to turn back into normal poops.

[Meirby]

I did the two doses of pepto yesterday and offered the Chex. She was uninterested in the Chex. And the pepto did not stop the diarrhea. She somewhat firmed up I guess but I just checked on her and her underside was wet from it and her tail was matted again. What should my next step be? I did pull all fruit from the cage. Only rodent block, kale and broccoli available. And Chex

[stepnstone]

I did the two doses of pepto yesterday and offered the Chex. She was uninterested in the Chex. And the pepto did not stop the diarrhea. She somewhat firmed up I guess but I just checked on her and her underside was wet from it and her tail was matted again. What should my next step be? I did pull all fruit from the cage. Only rodent block, kale and broccoli available. And Chex

You started with the process of elimination with fruit without seeing a significant change, that may not be your/her culprit.
I suspect it is something she's eating on a regular basics so for starters lets look at kale....

Kale, the Ultimate Health Food. It’s rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium, iron, and folate, as well as the eye-healthy carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. It contains the flavonol kaempferol, which a study by Baylor College of Medicine researchers found helps stop pancreatic cancer cells from growing. It’s one of the best things you can put in your body. But it can exit the body in a less-than-pleasing way.
There’s a simple reason for this superfood’s supergross side effect: carbohydrates.
Kale is loaded with insoluble fiber and a carb called raffinose, neither of which can be broken down during digestion, explains Linda Ann Lee, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center.
Instead, they both pass straight through your GI tract to your colon, where bacteria begin converting them to acids, gases, and alcohols.
The end result of this fermentation process could very likely be what you are experiencing with your little.

Broccoli is also a high fiber food that can increase the amount of gas in the intestines. Maybe it's feeding both at the same time that is causing a double whammy to her digestive system.

[Mel1959]

Try eliminating the kale and adding pumpkin. Pumpkin is known for its stool firming properties....and is on the squirrel "eat" list.