Diarrhea and squirrel not taking pedialyte

[LARoxie]

My neuro squirrel, Roxie, developed diarrhea yesterday (I noticed when I got home from work). The only thing I've done different is, besides the formula and rodent blocks, I introduced broccoli (which she liked). Could this cause her diarrhea? She seemed playful and alert this morning but when I tried to feed her some pedialyte (or even watered down formula after she wouldn't take the ped.) she was having none of it. I'm wondering if it's because she's on medication that she HATES and is associating the pedialyte taste with the medicine. I've removed any food from her box but am going to try to feed her some watered formula on my lunch hour (it's been since 10:00pm last night that she ate) and hope this is the right thing to do and it helps. Since she's so unstable, she doesn't have any water in her box so dehydration is a big fear. I should be getting in a water bottle today with a base on it (shes in a box not a cage so no place to attach a bottle) so I'll try to see I she'll understand what to do.

Any suggestions on what I should be doing right now? Diarrhea always frightens me because I've seen several animals die from it before I can get any help for them. Any suggestions are most appreciated!

Thanks!

[CritterMom]

Sorry your question got missed.

If he has had diarrhea just a few times this isn't desperate yet. Plain water is fine. Water with just a tiny bit of sugar or honey for flavor is too. You can make a homemade rehydration fluid from 1 quart of water, 3 TABLESPOONS of sugar and 1 TEASPOON of salt.

If the nasty poops are continuing, give her a bit of Pepto Bismol. You don't mention a weight or age, but 4 or 5 drops won't hurt. She likely isn't going to like it much. Pepto will make her poops turn BLACK so don't freak out - in fact it can be helpful. Give her a dose and then when the color changes you will know that it has gone through her system. If at that time the diarrhea continues, give another dose. You don't want to give too much and block her up, so going slow this way is best.

You can try this for a water dish - get a low, heavy ceramic dish and fill it with either marbles or clean, smooth pebbles. Pour the water over the top of the marbles until it is no more than 1/4" above most of them. They will weight the dish down and will also prevent her from sticking her nose underwater and aspirating herself. She may steal a few, too - I use this method for my little flying squirrel and he seems to think his marbles are precious gems!