View Full Version : Diarrhea help needed!
Crazyfefe1987
09-02-2017, 04:20 PM
Default Need help!
I've had a baby squirrel for almost a week and he seems to be growing and doing good but I can't get rid of his diarrhea. From what I can tell he seems to be between 5-7 weeks old. I've been feeding him PetAg milk replacer plus for puppies which claims to have probiotics and probiotics. There are times when his stool seems like water and other times when it seems a bit thicker, it's always been a brownish yellow color. When I took him in he was being feed cow milk only twice a day, I read online what he needed and now he has been eating the puppy formula around every five hours. I've tried giving him pedyalite but he won't drink anything but the formula. I read that he should be starting to wean around this age but I'm not sure if I should start foods while he still has diarrhea.
Mel1959
09-02-2017, 05:03 PM
First, if the formula pictured is what you are feeding him, it's not the correct formula. The correct formula is Esbilac POWDERED puppy milk replacer. It has a white puppy on the front of the can and a blue banner across the top that says "with pre and probiotics" It is made by PetAg, but completely different formula. Your baby probably has diarrhea because of this. Get the correct formula. You can also add a small amount of infant rice cereal to the correct formula and see if it will firm up his stools. One drop of pepto bismol or kaopectate may help, too. They will turn the stool black as it passes through, so font be alarmed. Try one thing and give it a day to see if it has made a difference in his stool.
While he has diarrhea he needs pedialyte. Is your pedialyte flavored? Sometimes they take it a little better when it has some flavoring. Or you can try homemade pedialyte.....2 cups of warm water, 1.5 Tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. He may be willing to take that. Offer it warmed like you do the formula.
We don't recommend weaning them at all. It's best to let them wean themselves when they're ready. Some will take formula from a bowl when they're in the release cage at 16+ weeks old! You can introduce a good quality rodent block once his eyes are open. Some brands are Harlan Teklad 2018 (must purchase it online), Mazuri, Zupreem and Oxbow. Many also feed Henrys Healthy Blocks which are formulated for squirrels, but must also be purchased online at Henrys Pets. You want him to be eating the block REALLY WELL before you introduce any veggies from the squirrel healthy diet list.
stepnstone
09-02-2017, 05:03 PM
Default Need help!
I've had a baby squirrel for almost a week and he seems to be growing and doing good but I can't get rid of his diarrhea. From what I can tell he seems to be between 5-7 weeks old. I've been feeding him PetAg milk replacer plus for puppies which claims to have probiotics and probiotics. There are times when his stool seems like water and other times when it seems a bit thicker, it's always been a brownish yellow color. When I took him in he was being feed cow milk only twice a day, I read online what he needed and now he has been eating the puppy formula around every five hours. I've tried giving him pedyalite but he won't drink anything but the formula. I read that he should be starting to wean around this age but I'm not sure if I should start foods while he still has diarrhea.
First it was the cow's milk, now it's the formula you are feeding, both have been responsible for the diarrhea.
I'm posting a picture of the correct formula as well as a link to baby squirrel care.
These babies need to be fed between 5-7% of their body weight, having a scale that weighs in grams is essential,
over feeding also contributes to diarrhea. We do not recommend weaning, besides these babies being far too young
to wean we recommend them taking formula as long as they want, it is their best assurance against mbd and they
will wean themselves when they are ready.
Correct formula:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=292357&stc=1
Baby squirrel care:
Go to this link this is a HUGE help.
It's 6 pages long with the next button on the top right corner.
http://www.henryspets.com/baby-squirrel-care/
UDoWhat
09-02-2017, 05:11 PM
The reason is has diarrhea is because the formula you are feeding him is not the kind that can be feed to baby squirrels. It doesn't have the nutrition that baby squirrels need and causes many problems one being uncontrollable diarrhea and eventually death.
We have had at least 2 babies die last week on this board because the finders waited too long to seek help. They were fed the same puppy replacer. You need to transition to Esbilac puppy replacement formula. Please get him off of that formula today. You must get the powder kind not the liquid one. The liquid is not the same as the Esbilac powder. It is the can that has a white puppy pictured on front and a banner that says now with probiotics and prebiotics.
How much does your little one weigh? He looks a little small for his age.
Thanks for posting. Your little one needs some help. There are many here that will help you to get on the right tract. Ask any questions you to ask. Thanks for rescuing this baby. :Love_Icon
You beat me to the post Step !! Thanks.
Crazyfefe1987
09-02-2017, 06:01 PM
I am headed out the door now to get the right formula, thank you so much for the help I really want this little guy to make it. I will keep y'all posted with updates and future question!
Also, I'm not sure if exact age but his eyes are open and his top teeth are starting to come thru.
Crazyfefe1987
09-02-2017, 06:15 PM
Do y'all have any suggestion on where to find the proper formula? All I can find is the kind that doesn't say pro and prebiotics, or the esibilac goats milk kind. Really want to get the right formula before the next feeding .
Nancy in New York
09-02-2017, 07:11 PM
Do y'all have any suggestion on where to find the proper formula? All I can find is the kind that doesn't say pro and prebiotics, or the esibilac goats milk kind. Really want to get the right formula before the next feeding .
Most of the newer cans don't have the banner that say pre and probiotics.
You need to look at the third ingredient and it should say
dried whey protein concentrate.
PetCo, Pet Smart, tractor supply stores, amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASRZ8/ref=twister_B00UCVIU3Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-CGtS6pW/0/68d7677e/O/i-CGtS6pW.jpg
UDoWhat
09-02-2017, 07:12 PM
The Esbilac goats milk kind is not the correct formula. It does not have the proper nutrition and ingredients required to raise a healthy baby squirrel. It will eventually cause malnutrition due to improper squirrel nutrition and often death. The correct Esbilac powder can be found in pet stores like PetCo and PetSmart. You may even be able to purchase it at a Vet clinic but would likely be more expensive there.
In the mean time you can use the temporary goat's milk formula. It can safely be used for a few weeks or more.
Goats Milk Formula recipe
1 cup goat's milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt or any like brand
Mix well and keep in a covered plastic or glass container in the refrigerator. Replace after 48 hours.
You can use powdered goat's milk or canned goat's milk. Often can be found in grocery stores. Make it up like the directions say on the container.
Crazyfefe1987
09-02-2017, 09:08 PM
I found the right formula finally! I mixed it one part formula to three parts water and put a tiny bit of rice cereal in it. I am planning on feeding one or two more feeding with the weaker mix and then go to full strength. I had been giving him Pedialyte to keep him hydrated because of the diarrhea, how long should I continue to hydrate? This little guy stole my heart and I really want to keep him alive and well.
UDoWhat
09-02-2017, 10:07 PM
Yes!!!!! The correct Esbilac !!! :alright.gif:highfive:alright.gif Good work ! :blowkiss
I would use the pedialyte in between formula feedings 2 x a day. Give about 1.5 ml of pedialyte 2 x a day in between the second and fourth feedings, for example. I wouldn't use the pedialyte for more than 3 days. Too much salt can be counterproductive. We really need a weight on him to know how much he should be fed. Baby squirrels are fed 5-7% of their gram body weight in mL. Feeding too much or too little can both cause (you guessed it) diarrhea. They are not fed by age. Meds are also dosed by weight. If you don't have a kitchen gram scale get one tomorrow so you can accurately monitor his growth and know exactly how much he should be eating. You can get a scale at stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart, Kmart and some grocery stores. Some are only about $20.
I think if you get on the right track with the needed supplies to care for this baby he should clear up and be fine. It might take a few days to get the diarrhea under control, however.
Your little guy is darling. :Love_Icon Let's make sure he has what he needs to be healthy.
Crazyfefe1987
09-04-2017, 06:18 PM
I got a scale today and weighed my little guy.....says he weighs 83 grams. His poop has gotten firm but has been whitish yellow, I have been feeding him 6 ccs every feeding but I'm thinking that was too much. So I guess my question would be an I feeding him to much and is that why his poops are white.....if not what else could I try?
Thanks in advance
Crazyfefe1987
09-05-2017, 01:44 AM
I cut my little baby down to 5 ccs per feeding and he has succefully had a brownish firm poo.....thank you for all the great advise and direction on what I needed for my little guy! I am so greatful I found this site with such great people and will continue to check in and also keep learning!
UDoWhat
09-05-2017, 08:06 AM
I cut my little baby down to 5 ccs per feeding and he has succefully had a brownish firm poo.....thank you for all the great advise and direction on what I needed for my little guy! I am so greatful I found this site with such great people and will continue to check in and also keep learning!
So glad to hear your little one is doing better. :grin3
Please do check in. You have now mastered step 1. There are about a 1000 more to master as he grows. :Love_Icon Please ask questions. The next step will be introducing solid food. You will need to start out with rodent block only as his first food. This will assure a healthy adult squirrel. Just a tip, if you give him any other solid food other than block he will NOT touch the block. Then you will have a world of trouble trying to get him to eat healthy and guard against MBD. You should start reading about that killer disease in forums here. MBD is the #1killer of captive squirrels.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.