View Full Version : Mucousy diarrhea
EarlsMom
09-04-2017, 03:27 AM
I started caring for a three week old baby squirrel my cat caught three weeks ago. She seems to be doing okay with her weight up to 103g now. Brief bouts of diarrhea and inconsistent stools keep setting us back. I discovered I was improperly storing and mixing the formula causing the formula to pass through undigested. I also read that her antibiotic treatment may have kill her gut flora. My little 'Gearl' as I call her now (she was 'Earl') started making good progress once I changed her formula to 1 part powdered Esbilac puppy milk replacer, 2 parts distilled water, 1/4 part heavy cream. The next batch I added in a 1/8 tsp of plain yogurt. I feed her five times a day (every four hours), skipping the night feeding! She's eating 6 to 7cc and wants more but I don't dare since she has diarrhea. In addition I started introducing rodent block (have both Mazuri and Zupreem) with only an occasional nibble. She did well on the formula for a few feedings but has now developed a strange diarrhea (compared to previous watery ones). It appears mucous like and oozes out more than her previous diarrhea, almost a pus like consistency. It smells mildly fishy. Could this be coccidiosis? I tried wading through all the info here so I didn't have to ask, but I'm afraid she needs help faster than I'm able to find it! I'd appreciate any guidance.
island rehabber
09-04-2017, 06:49 AM
Earlsmom, i would first of all STOP the distilled water altogether -- distilled water is really not a good thing, contrary to popular belief. Plain tap water or, if you m ust, bottled spring water is what you need to mix into formula. i would also stop the heavy cream -- too rich for some babies' GI tract and causes diarrhea.
Is the current diarrhea greyish-green in color? It actually sounds like giardiasis, vs coccidia, and the fishy smell would be about right :yuck. This needs to be treated with metronidazole (Flagyl) asap, if you think it is.
Nancy in New York
09-04-2017, 07:31 AM
Make sure to hydrate in between feedings when they have diarrhea.
Homemade Rehydration Fluid
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar or apple juice
2 cups warm water
Store in refrigerator. Discard after 24 hours.
OR Pedialyte (no more than 48 hours)
Good luck with this little one.
EarlsMom
09-04-2017, 10:06 AM
Thank you for your responses! I will change her formula immediately.
While preparing Gearl's feeding she conveniently pooped in her activity bin and I took a picture of it. As you can see her stool is yellowish, and I was surprised to see, watery as well! Her stool doesn't really have a strong odor. It's still squirrely smelling, just slightly off, and maybe 'fishy' wasn't the best description. It's just different.
Nancy should I hydrate even though she doesn't show signs of being dehydrated? Even though her stools are watery she isn't going any more frequently. She just goes in her bed rather than being stimulated to go.
Many thanks again. I am so impressed with the dedication on this board!
EarlsMom
09-04-2017, 10:27 AM
Oh, what about the yogurt, leave that out too?
Nancy in New York
09-04-2017, 10:28 AM
Thank you for your responses! I will change her formula immediately.
While preparing Gearl's feeding she conveniently pooped in her activity bin and I took a picture of it. As you can see her stool is yellowish, and I was surprised to see, watery as well! Her stool doesn't really have a strong odor. It's still squirrely smelling, just slightly off, and maybe 'fishy' wasn't the best description. It's just different.
Nancy should I hydrate even though she doesn't show signs of being dehydrated? Even though her stools are watery she isn't going any more frequently. She just goes in her bed rather than being stimulated to go.
Many thanks again. I am so impressed with the dedication on this board!
Oh she is adorable! :klunk
I would give her a couple of hydration feedings.
Have you done the pinch test between the shoulder blades?
The skin should go down immediately if she isn't dehydrated.
The poop color isn't bad, it's typically what we see when fed Fox Valley
formula, kind of golden, if the picture is accurate.
I can see the water, I think.
Hmmmmm.
You could try the BRAT diet and see if that helps her symptoms.
Default BRAT diet
(Partial) Brat Formula Mix
3 tablespoons (already) mixed formula 2-1
1/2 tsp baby rice powered cereal
1/2 tsp banana baby food.
I have metronidazole that I can send out tomorrow if you want it just in case.
EarlsMom
09-04-2017, 11:08 AM
She just pooped on me when I picked her up to do the pinch test. It was thin and pastey but not watery this time. Sorry for the graphic detail. It is yellow for sure, not greenish or grayish, and not smelly other than slightly squirrely (though not nearly as strong as a normal formed poop). I haven't seen the solids in recent poops. Do you think it might be starting to form up?
I did the pinch test Nancy and I it doesn't stay tented at all. I could barely get it to tent in fact. She has been dehydrated in the past so I have seen the difference.
Can't hurt to give her a little hydration though? How many cc, or do I give her all she'll take?
Should I wait on the metronidazole to see if the brat diet and new formula help, especially since she isn't showing obvious dehydration? (though that could change in a heartbeat)
Nancy in New York
09-04-2017, 12:47 PM
She just pooped on me when I picked her up to do the pinch test. It was thin and pastey but not watery this time. Sorry for the graphic detail. It is yellow for sure, not greenish or grayish, and not smelly other than slightly squirrely (though not nearly as strong as a normal formed poop). I haven't seen the solids in recent poops. Do you think it might be starting to form up?
I did the pinch test Nancy and I it doesn't stay tented at all. I could barely get it to tent in fact. She has been dehydrated in the past so I have seen the difference.
Can't hurt to give her a little hydration though? How many cc, or do I give her all she'll take?
Should I wait on the metronidazole to see if the brat diet and new formula help, especially since she isn't showing obvious dehydration? (though that could change in a heartbeat)
OK you don't have to hydrate, and that's good that you know the difference. :thumbsup
You can wait to see if the BRAT diet works. It's always better to try something benign first.
I can send you a pill or two just in case.
Whatever you're comfortable with. :) :hug
EarlsMom
09-04-2017, 01:26 PM
I'd feel way more comfortable having something on hand when it was needed (for this or other) than waiting a couple days with a sick baby for the mail. PM?
Thank you both. :hug
EarlsMom
09-05-2017, 07:44 AM
:w00t I awoke to find formed poops in Gearl's cage! :bliss
Her fresh poo was a bit pastey still but formed. Hoping they stay formed today. How long should I keep Gearl on the BRAT diet?
Thank you Island Rehabber and Nancy in NewYork! You are guardians of sweet little lives!!!
Nancy in New York
09-05-2017, 07:50 AM
:w00t I awoke to find formed poops in Gearl's cage! :bliss
Her fresh poo was a bit pastey still but formed. Hoping they stay formed today. How long should I keep Gearl on the BRAT diet?
Thank you Island Rehabber and Nancy in NewYork! You are guardians of sweet little lives!!!
Fantastic news! :w00t
Depending on the squirrel and how they do or don't respond
to the BRAT diet, is how we generally gage how long to keep them
on it.
I would do BRAT and formula feedings today,
if it goes well then just go to formula tomorrow.
island rehabber
09-05-2017, 08:42 AM
I am SO glad she's better! Not sure if you're still doing the yogurt but that is something to watch as well -- I don't normally use it for squirrels but after a few people suggested I give it to my baby flying squirrel I did, and she who had perfect poops until that moment had a bout of diarrhea for two days :hissyfit:headbang so yogurt is not always well-tolerated. You're doing great!
EarlsMom
09-05-2017, 01:32 PM
IR, I did not add the yogurt back in. In fact in light of what you said, I went and carefully reviewed at my feeding notes and there was an episode of diarrhea following both times adding yogurt in the formula. But I didn't blame the yogurt since I keep reading about others using it successfully it in their diets. I hope at least it provided some gut flora whiles it was in there!
Nancy in NY, I'll finish out today and see how it goes. Again I appreciate the help you two have generously provided!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon
EarlsMom
09-06-2017, 02:22 PM
Oh dear, after switching Gearl back to just formula on her last feeding at 11:30 pm last night. Her stools have changed from the blackish formed (albeit pastey) stools back to yellow oozing poo, almost pus like! Still not particularly odorsome aside from no longer smelling squirrely. I switched her back on that last feeding because I noticed at her 2:15pm feeding her belly seemed still rounded and 'ful' looking.' She only pooped one tiny turd, so I only gave her 6cc of her 7.5cc. Same thing at the next feeding. Thinking she was becoming constipated by the brat diet working so well, I switched her back at the next feeding (last night's). Of course after feeding her, she pooped everything she'd been 'saving!' The stool was plentiful and formed, but the last to exit was noticeably pastier than it began (tmi, sorry). In the morning her blanket was stained with pastey poos lightening in color. Now it's definitely back yellow and oozing, not squirrely smelling, but not foul either! I don't get it! She eliminates with any exertion.
At her last feeding an hour ago I stirred in the rice and banana back into the formula because I didn't have time to get help with company coming just then. Aaah!
Thank goodness she is still gaining weight and not showing signs of dehydration....yet. I'm off to check the mail hoping for that antibiotic!
Nancy in New York
09-06-2017, 03:32 PM
I'm off to check the mail hoping for that antibiotic!
Akkkkk I sent the Metro regular mail yesterday, instead of express. (PO closed on Monday due to holiday)
I thought since she was doing so good yesterday, you wouldn't need it, but I sent just in case. :shakehead
Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow.
EarlsMom
09-06-2017, 04:13 PM
Nancy I am so GRATEFUL that it's coming...period! :bowdown
Besides, regular mail shouldn't take that much longer, it's not going cross country.
Dosing instructions? Hope you included because I know nada about that?
Do you and IR still think it may be giardiasis since it's not green/gray stools, or stinky? Will the metro treat anything else it might be?
Should I continue back on the BRAT diet to control the 'ooze?'
Nancy in New York
09-06-2017, 04:25 PM
Nancy I am so GRATEFUL that it's coming...period! :bowdown
Besides, regular mail shouldn't take that much longer, it's not going cross country.
Dosing instructions? Hope you included because I know nada about that?
Do you and IR still think it may be giardiasis since it's not green/gray stools, or stinky? Will the metro treat anything else it might be?
Should I continue back on the BRAT diet to control the 'ooze?'
Well this is the problem with loose stools/diarrhea, we never really know without a fecal.
BUT with that being said, lennysmom has a squirrel that was tested 3 times with a fecal
exam, and put on different drugs.
It was only when she consulted with Dr. E that the cure was found. :shakehead
Give me your little one's weight and I will write up the exact dosing instructions so that
you are ready.
I would start back on the BRAT as it seemed to help her almost immediately.
Nancy in New York
09-06-2017, 05:24 PM
Another thing I've seen recommended on the board is Wet Tail.
You can get it on Amazon and if you have prime, you get it in 2 days.
I know that some pet stores carry it, though a member we have here, found
it difficult to find in the stores.
292591
https://www.amazon.com/Drops-Liquid-Treatment-Diarrhea-1-Ounce/dp/B00BS98NUG/ref=sr_ph_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504732926&sr=sr-1&keywords=wet+tail
EarlsMom
09-06-2017, 06:26 PM
Nancy I am so GRATEFUL that it's coming...period! :bowdown
Besides, regular mail shouldn't take that much longer, it's not going cross country.
Dosing instructions? Hope you included because I know nada about that?
Do you and IR still think it may be giardiasis since it's not green/gray stools, or stinky? Will the metro treat anything else it might be?
Should I continue back on the BRAT diet to control the 'ooze?'
lennysmom
09-06-2017, 08:57 PM
Well this is the problem with loose stools/diarrhea, we never really know without a fecal.
BUT with that being said, lennysmom has a squirrel that was tested 3 times with a fecal
exam, and put on different drugs.
It was only when she consulted with Dr. E that the cure was found. :shakehead
Give me your little one's weight and I will write up the exact dosing instructions so that
you are ready.
I would start back on the BRAT as it seemed to help her almost immediately.
Yes it was so frustrating and I learned that fecals are not always foolproof - but after four different meds, it was Panacur that finally helped. I also had two babies with awful diarrhea, very mucusy like that and no matter what I did, BRAT diet and even DIASTAT, the diarrhea came right back. I came to the conclusion that it was most likely a parasite issue and put them both on the Panacur as well. Within a few days, it got better and in about a week, it was completely cleared up. Perhaps Panacur would help this little one too.
Nancy in New York
09-06-2017, 09:03 PM
Yes it was so frustrating and I learned that fecals are not always foolproof - but after four different meds, it was Panacur that finally helped. I also had two babies with awful diarrhea, very mucusy like that and no matter what I did, BRAT diet and even DIASTAT, the diarrhea came right back. I came to the conclusion that it was most likely a parasite issue and put them both on the Panacur as well. Within a few days, it got better and in about a week, it was completely cleared up. Perhaps Panacur would help this little one too.
Thank you so much Lindsay for responding.:w00t
EarlsMom
09-06-2017, 11:07 PM
Yes thank you Lennysmom! Sounds suspiciously similar!
Nancy, Gearl weighed in at 117 g this evening. She put on 10g just today.
:hug I feel like a huge weight off me just knowing I'm not alone in this! :thankyou
Nancy in New York
09-07-2017, 07:11 AM
Yes thank you Lennysmom! Sounds suspiciously similar!
Nancy, Gearl weighed in at 117 g this evening. She put on 10g just today.
:hug I feel like a huge weight off me just knowing I'm not alone in this! :thankyou
I will send the exact dosing in a pm. :hug
EarlsMom
09-08-2017, 09:29 AM
l managed to get the first dose of Metro into Gearl masking in with a touch of honey. :yuck
Fat chance that is going to work on the next try! I'll be wrestling with a 4oz squirrel!!!
Gearl refused the last 2cc of her 8cc of formula this morning. I'm hoping it was due to me slipping a little probiotic into her formula. Plus I mixed plain formula instead of the brat formula (which she LOVES)! Hopefully this is not another symptom developing.
Thank you so much for sending the Metro Nancy!
Jen413
09-08-2017, 09:35 AM
Sammy became anti syringe when I started having to give him meds. He was on AB's for 6 months so it was a long drawn out thing. I had to get creative. I took rodent block and ground it into a powder then added a few nuts and apple sauce and ground it all together. Then I'd form it into little balls and push my pinky in the middle of it to form a bowl. I'd put dry powdered rodent block on it and squirt the meds into the dry rodent block (it kept it from become too wet and leaking the meds out) then closed the ball up around the dry block and meds and mixed it into a ball. Sammy devoured them every single time. What I knew was medicine, he considered a special treat!
lennysmom
09-08-2017, 10:04 AM
For extra probiotics, especially during antibotic treatment, I will add some Yobaby vanilla yogurt to the formula which all of mine seem to like and it's gentle on the tummy. When I give littles antibotics, I will burrito them in a blanket holding their head between my fingers where they can't squirm away and stick the syringe far enough back in their mouths where it won't run out, careful not to aspirate them. Then I chase it down with just a tiny bit of juice or honey water to get the nasty taste out of their mouths. It amazes me just how hard it can be to hold a tiny squirrel still when necessary!:shakehead
EarlsMom
09-08-2017, 12:35 PM
Thanks for the burrito tip Lennysmom and sticking that syringe in further. Alas, a lot of Gearl's medicine was around her mouth rather than in! Once I got that syringe in her mouth I had to resist plunging that med in fast, like in a cat!
Jlee413 do you think I could/ should try that medicine ball trick even though she hasn't started eating rodent block yet? (She's only 7 weeks old and has little interest so far) I'm afraid she might associate rodent block with :yuck medicine if she detects it in there. I imagine some meds are worse than others. Which was Sammy on...for sooooo looooong, poor baby?
Next feeding, I could only coax in 5.5 cc ( of 8cc). Where she usually eats like she's starved, clinging to and complaining when I try to reload the syringe, the last two feedings she just ate very 'chill', meh! I will add some rice and banana back in and see if that was the difference (and please advise if I shouldn't). My thought was I'd rather have her eating well with meds on board.
Nancy in New York
09-08-2017, 12:39 PM
Thanks for the burrito tip Lennysmom and sticking that syringe in further. Alas, a lot of Gearl's medicine was around her mouth rather than in! Once I got that syringe in her mouth I had to resist plunging that med in fast, like in a cat!
Try directing the syringe toward her cheek and gums.
This way if you go a little faster it won't squirt right down her throat.
Another thought. Does she like yogurt?
Try putting one dose of the meds mixed in well, in a little bit of yogurt and see
if she will take it that way from the syringe.
EarlsMom
09-20-2017, 09:29 AM
Update: So as not to leave this thread hanging, I want to let you all know that finally we have normal poops! :w00t
It took a while, and I didn't begin to notice improvement until almost at the end of the medicine regime of 7 days. (Gearl ended up taking both Metro and Panacur.) Even then it would be inconsistent from day to day, but not mucousy and stinky like they had been. I began to think there may have been two issues going on at once and I switched her formula to 50/50 Esbilac and FV. After three days on this new formula her issue appears to have calmed down and her poops have become normal.
I can't thank you all enough for your sage advice and support! :grouphug
Special thanks to Nancy for sending out meds to help my Gearl :hug:Love_Icon
Here's a picture of my beautiful little ''Gearl' today. She is 8 1/2 weeks old.
lennysmom
09-20-2017, 09:54 AM
What a great update!:w00t:dance I am so happy to hear the diarrhea issue is finally gone.:woot Little Gearl is just precious!:Love_Icon:Love_Icon She looks wonderful thanks to your diligence in finding the help she needed and your loving care.:hug
Nancy in New York
09-21-2017, 08:18 AM
Thank you for letting us know how little Gearl is doing.
I'm so glad the problem has finally been resolved.
She's just darling! :klunk
Loudhouse2
10-01-2017, 07:23 AM
I'm not sure if your baby is still a lil under weight or not. so I'm just gonna toss out here that my boy is the same age as yours and has suffered from diarrhea too and I added the FV ultra boost to his formula early on and even with the poops for weeks he never lost any weight and gained normally. Maybe you could try that. :grin3 just a thought.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.