7 week old baby with diarrhea and very weak

[Ldomm]

Hello,

I have a baby grey squirrel who is about 7 weeks old. I’ve had him for a few days. Two days ago, he began to get diarrhea and became dehydrated. I came online for help and saw this site saying that the Esbilac is bad for squirrels now. Yesterday, I was able to get the goat milk formula going. All yesterday, I gave him Pedialite and nuts. I was scared to give him more formula.

By last night, the squirrel was doing better. He wasn’t having diarrhea anymore and wasn’t dehydrated. I gave him a little of the new formula and put him to bed on heat. This morning, the diarrhea is back. He’s incredibly weak. His arms and legs are splayed out and when he tries to move, it’s like he’s swimming. He isn’t putting his limbs underneath him or putting weight on them.

I’ve been giving him sugar water every 15-30 minutes or so. He’s a little more active than he was this morning, but still not doing well. I’ve rubbed a little honey on his gums. He’s warm. Are there any ideas on how to keep helping him? I read Pedialite might not be good so I switched to sugar water. He won’t eat any solid food.

Thanks so much.

[stepnstone]

Hello,

I have a baby grey squirrel who is about 7 weeks old. I’ve had him for a few days. Two days ago, he began to get diarrhea and became dehydrated. I came online for help and saw this site saying that the Esbilac is bad for squirrels now. Yesterday, I was able to get the goat milk formula going. All yesterday, I gave him Pedialite and nuts. I was scared to give him more formula.

By last night, the squirrel was doing better. He wasn’t having diarrhea anymore and wasn’t dehydrated. I gave him a little of the new formula and put him to bed on heat. This morning, the diarrhea is back. He’s incredibly weak. His arms and legs are splayed out and when he tries to move, it’s like he’s swimming. He isn’t putting his limbs underneath him or putting weight on them.

I’ve been giving him sugar water every 15-30 minutes or so. He’s a little more active than he was this morning, but still not doing well. I’ve rubbed a little honey on his gums. He’s warm. Are there any ideas on how to keep helping him? I read Pedialite might not be good so I switched to sugar water. He won’t eat any solid food.

Thanks so much.


What is the Goat milk formula you are feeding?
I would recommend the home made hydration instead
of just sugar water to replenish the electrolytes as well.

Stop with the nuts! Nuts rob calcium!
Baby needs to be established on a proper formula and a quality rodent block.


Re-hydration fluid:
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart water.
************
1/2 measure:
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoon sugar (3-teaspoons)
16 oz water (1-pint)
*************
1/4 measure:
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon sugar (1-1/2 teaspoons)
8 oz water

[Ldomm]

I’m using the 2:1:1 goat milk, cream, full fat yogurt. Though I read the cream can cause diarrhea as well so I have some made without the cream when he’s no longer dehydrated.

He has gotten a little stronger in the last 30 minutes or so and is crawling a little better now.

[stepnstone]

If the diarrhea persists I would suggest adding the brat diet to his formula.
Once his bowels are stable slowly transmission back to straight formula.
The Goat's milk should only be temporary, recommended formula is Fox Valley 20/50
can be purchased OL at: https://www.henryspets.com (https://www.henryspets.com/)

Brat diet:
3 tablespoons (already) mixed formula 2-1
1/2 tsp baby rice powered cereal
1/2 tsp banana baby food.

[Ldomm]

Thanks. I had ordered the rodent block and formula but things are taking so long due to the lockdown.

He’s doing so much better, but in his eagerness to drink, has now inhaled water and is clicking. I’ve called everywhere trying to find him a vet, but everywhere is closed.

I’m in central Illinois. Is there anyone around who can help me find either a vet to treat him or antibiotics?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Can you call friends or family? All you need is a single pill. We can dose it for you. Human antibiotics are fine. See what you can find. The best antibiotics for AP are Ciprofloxacin (human), Baytril (veterinary), SMZ-TMP (Bactrim), doxycycline, tetracycline. Sometimes you can find tetracycline in Pet retailers for fish tanks.