Dragging butt

[Egreywitt]

I have a male baby squirrel that I found a few weeks ago. Probably 6 to 7 weeks in age. Weighs 110 grams, esbilac formula fed, eyes open, curled tailed, becoming more active and aware. His poop has always been normal. Yesterday I noticed his poop has become soft and wet. Also noticing he is dragging his butt. Anyone have any information they can give me? Much appreciated.

[Spanky]

Post poop pics.

Are you storing the Esbilac powder in the fridge or freezer?

[Egreywitt]

Post poop pics.

Are you storing the Esbilac powder in the fridge or freezer?


I am storing in the fridge. I will get a picture of his poop in the morning. Thank you for replying!

[Egreywitt]

Post poop pics.

Are you storing the Esbilac powder in the fridge or freezer?


I have seen him pee this morning, but not poop. Here are a couple of pictures from overnight.

323236
323237

[Egreywitt]

I am storing in the fridge. I will get a picture of his poop in the morning. Thank you for replying!

Of course, right when I walk away he poops. So the first images were overnight. Here is what he just dropped. Last night it was more brown and diarrhea like. This morning it's more black and firm.

323238

[CritterMom]

That is going in the right direction. The butt dragging is because he doesn't have toilet paper! Honestly, though, it is also important to keep their bottoms wiped down well with a damp rag when they have diarrhea. Not only will it help prevent irritation to his bottom, but the diarrhea can accumulate and completely block off his anus, preventing pooping at all. I have a friend who almost lost one of her releases this way - happily he came home when he started feeling really bad and she was able to work all of it out of him but without her intervention, it would have killed him.

Pro tip: They really hate having their bottoms wiped down.

[Spanky]

Have you given him anything like Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate to cause those dark stools in the recent poos?

If he is eating solids, how long has he been eating solids and has any new foods been introduced that may have caused his loose stools? What solids is he currently eating...

This one is gross.. those recent stools look black, but if they are more green... does it have a very foul order?

[Egreywitt]

Thank you so much for the reply. He really had me worried. Everything I'm doing for him is researched every day and by the squirrel manual lol. He's my buddy and spoiled!

323239

[Egreywitt]

Have you given him anything like Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate to cause those dark stools in the recent poos?

If he is eating solids, how long has he been eating solids and has any new foods been introduced that may have caused his loose stools? What solids is he currently eating...

This one is gross.. those recent stools look black, but if they are more green... does it have a very foul order?



His daily food is formula and rodent block was introduced to him 2 weeks ago. In the last 2 days I have introduced him to pine nuts and cilantro. No pepto or Kao. They are more black as a solid but when I smashed it in a paper towel it has a small green tent. No foul smell.

[Spanky]

His daily food is formula and rodent block was introduced to him 2 weeks ago. In the last 2 days I have introduced him to pine nuts and cilantro. No pepto or Kao. They are more black as a solid but when I smashed it in a paper towel it has a small green tent. No foul smell.

No nuts, and especially Pine Nuts (worst Ca:P ratios in existence). Giving nuts now is choosing the difficult and sometimes tragic road.

Here is the healthy food pyramid for squirrels:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

No nuts until at least 12 weeks... mine got no nuts until they are in the release cage! And nuts are treats, not food... think of them like you would cotton candy or skittles for a toddler.

Keep us updated on his poop situation, as CM said it seems to be moving in the right direction (getting better). Just thinking maybe the cilantro is the culprit...

[Egreywitt]

No nuts, and especially Pine Nuts (worst Ca:P ratios in existence). Giving nuts now is choosing the difficult and sometimes tragic road.

Here is the healthy food pyramid for squirrels:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

No nuts until at least 12 weeks... mine got no nuts until they are in the release cage! And nuts are treats, not food... think of them like you would cotton candy or skittles for a toddler.

Keep us updated on his poop situation, as CM said it seems to be moving in the right direction (getting better). Just thinking maybe the cilantro is the culprit...


Thank you for all this great information. I'll make changes immediately. Here is where I have been getting my info.
www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/squirrelcare.htm

[Diggie's Friend]

Soil consuming behavior, known as, "geophagy", is common to many mammals including juvenile and adult tree squirrels. After being released into a nest box, the first thing the squirrel we released did was to come down to the lawn and start pulling up and flipping over tufts of grass to chew on the soil that surrounds the roots. It is by this means that tree squirrels both support their need for vital minerals and the digestion of their plant food, that includes the degrading of otherwise calcium robbing anti-nutrients contained in the plant foods that that makes up most of their diet. This behavior is known as, "geophagy" soil ingestion, which is common to many mammals. With their gut comprises over 70 percent of the whole body's immune system made of good bacteria; a comparable source of soil based organisms (SBO) needs to be supplied in captivity. Unlike probiotics that include the (FOS) sugar form of prebiotics, which research has confirmed promote both the growth of good and bad bacteria; this soil based prebiotic doesn't promote the growth of bad bacteria, but only that of healthy forms of digestive bacteria. This same source has been used for both grays and fox squirrels, works very quickly to normalize loosened stool. The (100) caps is a better price for the same amount of two (50 cap) bottles.

Pet Flora" by Vitality Science: https://www.amazon.com/Vitality-Science-Probiotic-Microflora-Conditions/dp/B005PJNDX2?th=1

The label reads "Dogs and Cats; yet as the manufacture explained, since this product doesn't include flavors or other additives geared to these pets, it is suitable for other species including rodents. For loose stool to use (1/32 Tsp.) daily till stool normalizes. For daily maintenance, (1/64 Tsp.) added to a wet food staple, like baked organic Butternut squash (with a positive Calcium to Phosphorus ratio), which is a healthy source of fiber,, protein and carbs for tree squirrels. Once the squash is baked, it can be safely stored in a vacuum sealed bag in the freezer in. I like using the silicone baby freezer trays, you just pop out one dimple daily and warm it to room in the morning to feed.

This set of handy mini-measuring spoons is what you will need to support smaller Teaspoon fraction measures of supplemental sources in the diet.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Star-Foodservice-42924-Stainless/dp/B00KH9PSNI/ref=asc_df_B00KH9PSNI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198068964911&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14389925700698333525&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031634&hvtargid=pla-318795892479&psc=1

[Egreywitt]

No nuts, and especially Pine Nuts (worst Ca:P ratios in existence). Giving nuts now is choosing the difficult and sometimes tragic road.

Here is the healthy food pyramid for squirrels:
https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?44440-Healthy-Diet-for-Pet-Squirrels

No nuts until at least 12 weeks... mine got no nuts until they are in the release cage! And nuts are treats, not food... think of them like you would cotton candy or skittles for a toddler.

Keep us updated on his poop situation, as CM said it seems to be moving in the right direction (getting better). Just thinking maybe the cilantro is the culprit...


Here is today's poop. Tractor supply didn't have the panacur but they did have the 1 gram powder safe guard.

323247

323248

[Egreywitt]

323249

[Egreywitt]

323250

[Spanky]

Here is today's poop. Tractor supply didn't have the panacur but they did have the 1 gram powder safe guard.

What is the squirrel's weight?

[Egreywitt]

112 grams

[Spanky]

Panacur dosing set via PM

[Egreywitt]

Panacur dosing set via PM

I have had my squirrel on the Fenbendazole for 3 treatments. Wanted to post a picture and see what you think.

323292

[Spanky]

Update us on what his current diet consists of... and confirm the Esbilac is the powder and not the liquid version.

[Egreywitt]

My Fox Valley finally came in. Transitioning from Esbilac and yes to powder and stored in refrigerator. As of now he is only on formula and rodent block. He's 110g.

[Spanky]

As of now he is only on formula and rodent block. He's 110g.

I would give hydration between feedings until the poo firms up more. It looks firmer, but not great. Continue the fenbendazole for now IMO.

Are the rodent blocks Henry and if not please post what rodent block he is getting

Did I mention my personal preference is half Esbilac and half FV 20/50 from 3.5 weeks until wean?

[Egreywitt]

I would give hydration between feedings until the poo firms up more. It looks firmer, but not great. Continue the fenbendazole for now IMO.

Are the rodent blocks Henry and if not please post what rodent block he is getting

Did I mention my personal preference is half Esbilac and half FV 20/50 from 3.5 weeks until wean?

I'm using 50/50 formula and he is getting Mazuri rodent block.

[Egreywitt]

I'm using 50/50 formula and he is getting Mazuri rodent block.

Update on his poop today

323299

323300

[Spanky]

Definitely looks like things are improving!

[Egreywitt]

Update us on what his current diet consists of... and confirm the Esbilac is the powder and not the liquid version.

Just gave Bucky toltrazuril. As I was giving it to him he was pooping. Hopefully this medication will help him out.

323324

[Egreywitt]

Definitely looks like things are improving!

24 hour update after toltrazuril

323334

323335

[Spanky]

[QUOTE=Egreywitt;1352548]24 hour update after toltrazuril

This is improvement... hopefully he will start gaining weight more rapidly. Keep track of weight and post that please..

[Egreywitt]

[QUOTE=Egreywitt;1352548]24 hour update after toltrazuril

This is improvement... hopefully he will start gaining weight more rapidly. Keep track of weight and post that please..

These were from a few minutes ago. We are still 104 grams. Feeding 5mls 3x a day.

323351

[Spanky]

Update? Is this little guy improving and gaining weight?

Is he eating the Mazuri... and if so how much would you estimate? I see some shreddings in the post a few days ago.

[Egreywitt]

Update? Is this little guy improving and gaining weight?

Is he eating the Mazuri... and if so how much would you estimate? I see some shreddings in the post a few days ago.

He has a little more consistency in his poop, but I don't believe it is where it needs to be. I'm trying to find a vet in Chattanooga to see him.
I want to believe he is eating the Mazuri, but as you can see in the photo, he may just be munching on it. He is still at 104 grams. Not gaining weight. Full of energy though. He seems happy and content.