Severe diarrhea in 4month old red squirrel.

[lukaslolamaus]

You have 2 beautiful Eastern Gray Squirrels
How is Lucky today and were you able to get her weight?

[RockyPops]

She's just beautiful!

And a big girl! Must be a foxer based on size but sure looks like a gray in these pics.

Were you able to get a weight?

Is she feeling better today?

Edit: Sorry lucaslolamaus, didn't see your post.

[lukaslolamaus]

She's just beautiful!

And a big girl! Must be a foxer based on size but sure looks like a gray in these pics.

Were you able to get a weight?

Is she feeling better today?

Edit: Sorry lucaslolamaus, didn't see your post.

No worries

[Scarfam7]

She's just beautiful!

And a big girl! Must be a foxer based on size but sure looks like a gray in these pics.

Were you able to get a weight?

Is she feeling better today?

Edit: Sorry lucaslolamaus, didn't see your post.

She seems a little better today! I have not been able to get her weight. I did give her a bit of the panacur last night, the size of a small grain of rice. I got some dosing advice from the sweet lady from Henry's. She still just wants to hide away, but she did eat a pecan earlier. I put a bit of carrot, and sweet potato in there, as well. I have not checked on her in the last 20 minutes, so I'm not sure if she's eaten any of those. I had given her a bath and that was a bit stressful for her, so I'm leaving her be for a while. The diarrhea is close to constant. Especially following fluids or formula. She is urinating well, so I'm glad she's absorbing the fluids!! I'm feeling very optimistic today. Thank you all, so much, for all the help!

[frankc]

I am no expert! I guessed that's what they were, based on my own research online. I can be, and most likely am, wrong. I'll attach a picture of them, and you can tell me what you think. This is our sick baby girl.

I might be wrong ? But they look like Eastern Gray's to me ?

[Scarfam7]

We are up and eating! She still has nearly nonstop diarrhea, so I am still pushing fluids. But she is snacking on some honey coated granola with almonds, and isn't falling over as before. How long should I expect her to have the diarrhea? Also, no bloating today!

[HRT4SQRLS]

I’m so happy to hear that she’s eating and not bloating. That’s progress but the continued diarrhea is concerning. See if she will eat block. Maybe some solid food will firm up the poop. I wonder if she ate something spoiled that she found. They hide everything, even things that will spoil.

I know of a few cases where diarrhea continued as long as they were on formula. I know some have discontinued formula and got them solely on solid food and the diarrhea resolved. It’s a thought.

[CritterMom]

Panacur is not just a one time deal - they should be treated for 3-5 days, then again in 2 weeks for 3-5 and often a third round in 2 more weeks.

[Scarfam7]

[QUOTE=CritterMom;1307029]Panacur is not just a one time deal - they should be treated for 3-5 days, then again in 2 weeks for 3-5 and often a third round in 2 more weeks.[/QUOTE

Yes, I'm aware! Should she continue to have diarrhea through the treatment, though? I've tried to get her to eat solid foods, but she won't eat anything willingly today. I continue to push fluids and formula because those are the only things I can force her to ingest. Is this typical for squirrels with a parasite? Or could it be that we need to start her on some antibiotics, just in case?

[Scarfam7]

I’m so happy to hear that she’s eating and not bloating. That’s progress but the continued diarrhea is concerning. See if she will eat block. Maybe some solid food will firm up the poop. I wonder if she ate something spoiled that she found. They hide everything, even things that will spoil.

I know of a few cases where diarrhea continued as long as they were on formula. I know some have discontinued formula and got them solely on solid food and the diarrhea resolved. It’s a thought.

She won't eat anything willingly today. I've been been forcing a little bit of nutri-cal with the formula for extra nutrition, but I have to force her to take it. She's less active today and I'm concerned. I feel like her brother would be showing symptoms if they were exposed to a parasite. They've always been housed together, even after Lucky started with the diarrhea. I'm just throwing ideas out now because I really thought she might be improving by the 2nd day of the panacur treatment. What if it wasn't a parasite, and the medication is causing tummy issues? Thoughts????

[lukaslolamaus]

If Lucky was mine I would take her to vet.
Is the vet Rockypop suggested close enough to you that you could make it work.
One of the boys I'm currently overwintering had unexplained diarrhea.
I dewormed him and put him on an other medication after that, but he ended up not getting better until I completely stopped giving him formula, I hated doing it, but we suspected that he is possibly lactose intolerant. He was much younger Lucky when that occurred. He never seen to feed sick while he had diarrhea.
Maybe someone else has a good idea, but I think vet would be my next step if that is doable.
I would definitely finish a 3 day course of the penacur.

[Scarfam7]

If Lucky was mine I would take her to vet.
Is the vet Rockypop suggested close enough to you that you could make it work.
One of the boys I'm currently overwintering had unexplained diarrhea.
I dewormed him and put him on an other medication after that, but he ended up not getting better until I completely stopped giving him formula, I hated doing it, but we suspected that he is possibly lactose intolerant. He was much younger Lucky when that occurred. He never seen to feed sick while he had diarrhea.
Maybe someone else has a good idea, but I think vet would be my next step if that is doable.
I would definitely finish a 3 day course of the penacur.

Well, I just went in to give her some fluids, and she was up and alert. I had already placed solid foods in with her- fresh every morning. She came out when she heard me, and ate quite a bit- the most I've seen her eat since this all began. I'll skip formula now that she has eaten. She still has runny stools, but not as watery as it was earlier today. Tonight would make her 3rd night of the panacur, so I'll be sure to give her that. The vet that was suggested is about 2.5 hours away from me. It would be difficult to get there, so I will wait to see how she does overnight, and re-evaluate in the morning. I have 5 children whom I homeschool, and we only have 1 vehicle at the moment. Hopefully skipping the formula, and her eating solid foods tonight will help harden up the stool. We shall see! Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I'd be lost without you all.

[Nancy in New York]

Has anyone suggested to give her a couple of drops of Pepto?

[RockyPops]

Scarfam7, I thing you are near Tuscaloosa?

If you want to see the vet, maybe I could meet you half way to get her and bring back after visit.

I'm about an hour on the other side of vet from you but it may be doable.

Of course we'd need to make phone contact with vet to be positive they would see her.

Maybe she's pulling out of this funk she's been in.

[Scarfam7]

Has anyone suggested to give her a couple of drops of Pepto?

I just gave her 2 drops of imodium. Fingers crossed that it helps! She ate a bit of a cracker with it too.

[Scarfam7]

Scarfam7, I thing you are near Tuscaloosa?

If you want to see the vet, maybe I could meet you half way to get her and bring back after visit.

I'm about an hour on the other side of vet from you but it may be doable.

Of course we'd need to make phone contact with vet to be positive they would see her.

Maybe she's pulling out of this funk she's been in.

That's so sweet of you to offer to do that! I will let you know how things are in the morning. She seems a little better tonight. She has eaten a bit more, and I gave her the imodium. I sure hope she's pulling out of it! Poor little thing. I just want her to feel like her normal, playful self again! This has been tough on all of us.

[Scarfam7]

❤❤❤
Wish I could figure out how to turn the photo upright.

[lukaslolamaus]

She's a little cutie Lucky
All of us here on the board know how worrisome it is when a little one gets sick
It would be so great if you guys could meet halfway if she ends up needing a vet.
That is such a sweet offer Rockypops

[Mel1959]

Pumpkin has been known to firm up stool, as does rice. There is a pumpkin baby food if you can find it, or canned pumpkin for pies, if you can’t. There are also rice crackers made for babies that might help. I believe they come in flavors like banana and such.

[Nancy in New York]

The only pumpkin that is recommended is the plain canned pumpkin,
not baby food or the canned one for pies, too much sugar.

OR you can try the BRAT diet:


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