7 Weeks Old baby girl squirrel - pooping yellow to whiteish

[Furryfriend]

Hello All! I am taking care of two squirrels both 7 weeks old one boy and one girl. They have both been eating Esbalic puppy formula with probiotics for some time now and today I introduced the squirrel blocks. I have no changed their feeding formula they have been eating the same formula for weeks now however I've noticed the girl squirrel poop has went from solid to soft the past two days. Her poo was brown and when it turned soft kind of like a liquid it was yellow. Well today I feed her as I normally would and her poo looks to be like a white liquid kind of like snot but white. What does this mean and what can I do to help her asap? Other than this she has been fine, she still eats, and loves to run around and play with her brother. Her brother on the other had his poop is solid and normal so I don't understand why hers is different when they eat the same. I have tried to give her pedialyte with water mixed heated up but she does not like it all that much. The only difference i can say she has now is that she tries to bite on anything and she's up more during the night than her brother is.

[Spanky]

White poo usually indicates over feedings... if you post pictures of the poo (I know gross, but extremely helpful) this can be confirmed or maybe figure out what else it may be.

[Furryfriend]

It's clear looking and looks like if I had blown my nose that's the best way i can describe it. I have been giving her 10ccs every 4 to 5 hours but I have changed it to every 5 hours now. Today I've only given her 5ccs per feeding and half a block which she shredded

[Furryfriend]

White poo usually indicates over feedings... if you post pictures of the poo (I know gross, but extremely helpful) this can be confirmed or maybe figure out what else it may be.

Forgot to quote lol

It's clear looking and looks like if I had blown my nose that's the best way i can describe it. I have been giving her 10ccs every 4 to 5 hours but I have changed it to every 5 hours now. Today I've only given her 5ccs per feeding and half a block which she shredded

[Furryfriend]

White poo usually indicates over feedings... if you post pictures of the poo (I know gross, but extremely helpful) this can be confirmed or maybe figure out what else it may be.

Here are 2 photos of her current poo

https://i.imgur.com/nfa7uTU.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/NamDSoJ.jpeg

[Spanky]

So...posting poo pictures is gross, but as I said very helpful. Here is another gross but helpful request: Does this smell maybe like sour milk (formula) or does it have an very foul odor?

This could be formula... is the powdered Esbilac stored in the freezer (fridge at the minimum)? Regardless of the labeling it can and will go rancid rather quickly at room temp. Mixed up formula should be refrigerated and tossed after 48 hours or so from mixing. It should never be re-heated... once warmed for feeding but not used it should be tossed. These are the types of things that would be my first guess. That and accidentally feeding the same baby twice (mixing them up) and the over-feeding is the culprit.

Second guess is intestinal irritation... this can happen if heavy cream is added to the formula if the baby is sensitive.

If it smells awful, I wonder if this *might* be giardia, though it is an atypical presentation if this is the cause. The poo is the right consistency, but not the right color in this case... I hope some other members will jump in and share thoughts on this since it seems I am reaching here...

If the formula "hygiene" is being followed and no cream added, can you share if the baby has any other symptoms like lake of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting (though squirrels usually will not vomit as in emptying their stomachs, it is more expelling what may be in their throats so smaller volumes) or any other unusual thing that may have been observed.

[Furryfriend]

So...posting poo pictures is gross, but as I said very helpful. Here is another gross but helpful request: Does this smell maybe like sour milk (formula) or does it have an very foul odor?

This could be formula... is the powdered Esbilac stored in the freezer (fridge at the minimum)? Regardless of the labeling it can and will go rancid rather quickly at room temp. Mixed up formula should be refrigerated and tossed after 48 hours or so from mixing. It should never be re-heated... once warmed for feeding but not used it should be tossed. These are the types of things that would be my first guess. That and accidentally feeding the same baby twice (mixing them up) and the over-feeding is the culprit.

Second guess is intestinal irritation... this can happen if heavy cream is added to the formula if the baby is sensitive.

If it smells awful, I wonder if this *might* be giardia, though it is an atypical presentation if this is the cause. The poo is the right consistency, but not the right color in this case... I hope some other members will jump in and share thoughts on this since it seems I am reaching here...

If the formula "hygiene" is being followed and no cream added, can you share if the baby has any other symptoms like lake of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting (though squirrels usually will not vomit as in emptying their stomachs, it is more expelling what may be in their throats so smaller volumes) or any other unusual thing that may have been observed.

I can't smell as my nose is stuffy but my sister says it just smells like regular poo when she smelled it.

No the powder I have not stored it in the refrigerator or freezer. The formula I've made is stored in the fridge and usually last for about 3 days when made. I usually feed one first and then switch them out and feed the other since one is a girl and the other is a boy it's easier to not confuse the two lol. Plus the girl is normally the first one to come out when it's time to be fed😂. I haven't added anything to the formula other than water no heavy cream. What confuses me is it's just her that the poo is like that because her brothers poo is normal and solid both eat the same thing and at the same time. The only thing weird I've noticed but could be normal is that she's up more than she was previously. Like she'll be up climbing in her place of sleeping or try to get out while her brother is sleeping and this is usually at night or mid day.


She has an appetite because she will drink the milk but she does seem more wanting to nibble on the syringe as well. The boy squirrel also does this which is why I got them the blocks so they have something to nibble on. I would say she's not lethargic because she's always running around and playing with her brother lol. No vomiting and weight loss I don't think so but I will keep an eye on it.

[Spanky]

Ask your sister to smell the powder to see if it smells rancid... if it does not, I suggest starting to store it in the fridge. If it does smell bad / rancid it will need to be replaced. We see powdered stored at room temp go rancid quite a bit... a lot in fact.

Keep us updated on the diarrhea situation. A drop pf Pepto Bismol can be given... be aware that her stools will turn black from the pepto and this is normal.

[Furryfriend]

Ask your sister to smell the powder to see if it smells rancid... if it does not, I suggest starting to store it in the fridge. If it does smell bad / rancid it will need to be replaced. We see powdered stored at room temp go rancid quite a bit... a lot in fact.

Keep us updated on the diarrhea situation. A drop pf Pepto Bismol can be given... be aware that her stools will turn black from the pepto and this is normal.

Thought I replied I guess not. We smelled the powder and it smells fine I did put it in the fridge as soon as I read the message yesterday. I have not given her pepto bismol however this is how her poo looked about an hour ago. It's not white anymore but it is still kind of Gooey

https://i.imgur.com/a66lA6w.jpeg

[Spanky]

...and today I introduced the squirrel blocks.

That diarrhea dose not look good at all. What kind of squirrel block is she eating? If this is Henry's, are they being stored in the freezer?

[Furryfriend]

That diarrhea dose not look good at all. What kind of squirrel block is she eating? If this is Henry's, are they being stored in the freezer?

They just started it two days ago and she had the issue already for a day or two at most but it was not sticky like it is now. I bought them the Wild Bites from Henry and stored them in the freezer and a few in the fridge

[Furryfriend]

So is there anything I can do to help her?

[Spanky]

I would stop all formula for half a day giving her plain water for that time period. Then resume diluted formula working your way back to full strength (25% for a few feedings, then 50%, then 75% then 100%).

I would also switch to mixing the formula with bottled (not distilled) water... often this will help a lot. We see this every once in a while where the tap water may be fine for people, but some baby squirrels are sensitive to some of the trace contaminates remaining in the water.

My go to for stubborn diarrhea is Fox Valley DiaStat but that will take a few days to arrive (only available on-line).

[Furryfriend]

I would stop all formula for half a day giving her plain water for that time period. Then resume diluted formula working your way back to full strength (25% for a few feedings, then 50%, then 75% then 100%).

I would also switch to mixing the formula with bottled (not distilled) water... often this will help a lot. We see this every once in a while where the tap water may be fine for people, but some baby squirrels are sensitive to some of the trace contaminates remaining in the water.

My go to for stubborn diarrhea is Fox Valley DiaStat but that will take a few days to arrive (only available on-line).

Would the half pedialyte and half water work?
(25% for a few feedings, then 50%, then 75% then 100%). What do you mean by this part?
I just bought them a new big container of the Esbalic puppy formula that came in yesterday 😭 lol

[Spanky]

Would the half pedialyte and half water work?
(25% for a few feedings, then 50%, then 75% then 100%). What do you mean by this part?
I just bought them a new big container of the Esbalic puppy formula that came in yesterday 😭 lol

Pedialyte can be used, and diluting it with half water is best, but Pedialyte should not be given for any extended period of time. Usual protocol is the first 24 hours then we switch to plain water because overloading with electrolytes can create serious issues. So you can use Pedialyte over that 12 hours but I would not use it if she has been getting Pedialyte at all... and if she has been getting it regularly, I would stop giving it.

What I intended to communicate is after the 12 hours of water (or diluted Pedialyte), when resume the formula start by pulling up formula into about 25% of the syringe, then pull up 75% water. Feed this diluted formula for a couple feedings, then progress to pulling up about 50% formula into the syringe, adding 50% water and feeding that for a couple feedings. Then progress to 25% Formula dn 75% water for a coupe feedings and then resume feeding 100% formula.

I also believe it would be a good idea to use the new can of formula as well just in case there is something off with the original can... it would be weird for only one of the 2 to have issues, but not unheard of. Be sure to store the opened powdered formula in the freezer.

[Furryfriend]

Pedialyte can be used, and diluting it with half water is best, but Pedialyte should not be given for any extended period of time. Usual protocol is the first 24 hours then we switch to plain water because overloading with electrolytes can create serious issues. So you can use Pedialyte over that 12 hours but I would not use it if she has been getting Pedialyte at all... and if she has been getting it regularly, I would stop giving it.

What I intended to communicate is after the 12 hours of water (or diluted Pedialyte), when resume the formula start by pulling up formula into about 25% of the syringe, then pull up 75% water. Feed this diluted formula for a couple feedings, then progress to pulling up about 50% formula into the syringe, adding 50% water and feeding that for a couple feedings. Then progress to 25% Formula dn 75% water for a coupe feedings and then resume feeding 100% formula.

I also believe it would be a good idea to use the new can of formula as well just in case there is something off with the original can... it would be weird for only one of the 2 to have issues, but not unheard of. Be sure to store the opened powdered formula in the freezer.

Okay I will try the Pedialyte method for her feedings tomorrow, for this I can give her as much as she wants or just the amount she should be eating for her weight? She has not been getting it for a while now so she should be fine on getting it again for those 12 hours. She's within the eating every 5 hours range now.

I have started the new can the day i got it and have it stored in the refrigerator since then. It is weird that is why I'm wondering what is going on because her brothers poop is perfectly fine compared to her and they both eat the same. I have noticed that her weight seems to be fluctuating a bit and I'm not sure if this is because the liquid poo she has been having. Sometimes it's yellow brown ish color liquid, then it looks like it's starting to form but stuff soft or sometimes it looks white clear which has only happened twice. But she herself has been fine she loves playing, running around/climbing, she eats when it's time to eat, she's not lethargic, or over sleeping. She just has the poo issue and she gets it on herself too.

[Furryfriend]

So...posting poo pictures is gross, but as I said very helpful. Here is another gross but helpful request: Does this smell maybe like sour milk (formula) or does it have an very foul odor?

This could be formula... is the powdered Esbilac stored in the freezer (fridge at the minimum)? Regardless of the labeling it can and will go rancid rather quickly at room temp. Mixed up formula should be refrigerated and tossed after 48 hours or so from mixing. It should never be re-heated... once warmed for feeding but not used it should be tossed. These are the types of things that would be my first guess. That and accidentally feeding the same baby twice (mixing them up) and the over-feeding is the culprit.

Second guess is intestinal irritation... this can happen if heavy cream is added to the formula if the baby is sensitive.

If it smells awful, I wonder if this *might* be giardia, though it is an atypical presentation if this is the cause. The poo is the right consistency, but not the right color in this case... I hope some other members will jump in and share thoughts on this since it seems I am reaching here...

If the formula "hygiene" is being followed and no cream added, can you share if the baby has any other symptoms like lake of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting (though squirrels usually will not vomit as in emptying their stomachs, it is more expelling what may be in their throats so smaller volumes) or any other unusual thing that may have been observed.

Circling back to this her poo does not smell like sour milk or the formula but it does smell like actual poo when she does her business and the smell can be strong. At the start it was not but now it is, if she does have giardia what are somethings I can do to help her?and is this something that could cause her brother to have the same issue?

[Spanky]

My first choice would be to treat her with metronidazole (Metro/Flagyl) and see how that goes. This would be the best option in my opinion. It is very effective in treating lots of infections of the gut.

The metro is a fairly common medication used for humans, if you can locate a single tablet (check the cebinets, ask family friends and neighbors).

I am not so convinced any longer that this is giardia since that is usually more green and smells repulsive and the symptoms have not really progressed. If it is giardia, fendbendazole can be purchased in stores and on-line. To answer the question about her brother, there are asymptomatic carriers and he could be one.

Another possibility is coccidia... coccidia are protozoans and are always present, just sometimes they can get out of control and cause issues. Coccidosis (overwhelming numbers ocf coccidia) is treated using sulfadimethoxine (Albon) or toltrazuril (Baycox). Her brother may have more resistance and able to keep things in check.

Albon is a popular veterinary medication (prescription) if you can find that.

Baycox can be purchased on line and has the advantage of only requiring dosing once and repeat in 7 days (it is very effective for coccidosis):
https://www.allthingsbunnies.com/Tol...s-p/med132.htm

The metro may be the most difficult to locate, but IMO is the "right" treatment in this case.

Edit: I just discovered the Metro is available for purchase as an aquarium medication:
https://www.calvetsupply.com/aquarium-metronidazole-250mg-100-tablets.html

[Furryfriend]

My first choice would be to treat her with metronidazole (Metro/Flagyl) and see how that goes. This would be the best option in my opinion. It is very effective in treating lots of infections of the gut.

The metro is a fairly common medication used for humans, if you can locate a single tablet (check the cebinets, ask family friends and neighbors).

I am not so convinced any longer that this is giardia since that is usually more green and smells repulsive and the symptoms have not really progressed. If it is giardia, fendbendazole can be purchased in stores and on-line. To answer the question about her brother, there are asymptomatic carriers and he could be one.

Another possibility is coccidia... coccidia are protozoans and are always present, just sometimes they can get out of control and cause issues. Coccidosis (overwhelming numbers ocf coccidia) is treated using sulfadimethoxine (Albon) or toltrazuril (Baycox). Her brother may have more resistance and able to keep things in check.

Albon is a popular veterinary medication (prescription) if you can find that.

Baycox can be purchased on line and has the advantage of only requiring dosing once and repeat in 7 days (it is very effective for coccidosis):
https://www.allthingsbunnies.com/Tol...s-p/med132.htm

The metro may be the most difficult to locate, but IMO is the "right" treatment in this case.

Edit: I just discovered the Metro is available for purchase as an aquarium medication:
https://www.calvetsupply.com/aquarium-metronidazole-250mg-100-tablets.html

I have amoxicillin on hand in her case would this help?

[Spanky]

I have amoxicillin on hand in her case would this help?

No, this is not helpful (could even make things worse) in this situation... keep looking!