Flying Squirrel with white poop

[Alex628]

I was brought 2 flying squirrels Saturday. Both in bad shape, fly eggs, severe dehydration, cold. Unfortunately one passed within an hr but the other is hanging in there. After rehydrating him I began feeding fox valley formula (it’s old formula but has been stored in the freezer, new bag is coming). He did well first day then started vomiting if fed more than .5ml at a time. As of yesterday we had a large amount of white diarrhea, I stopped formula and did pedialyte, restarted formula this morning once rehydrated. Since having the diarrhea there’s been no more vomit. And we’re happy to eat 1ml at a feeding. But our poop is pasty and white. What can I do to help improve this for him?

He’s about 21grams, just opened his eyes Monday, and I added a tiny little pinch of benebac powder to his formula after diarrhea.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hello Alex,

I'm sorry you lost one of the flyers. Let's start from the beginning. I'll make a list so it's easy to keep track.

1. Flyer warm and dry, then with 1ml syringe (no larger than this or you will cause him to aspirate.
2. Rehydration. Pedialyte. Syringe pointing up - flyer face facing down. Do not hold like a human baby. After rehydration, no more Pedialyte. At this age,
3. Esbilac Powdered Puppy Milk Replacer. 1ml syringe. Let him eat what he will. He'll stop and turn his head away when he's full. Save the Fox Valley 20/50 for when he's 5-6 weeks old. Even when frozen, replacer powders will go rancid. He may have vomited from rancid formula.
4. Get him cleaned up. the parasites must go - every last one of them. We have used warm water and just a drop of baby shampoo premixed in the water to wash down kids in similar shape, and then used a soft toothbrush to comb out all the nasties, followed by a final rinse of clear, clean warm water. Dry him off very gently with a soft towel. Some have needed 2 or three treatments. Those who have needed any washing at all have been in very bad shape - some on the verge of death. Chin up - many of them have come through and are now thriving.
5. Read this, then read it again. Be sure to get at all six pages: https://henryspets.com/1-baby-squirrel-care-guide/ Flyers benefit from the same care.
6. At 5-6 weeks, switch to the new container of 20/50.
7. Never used Benebac - can't recommend for or against. I'd be very careful with it - at 21 grams (or even full grown at 65 grams,) the littlest bit of anything at all can cause distress or worse. Perhaps one of our admins can comment.

Craig, (also new here,) and I have had a wonderful time bring his flyer back from the brink. He has even named the little guy Tyrant. How cool is that? This thread takes you through the journey: https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/...lp-appreciated Questions after this? I'm here. Fire away!

Jamie

[Alex628]

Been using a 1ml syringe and miracle nipple. All fly eggs were removed day he came to me.
I’ll have to check but I should have some puppy formula hanging around here somewhere otherwise he’ll have to hold out till after work tomorrow, but I’m almost positive someone gave me a container of it last month.
He got a butt bath earlier tonight as the stool he’s passing is just getting caked on him.


I’ve rehabbed squirrels before, just not flying ones. Honestly I didn’t know we had them here.
What is a normal rate of weight gain for them?
I know it’s early but at what point do I start offering solid food?
I ordered Henry’s blocks as first food, is there something else you recommend?

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Alex,

The rearing procedures for tree squirrels and flyers are much the same. It sounds as if your flyer is in excellent hands. Generally speaking, the feeding goes something like this: Esbilac powdered puppy milk replacer (not the goat's milk variety) through week 5. Transition to 20/50 week 6 (separately mix batches of Esbilac and of 20/50, mix them together at 80% Esbilac, 20% 20/50; 60% Esbilac, 40% 20/50, etc. until you get to 0% Esbilac and 100% 20/50. At week ten or so, they'll show interest in solids and start preferring that to the 20/50. At this point, make water available to supplement and subsequently replace the 20/50. In short order, your flyer will turn his head away when offered 20/50. Transition complete!

Check your PM, please - I've sent you a link to a terrific guide to flyers by Anne Miller. It is packed with growth and behavior information. Keep us abreast?

Jamie

[Alex628]

He’s eating well (2ml/feed). Poop is still white/yellow tinged. Not gaining much he’s now 22grams. But he’s more active and alert. As he grows I’d like to put him in my birds old cage, what’s the bar spacing supposed to be for flying squirrels to not escape? I’d like him to have room to grow/climb/explore. But also want him to remain safely contained.
And I’ll be going away a few days next week, my friend who has also done squirrels before will be taking him. I’d like to send her with antibiotics in case they are needed while I’m gone. What’s the best antibiotic for them?

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi Alex, I'm glad he's doing well. If he's eating well and the transition goes well, he'll gain weight just fine. He's been through a lot, his little body is just catching up. 3/8" is the size of the Critter Nation cages we use. Please do make sure your kid is in a cage big enough to run around and jump in, and that it has soft, warm places he can burrow, hide, and sleep in. And, of course, plenty of out of cage time on and with you and a pouch in which he can bond with you. amoxycillin clavulanate, I believe, is the antibiotic of choice with our admins. Baytril in a pinch. You might want to request dosing here in a separate post before you leave for your trip. If something does happen that requires antibiotics, your friend will know what to do. Just provide hyour flyer's weight at the time of the request and note that he is a flyer. Safe travels!

Jamie