Why is Fern itching? No hair loss

[Littlefern]

Hi All,

I’m new to posting here but have used this site for years. I’m taking care of a 5-6 week old grey squirrel. She was very dehydrated when she was brought to me so I gave her pedialyte every 2 hours for the first 12 hrs. She eventually peed and I switched her to the esbilac/heavy cream mixture (slowly adding less water at each feeding). She started having diarrhea so I gave her extra water for a few feedings and she stopped having diarrhea but then became constipated and bloated. I spaced out her feedings to the normal 4 hours and continued giving her half water half mixture at each feeding. She didn’t poop for 24 hrs (but it was her first time on formula) so I gave her 1 cc of half water half apple juice and eventual she pooped a tiny bit (no diarrhea this time yay!). She still doesn’t poop at ever feeding and is a little bloated after each feeding. I’m curious to know how frequently I should expect her to poop? She pees at almost every feeding.

She also has a tiny scab on her chest and has been itching herself (but no hair loss or bugs have been detected) and I’m not sure if this is normal scratching or if she’ll need medicine for it. What should I do?

She also has one tiny lump under her skin by her rib cage and I’m not sure what it is. I tried to get a picture but she’s just too wiggly to get a good one.

Thanks for you help!
- Bek

[CritterMom]

I am a little at a loss about how you are feeding her.

Are you using the dry powder Esbilac, or the liquid stuff in the can?

If the dry, how are you mixing it? The correct ratio is 2 parts water for every 1 part formula powder (i.e., 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon powder).

How much heavy cream are you adding?

How much does she weigh? We calculate the amount to feed based on the weight of the baby.

If you are diluting her formula with water over and above the ratio I mentioned, it is going to affect the amount she poops. The formula powder is a solid. They pee liquids out and poop solids; if you are diluting, there are less solids, and thus, less poop.

Just to add something else to the mix, it would be a very good idea to buy and slowly transition her to Fox Valley 20/50. It can be purchased at Henrys: https://henryspets.com/fox-valley-da...aby-squirrels/ It has the nutrition that an older baby (over 4 weeks) like her should be eating. I would also suggest throwing a bag or two of the Henry's Healthy foods: https://henryspets.com/diets/ - I suggest either the hazelnut or the picky bites for when she begins to wean while you are there.

We really will need a pic of the rash/bumps you mentioned. I don't know how long ago you found her but they do get ant bites and such when they are on the ground.

[Littlefern]

I am a little at a loss about how you are feeding her.

Are you using the dry powder Esbilac, or the liquid stuff in the can?

If the dry, how are you mixing it? The correct ratio is 2 parts water for every 1 part formula powder (i.e., 2 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon powder).

How much heavy cream are you adding?

How much does she weigh? We calculate the amount to feed based on the weight of the baby.

If you are diluting her formula with water over and above the ratio I mentioned, it is going to affect the amount she poops. The formula powder is a solid. They pee liquids out and poop solids; if you are diluting, there are less solids, and thus, less poop.

Just to add something else to the mix, it would be a very good idea to buy and slowly transition her to Fox Valley 20/50. It can be purchased at Henrys: https://henryspets.com/fox-valley-da...aby-squirrels/ It has the nutrition that an older baby (over 4 weeks) like her should be eating. I would also suggest throwing a bag or two of the Henry's Healthy foods: https://henryspets.com/diets/ - I suggest either the hazelnut or the picky bites for when she begins to wean while you are there.

We really will need a pic of the rash/bumps you mentioned. I don't know how long ago you found her but they do get ant bites and such when they are on the ground.

Yes I've been using the dry powder with 2 parts water, 1 part powder, and 1/4 part heavy cream. I've been drawing up 1.5 cc of the mixture and 1.5 cc of extra water because another thread on here suggested giving about half water half mixture for a few feedings if they have diarrhea. I've been slowly working her back up to the regular formula decreasing the extra water by a 1/2 cc per 3 ccs at each feeding. Her last feeding she had 7.5 cc of the formula/heavy cream/water mixture with 1.5 cc of extra water (1/2 a cc of extra water per 2.5 cc of formula mixture). I planned to give her about 9 cc of the formula mixture (no extra water now) on her next feeding. She weighs 121 grams or 4.3 oz.

She was found two days ago near the road, no mama to be seen and never came for her so they brought her to me. It's possible that she got a few bites before she was found but I'm surprised she doesn't have them anywhere else. I tried to take a picture again but she has so much fur and both spots are on her underside which makes it very difficult to get a decent photo showing what's going on under the fur. I drew a picture that'll hopefully be better than nothing and I'll keep trying. I'll include a picture I took yesterday as well so you can see what she looks like as a whole.

Thank you for the diet/weaning suggestions. I'll look into that today.

[CritterMom]

Oh, a beautiful little fox squirrel. They don't have them where I live - I am jealous!

To better show us the spots, dampen a rag or cotton ball with some soapy water and wipe the areas down with that. Their fur is difficult to wet - they are sort of waterproof - but the it of soap will overcome that. Take the pics and then wipe the soap off with some clear water.

[HRT4SQRLS]

I was a little confused by your first post also but now I think I understand. Because you’ve only had her for two days, diluting the formula to transition her to a commercial formula is fine. Sometimes their GI tract can react badly to formula in the beginning causing either diarrhea OR constipation. It is not mother milk but it’s the best we can do. I’m glad the baby is finally up to full strength formula. She needs the nutrition.

She is totally beautiful.

[KCullen]

I had a gray squirrel with gastrointestinal upset, and I had him on the Esbilac combo while waiting for more Fox Valley. When I switched him over, it made a HUGE difference. Hopefully this helps your baby. As for the bites/bumps, we have had a heck of a time with no see em's, sand flies, etc this year. There isn't an infestation, just the hot wet weather makes them breed like crazy. Hopefully it cools down and the issue resolves.

I haven't had a foxer yet, hopefully someday