6wk old not pooping on FV 20/50

[Squirrelly12345]

Looking for alternate formula suggestions.
Squirrel is 6-weeks-old and I’ve had him since umbilical cord was still attached.

At 4 weeks I spent 1 week switching him slowly from KMR to FV 20/50 and observed for another week to see if problem would sort out but no luck. He doesn’t poop, his butt is enlarged and scabs over then opens when poo dribbles out. He’s been on Clavamox and topical antibacterial for two weeks with little to no improvement. We do warm compresses and stimulate. He is under vet supervision - they are suggesting a mini-enema but trying to avoid it.

Why KMR? Because I tried to introduce him slowly to FV 32/40 and he immediately blocked up and I almost lost him. With lots of hydration and sq fluids he made it through. KMR was on hand and didn’t want to switch him to Esbilqc after almost losing him.

He showed no issues on KMR and grew just fine. I made the plan to switch him at 4 weeks to FV and he is gaining weight and growing well but not pooping and the butt issue is not resolving.

Im considering Esbilac with Probiotics, Esbilac Goat Milk with Probiotics, OxBow Critical Care Omnivore, or KMR with supplemental fats. Looking forward to your suggestions - thank you! 😊

[CritterMom]

Our standard recommendation (right now) is to start them on Esbilac Powdered puppy formula, not the goats milk and not the liquid stuff in the little cans, either. At 5-6 weeks, slowly start the transition over to FV 20/50. We do not recommend the FV 32/40 for what you are describing. HOWEVER, we have a number of people that end up keeping their babies on half Esbilac and half 20/50 until weaning. The KMR isn't for squirrels - cats require all kinds of weird stuff because they are obligate carnivores, so in this case I would get a can of the regular old Esbilac and start over with that. In the meantime, make sure he has plenty of hydration and when you get the new formula, make just the first batch a little weak - it is 2 parts water to 1 part powder so I am thinking 2.5 parts water to 1 part powder - just a little weaker which will also provide more hydration to get the poops out.

Also... Find a big bowl or small bucket that is deep enough that hour can fill it with warm water, hold him under the armpits and submerge him chest deep so his feet are dangling and gently use a finger to stroke his tummy firmly in the downward direction, while it is under water. If you can keep him there for a dew minutes and keep the water warm, it relaxes their muscles and often they will go - plus in his case contact with the water will help soften what is collected around his anus. The downward strokes are trying to simulate the natural action of moving the waste down and out. Make sure he is swaddled and dried and placed somewhere warm after doing this.

[Squirrelly12345]

Thank you!

Just to clarify - he is currently 6 weeks old and has been on 20/50 for 2 weeks. I don’t think he can digest it.

I will switch over slowly to the Esbilac Powder. If he handles it well I think I will avoid trying the 20/50 again.

[CritterMom]

Just for my info - we need to keep an eye on things like formulas not working the way they should - how do you mix the Fox Valley?

It needs to be mixed with very warm water and it absolutely needs to be "rested" overnight in the fridge before feeding. I wouldn't mix up a batch and feed it right away. It takes longer to actually saturate all of the solids - they are suspended in the water and they LOOK dissolved but they really aren't until they soak for a while. I would treat every powdered formula that way.

[Squirrelly12345]

I mix the next day’s batch the night before, 2 tbsp powder to 4 tbsp warmest water (not boiling) then add an extra 1/2 tbsp of water in hopes it would digest better. I stir then shake it, making sure it’s not “grainy” before feeding.

[CritterMom]

Thank you - you are doing everything right.

If you were to sit down and read the board through the years you would run into 3 times over the past 15 years that one or the other formula companies made a change to one ingredient or another in their formula that probably seemed innocuous at the time but turned out to be catastrophic to rehabbers. So when someone has a problem I like to get as much info as possible. Squirrels are little individuals; yours may just have a more sensitive stomach and needs some diet tweaking.

Wait - one last thing. None of the formula companies show this on the label and they should. Store the formula powder in the freezer. The powder itself goes rancid at room temp. It mixes fine straight from the freezer. Is it a possibility that this could have happened?

[Squirrelly12345]

I’ve never stored powder in the freezer but the bag was only opened two weeks ago and has been sealed fully between uses.

[island rehabber]

All I can say here is "freezer". Keep formula in the freezer. Especially Esbilac which contains animal fats and they go rancid quickly. Freezer.

[CritterMom]

All I can say here is "freezer". Keep formula in the freezer. Especially Esbilac which contains animal fats and they go rancid quickly. Freezer.

Yes, I discovered this with Esbilac - I came very close to killing the now late, great Mister P with rancid esbilac powder. Once you break the seal, the clock starts - sticking it in the freezer stops the clock.

That may not be what happened but I wouldn't use any of that bag and would follow through on the freezer with the new stuff you are getting.

[Squirrelly12345]

Update - slowly moving to esbilac but still not pooping. The anus is healing but I’m wondering if there’s something wrong anatomically. It’s not sticking out like a prolapse. But something isn’t right. I’ve seen some straining and discomfort. Today he regurgitated his morning feeding. Trying to add pictures from right after a warm soak…

He is 226.7grams and 7 weeks old. He’s on Clav, topical bacitracin and prep h for swelling - Do you think metacam would be helpful?