Hi everyone. =]
So I have been lurking here and mainly just researching up on things since I joined last week. I do not have any squirrels at the moment but I was appointed this site because I am looking into becoming a subpermittee wildlife rehabilitator in my state for small mammals. I have compiled a list of some things if you guys don't mind helping me with.
Okay lets start
Fox Valley Day-one formula 32/40:
Feed until 5 weeks, then gradually switch to 20/50. What is the best way of gradually switching? Should you just substitute one feeding with 32/40 and one feeding 20/50, and so forth until you've completely switched to 20/50?
Fox Valley Day-one formula 20/50:
Pretty explanatory shows 4weeks+
Fox Valley Ultraboost:
Okay this one shows you can mix with formulas or solid foods to help gain weight. What I did not see was exactly
how much of this would you mix into the formula/solid foods. How often you should give to them? What weight range would you need to supplement ultraboost, is it only for severly underweight ones?
LA-200 Probiotics:
I understand this is to help their digestive system. Says can be used for animals that have not had colostrum from their mother and is recommended for use during and after antibiotics. It says you can supplement formulas, water, or electrolyte solution. What I would like to know is how often would you supplement? Do you continue until they reach a certain age then stop unless they are needing antibiotics?
That's the only questions I have about the formulas for now but I do have more questions! =D
So general feeding patterns is:
under 1 week: every 2 hours - 1cc
1 week: every 3 hours - 2cc
2 weeks: every 3-4 hours - 2-3cc
3 weeks: every 3-4 hours - 4-5.5cc
4 weeks: every 4 hours - 6-9cc
5 weeks: every 4 hours - 10-12cc
6 weeks: every 5 hours - 12-14cc
and you can figure out a more accurate cc amount for your specific squirrel with the 5-7% feeding rule by multiplying the percentage by the amount the squirrel weighs in grams.
When feeding you want to always have the syringe going up to the side of the mouth and not going down to the squirrel so you don't asphyxiate him and always plunge slowly, very slow.
When using the 1cc syringe for the ones under 5weeks old or 3cc syringe for more than 5 weeks do you suggest I use the silicone mothering nipple also or not use it at all?
Once they reach close to 8 weeks and they will be getting close to the time they normally wean themselves
off the formula, is Henry's Hi-protein block the one I should use? Do I continue adding henrys protein block everyday with other nutrition up until 5 months where they will then be switched to the adult blocks?
The basic setup for the babies is a sterilite plastic container, a lid with holes, a heater with no shutoff on low setting on half of the container, fleece or tshirt, a small baby food jar with a sponge and water to help with humidity.
Baby is placed opposite of heat mat and food jar with water sponge is placed on side with mat?
Do you have an exact temp range the heat mat should be at or just leaving on low is sufficient enough without monitoring?
Do you place the lid on the food jar with holes or do you leave the lid off?
At what age do you not need the food jar anymore?
Is it at 10 weeks when you move them to a cage?
What is a good age that they can be released back into the wild?
Some basic red flags are:
bloating - overfeeding, too many air bubbles in formula, constipation.
dehydration - loose skin not snapping back immediately,
asphyxiation - feeding wrongly, can cause pneumonia if it gets in lungs, listen for clicking.
diarrhea - overfeeding, too often, parasites, etc...
Hypoglycemia - feedings too far apart, spasms, gasp for breath.
cold to touch - don't feed until warmed
Okay thanks guys at the moment that's the only questions I have, sorry if it seems like a lot at once lol I just don't want to assume even if it may seem minuscule , I like having the exact facts. =]
If anyone has any added tips please let me know!