Need Help, Found 4 Pink Babies

[acpowell]

These babies appear hydrated and are not injured.

A friend called and sadly, her neighbor shot a mamma squirrel this afternoon. The man's wife called her in tears and they rescued the 4 babies. 2 of the babies are on their way to my home. I have not seen them, I have only spoken with her over the phone. The babies are pink, maybe 1-2 weeks old. She has them in a shoebox on a heating pad.

She has administered the first feeding of pedialyte: 1/2 cc of the homemade solution: 1 tsp salt, 3 tbs suger, and 1 quart water (is this formula correct)?

Do you give pedialyte every 30 minutes for first 2 hours? Since the babies were rescued right away, and do not appear to be dehyrdrated, will 2 hours of pedialyte be sufficient?

I am not sure how to weigh the babies when they arrive. I do not have access to a kitchen scale. Any suggestion?

I need clarification/ measurements for introducing the esbilac formula with the pedialyte. I read that by feeding 5 you should be at 100% formula.

How many parts esbilic, water, whipping cream? Can I get the conversion measurements?

How many cc's per feeding and how many hours between daytime feedings and during midnight hours? I can feed them thru out the night if needed.

Do they need an Ott Light right away?

How long can the rice buddy be used? Do I need to turn the air in my home up? I will put them in a room with all vents off.

Please post any links or websites that will be helpful.

Katie is on the way to my house with the 2 babies that I will raise. She will be raising the other 2 at her house. She has successfully rehabbed a squirrel in the past and I am sure that she is going to do an outstanding job. I have given her TSB information and hopefully she will join. We both would like to raise and release, as I am already a mommy of two squirrels.

I have Mr. Squirrel, he is 1 year old and Ms. Laz, she is 6 months old. What pre-cautions should be taken?

I will get pictures posted in a few minutes.

Thank you for your help.

Amanda

[acpowell]

My 2 new babies :Love_Icon

[Apple Corps]

Amanda - I'll reserve comments on the SOB that shot the Momma - no doubt some macho redneck good o'l southern boy - real man :soapbox :soapbox :soapbox (I'm from the south...)

So - pedialyte formula is close enough. Gammas Baby has a detailed sticky on this stuff - I'll look for it now.

[squirrel princess]

You do not need the light and I would think since they are hydrated you could start the formula....wish you did have a scale geeze you are going to have your hands full for a few weeks with those every couple of hours feeding:poke sure you do not want me to come get then:D At that age remember to be very careful and feed slowly so they do not aspirate and as small as they are I would think less than 1 cc per feeding just feel there little tummies should feel like a softly inflated ballon:D

[squirrel princess]

they are so tiny 1 cc may feed them all:osnap they do not need the FSL light until they are weaned..you may want to mix the formula not as strong until their little tummies get used to it but then again I did not and chipper was fine but he was 3 1/2 weeks when I got him and so was the other baby I had years ago:thumbsup

[Apple Corps]

GB - is all that info of yours a "Sticky" ??

If not - we need to make it a



STICKY

[island rehabber]

amanda, I love rehabbing pinky squirrels and have done quite a few. My magic words for pinkies are: Warmth, Hydration, Consistency, and Patience.

WARMTH: a heating pad on low, under half their container (not under THEM) is best. Plastic tubs or terrariums are good because the environment is more humid and their skin doesn't dry out. When feeding a pinky, if your hands are warm you can use tissue paper to wrap and hold him...if your hands are cold, WARM a cloth or glove before picking up the pinky or you will chill him instantly.

HYDRATION: pinkies need hydration in the form of formula -- or Pedialyte in the beginning -- at least every 2.5 hrs. This means getting up at least once during the night. I get up twice, and it still means they will go 3.5 hrs sometimes without food but it's usually ok. If they look flat and skinny when you get up to feed them, you are not feeding OFTEN enough. Sorry kids, it's a rough gig those first 2 weeks. :D

CONSISTENCY: consistent heat.....consistent feedings....if your schedule is going to make you sporadic or unpredictable in caring for these teeny-weenies, give them to someone who has the time to care for them properly. If you don't have a heating pad, GET ONE, without an auto shut-off. Microwave disks are too unpredictable for pinkies and may cook them. Hot water bottles don't last nearly long enough for these fragile babies.

PATIENCE: Feed pinkies slo-o-o--owly. Very slowly. Teeny drop by teeny drop, preferably with a 0.5 (1/2) cc syringe or a 1cc at the LARGEST. Use a nipple attachment for best results. Go very, very slowly. If it takes you 15 minutes to get half a cc of formula into a pinky, yer doin' it perfectly. :D This is how we avoid aspiration, the #1 cause of death in pinkies and the reason why "some say" there is only a 50% success rate in saving them. :shakehead

Good luck! PM me if you need any more info.....:thumbsup

[acpowell]

Consistency will not be a problem for us and I will do my very best with them.

The male appears to have a bruise on the top of his head because there is a very small purple area. He may have fallen out of the nest. What precautions should I take with him?

They have successfully finished their first feeding of pedialyte and are snuggled next to their rice buddy. My husband has gone for a heating pad.I will continue the pedialyte feeding every 30 minutes for the next 2 hours.

At 10:00 pm they will have completed 2 hours of pedialyte. At that time should I begin the first three esbilac feedings (1:3) every 2 hours?

For the Esbilac water feeding, do they need heavy whipping cream? Also, I understand the 1:3, 1:2, 1:1 but what are good starting measurements for both the esbilac and water?

I am very afraid because they are so tiny and fragile.

[TexanSquirrel]

Good luck with those tiny babies!

[island rehabber]

acpowell don't worry....I PM'd you my number and hopefully the answers to your questions. You're doing fine! :)

[tatcat]

:wave123 ac, good luck the with lil ones...they are so tiny...this is gonna be fun watching them grow up!!!:jump

[skye]

Oh my that is some small good luck to you and the sweet babies:)

[TinyPaws]

I am at a loss for words reading this thread.....I find myself just shaking my head is disgust....

I know the babies are in good hands and can't wait to see pictures of them as they grorw....:grouphug

[acpowell]

Both still have their umbilical cords and I read that they do not shed these until 10 days old so they are younger than I originally thought.

Both are eating well and going to the potty, both pee and poop.

I have the heating pad on LOW temperature, under their plastic container. They feel warm to me and are no longer bundled together. Should I trust that enough heat radiate thru the plastic? The plastic container is covered with a thin cloth- will this be enough? I kept their "rice buddy" in with them because they seem to like it. Should I keep it heated, along with the pad?

I have been sending Katie all of the information that I have received. The 2 babies that she is nursing are doing well. I hope that she decides to join to benefit from everyone's expertise.

I will be up feeding every two hours throughout the night. I pray we all have a good night.

[adoptedmom]

Good luck, Amanda! I know you had your hands full with Laz and Mr. Squirrel. Bless you for making room for these two, too. :Love_Icon Now you've really got a houseful. :bowdown We'll all be rooting for the little ones and you :grouphug

[acpowell]

Yes, I do have a home full of squirrels! I keep a broom in my hand, cleaning up after Ms. Laz and Mr. Squirrrel. I am especially tired tonight. There are so many things going on. Right now, I am up for their feeding. Both babies are doing really well and I am very thankful for that.

[adoptedmom]

Miss Amanda's home for wayward squirrels :D

[muffinsquirrel]

3 feedings in 1 part esbilac in 3 parts water
3 feedings in 1 part esbilac in 2 parts water
3 feedings in 1part esbilac in 1 part water.

I will also post the EMergency Baby Squirrel Care Info.


Gammas Baby, I believe this should read:

3 feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 4 parts water
3 feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 3 parts water
then go to all feedings 1 part Esbilac powder in 2 parts water

For squirrels, and many other animals, the advised formula is 1 esbilac/2 water, as is stated on the container.

muffinsquirrel

[acpowell]

The babies look great this morning! Their little footsies stayed warm througout the night and during feedings. Their skin is no longer dry and both are shiny pink today.

I began the feedings with 1:3 but will make the appropriate changes. They are eating a little less than 1/2 cc per feeding. Both fall asleep before we reach the full 1/2 cc mark.

I plan to buy a measuring device today. I have been using a tea warmer to keep the formula at the correct temperature during feedings. It takes a long time to feed the two because I am doing as told, 1 drop at a time.

They are both going to the potty during and after feedings but their poops are very soft. Maybe this will change with the 1:4 ratio.

:thankyou Thank you all for the guidance!

More later!

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug babies!:grouphug
Well, the saying goes...when it rains, it pours!
Soft and fuzzies everywhere!:grouphug

[rolo02]

hey amanda i can't beleive i found you!!! thanks for taking two of the babies i know your house feels like a mad house right now! i'm right down the road if you need me don't hesitate to call:thumbsup :thankyou :grouphug

[acpowell]

Babies are doing well. They are eating between .5 and 1 cc per feeding. :)

I have had them for 2 days now. It seems like much longer. They still have their umbilical cords and I read that they will shed those around 10 days old. They must have been just born when their mother was killed.

Both are already showing great differences in personality. The male is always first to eat because he is always moving around when I go in. He manages the syringe very well, but he is smaller than the female. The female will not be still during feedings, and I have a more difficult time feeding her. She likes to sleep and makes noises.

I have ordered a scale, will be here in 3-4 days. Katie's weigh 19g (male) and 21g (female).

I am missing my stolen digital camera. These 2 pictures were taken yesterday with the cell phone so not very good quality.

:grouphug

Picture 1: Female Top, Male Bottom

Picture 2: Male Top, Female Covered

[rolo02]

he really dosen't seem to care about what he did. and to answer a former comment he is a dumb redneck!!! when does your scale come in? if you need one before then i have one. i weigh them everyday and it hasen't changed but i've only weighed them twice so...

[wheezer]

Thanks to both of you raising the little pinkies:thankyou
(:soapbox to the redneck who shot the mother:frustratedx )

It will be fun to watch them grow. I know you are doing all the work but you have lots of support here :bowdown

[Missouri]

Good Heavens - why do people have such a penchant for shooting other beings? :thinking I do not get it. I really do not. And a squirrel of all things! Is that sport or just power playing meanness?

My other question is how in the world you identify the Mother's nest and get up there to get the babies? I live in an neighborhood sea of old Oaks, (and thus squirrel nests). I don't how you found those babies - but I am happy you did.

Amanda -- You must be exhausted!
Applause to you for taking on the infants ! :bowdown

Hi to Laz and Mr. S !

M

[island rehabber]

Amanda you are doing SO well I'm moving your thread to Non Life Threatening, ok? This way every post will not trigger emails to rehabbers. :thumbsup:):)

[acpowell]

:wave123

Both babies continue to grow. They have almost doubled in length since they arrived last week. They are turning darker and I see a very thin fuzz beginning to grow. I can also see the cartiledge in the fingers and toes grow and expand.

After they eat you can see the milk in the stomachs, which is very helpful.

I had a small issue with the male. He did not urinate at two feedings. The area was very red. I am not sure if someone suckled... it quickly cleared by itself. Both are very regular with bathrooms.

Scale should be here on Monday. If not, I will use Katie's. I am very anxious to compare weights. Both are still eating about 1cc per feeding, and stop eating when they are full. The milk- line has been correct. At what weight do I increase the cc's?

Both have been very stable since they arrived. I am thankful for that.

I am now confident that they are going to survive so I need to decide on names!

And yes, I do not understand how the redneck shot a mother that was in her nest, with the babies. From what I understand, the nest was near an overhang, and he was angry because he had just gotten new siding on the building. So cruel, and heartless.

I am extremely grateful for Katie, being able to get the babies from his wife before they were harmed. She immediately had them warm and safe so when they arrived they were in good shape.

Thanks everyone, for all of your help.

More pictures soon.

Amanda

[Jackie in Tampa]

:wahoo :wahoo
a house full:grouphug
thanks for the update:wave123

[island rehabber]

From what I understand, the nest was near an overhang, and he was angry because he had just gotten new siding on the building.

Now that's a real he-man, by golly, protecting his aluminum siding from the onslaught of an evil predator....:shakehead....jerk.

Amanda you can use the 5-7% rule regarding their feedings, or simply use the milk line ("The Squirrel is Half Full Method" :D) to tell when to stop. Right now if they weigh up to 20g you would stick with 1cc, etc.

[Sciurus1]

Ohhh fuzzing out, so precious! :Love_Icon

[squirrel princess]

Hey Amanda:wave123 Just checking in on the babes and you thought you already had your hands full. I know you were going to try to go out of town soon :sanp3 Guess that went out the door..atl east with these guys you can take them to some one else for a few days
...hint...hint..wink:poke :rotfl I know Katie is closer:shakehead