PDA

View Full Version : Who Would Take on 6 Pink Baby Squirrels?



Sonja
07-17-2008, 09:36 PM
Hello all:

Our neighbor cut down a tree with a squirrel nest in it. He brought me the 6 babies he found in there. This was a couple of days ago. The little creatures still have a tiny piece of umbilical cord, so they must be less than a week old. They're about 1 1/2 inch long. We tried to reunite them with mom, but since it was in the late afternoon, unfortunately without any luck.

I've fed them homemade electrolyte solution until I was able to get the milk replacer the next morning. They're all doing fine so far, but I cannot keep up this very busy schedule. So, if you'd like to take on the responsibility for these cuties, please let me know as soon as possible. I know I will get too attached to them, if they stay much longer :) .

I'm north of Lee, Madison county, North Central Florida.

Thank you.

Sonja

tatcat
07-17-2008, 09:46 PM
:grouphug wow sonja, you sure have your hands full...i really wish i could take on that many....but i am new to the squirrel world....good luck darlin in finding homes...there are a lot of good ppl on here with lots of good info....:D

Buddy'sMom
07-17-2008, 09:47 PM
:Welcome Sonja! We have quite a few members in Florida so we should be able to find someone to help you. Hang in there!

Have you already found our information on feeding, bedding, stimulating for pee/poop, etc? If not, there are 3 very good articles here: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56 Feel free to ask any questions you may have -- you can get lots of help here!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

TexanSquirrel
07-17-2008, 09:49 PM
:Welcome Good luck with them!

Buddy'sMom
07-17-2008, 09:56 PM
Sonja -- here is information that is posted for new finders -- it sounds like you are already past much of it, but just in case there is anything you didn't already find out:


Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)
Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. Find a Box or Container[B]
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

Note: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. [B]Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

How to Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

Supplies You Will Need: [B]
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.
[B]
Proper Position
A tiny baby can be held in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.

Buddy'sMom
07-17-2008, 09:59 PM
And some more --- this was recently posted by one of our very experienced rehabbers, specifically for someone who had just started caring for a group of pinkies:


... :Welcome and thanks for saving those cuties. I'm going to repeat what I posted the other day for another person here who took in her first pinky squirrels:

PINKY SQUIRRELS: THE FOUR MAGIC WORDS

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.

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. 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.


:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Sonja
07-17-2008, 10:11 PM
Buddy's Mom:

I feed them every two hours, and stimulate them for pee/poop right after they had their milk. They drink about 0.5-0.8 cc each, one girl a bit less than the others, but she looks pink and is lively. I only have 3cc syringes, and it's quite a challenge to get one droplet out at a time. I let them lick off the milk, and they're doing fine by this method. It's amazing how fast they learned where the good stuff comes from!

There are three boys and three girls, btw. I don't have a heat pad, but have them on a bottle with hot water wrapped in a t-shirt. The bottle gets refilled with hot water at every feeding, and they seem nice and warm; very squirmy little things when it gets close to feeding time :-).

Is there something else I need to be aware off/must do?

Thank you all for your friendly notes!

Sonja

Buddy'sMom
07-17-2008, 10:23 PM
I put out a call for members in your area that may be able to care for them.

Hot water bottles tend to cool down quickly -- you just need to make sure they don't get too cold. "Rice buddies" might stay warm longer. Fill socks 2/3 with rice, lentils or dried beans, knot the end. Then microwave for 20-30 seconds -- til very warm but not too hot (or wrap in tshirt is they get hot). Reheat as needed. You could put several in, around the group of them.

The other thing with pinkies is to feed them very VERY slowly -- sounds like you've already got that down.

Keep an eye on their poop -- if it gets loose or runny, they are being overfed and you should cut back a little.

Sounds like you are doing a great job! SIX!! WOW!! I hope we can give you a break real soon. But, as far as not getting attached? :rotfl Right. Like that hasn't happened already? :D

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

MsOakley
07-18-2008, 08:37 AM
Hi Sonja,

I'm in Fl but pretty far south of you. I looked at a map and from what I could tell you're north of Tallahassee, not far from Georgia. One site said you're only 30 minutes from Valdosta. Maybe some of the GA people can help as well. How's it going? If this is your first time doing this and you're managing six pinkies, I have profound admiration for you! If you can borrow a heating pad it's really the ideal heat source(and much easier too).

Jackie in Tampa
07-18-2008, 08:49 AM
:grouphug I'm in Tampa, and have a house full of juvy's...:sanp3
good luck!:grouphug

atlantasquirrelgirl
07-18-2008, 08:59 AM
I'm flying into Jacksonville Sunday night, and will be flying there every week for probably the next month. If you are not able to find somebody to take them, I can probably give you some relief in a couple of weeks. We may also be able to work out some sort of part-time babysitting arrangement while I'm staying in Jax. However, I'm hoping there's somebody with better availiability who can help out.

I'm not currently in Atlanta, so don't have my nipples, heating pad, etc. with me, but can get access to them for my trip down there on 7/27.

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 09:21 AM
OK, I, too, have now looked at the map (had a different impression last night of what would be considered "North Central Florida" --- to a Floridian :D )

Madison County is EAST of Tallahassee. SOUTH of Valdosta, Georgia. (WEST of Jacksonville (but, a good ways west).

:wave123 CALLING ALL REHABBERS in that general area of Florida, Georgia!!! :wave123

It sounds like Sonja has good information and is doing a very good job. :bowdown BUT -- SIX PINKIES!! SIX! For her first time! Anybody nearby that can give these pinkies an experienced home to grow up in??

How are they doing today, Sonja?

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Jackie in Tampa
07-18-2008, 09:50 AM
:Welcome forgot to say hello...you've found Squirrel 101!:D

MsOakley
07-18-2008, 10:01 AM
Here's a couple of wildlife rescue groups in Tallahassee. I don't have personal knowledge of their organization just grabbed from a website. It's a start.


Wildlife Rescue Organizations

Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
Phone: (850) 385-8792
Website: www.goosecreekwildlifesanctuary.org

St. Francis Wildlife Center
Phone: (850) 386-6296
Website: www.stfranciswildlife.org

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 10:13 AM
If I wasn't taking care of a injuried squirrel I would say meet me.....Oh boy and I would be divorced in a week :shakehead
I would say call a local rehabber, that would be a lot of work to care for 6 at a time....God Bless You! I thought I would never recover from raising Fallen at 2 weeks, so I can only imagine your workload :grouphug

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 11:59 AM
Have been PMing with Sonja .... Sadly, 4 of the babies (1 boy, 3 girls) died between feedings last night. RIP dear little ones. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

The two remaining ones (both boys) seem to be doing well .... eating, peeing, pooping.

Sonja tried the rice buddies last night. And now wonders whether they got too hot, although the temp seemed comfy and the buddies were wrapped in other socks .... Or, maybe they got too cold, after, or before. She has gone back to the hot water bottle, refilling every hour to make sure they don't cool off. She is feeding very slowly ... drop by drop.

She is still looking for a local rehabber ... initial numbers have not panned out, but she has the additional info above and will keep trying. If anyone is closer to her than 3-4 hours, that's the best we've been able to come up with so far.

Sonja, know that many are grieving with you. As I mentioned by PM, it is very hard to care for such tiny pinkies, let alone 6 for the first time. You are doing a wonderful thing rescuing them and giving them a chance ... looking for experienced help. They were safe and comfy and loved, with full tummies. And that is a great gift to have given them.

I hope we find help soon.

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 12:30 PM
REHABBER QUESTION:


Yes, I microwave a small piece of cloth to keep them warm while feeding, and they all felt warm before I gave them their meal. I have read quite a bit online about how to take care of them before I started with the formula. One of the little boys might be constipated a bit now. There's a dark little dot at his anus. And I haven't gotten him to poop in the past two meals, although there was stool on the t-shirt, but I can't say from which one it is... How often are they supposed to poop?

Advice? Hydrating fluid feeding next?? More dilute formula? Anything else???
:thankyou

lolas my girl
07-18-2008, 12:46 PM
my friend has been looking for months for a baby flyer i dont think he would be willing to take 6, but if your trying to find a good home and some one willing to ttake the time to raise one of them i know your man

let me know

FLUFFYTAILNUT
07-18-2008, 12:56 PM
my friend has been looking for months for a baby flyer i dont think he would be willing to take 6, but if your trying to find a good home and some one willing to ttake the time to raise one of them i know your man

let me know
((There are only 2 four of them have died..))



SONJA,
http://www.iconsarcade.com/glitter/myspace_glitter_icons_31.gifI am deeply Sorry for your LOSS..http://www.iconsarcade.com/glitter/myspace_glitter_icons_31.gif
The hurt..and sadness you are going though.
You are doing the best you can..and like what was mentioned they cant ask for anything more..a warm place to sleep..full bellies and LOTS of love.
Many prayers for you to get through your heart ache..:grouphug
http://www.iconsarcade.com/animated/myspace_animated_icons_50.gifRachel n Beanhttp://www.iconsarcade.com/animated/myspace_animated_icons_50.gif

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 01:31 PM
When I had Fallen I had him in a a plastic shoe box storage tub with holes in lid. I then covered the top of the box with only a couple of holes exposed as to not get a cool draft, I also had a heating pad heating his fleece to keep the fleece warm and wrapped him in it during his feedings to keep a stable body temp and kept him wrapped in it to do his bathroom deeds. I had a reptile lamp with a tempature control to keep his bedding at a constant temp. I kept the lamp at one end so he could scoot away if he got to hot.



I'm soooo sorry to hear about the other 4...RIP Sweet Babies :sad

Anne
07-18-2008, 01:46 PM
I am Here in Orange Park, on the bottom tip of Jacksonville. We can take your babies if you really want to send them off. Get in touch with me and we can meet you and pick them up. We have plenty of room for a half dozen more little snuggly bodies! PM me for my phone number!

Jackie in Tampa
07-18-2008, 01:58 PM
:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :flash3 :grouphug :grouphug
Bless you and those fuzzers!:thankyou
I am Here in Orange Park, on the bottom tip of Jacksonville. We can take your babies if you really want to send them off. Get in touch with me and we can meet you and pick them up. We have plenty of room for a half dozen more little snuggly bodies! PM me for my phone number!

Sonja
07-18-2008, 03:47 PM
Gammas:

I believe they are grey squirrels. Below a couple of pics of them:

http://www255.pair.com/rebooksb/BabySquirrels.jpg

Also, I don't think the little guy is bloated, but rather constipated. His
anus looks like an infected pimple or ant bite, but I can't massage any
poop out of him. I've given him Pedialyte in the last feeding. I remember
having read somewhere that apple juice would help with constipation.
If this is so, I don't have commercial juice available, but could juice some
home grown organic apples for him... Here's a pic of his behind:

http://www255.pair.com/rebooksb/Squirrel Anus.jpg

Thank you all for your great help! Your a most wonderful group!

Sonja
:grouphug

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 03:57 PM
Thanks for the pictures of your cutie pie pinkies! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon [prepare for oohs and ahhhs to follow!]

I'm going to post a request in the companion Emergency Thread asking our rehabbers to come take a look and give you some advice about the pimple/bite/poop problem.

In the meantime, perhaps if you held a warm wet compress to it, it might soften and drain? Does it look to you like it might be closing his anus and preventing poop from exiting? Is he the baby at the top or the bottom of the two together? Certainly the top one does not look bloated at all. The bottom has a bigger tummy, but not necessarily bloated.

Do both of their tummies get bigger when you feed them --- and then get smaller again before the next feeding?

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 05:01 PM
When you were stimulating them to poop was the poop greenish in color? That would be from the mother's milk. If they haven't started poops in the yellowish color then they may not poop until the formula gets through. If they have been on pedialyte I don't think they would have much poop until they have been on formula for 24 hrs. a least. Fallen went several feedings at 2 weeks from going from mother's milk poops to formula poops, he went like almost 24 hours. Had me scared but I guess that was the transitional stage.

Hope some rehabbers can get on here soon.

I would use a q-tip for stimulating for now but that redness on the anus does look angry. Maybe a rehabber can state if a antibiotic like neosporin is safe to use at this age. When stimulating are you using a warm qtip or tissue. I always kept warm water to dip qtip or cloth in to stimulate.

Sonja
07-18-2008, 05:25 PM
I'm using tissue to stimulate. But the little guy started to look bloated now, and I did what Gamma recommended, i.e. give him a warm bath. I massaged his belly, and after about a minute white yellowish poop started to come out, lots of it! He lost some of the puffiness, but now looks bloated again. How often should I give him the baths, and is there something else I can do for this little guy?

In retrospect, I the four babies looked bloated as well, when I found them dead. I thought this was because they've been dead for a while, as I've seen it happen with other mammals. But maybe that's what they've died off - bloat?

I will not give him any more food until his belly deflates. What should I give the other one? Start him on Pedialyte as well? I'd hate to see him become ill as well.

Thank you!

Sonja

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 05:27 PM
Good points, FallensMommie. I had understood that they had both been pooping regularly and this one suddenly stopped. They were not away from their mom for very long.

Sonja, it would be helpful for the rehabbers if you could clarify this a little:
1. How many days have they been on formula now?
2. Have they both been pooping regularly up to when this one stopped?
3. What color and consistency?
4. How long has it been since this one pooped?

{You will see that we spend a lot of time talking about poop here. A little funny, but it gives a very good indication of what's going on inside and it is very valuable information for the rehabbers. We even have a Happy Poop Dance Smilie that we will break out for you when he DOES poop! :D }

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 05:34 PM
OK, then: :poop [but only one, til we know he's pooping as he should :) It is white/yellowish due to the formula]

For the bloated baby: switch to Pedialyte for the next feeding or two -- or til a rehabber comes and tells you otherwise.

Is the other one looking at all boated? Has he been pooping each time? If it was the top baby in the photo, it doesn;t look bloated.

But this is definitely something to watch carefully. Do not feed a bloated baby, but resolve the bloat first.

Do you by any chance have any baby simethicone drops? That could be used (but someone will have to advise of whether or how much)

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 05:42 PM
I'm taking the liberty of "borrowing" one of Island Rehabber's posts on this (IR, if borrowing w/o asking was not OK, I will beg forgiveness .... after. :D )

Warm water bath may help. Keeping her whole body warm at all times because cold is what often "stops them up". gently massage her tummy from chest down to hips but keep her wrapped up and warm while you do this. IF she doesn't go in an hour or so and you see that the bloating is getting worse, you can give her some simethicone -- it is the ingredient in human over-the-counter medicines for gas, and just a tiny drop may help her. (with a syringe, mixed in a little warm water)

If the bloat is NOT getting worse, leave her be for awhile because there are times when pinkies don't go regularly, and it is not always life threatening. The bloat can be, though, so keep a close watch on it!


Sonja, if you have any baby strength simthicone, that would be best. If you have anything adult strength (even tablets) we could help you out with how to figure out the amount (very tiny).

Perhaps watching him for a little bit and perhaps repeating his bath/massage. Just keep him warm and dry him well after and wrap him in something cozy.

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 06:17 PM
Sorry I read and then forget and don't want to go back through to find so if this has been mentioned...sorry!

Don't shake formula when preparing, just use a fork to mix. You don't want to add air to the formula as that can cause bloat.

For a rehabber: can she add a little plain yogurt to the formula for good bacteria. I know I started Fallen on the plain yogurt in formula when I go thim at 2 weeks; however I never did raise pinkies so I don't know :dono
Plain Yogurt with active live cultures.....no artifical ingredients....just plain ole yogurt!

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 06:20 PM
I remember Fallen got bloat once and I did warm massage baths for the day and he literally would *fart* under water and my kids and hubby started laughing as it sounded like a kid in a bath tub. I never did figure out why he got it, but he never got it again....maybe I feed him to close of a interval at one point.

I hope all goes well, it's a tiring job and one that worries you...hang in there you doing a great job at giving them a second chance at life! :grouphug

Sonja
07-18-2008, 06:21 PM
Okay, let me see: they brought us the babies late Tuesday afternoon. I gave them the homemade electrolyte solution (1 tsp [sea] salt, 3 Tbsp sugar in 1 quart of warm water). Wednesday I started them on the formula early afternoon. No poop problem with any of them, until this morning with this little guy (and obviously, of course, the other four angels). The smaller one (the top one in the picture) does fine, and relieves himself even without massage sometimes. Consistency is maybe like soft ricotta cheese. He's quite a good eater, too!

The problematic little guy seems to get better (I'm tempted to give them names to distinguish from each other ;-), but then it will get even harder to let them go). He doesn't look quite that bloated any more. I will give him another bath soon, and then some Pedialyte. He's rooting for mom's nipples...

Okay, what is it with squirrels that one just wants to do everything possible to keep them alive and happy, and forget the whole world around them?! There *is* something special about them. If there's one on the road, I know better to slow down, because they never know quite which way they want to go. And I will stop for them, even if it means I will hit a tree...

:thankyou

Sonja

squirrel princess
07-18-2008, 06:23 PM
It's happening:poke she is going throught the change:rotfl nothing like a little squirrel love:thumbsup keep up the good work:Love_Icon

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 06:27 PM
.... Okay, what is it with squirrels that one just wants to do everything possible to keep them alive and happy, and forget the whole world around them?! There *is* something special about them. .....

Oh, yes .... they've crawled directly into your heart. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

FallensMommie
07-18-2008, 06:33 PM
[RIGHT]

Okay, what is it with squirrels that one just wants to do everything possible to keep them alive and happy, and forget the whole world around them?! There *is* something special about them. If there's one on the road, I know better to slow down, because they never know quite which way they want to go. And I will stop for them, even if it means I will hit a tree...

:thankyou

Sonja


It's a beautiful thing to love a squirrel and in return have them love you back :Love_Icon

Sonja
07-18-2008, 08:28 PM
Just a short update:

Mr. Handsome is not bloated any longer, but not too interested in slurping up that Pedialyte, either. There was a big white poop in their "nest", and I think it stems from him. He doesn't appear weak. Maybe he just needs a bit more time to recuperate from his ordeal.

Lil Man appears to be doing fine as usual. He has white stools as well, now. I gave him some Pedialyte, too. Could this be the cause?

:thankyou

Sonja

Buddy'sMom
07-18-2008, 08:39 PM
"Esbilac poops" are sort of light golden color. If it's golden-whitish that's probably fine. If it's truly white-white, I am hoping one of the rehabbers will opine. There shouldn't be anything in the Pedialyte that would make it white. But the less formula substance they have to digest, the less there will be to lend color to their poop. My thinking is that they are both fine now to go back to formula next feeding.

Are you using Esbilac? Is it the powder or the ready-made liquid? If the liquid, that doesn't need diluting, it's all ready at the regular formula strength (many people get confused about that and add water). If powder, how much water/powder are you mixing together?

Names!! They've got names!
:grouphug

atlantasquirrelgirl
07-18-2008, 09:43 PM
Even though Esbilac is the closest substitute to mom's milk, it's still different and can be harsh on their systems. You have to ease them into it.

Powdered Esbilac is typically mixed one scoop powder to 2 scoops of water. However, it should be diluted a little moreso to get them used to it, and then mixed at regular strength by the third day if they are not having digestive problems.

Their poop should have been black initially, then turn a light mustard yellow when the Esbilac starts passing through their system. If it is coming out pure white, then their digestive tracts may not be properly processing the mixture. Please advise what dilution you are using.

Do you have a scale that you can weigh them to track their weight gain progress?

4skwerlz
07-18-2008, 09:55 PM
As AtlantaSquirrelGirl said, if the poops are white they are not digesting the formula. Most rehabbers add a little plain yogurt (active cultures) to the formula as it seems to help them digest the formula. Just about a teaspoonful into the mixture. Also:

-Make sure you mix the Esbilac with plain tap water--NOT pedialyte.

-Don't heat the formula in the microwave. You can microwave some water and place the syringe full of formula in the hot water to heat it.

-Don't shake the formula to mix it; just stir it.

-Make sure the formula is warm enough.

-Keep the babies warm at all times. Wrap them up well while you feed them as they can chill in just a few minutes. A cold baby can't digest his food.

Good luck. You're doing a great job.:thumbsup

atlantasquirrelgirl
07-18-2008, 10:01 PM
One more item is that I typically add a dash of Benebac to the formula, which is a bacteria that assists digestion. They would get this naturally from their mom. You should be able to find it at your pet supply store where you purchased the Esbilac.

island rehabber
07-18-2008, 10:16 PM
Sonja, how often are you feeding them, and how much? Now would be the time to start giving them diluted formula - mixed 1part Esbilac to 4 parts water for 2 feedings, then 1 part Esbilac to 3 parts water for 2 feedings, then full strength 1 part Esbilac to to 2 parts water for the rest of the time they are on formula. This gradual feeding schedule helps them to digest the formula better without GI upset. You're doing great...hang in there, Sonja. :thumbsup

LynninIN
07-18-2008, 10:24 PM
Has this center been tried?

Gainesville
Florida Wildlife Care, Inc. - all native Florida wildlife. Call (352)371-4400 (24 hr helpline) or E-mail fwc@afn.org.

island rehabber
07-18-2008, 10:53 PM
Sonja I have a rehabber for you! :multi Her name is Rhonda, and I will PM you with her number. She would love for you to call her -- she's near Gainesville.

island rehabber
07-18-2008, 11:20 PM
This rehabber also has two pinky squirrels, so she's up and running in pinky mode. :thumbsup

Nutkin
07-18-2008, 11:30 PM
:grouphug Hugs and prayers for the little fellows!:grouphug You are doing such a wonderful job. Bless you for taking care of them! Hope the rehabber works out. Keep us posted!

MsOakley
07-18-2008, 11:43 PM
I was surprised when I checked mapquest that Gainesville is only 1 hr. and 20 min. from Lee (home of the pinkies). The group LynninIN mentioned in her post is the one I volunteer for as a squirrel foster parent. If IR's connection doesn't work out for any reason please give our center a call.

island rehabber
07-19-2008, 07:57 AM
Hi Ms.O....I believe Sonja did try that center and they didn't answer the phone. The rehabber near Gainesville mentioned that this "seems to be a chronic problem with that center"....maybe you can whip them into shape over there! :D

Jackie in Tampa
07-19-2008, 08:12 AM
:wave123 Good morning Sonja:bowdown , hows Lil Man and Mr. Handsome today? How are you?
Sounds like you are getting great advice from TSB:bowdown
I'm hoping your two sweeties will perk up and get on the right track today, make it easier on you.:grouphug
We love you babies:Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Buddy'sMom
07-19-2008, 09:23 AM
:wave123 Hope you all had a good night! :) And that one of these rehabber contacts will work out for you.

:thankyou for those who posted feeding and other instructions and suggestions for Sonja!

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Sonja
07-19-2008, 10:48 AM
Good News :) ! A local rehabber (only ca. 30 miles from here) has been found! Her son came about an hour ago to bring the babies to their new home. The boys seem to be doing quite well; their poop started to get a yellowish tint again after giving them more diluted Esbilac for a few nightly feedings with a few drops of Pedialyte separately in between

I must admit, I thought very hard of keeping them myself, but after weighing in everything, they are better of in those capable hands, and so am I. It would have been too much with the work load we already have on our farm.

I want to thank ALL of you who worked so hard to help me and these little fellows! Special thanks to Buddy's Mom who took us under her wings from the very start and Gamma for her instructions on bloat that safed Mr. Handsome's life - :thankyou :thankyou :thankyou !!! Also many, many thanks for all the people who offered to give the babies a new home, and would have been ready to travel such long distances to rescue such little creatures. And my apologies that I don't thank each one of you individually, like you would deserve it. I'm on many mailing lists, yahoo groups, and message boards, but this group is by far the most helpful and wonderful bunch of people - just incredible! You all keep up your fantastic work!

Now I will go lay down and take a nap. It's been quite a long night again. I don't know how you rehabbers can keep up with this work! You have my most profound admiration :thumbsup !

Thank you all again, and my best wishes always to you and all the little needy squirrels out there,

Sonja
:grouphug

island rehabber
07-19-2008, 11:02 AM
:thumbsupSonja, that's wonderful news -- you've done the absolutely best possible thing for those two sweeties! :bowdown:bowdown It is difficult and exhausting to raise pinkies, especially as a first-timer. Thank you SO MUCH for putting the Squirrels First. :thumbsup

Buddy'sMom
07-19-2008, 12:25 PM
:wott :wott That's such wonderful news, Sonja!! We LOVE Happy Endings! I saw you logged on, then log off again with no news and my heart sank, afraid of bad news. But I guess the Boys' taxi had arrived to escort them to their new home. :alright.gif :alright.gif :wave123 Bye-bye Mr. Handsome and Lil Man!! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

I know it must have been hard to let them go -- it doesn't take long at all to fall for them hook, line and sinker. :tilt You did a great job with them -- and with giving all six of them an opportunity that they would not have had without you. :bowdown Many/most rehabbers will allow you to stay in touch and hear how the babies are doing (if you do, we would love to also hear updates:flash3 ). :thinking You might also ask if the rehabber needs a place for releases ...... :tilt (fyi, Sonja lives on 80 acres!! could be a squirrelly paradise!)

Glad to have you with us!
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

Sonja
07-19-2008, 02:36 PM
Yeah, I wanted to post that all was going to be well, but my 'puter gave me a hard time, and I had to restart. Then the savior came, and some chores had to be done... Anyway, we would welcome any squirrels. Our property is surrounded by agricultural fields, and a 60ft belt of pine trees all around. There is about 30 acres of cut over timber land that has grown back pretty good with quite large oaks. We've planted about 1300 fruit and nut trees, many, many berry bushes, everything 100% organic. And we don't mind sharing with wildlife :) . We do have a couple of cats, but they're too lazy to hunt. Our 4 little Yorkies on the other hand have snacked on a few small chickens, but since they can't climb trees, they shouldn't pose a problem either. Since we've been here, we haven't seen many squirrels, yet, but they could make a wonderful living out here. This year we had a bumper crop of acorns...

Again, thanks for all your help. I'll look in once in a while, and hope that some day down the road, I'll get another chance at baby squirrels.

:thankyou
Sonja

Buddy'sMom
07-20-2008, 04:30 PM
Sonja sent me this update on the boys:


I just got a hold of the lady, and the two babies seem to be doing okay so far. She said Mr. Handsome was still a bit bloated last night, but this morning he was doing a lot better, and she's hopeful that she can get them both through :) . I'll call her again in a week or so.

Best,

Sonja

:multi :hugh :multi :hugh

LynninIN
07-20-2008, 04:32 PM
:wahoo Way to go Sonja!