Teeth Problems?

[Alotta]

Hi, I have 3 baby squirrels that are around 6 to 7 weeks. The runt has always had trouble with feedings. I noticed she wouldn't take any formula for 2 days and the nipples we used are shredded with holes. She tried drinking the formula today but her bottom teeth look like they are interfering with her feedings and this nipple got shredded again. I put some formula in my hand and she licked some of it. She is eating fruit with no problems but something is going on with her mouth. When we found the squirrels I used to call her Neck because it looked like her neck was a little twisted. It's fine now but it must be her teeth. I notice she always sneezes with feedings, I hold her upside down, and slowly give her the formula. She doesn't seem to be gaining weight, and I'm worried about her. The answer is NO to see a vet, live in WA. I also talked with 2 rehabbers 1 was (Portland Auto-bond) who pretty much said they would put the babies to sleep if I brought them in, because they are considered a nuisance and aren't protected around here. So I'm giving it my all to take care of these babies. We are getting ready to build an outside cage and winter them. This is all new to me, but the runt has some problems with her teeth or could it be her neck. Any idea's? P.S. I put branches and bought some apple sticks at Petco and she doesn't chew on them much. Also could it be self weaning?
Thanksmjs

[Mars]

Check out the infomation in thse threads.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=171

Can you check her teeth and get pictures for us?? That would be very helpful in solving this. :)

[Sciurus1]

Just a note on the Vet issue. Though it is true that wildlife centers do euthanize in WA. not all Vets do. In California, if they cannot be released or used for educational purposes, they would be also euthanized, but some Vets here are willing to offer care for squirrels. Sometimes Vets even have pet squirrels, and so are more open to others having them as well. Don't give up then, save to call licenced rehabbers to ask about wildlife clinics, which as you have been told, will not offer care to an Eastern Gray. I do believe there are some though that will care for eastern Grays, that is rehabbers, not the clinics, so it is just a matter of locating them. Do not give out your location or name to them when inquiring, just to be safe.

[Alotta]

I don't think she has those kind of teeth, I've tried looking in her mouth and she is closed lip. I'll try and look tomorrow. But will I have to cut these girls teeth or if they chew on an antler or shelled nuts will they be fine on their own? Thanks I just want to make sure I do everything right so they survive. And I'm sure I'll have a hundred more questions down the road lol. But I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

[island rehabber]

Alotta, 6-7 weeks is a bit early for self-weaning. Will she take the formula better without a nipple attachment? I have had one or two squirrels in the past who could not deal with the nipples - they constantly inhaled and spluttered thru their noses and finally I just fed them with a bare syringe and everything was fine. :dono Besides fruit, what else is she eating? At her age she needs a high-quality rodent block or TSB's wonderful Critter Scones that you can make for them. Fruit is ok as a treat but not as a major part of their diet. :)

If their teeth are NOT maloccluded, there is no reason you should ever have to clip them, so long as you provide branches, antlers, cuttlebones and other things for them to chew on. If you can take a picture of your little runty girl's teeth, I can send it to my vet for a look. He's very good that way....