my baby squirrel is very sick HELP

[emokittie]

i have a baby squirrel still pink just starting to turn gray and is getting his little hairs on his chin/mouth im not sure what age is im guessing maybe 3 weeks...
he has gotten allot smaller he's just skin and bones im very worried he eats well and i gave him pedialyte/pediatric i have him in a box with a heating pad that he can move off of is he gets to hot!!!
im not sure what wrong, can some one help me?? also he's been opening his mouth to something like a yawn i thought it was normal but today he wont eat and he keeps doing that over and over again, and he's not moving much and he usualy wont hold still he's very quiet
p.s iv had him for about a 1 1/2 week i found him in my yard after ike he had a sibling but that cat got him before i could :shakehead HELP!!!

[Apple Corps]

Please tell us what you are feeding him / how often / how much.

[emokittie]

im feeding it (im unsure) esbilac milk replacer for puppies its already made in a can i mix some cream with it now bc the squirrel is soo small

THANK YOU

[Apple Corps]

That is what we recommend - some prefer to use the powder and mix it fresh each day or so or to freeze the extra in an ice cube tray.

How much are you feeding him at each feeding and how many feedings?

[Apple Corps]

Also - are you using a syringe (without a needle) to feed him?

Does he urinate and poop "ok" :tilt

[emokittie]

im feeding it every 2 hours well trying to get it to eat ...1 or 2 cc, i put it back in its box so it could rest

[emokittie]

yes and yes
im doing all i can but i still see his ribs and back bone

[Apple Corps]

That sounds about right - our guideline is to feed:

weight in grams x 5% = # of cc of Esbilac.

So what you are feeding sounds appropriate and your schedule and amounts sound pretty much spot on.

How about the pee and poop?

And :Welcome :Welcome

And :thankyou for getting involved.

[emokittie]

well i have to get him to pee but he poops on his own should he do that?

[Apple Corps]

Does he suffer from any diarrhea?

[Apple Corps]

well i have to get him to pee but he poops on his own should he do that?


That does not sound like any problem as long as both elimination routes work.

[emokittie]

hmmm i dont think soo it seems fine

and im glad to be here thxs

[emokittie]

ummm would it matter what kind of squirrel it is?

[Apple Corps]

Sorry for all the questions but........

We need to make sure he does not get dehydrated - gently squeeze the skin on the back of his neck and et go - does it snaps back like w/i 1/2 second or does it stay "tented" for a bit longer?

[emokittie]

err its kinda hard to get there bc his shoulder blades stick out so far is there another place i can like his back or something ( he already wrinkles when he moves but im scared to put him back on pediatric umm is there a difference in pedialyte and what im using? i think their the same.

[emokittie]

Sorry for all the questions but........

We need to make sure he does not get dehydrated - gently squeeze the skin on the back of his neck and et go - does it snaps back like w/i 1/2 second or does it stay "tented" for a bit longer?


it okay im glad ask all the questions you need to

[Apple Corps]

Not sure of what you are using - "probably" the same.

So - some other thoughts:

Continue providing warmth

Check for hydration as described

Check for any injuries

You must be sure that his blood sugar is adequate - low blood sugar causes seizures as the brain starts to shut down and more adrenalin is released into the body - fatal if not treated. Treatment is a small amount of sugar or sugar water or syrup - even if just placed on the lining of the mouth some will be absorbed - I would try that now - no real risk.

The cream you are adding might be an issue - differing opinions. However, you might want to add some probiotics:

[Apple Corps]

err its kinda hard to get there bc his shoulder blades stick out so far is there another place i can like his back or something ( he already wrinkles when he moves but im scared to put him back on pediatric umm is there a difference in pedialyte and what im using? i think their the same.


Yes - you can try his back

[emokittie]

Not sure of what you are using - "probably" the same.

So - some other thoughts:

Continue providing warmth

Check for hydration as described

Check for any injuries

You must be sure that his blood sugar is adequate - low blood sugar causes seizures as the brain starts to shut down and more adrenalin is released into the body - fatal if not treated. Treatment is a small amount of sugar or sugar water or syrup - even if just placed on the lining of the mouth some will be absorbed - I would try that now - no real risk.

The cream you are adding might be an issue - differing opinions. However, you might want to add some probiotics:

should i stop putting cream in it?

[emokittie]

some of it goes and some stays for... until he moves enough for it to go back

[emokittie]

Yes..We don't add heavy cream, if needed, until at least the baby's eyes are ready to open. Your baby is too young yet.

kk ill just give him esbilac

[emokittie]

When feeding your little one, has he ever aspirated..formula coming out of his nose?


yes the very first time he ate fast and got to much so i rubbed his back while leaning him foward

[emokittie]

You're in the UK right?

Can you get a supplement called L-Glutemine? You can find it in a drug store, or a heath food store, where the vitamins are. If you can get that, and put a big pinch in his formula FOR THE ENTIRE DAY, NOT every feeding, that should help your little one a lot.


can i ask what it does?

[Apple Corps]

Gamma - what do you think about adding the live cultured yogurt at this stage?

emokittie - maybe the skin that stayed put was from the way he was resting - just try it to keep an eye on hydration.

[Apple Corps]

can i ask what it does?

Here ya go:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutamine

[Apple Corps]

Does the "yawning" behavior look anything like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjzxVyjduw

[emokittie]

When you hold his chest up to your ear, do you hear a "clicking" noise, when he breathes?


well when he opens his mouth it does but when its closed it does not

i dont know if the clicking is from the noise when he opens his mouth or from his throat

[emokittie]

Does the "yawning" behavior look anything like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYjzxVyjduw

umm kinda but his head does not move that much

[emokittie]

The proper full strength is 1 scoop Esblilac in 2 scoops water. To this you can add 1/3 to 1/2 part organic live cultured yogurt. Make sure it isn't lite, non-fat, or has any artificial sweeteners in it.


i bought his food already made can i still add it?

[emokittie]

Pedialyte and Esbilac are not anything alike. Here is the homemade formula for Pedialyte....

Homemade Pedialyte

1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 quart warm water

Mix all ingred in warm water....store in refrigerator.


i feed him it esbilac and when he looked like he needed water i got him pedialyte

[emokittie]

Do you hear a clicking with every breath he takes?


no not every one

[Apple Corps]

I'm guessing he is younger and probably a bit weak.

The clicking sound is an indication of aspirational pneumonia - it would be heard as he breathes in each time - coming from the lungs.

The yawning or "gaping" is nothing to be concerned about - tap him gently between the eyes - that will supposedly stop it sometimes.

Are you feeling comfortable with the dietary changes - those are the easy ones to fix quickly?

[emokittie]

should i start getting powder esbilac or am i good with the food?

also when i found him on the ground i kinda poked him lightly witha twig:poke i believe he was outside over night could that be affecting him now?

[Apple Corps]

emokittie - was there any chance he as bitten by the cat? If he was, and/or the breathing is labored with fairly consistent "clicking" - then we might have to get him on an antibiotic quickly.

Don't be overwhelmed - we can move through this quickly.

Lets sort the diet changes out for the moment.

Also - using the Private Messages function (upper right hand corner under the Welcome tag) - please PM myself or Gammas Baby with your general location if you are going to need any help with antibiotics.

[emokittie]

I'm guessing he is younger and probably a bit weak.

The clicking sound is an indication of aspirational pneumonia - it would be heard as he breathes in each time - coming from the lungs.

The yawning or "gaping" is nothing to be concerned about - tap him gently between the eyes - that will supposedly stop it sometimes.

Are you feeling comfortable with the dietary changes - those are the easy ones to fix quickly?


i will get him the yogurt and vitamin he needs as soon as possible
could the reason he's sooooo small and skinny be fixed by giveing him these
im scared he'll die soon also he sleeps on his back alot is that anything to worry about

[Apple Corps]

The liquid Esbilac is fine - discard it after 3 days and be sure it is always refrigerated. Most prefer the powdered version that you mix with water. If you are out I'd probably go with the powdered version.

A fresh can now might be smart as the lil guy can ill afford an attack of the runs in his condition.

[Apple Corps]

We have you on the right path for the diet.

We need to understand IF there is a breathing / pneumonia issue - that needs to be treated quickly.

Another thing for comfort is to make a rice buddy - some dried rice in a sock that you warm to a low temperature in the microwave and let him snuggle with - the heating pad on low remains the primary heat source.

How are you doing?

[emokittie]

We have you on the right path for the diet.

We need to understand IF there is a breathing / pneumonia issue - that needs to be treated quickly.

Another thing for comfort is to make a rice buddy - some dried rice in a sock that you warm to a low temperature in the microwave and let him snuggle with - the heating pad on low remains the primary heat source.

How are you doing?


ok well i have him a home made incubator it has a 4 wat light inside of a jar with a new sock over it inside a box he sleeping / staying in a fake coon fur hat with the light we keep the box closed so he wont get a draft and he can move close or further away from it would he still need a rice buddy?

im still a little concerned with the way he sleeps other then that im less freaked out that he'll die (im pessimistic) but it think he'll pull through

ill keep you informed if u want?

[Apple Corps]

Those diet changes should work well in helping him digest his food and gain weight.

Sometimes - despite our very best efforts - we lose them. Some additional prayers are in order as well.

The night out alone has probably had a bad effect on him - but back to now....

[Apple Corps]

If I were a squirrel I'd choose a fake coon fur hat over a rice buddy any day :jump :jump

Did you mean a 40 watt bulb? He MUST have adequate warmth.

You have done so many of the right things thus far.........

[emokittie]

If I were a squirrel I'd choose a fake coon fur hat over a rice buddy any day :jump :jump

Did you mean a 40 watt bulb? He MUST have adequate warmth.

You have done so many of the right things thus far.........


i think its about 98.7 is that to hot for him !!??
also i have another squirrel im not to concerned but..... if u want to know about him i can tell u and mybe u can help me but if ur tired of helping and wanna stick with my other 1 we can

[Apple Corps]

We will not be too tired to help fuzzers :D

But first - please try to describe his breathing / clicking - it is really important for us to figure out if he has pneumonia or not.

Do these fuzzers have names yet?

[Apple Corps]

There are ten ways to ask this but - does your incubator design give him the same ability to regulate his temp as does the heating pad approach? I'm wondering - not sure though - if the incubator might create a constant temp throughout the entire box?

[emokittie]

We will not be too tired to help fuzzers :D

But first - please try to describe his breathing / clicking - it is really important for us to figure out if he has pneumonia or not.

Do these fuzzers have names yet?


he does not click he did about 4 or 5 days ago for about 6 hours but he stoped clicking is that odd

also i haven't named them yet bc i dont know there gender i was calling it a he bc i felt bad i called it a it lol
i think the other is a girl (the big one)
im also unsure of there agaes could u help me with that?

[Apple Corps]

That is great news - the dietary issues will be enough to get sorted. Do you have a digital camera so you can post pics?

[emokittie]

Post #17, I gave you a link at the bottom of my post. Please go click on it. Go to post #3, and click on Raising Infant Tree Squirrels...There are pics on the first page, so you can get an idea of how old your babies are.


OK! :thankyou

[emokittie]

That is great news - the dietary issues will be enough to get sorted. Do you have a digital camera so you can post pics?


sure ill try

[emokittie]

Instructions for posting pics on here....


1. Start a new thread or click on the one you want to post a pic in.

2. Hit Post Reply

3. Type what you want to say

4. Scroll down to Manage Attachments

5. Hit Browse

6. Find your pics

7. Hit open...keep doing this until you have all the pics you want.

8. Hit upload

9. Go back to your post and hit Submit. All done!

Don't try to preview your pics, because they will not show up.

thx i was kinda lost

[emokittie]

its to big by .44

[Apple Corps]

We all look forward to seeing your fuzzers

Please make sure he can regulate his heat - the tried and true heating pad under 1/2 the box is the safest approach. Also - does your pad stay on or does it turn itself off after 4 hours or so?

I didn't mean to distract you with the picture request - his ability to regulate temps is waaaaaaaay more important :thumbsup

[emokittie]

Do you have windows xp in your computer?


hmm yeah but it wont let me edit ill have to work on it and mite have a pic on sometime tomorrow im tired and i have to feed my baby squirrel

[emokittie]

We all look forward to seeing your fuzzers

Please make sure he can regulate his heat - the tried and true heating pad under 1/2 the box is the safest approach. Also - does your pad stay on or does it turn itself off after 4 hours or so?

I didn't mean to distract you with the picture request - his ability to regulate temps is waaaaaaaay more important :thumbsup


ill get him a better heating pad i dont like this one bc it randomly turns of and stays off ill give him all the stuff he needs to gain some wait and then ill start to focus on it for awhile then look at the other one its kinda thin and slow but still young well i g2g
be on tomarow

[Mars]

You guys are doing great just a quick note. Heavy cream should not be added to formula until the baby is about to open his eyes. About 4 weeks old as they lack the ability to digest the complex fats when they are younger.

I can offer some homeopathic help here. I would suggest adding Bioplasma ( also called cell salts or bio salts ) available at health food stores. One tablet twice an day ( first and last feediing ) This product will help with the absortion of nutrients.

So I would remove the cream and added the bioplasma. I can also PM you with a remedy that may help get baby back on track. But I ask first as some people are more comfortable with alternative meds than others. :)

[Apple Corps]

Feed those fuzzers - get some rest - it will start all over again.

I'll bet those fuzzers feel the TLC :jump :jump

We will all say a special prayer for their health.

[Mars]

Actually there is no conflict you can use both products. The L-Glutamine is given once a day The bioplasma twice. :)

[Sciurus1]

I see this as a wonderful example team work amongst our members. Thank you all for doing this, and doing it so well together!

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup