3 week old baby needs help

[helpthebaby]

i have a 3 week old baby squirrel that fell out of a tree in a storm, ive been caring for her for about a week now. She has been doing well and now she has started to get swollen joints in her feet and today one of her arms. I read about MBD but am not sure if thats what it is. I was told that " all babies have internal parasites " which im not sure of either. This isnt my first go around with squirrels. Please help! e-mail me with anything i can do to fix it.

[4skwerlz]

i have a 3 week old baby squirrel that fell out of a tree in a storm, ive been caring for her for about a week now. She has been doing well and now she has started to get swollen joints in her feet and today one of her arms. I read about MBD but am not sure if thats what it is. I was told that " all babies have internal parasites " which im not sure of either. This isnt my first go around with squirrels. Please help! e-mail me with anything i can do to fix it.

What are you feeding her, and how much?

Have you been using hydration fluids?

How are you mixing the formula?

Do you have her on heat?

How is her poo and pee? Are you stimulating her to go?

[helpthebaby]

She is getting kitten formula which i know is not what she needs, she is eatiing id say 1 1/2 or 2 teaspoons. She is getting peidialyte for 1/2 of the water, im making it 1/2 fromula and 1/2 liquid. Every 3 1/2 to 4 hours, she is in a small box with a heating pad on low and a small towel. didnt start till 3 or 4 days after i had her.

[helpthebaby]

yes she is going to the bathroom before and after every feeding and on her own. It seems to be alot to me.

[4skwerlz]

She is getting kitten formula which i know is not what she needs, she is eatiing id say 1 1/2 or 2 teaspoons. She is getting peidialyte for 1/2 of the water, im making it 1/2 fromula and 1/2 liquid. Every 3 1/2 to 4 hours, she is in a small box with a heating pad on low and a small towel. didnt start till 3 or 4 days after i had her.

You're right, KMR kills baby squirrels. You need to get Esbilac, tonight if possible. Most pet stores carry it.

The pedialyte may be what's causing the swelling. Pedialyte should never be fed for more than 24 hours because it is very high in sodium. I suspect she might have salt buildup, which could cause the swelling. It would also cause her to pee alot. So no more pedialyte! And always mix formula with plain tap water.

So ditch the KMR and pedialyte, get her on Esbilac, and maybe give her a little extra PLAIN warm water between feedings. Hopefully, the excess sodium will resolve by itself over the next day or so.

[island rehabber]

Yes 4skwerlz is absolutely right! NO kitten formula, it must be Esbilac Puppy powder...and NO Pedialyte. Hope the baby's problems clear up quickly -- this is definitely a sodium buildup in her system.
We can help you find a qualified squirrel rehabilitator who will raise your little one with other baby squirrels and release her to the wild when she's ready. WOuld you like us to help you do that?

[helpthebaby]

:jump Well I got a vet to look at the baby and he gave me some medicine for her and she is doing great her eyes have opened and the swelling in her arm is much better. Just thought id keep an update for those concerned.:jump

[island rehabber]

That's GREAT news -- thanks for updating us!