NEED ADVICE ASAP

[Stanyhurst]

:ohthedrama 7 weeks ago I inherited 6 babies aprox 3/4 weeks old from a neighbor who had brought his camper home from winter storage.
The babies were only discovered after a clean out of the camper. (No mother with them).
We took them in and did all the right things (as per Squirrel Board advice) such as hydrating and warming.
Then started to introduce them to formula.

To get to the point quickly - All was going well with the "Six Pack" (as I call them). They all looked healthy and seem very active and fit. 2 weeks ago I moved them into a bigger cage to go outside for their pre release into the wild.

Last week I noticed one of them (Smidge) didn't seem to be doing too well.
On close inspection he had what appeared to be diarrhea, and was definately not eating like the others.
He tended to isolate himself in a quiet part of the cage and noticeably slowed down in his activities.
The other 5 siblings also seemed to badger him a bit.

He looked so uncomfortable in the cage with his brothers and sisters and was not eating the rodent blocks or any other food (including formula) that all the others were thriving on. So I decided to take him out and put him into a nursing cage so we could tend to his needs better.

After a day of some pedialyte and weakened formula, the diarrhea seemed to be on the mend (firmer stools).
So I tried putting him back into the outdoor cage with the others.
That's when the trouble started.
2 of his sibblings would not let him into the nest box.
"Beating up on him" would be a better description.
So much so that I had to take him out and place him back into the nursing cage.

He seems lively enough now, prancing about all over the place. And over me, when I need to open the cage for cleaning etc.
But he now seems to be refusing any food offered to him.
I have tried formula, acorns, peanuts, dried corn, apple, banana, sunflower seeds, mixed vegetables and anything else that he and his siblings were all at some stage eating well in the past.

Any advice on getting Smidge to eat ASAP and maybe reintroducing him back into the big cage would be greatly appreciated. "Poor Smidge"

I do have pictures of the "Six Pack" up on Google and will post address if allowed later.

Please help ....

[Skul]

If you have a seperate cage available.
Place the squirrel in that.
Set the cage near the larger one.
It may be possible that he's just not quiet ready to wean, and still needs some formula.
I might also suggest cutting out the peanuts and corn.
I know they like them, but, they're a bit short on nutrition.

Now, where's the pictures?:D

[marvin's mom]

I too have a baby who was fussy - I found the squirrel board a month ago and they have been soooo much help! Momma2Boo has a great recipe for Boo's Nummy Nutballs(I hope you don't mind me sharing-- Momma2Boo?!) He's loves these. Here's the recipe (I just copied and pasted this)

It's rather simple. The ratio is 1:1:1 (for the dry ingredients)

1) Forti Diet Rodent Block: Grindto a fine powder
(or any other you prefer to use)
2) Fox Valley Squirrel formula
3) Ground Pecans and Walnuts

Blend the dry ingredients together and store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.

Using a little dry ingredient at a time (I use 3 coffee scoops of it) add an organic baby food fruit. My babies love the Earth's Best Bananas and Strawberries, but it has been reported to me that others have loved Mango. Of course, strained apples is also a safe bet. Be creative and try new things. You never know what will be their favorite since they vary from sq to sq. (I use organic apple sauce:D )
I generally make just enough wet recipe to last 2 -3 days. I make them about the size of rum balls and I warm each one up for about 5 seconds in the microwave before feeding .



I hope this helps!!!:wave123

[mugzeezma]

I too have a baby who was fussy - I found the squirrel board a month ago and they have been soooo much help! Momma2Boo has a great recipe for Boo's Nummy Nutballs(I hope you don't mind me sharing-- Momma2Boo?!) He's loves these. Here's the recipe (I just copied and pasted this)

It's rather simple. The ratio is 1:1:1 (for the dry ingredients)

1) Forti Diet Rodent Block: Grindto a fine powder
(or any other you prefer to use)
2) Fox Valley Squirrel formula
3) Ground Pecans and Walnuts

Blend the dry ingredients together and store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.
Using a little dry ingredient at a time (I use 3 coffee scoops of it) add an organic baby food fruit. My babies love the Earth's Best Bananas and Strawberries, but it has been reported to me that others have loved Mango. Of course, strained apples is also a safe bet. Be creative and try new things. You never know what will be their favorite since they vary from sq to sq. (I use organic apple sauce:D )
I generally make just enough wet recipe to last 2 -3 days. I make them about the size of rum balls and I warm each one up for about 5 seconds in the microwave before feeding .
I hope this helps!!!:wave123
Julie would certainly not take objection to this I know that for a fact. My boys love the nut balls!!! LOVE "EM!!!
The baby maybe stressed by being the low man on the totem pole, as it were. Anything you can do to keep him stress free is best.
You might want to consider having a fecal test run on him as wel.l

[Anne]

Don't even worry about putting him back with the others. He may just need some more time on the formula. Syringe feed or try a very shallow bowl. The bowl will be quite messy and be seen as a "toy" as well as food source. I have a lot of squirrels here at home and only one doesn't care for "Boo's Nummy Nutballs"- everyone else LOVE"S them:D Squirrels are funny little critters with their likes and dislikes. Just feed your little guy good veggies and greens and he will come around. No corn and only a bedtime snack of pecan or hazel (filbert) nuts.

[Stanyhurst]

Thank you ALL for your promt replies.:bowdown
It certainly made ME feel better, if not poor Smidge.
And as for the Nut Balls - They sound just great. Maybe I'll try some myself.
On a serious note ..... I just raided the local Green grocer's and tried Smidge with an assortment of Veggies.
He didn't really eat that much. But did take a large nibble at the Spinach, Cucumber & Broccolli.
Still won't take any formula though. (with syringe or dish) Just sniffs it and walks away.
Not like a few days back when he seemed to have coniptions if he didn't get to the feed first.

pics available here :- http://picasaweb.google.com/109951935671338230272
Once again ALL, thanX from the both of us.

[island rehabber]

STanyhurst, hold Smidge up to your ear in a quiet place and listen to his breathing. I ALWAYS get concerned when a baby this age stops eating, because it is often a sign of pneumonia or upper respiratory disease. So is lack of activity and hiding from siblings, believe it or not, as I have seen this twice with rehab babies. Smidge may need a course of antibiotics -- Baytril or SMP-TMZ, if something is brewing. Do you hear any wheezing, clicking, or anything at all?

[Stanyhurst]

Island Rehabber,
Thanks for your quick reply.
I did as you said but could not hear anything related to clicking or wheezing.
The only noise he made was a 'Squeal' just as I entered the room. And a few grunts as I first got near him.
After the grunts had stopped ( after I picked him up). That's when I listened for the clicking etc for about ten minutes.
When I said he seemed to be hiding away from the others. That was after they had roughed him up a little when I first put him back into the main cage. I think one of the others took a nip at one of his legs.
After that he made distressing calls ( the same type of call the others make when being harrassed over food) and cowered down everytime one of the others came near him.
That's why I put him back on his own in another cage.
I did check his leg out for any signs of injury (from poss bite) but did not find any sign of blood or damage to him.
Since going back into the nursery cage he seems to be his old self. Being extremely active in a playful way, Climbing and jumping about all over the place.
He has in the last hour or so started to nibble at green veggies and did eat a marble sized 'Boo's Nummy Nutball' (as sugested by other replyers).
I will see how he gets on tonight and post details/updates tomorrow.
Once again thank you for your concern & GOOD advice. -Stanyhurst

[island rehabber]

ok -- good, that's a relief. :D We need your eyes to see him and tell us what's going on. It does sound as if he'll soon be back to normal now that the threat of being low squirrelly on the totem pole is over. Good work!

[Annya26]

I am a newbie to all of this squirrel business, but maybe someone else with more experience could voice an opinion on this suggestion?

If you are worried about the lil guy being lonely away from the other squirrels, or if you need to reintroduce him to the cage with him buddies maybe you could try putting the lowest remaining baby in the "group cage" into Smidge's cage with him and see if they will buddy up? I have done this with horses before that are having trouble with being bullied and are just too low in the pecking order and sometimes once they have buddied up with another lower horse they will stick together and help each other out...

Not sure if this will work with squirrels as I am sure their dynamics are different but just thought I would suggest in case :)

[island rehabber]

Good idea, Annya and worth a try. Just stay right there and be careful that there are no nips and no blood is shed. :D

[Jackie in Tampa]

the diarreha is what screams to me...
most sqs are born with parasites already, when anything stresses a sq those parasites can come forward....
and the sibs may or may not show symptoms.
A sq with a weak immune system due to stress in any form, stemming from food deprevation, being the runt, overcrowding, other pets, or just being picked on can create the environment for these parasites to present themselves...anything stressful.
arrr, I cannot get my thoughts into words, but I would treat them for cocchidia. Better safe than sorry...and from my experience, all should be treated for a minimum of 7 days with SMZ-TMP.
Would love to see pics of 'the 6 pack':D {cute}
good luck

[island rehabber]

the diarreha is what screams to me...
most sqs are born with parasites already, when anything stresses a sq those parasites can come forward....
and the sibs may or may not show symptoms.


Jackie's right -- somehow I missed the fact that his diarrhea really hasn't gone away. Good thinking, Jackie :thumbsup

[mugzeezma]

Jackie's right -- somehow I missed the fact that his diarrhea really hasn't gone away. Good thinking, Jackie :thumbsup
I went thru this with Chucky folks that's why I recommended that Smidgie get a poop check! It wouldn't hurt to get all 6 of them run.
When you have the fecal tests done follow up with another test a few days later especially if the test comes up negative. Eggs (oocytes, ova) are not consistently shed. With a baby this young you need to be careful of dosing as well.
BTW I missed on what kind of squirrels these were. I just assumed Eastern Grays. Seems like a big litter. I wonder little Smidgie is getting the runabout especially if Smidgie is the smallest or weakest.
Bless you for taking this on :thumbsup

[mugzeezma]

the diarreha is what screams to me...
most sqs are born with parasites already, when anything stresses a sq those parasites can come forward....
and the sibs may or may not show symptoms.
A sq with a weak immune system due to stress in any form, stemming from food deprevation, being the runt, overcrowding, other pets, or just being picked on can create the environment for these parasites to present themselves...anything stressful.
arrr, I cannot get my thoughts into words, but I would treat them for cocchidia. Better safe than sorry...and from my experience, all should be treated for a minimum of 7 days with SMZ-TMP.

I gave 14 days of SMZ-TMP to both boys had them retested whith a negative result. I followed up 4 days later and Chucky (my rescue squirrel) came up positive. Mugzi (my big honkin' healthy boy) was negative.
Chucky is on another 7 day course right now.
They are/were being treated for Coccidia. Giardia would be treated panacur or flagyl and the list goes on and on.
In order to be affective you have to test first. You don't want to treat blindly.

[virgo062]

Good idea, Annya and worth a try. Just stay right there and be careful that there are no nips and no blood is shed. :D

In my experience if there is the slightest problem the siblings will not accept this squirrel anyway so I would keep a good eye on him. Is Smidge a runt?

I had to seperate my runt from the pack and he was much happier as the bigger boys were to get rid of him:thinking My runt thrived in a cage by himself

[Stanyhurst]

:thumbsup Well Smidge now appears to be over the diarrhea problem.
At worst I would decribe it as Slightly Loose Stools.
Last night he ate a marble sized 'Boo's Nummy Nut Ball' (ThanX for the recipe people) and drank TWO syringes of formula.
This morning for breakfast he had another TWO syringes of formula plus an acorn.
Then after his visit to the bathroom and tending to his private business, he spent a good half hour running amok all over the place.
For a critter that just a couple of days ago was the cause for so much concern.
He now seems to be back to his old self.

As for the Gang of 5.
I have decided to cut out the peanuts and corn as advised by SKUL [good advice methinks].
They also ejoyed a HEARTY TUCK IN on the Nummy Balls last night.
This morning they are the most active I have ever seen them.
Makes me think that the chemical reactions involved in the ingredients must cause some kind of Nuclear fission to take place deep within them.
"Puts the Energiser Bunny to shame - that's for sure". And if they carry on like this it's definately the 2012 Olympics for all of them :alright.gif

Islander - Mugzeezma -& others. Thanks for your valued input. I will take your advice & get smear tests done just to be safe.

YOU GUYS ARE THE TOPS !! not to mention dedicated.

[Stanyhurst]

Smidge was the smallest of the litter of Gray's that I call the "Six Pack".
Although he looks pretty normal and well proportioned in himself. The other 5 are all slightly more athletic looking.
He didn't appear to have any problems with his siblings until the dreaded diarrhea showed up a couple of days ago.

So now I guess I have a new buddy to take out on fishing trips with me
till he's able to be released into the Wild.

Obviously I will make absolutely certain that he (and the others) are up to it before doing so.
They will be going to a friends farm where there are plenty of woods and food sources for them and a "NO HUNTING" policy that is strictly adhered to. :squirrel1

[island rehabber]

More than 5 grey squirrel babies in a litter is HIGHLY unusual, although I have heard of it before -- no wonder little Smidge was a runt. :tilt Well six is my lucky number so let's hope it's Smidge's lucky number too -- keep us posted on his progress and the results of the smear, ok? :thumbsup

[Stanyhurst]

Well folks (to ALL that gave advice)
I had the tests done on Smidge and the other 5 in the "Six pack".
All came back negative, as indeed a second test did a few days later.
My only regret over this matter is that I was forced to take Smidge out of the main cage with the others.
He now leads a solitary life, if you can call it that.
By that I mean he now has his own cage and 'ALL' the attention he could ever want.
He is as active and as funny as ever a Sq could be, has plenty of toys and things to chew on & destroy.
I am goig to keep him back a little longer (for release) than the others, just to make sure he is ready for the big day when he is released. Tho that is a day I am definately not looking forward too for obvious reasons.

This is my first time of rearing half a dozen[I] of the cutest little deveils one could ever come across.
It sure was a lot of work to raise six. The 10 hours sleep in two weeks due to 3 & 4 hourly feeds. The milage put on the truck going back and forth to the stores to get their requested items for the menu etc etc.
But the end result sure makes up for all the troubles, worries and concerns.
Q. - Would I ever do it again ?.
A. - "Absolutely NOT". But then again ...............:thinking Well, just, and only just...... MAYBE.:tilt

:thankyou Once again. a very BIG thank you to ALL who helped & gave me their good and informative advice.
You ALL deserve a dish of "Boo's Yummy Nut Balls - LOL.

[mugzeezma]

Well folks (to ALL that gave advice)
I had the tests done on Smidge and the other 5 in the "Six pack".
All came back negative, as indeed a second test did a few days later.
My only regret over this matter is that I was forced to take Smidge out of the main cage with the others.
He now leads a solitary life, if you can call it that.
By that I mean he now has his own cage and 'ALL' the attention he could ever want.
He is as active and as funny as ever a Sq could be, has plenty of toys and things to chew on & destroy.
I am goig to keep him back a little longer (for release) than the others, just to make sure he is ready for the big day when he is released. Tho that is a day I am definately not looking forward too for obvious reasons.

This is my first time of rearing half a dozen[I] of the cutest little deveils one could ever come across.
It sure was a lot of work to raise six. The 10 hours sleep in two weeks due to 3 & 4 hourly feeds. The milage put on the truck going back and forth to the stores to get their requested items for the menu etc etc.
But the end result sure makes up for all the troubles, worries and concerns.
Q. - Would I ever do it again ?.
A. - "Absolutely NOT". But then again ...............:thinking Well, just, and only just...... MAYBE.:tilt

:thankyou Once again. a very BIG thank you to ALL who helped & gave me their good and informative advice.
You ALL deserve a dish of "Boo's Yummy Nut Balls - LOL.
EXCELLANT news!
Even it's it's just your own small part of the world, know that you have made a difference! :thumbsup
Would you do it again?
I think so
How could you not? :D

[Skul]

Ya did good, Stany.:thumbsup

[Ultra Peepi]

yes, excellent job with the pack there!!!:thumbsup :jump