Couple of questions

[vettechmarie]

So, I have 2 female estimated 6 week old squirrels. They are on FVN 32/40 formula and are doing very well. Going to deworm them today with panacur. I switched them to a large birdcage with 1/2 inch spacing over the weekend. I am still keeping the heating pad in the bottom of the cage which is where they spend the majority of their time. My question is this: since they will not be over 15 weeks till the middle of november, I am assuming I will need to overwinter them. If this is the case, does anyone have suggestions on housing for those 6 months? I do have 4 kitties and a golden retriever, not worried about the dog but the kitties maybe. Can seclude if needed but my house is small and I would prefer to create adaptable caging. How long should I feel formula? I would also like to give them bathes and was wondering if tearless dog shampoo would work.
Thanks!mjs

Marie

[vettechmarie]

bumpy

[CritterMom]

Overwintering: you just need the largest cage you can put together, and will probably have to make something to fit someplace in the house. They should be kept away from the animals - they should not learn that dogs and cats are okay, so they really should not even see you interacting with the dog/cats.

Keep them on formula just as long as they are willing to take it. Your dietary problems start when they go off the formula - you need to make sure they are eating a rat block of some kind or they will develop MBD, Formula is the best life insurance policy you have.

To bathe: A couple drops of Dawn original blue dishwashing liquid in warm water is probably best.

[mugzeezma]

Overwintering: you just need the largest cage you can put together, and will probably have to make something to fit someplace in the house. They should be kept away from the animals - they should not learn that dogs and cats are okay, so they really should not even see you interacting with the dog/cats.

Keep them on formula just as long as they are willing to take it. Your dietary problems start when they go off the formula - you need to make sure they are eating a rat block of some kind or they will develop MBD, Formula is the best life insurance policy you have.

I will add sunshine or s full spectrum lamp to this.
conversion to rat block is pretty simple.
I am currently mixing 1part ground rat block and 1part formula add enough applesauace to make paste that can be rolled into balls OR you can serve it as a thin gruel in a bowl. Toss a couple of blocks in for them to nomp as well. The sooner they self feed the better, You can even teach them to take their formula in a small bowl. You just have to change it every few hours. YOu have toddles now so they are MESSSYYYY.
If you start keeping them out side during the day you can slowly acclimate them. MD has some pretty fair weather.
Mine are the same age and I live in a far more hostile area weatherwise.
I will write more later. there is another thread that described this acclimation beautifully...It's was posted today...i'll see if I can find it


bathe: A couple drops of Dawn original blue dishwashing liquid in warm water is probably best.
I've used tearless baby shampoo
The puppy shampoo will be fine. Just be careful around the ears so you don't get water in them

[vettechmarie]

I am planning on building a tall cage for them...while MD has decently fair weather we had a ridiculous winter last year (4-6 ft of snow on the ground for 3 months) and I am quite sure it will be too cold for them by the time they are old enough to release. I have no problem with overwintering them if that is the best scenario. They are already messy at 6 weeks! It's crazy..their eyes opened about a week ago now and since then they have taken over a largeish bird cage with a vengeance. This afternoon I fed them they were falling out over each other to get to me to eat, and having "sibling rivalry" about who was gonna eat first. Planning on buying some rodent blocks this week for them to get used to. Also am planning on attempting to litter train them as much as possible.


:jump
They are getting plumper every day (which is lovely since I lost their two brothers to esbilac), and energy escalates exponentially.