new baby won't eat

[Baxied]

Just got a 6 week old from a neighbor on Tuesday afternoon. She was found in a bush and had held the dog at bay for about 24 hours. She is thin and seemed dehydrated so I hydrated her with homemade pedialyte for 24 hours. Yesterday afternoon I started her on diluted FV and I haven't been able to get her to take anything since then. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. She is a doll, a crabby, vocal one but a doll none the less.

[Baxied]

She weighs 110 grams. I don't think that she aspirated, but yesterday I noticed that her nose seemed moist after giving her some pedialyte. She never sneezed or hesitated or anything. Also, I'm not sure what her complete story is. The house where she was found has 3 killer cats and a boxer. She has no visible wounds at all, and the owner said the dog was barking at the bush the night before and all day on Tuesday. The little girl has been traumatized. She is a major growler and biter and wants nothing to do with me.:shakehead

[CritterMom]

Well, first, since it has been since yesterday, I woud give her a little more pedialyte with the salt amount in the recipe cut way down - she may still be a little dehydrated.

Then try adding some sweetness to the FV - maple or karo syrup, grenadine, a little frozen fruit juice concentrate (not citrus) - sometimes they get to LIKE that sweet pedialyte and then the formula tastes bad in comparison. If she starts to eat it with the sweetness, then you can slowly start decreasing the sweet each time you make some up until she is on straight formula.

[Baxied]

She won't even take the pedialyte. Do you think I should try to make it sweeter just to get something in her?

[Jackie in Tampa]

go through the side of her mouth and go slow, she should drink as she calms...make sure all fluid is warm.
Pedialyte is a recipe, it has a purpose to the amounts...
do not change it...she will drink if she can and when she does...changing something that is complete will throw things outta wack...
why bother to intro electrolytes...
in other words ...there is a reason

Home made pedialyte
1 quart warm water
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
mix and store in fridge for upto 72 hours

[Baxied]

I am just concerned because yesterday she was eager to have the pedialyte mixture and diluted FV and today NADA!!!

[pappy1264]

Can you listen to her breathing up close (I know, hard when they are growling). Stress can do a number on these babies and she is under ALOT with all she went through. She is probably still just so scared, too. What type of nipple are you using? I have had to play around with different nipples sometimes, maybe try that? Or no nipple at all, even? Also, I know she is young, but I would try to bring some branches in for her to nibble on, something she could eat when you are not near her. Trying to keep her stregnth up is important. Just in case, do you have someone near you that can sub-q if she needs it?

[Jackie in Tampa]

if she is fully hydrated when you do the pinch test...
and she has already had diluted formula...
no need for pedi...
make your formula gradually making it stronger each feeding...
If you are using FV, it's already sweet.
My preference is to add Dannon All Natural Vanilla Yogurt and a few days later, I start adding heavy cream...
but Fv is complete and sweet...


I worry about all this advise lately with adding sweetness...
are we trying to make sugar addicts that will turn into spoiled brats with diabetes...
:shakehead come on peeps...
they are sqs and there is no insulin available...
stop all the sugar crap!

[Baxied]

Pappy I have listened and I haven't heard hear any clicking yet. The rehabber that I am apprenticed to is out of town but I could try another rehabber here. I have dealt with her some, but she often does not return phone calls. She has alot on her plate and is hard to reach but could sub-q for me if I can get her. Where is the best place to do the pinch test?

[Wonkawillie]

She looks old enough to nibble real food. She should have water and maybe some formula in a shallow lid of some sort. Also some healthy foods to nibble when she is alone and less scared. This will help her get her strength back. She must be really traumatized and exhausted! babies sleep so much at this age still, to be stuck in a bush fighting off a dog for two full days.....Uggg, overwhelming for her. A nice warm bed with some treats and water??? let her rest???

[Baxied]

Yes, she has been sleeping alot. I will put some broken HHB's in with her along with some water while I am at work. I know she should be able to eat them, I certainly have felt her teeth. :) I also have a heating pad under 1/2 of the container and she seems to like that end. I should be home around 2:30 and hopefully she'll feel like a little formula then.

[Jackie in Tampa]

lift skin between shoulders, if it stays tented, continue to hydrate...
if it relaxes slowly...start introducing diluted formula

if sq has been without any nutrition for a couple days and is wamed...diluted formula is hydration and nutrition. sometimes if the sq is weak, a few feedings will perk them up.

It takes a few days for this age sq to accept the change in their NEW FOUND HOME and care giver...
I think it's cute when they growl and lunge...it shows spunk and desire to live...shows sqly attitude.:thumbsup

and Pappy is right,if any clicking is heard, then she has more going on.
Lethargy is different from scared...is she listless or just frightened?

[island rehabber]

I've gone thru this with the older ones, too -- they are very difficult to get on formula because they were practically weaned from mamma already. She appears to be at least 8 weeks old and it's a tough age. She does not look dehydrated in the pic -- her fur is flat, belly is not concave. Let her calm down, then try the formula again and maybe not so diluted this time so she tastes the creamy deliciousness of it. I agree that she can have solid foods, too, at her age.
Having gone through this with a squirrel named Beni who NEVER got used to me after 8 months being overwintered, I feel your pain. :grouphug

[Baxied]

No she is not definitely not lethargic. She can run like the wind!!! Okay, I will take a deep breath and see how she is when I get home from work. I'll update then. Thanks soooo much everyone!!!!!

[virgo062]

Poor baby she is traumatized. Put yourself in her paws. Gets lost from the pack, giant dogs trying to attack her then imagine if a 5 foot Squirrel mama picked you up and toted you off to her nest. You would be pretty scared and probably would not eat either. Don't you have other babies around her age you can put her with (after your sure she's healthy)

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

Offer her some cheerios, avacado, and a couple of other solid foods, but not too much variety in case it gives her diarrhea. Be sure to put the cheerios/non sticky foods in the bed with her where she feels comfortable hiding.

You can also mix her dry formula with some applesauce and put it in a small lap bowl. She probably hates the concept of a nipple, or people for that matter.

You can also try sticking the nipple next to her mouth under her blankies. She probably does not like being manhandled, but might eat where she feels safe.

[Wonkawillie]

I think she is a bit older than ya think. She may not be accepting the formula as she was nearly weaned in the wild. I know my rehab baies are refusing formula feedings at about 10 weeks old. The formula feedings become less until they dont want anymore at all. You may have hydrated her enough right away and now she just needs rest. I bet she eats a lot while you are away today!

[Baxied]

Okay, ya'll were right - she ate well for me when I got home, but she complained the entire time. Every time I would take the syringe away she growled, and every time I put it back near her she lunged.:shakehead

It's going to be a long winter if she doesn't have an attitude adjustment!