New Squirrel Mommy

[Lisa Anne]

Hi..I am 41 years old and I have so always wanted to raise and keep a squirrel, and I have finally got my chance. She was found in middle of an asphault parking lot, not a tree in sight at approximatley 3 weeks. Have no idea how she got there. She had a few ant bites, slightly dehydrated, and maybe a case of coccidia but has come back wonderfully. My husband and I are both so in love. We have a couple of questions. She is approx 7 weeks old and shows very little to no interest in any vegetables or even nuts for that matter. Is that normal? Any suggestions for encouraging her to try other things. Is it even time for that yet? She still sleeps alot! She is obviously happy and enjoys spending time with us but at the same time will jump at the chance to get into her pocket nest and sleep ALOT. Just beginning to come out on her own and start to explore some. Otherwise she is getting fat and seems quite happy. I noticed that the "rehab starter kit" comes with L-glutamine. Cant find any info on what that is for and how i shoudl be using it. The formula I am using is Esbilac with yogurt and heavy cream. Any other suggestions.

Thank you so much for any help and/or suggestions.

Lisa
:thankyou

[Tara L]

How sweet of you to take her in!! Has she mainly been eating Esbilac formula for the past month? I would recommend gradually switching her to Fox Valley 32/40 - I think it's the best thing out there. I'm sure others will jump in with more suggestions for you. But I can't stress enough about the FV formula. As for veggies - maybe she just hasn't found the right one yet. My guys like (almost) anything fresh - esp eggplant! They also really like summer squash but I had to hold back for fear of Vit A overload (same with sweet potatoes.) This website has a nutrition section that is really helpful. Good luck to you & yours. Pls post pix as soon as you can.

[Rescue04]

i have not had any issues with Esbilac personally. i use the same mix you do. just keep trying to offer her the veggies. easy on the nuts...they should be treats only. you will find something she will like. my babies usually like to sleep right after they nurse. something about a full tummy makes them sleepy lol. post pics when you can!! we LOVE pics on here!!

[JakesLittlePrincess]

:Welcome

[Jester]

Hi and welcome!
:Welcome

[SammysMom]

They are so wonderful and special! Enjoy! :Welcome

[lilidukes]

:Welcome raising a squirrel and keeping a raised squirrel are two totally different things. If your girl wilds up starting around 6 months you and she will be both be miserable and very unhappy. You can take a squirrel from the wild but you can't take the wild from the squirrel with out breaking their spirit. Just a warning of what is most likely to come. Very few choose to be pets.

Again let me say :Welcome I'm so very glad you found and saved this little girl.:thumbsup We love pictures:poke

I'm a Fox Valley squammy!

[UDoWhat]

:Welcome to TSB. Glad you found us! Please be sure to read the nutritional threads. They have so much information you will need to know as your little one grows.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator mjs

[Skul]

Where did Lisa go?:thinking

[Lisa Anne]

So, sorry I havent been on here. We move and didnt have internet and things have been going so well with her I havent bothered. She is amazing! However, now, here I am because she has diarrhea. Hopefully, I get some responses to my post about that.

Thanks for all the "welcomes"!

[Mochi&Mocha]

So, sorry I havent been on here. We move and didnt have internet and things have been going so well with her I havent bothered. She is amazing! However, now, here I am because she has diarrhea. Hopefully, I get some responses to my post about that.

Thanks for all the "welcomes"!

You need the Fox Valley! Esbilac has been known to cause diarrhea. They changed the formula recently and it is no longer advised to be used for squirrels. If you can't get Fox Valley right away there is a goats milk formula. Hopefully someone will be on here soon to tell you exactly what you need to do.

[stepnstone]

Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula

Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.

One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.

*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.

When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.