pinkies

[SammysMom]

I have a friend who is caring for 3 pinkies that fell from their nest. I have FV 20/50 and wondered if that is good for those so little. How often to feed? Add cream or anything?

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21626
here is a link ...three purple sub titles are from 3 great rehabbers...lots of good info!
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here is an emergency quickie to get you started!!

Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)
Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. [b] Find a Box or Container[b]
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

Note: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

How to Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

[b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby should be held upright in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.
__________________

[Rhapsody]

I have a friend who is caring for 3 pinkies that fell from their nest. I have FV 20/50 and wondered if that is good for those so little. How often to feed? Add cream or anything?
BUT - can she USE the 20/50 or is to strong for pinkies since its meant for squirrels 4 weeks and older........ ?

ANYONE?

In the mean time here is the Homemade Formula

Homemade Recipe - GM Recipe
1 cup Goats Milk
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream

(lasts 72 hours in frig)

[Milo's Mom]

Yes, she can use the 20/50 FV for babies less than 4 weeks old. The only difference to the best of my knowledge is that there is a higher fat content in the 20/50, which is to fatten up the bigger babies in prep for release.

[SammysMom]

Thank you for the information! I have stressed the warm warm warm sentiments and the hydration. Her husband has done successful sq care before, but I think these are the youngest. She put them into a plastic container with air holes and flannel and has them half on a heating pad. They were too cold to eat at first but once they warmed they took some this morning. Not sure what formula, but I explained the problems and need for FV. She has also checked here and I am sure will be back. :thankyou

[Milo's Mom]

just saw the other questions in your post...

no need to add anything to FV

if they are dehydrated you can water down the FV so they are getting fluids and also calories/food

she may also want to add some Ultra Boost by FV to the formula...IR told me to use it for Zoey...so far it's working VERY well.

As for frequency & amount - it's the same as the 32/40 - 3 or so hours, very slowly, drop by drop, 5-7% of body weight as a guideline

[Jackie in Tampa]

all great advise...
MAY need to dilute a wee bit extra at first, it's very rich...

I would go ahead and order correct FV though.
{hope you have had the 20/50 powder in fridge or freezer}

[Rhapsody]

Yes, she can use the 20/50 FV for babies less than 4 weeks old. The only difference to the best of my knowledge is that there is a higher fat content in the 20/50, which is to fatten up the bigger babies in prep for release.
THANK YOU!! - for the reply and for the LAUGH :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[SammysMom]

Here's a pic of the pinkies...they are just so little. This is before they were moved to the flannel. She already did it.

[Rhapsody]

Adorable....... :Love_Icon

[Wonkawillie]

Wow, that is how little mine were! They are now like 4 weeks old. Pinkies are hard and require feedings round the clock! They fade fast without food and hydration. Feeding every 1.5 to 2 hours, just like .1cc or possibly .2!!!!!
They bloat easily with FV. I lost two to bloat until I mixed 50: 50 with the goat milk formula. They have been clear sailing since. I would never use straight FV on pinkies again. I would jump right to the 50:50
You could post me privately if you need to. I may be close enough to you to offer help. I see you are in CT. I am about 50 mins from Stafford line. It is easter morn. I will be around for another half hour only.

[SammysMom]

Thank you Wonka! Happy Easter! I will let them know. I don't have these guys myself. A friend has them and says they are doing well.