Fox Valley questions

[Wonkawillie]

OK, so I had the pinkies that were not doing well. Lost one to bloat on FV 32/40 then was recomended to try 50/50 of FV and homemade goat milk mixture. They thrived on this!!!! I think a little too much! They are downright obese! I hate to make a change in babies that are doing so darn well, but should they eat something else now? They still do not have eyes open, but I expect to see their eyes any moment now. They are huge babies at 100 grams, with BIG round bellies even when empty ( soft big bellies, not firm bloated ones). They eat about 25 cc of this mix broken up 7 times through the day and one of the feedings around 1AM. I dont think they are being overfed, but maybe they dont need the heavy cream anymore? Can I wean them to FV 32/40 straight now? I see on the FV label it says to go to the higher fat FV when they get this age? Maybe I should just stick with this mixture? They just seem like Godzilla squirrels to me. I remember getting 5 babies late last fall. Their tree was cut down and momma was to scared to return. I tried for days. She would come back in a frenzy for her screaming babies and then bolt away. Anyway, these 5 babies had eyes open when found and were healthy, but half the size of my current two fatties.
I suppose I should try to get a picture.

[pappy1264]

I would not switch, esp since they haven't opened eyes yet. I am so glad they hav e done so well. My four are still fighting to get normal digestion but amazingly are gaining! Bean had one eye open yesterday....she only weighs 55 grams! But she is strong so hoping they have turned a corner and things are working out now. They are at Jodi's and will stay there for a bit (I will go down during the day to help w/feedings a few days. But this way if they need sub-q she is right there.) Def. need pics! lol

[Jackie in Tampa]

IR adds nothing to her formula...ever.
I add HC and yogurt..forever.
We both have wonderful chunky babies...

My sqs usually take formula as long as I offer it,
some until they are released!

We love pics as you know.

[Wonkawillie]

OK, so it is afe to keep them right where they are. If it aint broke, dont fix! Right. Thanks everyone

[island rehabber]

It's all about the POOP. If the poops ain't white/mushy, you're not overfeeding. If they look like good poops, keep doing what you're doing.

[Wonkawillie]

Funny that is is normal to talk about good poop or bad poop! LOL
These babies have normal yellow poop in little balls. But they dont poop a lot, so they must be using all that they get. I may get one little poop with each stimulation. I got more poop when they were pinkies!
OK I got a pictures from this morning. 137853

[pappy1264]

They may be pooping in their enclosure. Look for poop in there to make sure they are going. They look really good!!

[UDoWhat]

They are beautiful! :) When I looked for your post the other day I was looking back over some pictures from the first days. I was so afraid these babies might not make it back then. BUT look at them now! You have done a great job with them. These babies could have been lost if not for your quick thinking and actions. Not much time to think with pinkies must react quickly. You did just that. I love the story of these two babies. :thankyou for the picture this morning. As for formula change I think I would stay with what you are doing.

Marty

[UDoWhat]

They are beautiful! :) When I looked for your post the other day I was looking back over some pictures from the first days. I was so afraid these babies might not make it back then. BUT look at them now! You have done a great job with them. These babies could have been lost if not for your quick thinking and actions. Not much time to think with pinkies must react quickly. You did just that. I love the story of these two babies. :thankyou for the picture this morning. As for formula change I think I would stay with what you are doing.

Marty

[Wonkawillie]

Gosh I was doing the same thing. Looking at the pictures from day one. They looked terrible!
They are fat porkers right now!
I just fed them and my boy sneezed a bit from his nose. UGGGGG! They have not done this in weeks. Now I can be worried about him for a few a while. Seems like no matter how show you go, they still do this now and then. Now that they are so big a strong, they make a big fuss if the milk comes slow. Almost like this big fuss is what messed him up. Normally they just suck kind of rythmicly and as they suck is when I give a little pressure on the plunger. He was kind of all over the place and getting milk on his face and everything. How do I keep them in control and slow!. Anyway, he did not sneeze a lot of milk, but there was some milky dampness from his nose. I think he will be fine, but still, worry, worry

[island rehabber]

He was kind of all over the place and getting milk on his face and everything. How do I keep them in control and slow!. Anyway, he did not sneeze a lot of milk, but there was some milky dampness from his nose. I think he will be fine, but still, worry, worry

Don't worry. Feeding one of mine (Luther) is like trying to thread a needle while riding a roller coaster. His head bobs, his head wags, he scrabbles around frantically and sucks so hard you can't get the syringe OUT (vacuum lock! :rotfl) and he splutters every single time. If a little FV up the nose gave them instant pneumonia, Luther would have been dead 29 times already. :tilt

[Wonkawillie]

Thanks for the comfort IR. He seems to be fine all through the night and for this mornings feeding too. I had a baby sputter milk last year and I knew right away she was in trouble. Sure enough she was flat out in a few hours having trouble breathing. I saved her with some antibiotics and it was a total rehab success ( I think I just saw her this spring. She is the only squirrel that does not run from me when I talk to her, and she has a really fat belly with nipples!)
Anyway, this is the reason for the milk sputtering panic!
My first rehab ever, I did everything wrong ( years ago), but she thrived in spite of me feeding her with a kitten nurser! She could down 8cc in seconds with that thing and of course choked on milk every single time! A successful release though!
I am amazed that these babies do not have their eyes open yet! I have had them a day shy of 4 weeks! They had to be just days old when I got them. I should sees eyes any minute now I would think.

[pappy1264]

Beans eyes just opened up, and we had her a few days over 5 weeks, so it won't be long! Always good to keep a good ear, but I am sure he will be fine! You guys are huge....but they look great!!!

[island rehabber]

Grey squirrels open their eyes "between the 30th and 40th day of life", I was taught. So that's actually 4.2 - 5.5 wks old. The Irish triplets were HUGE before their eyes opened, yet little Vera popped hers open when she still looked like a pinkie....ET phone home. :D

[SammysMom]

I myself think that these little dears have figured out that they get more attention and FOOD if they keep their eyes closed...lol One of them probably keeps and eye out and notifies everyone "shut your eyes..here's they come!" I'd keep mine closed if it meant I could stay cozy with room service. :rotfl