3 new babies coming

[m&bs mom]

Hi guys. I have 3 baby red squirrels that will be here in about 2 hours. I just want to make sure that I have everything that I will need.

I have FV 32/40 and 20/50 two have their eyes opened the other one dosn't...which FV should I start them on?

I have pedialyte already made.
Plenty of fleece
1 and 3 cc syringes
Heating pad
Rodent block

I will start off with the pedialyte and depending on how dehydrated they are hopefully start formula later tonight.

Am I missing anything??

A logger cut down the tree and mom jumped from the nest, the tree landed on her. That was about noon-ish. That is about all I can tell you about them right now. If I am missing something, please let me know!

Thanks

[lilidukes]

Sounds like you've got everything necessary :thumbsup

Try the hydration fluids first. I'm finding that for the first 24 hours they don't want to take anything from you. But after that be ready for hungry mouths.

FV 32/40

[BeeFernandez22]

I personally used 20/50 for my babies when their eyes opened but I know many rehabbers on here never switch from the starter 32/40 and their babies do just fine.:) Someone with more knowledge will be able to give you a more educated answer I am sure.

[BeeFernandez22]

There ya go! Response as I was typing mine :)

[m&bs mom]

I do have both FV. I do not have the yogurt or heavy cream so thinking maybe I should start with the higher fat FV? And....don't remember feeding schedules...4-5 hrs and no middle of the night feedings? Ughhhh....I feel like this is the first time! Guess the little buggers are going to get to come to work with me for the next few weeks! Boss never complains about them unless co-workers get slack!

Wish me luck...we got them before they were away from mom for too long so fingers crossed they will be in pretty good shape.

[Rescue04]

did you get the babies yet?

[mpetys]

They might like a rice buddy!

[Rhapsody]

When we have more than one squirrel it is wise to go at the space of the slowest one, therefore, I would suggest you start them all out on the 32/40 and continue to do so until the one with out its eyes open - opens its eyes for two weeks.... then you can slowly change them over to the 20/50.

With FV you can go with feeding them every 5 hours and might possibly have to continue with a few more weeks of night feedings until the little ones are safely eating some solid foods.... we dont want one issue to create another one (hungry babies can create pee pee sucking). :nono :nono

[m&bs mom]

Well we got the critters!! I forget how small reds are vs greys. All 3 are very little 31 grams each. All eyes are open and very alert.

I have started hydrating, one took a full syringe (1cc) and the other 2 only took 1/2. They look really small to me. I post from my cell and can't get pictures to upload on here. If someone wants to message me email if you can post that would be great. I think I will try in about an hour or so wth more pedialyte as I really think they need it.

I am not so sure that they were just found today but who knows. I guess mom and one sibling was killed when the tree came down...grrrrrrr.

I have made the FV 32/40 with a 3-1 ratio, should I do 4-1 instead? I won't feed formula until later tonight. Looks like middle of the night feeds once again!

[Rhapsody]

Looks like middle of the night feeds once again!
Best part of waking up........ :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[m&bs mom]

Another question. I have the catac nipples. Does anyone know what size I need to make the hole? The do not fit real well over the syringes...do I need to cut them down? Should I look for different nipples?

[Rescue04]

i can pm you my email addy if you want. i can put pics up from there. just let me know.

[m&bs mom]

I sent the pictures, thank you. I don't know how well they came out. I was going to try to get some better pictures but they are all in my husbands pocket sleeping right now. He is a softie with a bad boy attitude!

All have taken another syringe of pedialyte and we have 1 that peed for me. The others are being stubborn. 2 girls and 1 boy. I need names!

[Rescue04]

I sent the pictures, thank you. I don't know how well they came out. I was going to try to get some better pictures but they are all in my husbands pocket sleeping right now. He is a softie with a bad boy attitude!

All have taken another syringe of pedialyte and we have 1 that peed for me. The others are being stubborn. 2 girls and 1 boy. I need names!
LOL..my hubby does the same thing.

[UDoWhat]

Wow! I can't wait to see them.They sound so small compared to greys. Think of an eyes open 31 gram grey. Are they little for reds or are reds just that small at that age? I only do/have done greys. I remember learning about reds but unless you do them... different story. Keep us updated. I want to hear all about them. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[m&bs mom]

Well, all 3 babies are doing well. 2 of them are 34 grams and the other 1 is 32 grams. I tried to feed at 1:00am but only had 1 that was interested in eating. They all ate well this morining but 1 of them just isn't catching on as quick.

I will update when I can.

[m&bs mom]

Hi all. Just stopping in to say all babies are doing very well. They have all gained a little but I have 1 that is a bit sluggish eating. She is the smallest at 33 grams followed by the little boy at 35 grams and the biggest girl at 36 grams.

I try to feed the littlest one first and than I try again when the other 2 are done. She is only taking 1.2 cc when the others are taking 3 or very close to 3.

I put 3 rodent blocks in today at work and they are doing very well at turning them into powder! I have some gerber yogurt melts that my grey squirrel loves so maybe I will try that. I also have some organic cheerio things that are blueberry flavored, maybe try that too?

They are in our smallest bird cage right now and for being so little, these boogers climb all over. It is lined well with fleece so if they should fall, they have enough cushion.

My grandson was trying to hold the rodent block while the little boy was shredding it and his finger must look like a block...we gots blood!! Teeth are there and they know how to use 'em!!

[m&bs mom]

Ok so we have soft poop. Not runny but just soft. Color is golden brown. They are on full strength FV 32/40 and eat every 4-5 hours. I have been doing 1 middle of the night feeding as well. I have not added anything to the FV. Should I do something different or continue what I am doing. Not sure if the soft poop is just from being put on FV vs. moms milk or if I should be concerned?

[UDoWhat]

I'm just catching up. I think you might be overfeeding a little. That can definitely cause loose stool. If your babies are approx. 30-35 grams, they should be eating 5-7% of their body weight. That would be 1.5 ccs to 2.4ccs on the high end. So 3ccs every 3-4 hours is a little too much. I would cut back a half cc (.5) at each feeding and see if that helps. Let us know if that helps. If not , we will figure something else out.

Marty, Licensed Maryland Master Wildlife Rehabilitator

[m&bs mom]

Thank you. I will try to cut down a bit on their feedings. They range from 39 - 40 grams and I feed every 4-5 hours. This morning they seemed more interested in their rodent block than their formula.

When I start feeding their formula, I take 1 out and give the other 2 a rodent block. When I reach back in to take out another to feed, they growl and jump at me! I forgot how vocal these little reds are! Soooo much different than greys. Oh the attitudes and just like skin babies...these little ones always have something to say!

[m&bs mom]

I am having an issue getting one of the 3 monkeys to eat. All 3 seemed to be doing fine- eating, peeing, pooping. The last few days I have 1 that is eating very little. The biggest 2 are 52 and 54 grams while this little bugger is only 46. I can't figure it out.

I have tried warming it a bit more, cooling it a bit more, feeding less but more often...it isn't working. He seems to act fine, climbing and gnawing away at rodent blocks...very active in general. Any ideas?? The are about 6-7 weeks we figure. They were brought to me last Monday with eyes all open.

Should I try pedialyte, adding cream or yogurt? I have not introduced anything except formula (FV 20/50).

Thanks!