weak baby?

[skyla]

So my little one is doing pretty well. His poos are firming up ever since starting hhim on the goats milk recipe. He's still really thin and he seems weak. The left side of his body doesn't work as well as his right. Possible neurological injury from falling out of his tree? He has trouble keeping his head up even when feeding. He has to stop and take a break before he continues to eat. He doesn't crawl around much. He'll tire quickly and just lay there. His breathing is also heavy. I took him to the vet to check his breathing but he said it sounded fine.

Any thoughts?

[Lulu2010]

If you listen to him breathing, can you hear any popping? Don't listen just after you feed, do it before or wait a little bit after. How old is he? How long have you had him? Anybody know if it could be internal injury or spinal? I hope he starts improving. I'm praying for him. :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[CritterMom]

How old is he, how often do you feed him and how much and do you have a current weight on him?

[skyla]

No popping or clicking. I've had him for about a week. He looks like he should be 5 to 6 weeks old. He was definitely stronger when I first found him. He could hold onto me and sleep or climb to where he wants. Now he can barely hand on to me.

[skyla]

He's a hair over 100 grams. He has some weight gain- about 10 grams in two days. Im feeding 7 cc every 4 hours. I wanted to do less more often but my job makes it difficult to be constant with.

[Lulu2010]

Have you ordered any Fox Valley? Have you done a pinch test to check for hydration? Do you know how much he eats on average and how many hours in between each feeding? Are his eyes open yet? Is he eating any solids yet or do you just do formula? Do you have a heat source on him right now? Sorry so many questions but it might help to have more details.

[CritterMom]

How much does he eat at each feeding and how often do you feed him?

[Lulu2010]

He's a hair over 100 grams. He has some weight gain- about 10 grams in two days. Im feeding 7 cc every 4 hours. I wanted to do less more often but my job makes it difficult to be constant with.

Sorry I was typing when you posted. :)

[CritterMom]

That is actually pretty good. You have him on a heating pad, don't you? All the time? And this is the goats milk/heavy cream/full fat yogurt recipe?

[skyla]

My post may have been unclear. Im definatly feeding 7ccs every 4 hours. His eyes are wide open. And I will be ordering from fox valley tomorrow when I get paid. Thank god for direct deposit.

[skyla]

He's not on a heat pad but if he's not with me on my body he is in a heated room (reptile lights) or he has a warm water bottle.

[skyla]

Yes that's the recipe he's on.

[skyla]

Maybe its the lack of heat. What temperature should I be trying to meet?

[Lulu2010]

I keep mine on heat pads until (at least the option of one) until they are about 8 weeks. Might not be necessary at that age but that is what makes me comfortable. If he is real thin, he may be having a hard time maintaining his body heat. I recommend getting him on a heat pad. Do you have an extra reptile one lying around?

[CritterMom]

Yeah, he needs to be warm. He would be in a nest of other babies and a mom who have 100 degree plus body temps. A plastic box (that sterlite stuff they make storage boxes out of that is placed partially on a and partially off of a heating pad set on low, with fleece in the bottom of the box is the way to go. CVS has constant on heating pads for $18. Walmart may have them, too. Don't get the automatic turn off type. Reptile lights can get too hot and dry them out. The plastic box and bottom heat is the way to go.

If you PM me your name and address I can send you some FV tomorrow - in CT you will probably get it Monday. Did you order 32/40 or 20/50? I have both.

[skyla]

You're the best! Ill pm you shortly. Any suggestions on how to keephim warm while im at work (he goes with me but has to stay in the truck) I leave him at home with the hubby whenever I can.

[CritterMom]

If you have any sporting goods places like Cabelas or the like around, look for the large size chemical hand warmers - you know the little packets you stick in your gloves or boots and they stay warm for 8 hours or so? They make big ones. You can only use them once, though. Hardcore rehabbers have microwavable packs for transport, but the large hand warmers will work in a pinch. I have a couple I can toss in so you see what they are.

[Lulu2010]

If you have any sporting goods places like Cabelas or the like around, look for the large size chemical hand warmers - you know the little packets you stick in your gloves or boots and they stay warm for 8 hours or so? They make big ones. You can only use them once, though. Hardcore rehabbers have microwavable packs for transport, but the large hand warmers will work in a pinch. I have a couple I can toss in so you see what they are.

I used them (if they are the same thing, I think they were hand warmers) for my lizards trip to the vet. It got really hot to the touch. Do you wrap it in something? Just wondering. I had never used them before until that time and was too scared to do it again.

[CritterMom]

Yes, they get hot - you need to use them under the container like a heating pad. That way baby can move off if he gets too warm.

[Lulu2010]

Yes, they get hot - you need to use them under the container like a heating pad. That way baby can move off if he gets too warm.

Thanks for the info. Wish I would have thought of that. :dono Maybe I'll try them again and do it that way. I kind of feel like saying "duh". So many people used them on another forum and nobody ever said that they get hot and should go under the container. At least skyla won't have the same problem using them with the baby. Thanks again. :)

[skyla]

This is honestly the best site I've been to in a while. So many helpful people with very little fear of judgement :)

[Lulu2010]

This is honestly the best site I've been to in a while. So many helpful people with very little fear of judgement :)

It's just people trying to help others save little lives. We all care and want to help each other. If you don't ask the question, you don't get an answer and if you are wrong on an answer you give, it's better to have it corrected so others don't come along and follow the bad information.
By the way, :Welcome Hope you see improvement with the little one soon. Still praying. :grouphug

[skyla]

Which is how it should be :) and thank you.