Is it ok to force feed Chipella?

[leenidia]

Chipella is still not eating voluntarily as Dale is. When he smells the formula, he know the syringe is soon to come, he grabs the syringe as if he’s never eaten in his life- he eats every 4 hours and about 18 cc’s now I think that is equivelant to about 1 or 2 teaspoons (not really sure). Chipella on the other hand is not eating at all. I have to literally cajole her by placing the syringe in her mouth and still have to force her to eat it.. is this okay or should I leave her be? My only fear is that she appears to be losing weight and I am startled. She stopped eating when I started to separate her and Dale b/c she is tearing up his winkie by sucking on it… what do I do? Nidia:dono

[Rhapsody]

I used the ideal of placing one of them in a pillow case (tie the end) and place the pillow case back in the cage..... this way the squirrels can be together, but refrain from sucking on each other. You can take turns on who has to stay in the pillow case each day.

[gs1]

does she have a heating pad? ... half under her container...

warmth is the most important issue for them ... and part of the reason why a baby squirrel might not want to eat....maybe she was warmer when with her brother....

i'd absolutely make sure that she's really warm ... do you have her on a heating pad?

then the next clue might be ...that the formula must be warm enough for them... if it's not again, she won't be eating....

how was she before? it sounds like she was always hungry.... if she was sucking on his winkie....

and... good call... either separate or the pillowcase (but omg...i'd be nervous they'd suffocate.... but i've never had baby squirrels...)

:grouphug

how much is she eating now and how much was she eating before?

also... i'm sure that some rehabbers use a dose of pedialyte in between feedings or instead of a feeding :thinking (hmm need to check that fact) .... because dehydration will cause them to not want to eat... in fact eating when dehydrated can make them very sick depending on the degree of dehydration....

[gs1]

i just checked ...she's 6 weeks....this belongs in either emergency or non life threatning ...so i'll put in emergency for now...it can be moved later....

[gs1]

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28236


Chipella is still not eating voluntarily as Dale is. When he smells the formula, he know the syringe is soon to come, he grabs the syringe as if he’s never eaten in his life- he eats every 4 hours and about 18 cc’s now I think that is equivelant to about 1 or 2 teaspoons (not really sure). Chipella on the other hand is not eating at all. I have to literally cajole her by placing the syringe in her mouth and still have to force her to eat it.. is this okay or should I leave her be? My only fear is that she appears to be losing weight and I am startled. She stopped eating when I started to separate her and Dale b/c she is tearing up his winkie by sucking on it… what do I do? Nidia:dono




I used the ideal of placing one of them in a pillow case (tie the end) and place the pillow case back in the cage..... this way the squirrels can be together, but refrain from sucking on each other. You can take turns on who has to stay in the pillow case each day.



does she have a heating pad? ... half under her container...

warmth is the most important issue for them ... and part of the reason why a baby squirrel might not want to eat....maybe she was warmer when with her brother....

i'd absolutely make sure that she's really warm ... do you have her on a heating pad?

then the next clue might be ...that the formula must be warm enough for them... if it's not again, she won't be eating....

how was she before? it sounds like she was always hungry.... if she was sucking on his winkie....

and... good call... either separate or the pillowcase (but omg...i'd be nervous they'd suffocate.... but i've never had baby squirrels...)

:grouphug

how much is she eating now and how much was she eating before?

also... i'm sure that some rehabbers use a dose of pedialyte in between feedings or instead of a feeding :thinking (hmm need to check that fact) .... because dehydration will cause them to not want to eat... in fact eating when dehydrated can make them very sick depending on the degree of dehydration....



i just checked ...she's 6 weeks....this belongs in either emergency or non life threatning ...so i'll put in emergency for now...it can be moved later....

[leenidia]

Hi, yes, they both have a heating pad and at times when I feed them, they are always in a flannel blanky and as funny as this sound, I stuff them in my shirt, and they just love to be there. They eat better, and whatever works for them, I’m happy. But she just stoped when I started seperating them. she was eating 4-5 syringes, about 3ccs each feed down to 1 or just half he syringe. I put a water bottle in her bed and she was drinking it. But that’s not nutritional.. I am going to try and feed her again.. it’s0335 now and I must love this baby girl.. going to try and feed her now...
does she have a heating pad? ... half under her container...

warmth is the most important issue for them ... and part of the reason why a baby squirrel might not want to eat....maybe she was warmer when with her brother....

i'd absolutely make sure that she's really warm ... do you have her on a heating pad?

then the next clue might be ...that the formula must be warm enough for them... if it's not again, she won't be eating....

how was she before? it sounds like she was always hungry.... if she was sucking on his winkie....

and... good call... either separate or the pillowcase (but omg...i'd be nervous they'd suffocate.... but i've never had baby squirrels...)

:grouphug

how much is she eating now and how much was she eating before?

also... i'm sure that some rehabbers use a dose of pedialyte in between feedings or instead of a feeding :thinking (hmm need to check that fact) .... because dehydration will cause them to not want to eat... in fact eating when dehydrated can make them very sick depending on the degree of dehydration....

[leenidia]

Hi, yes, they both have a heating pad and at times when I feed them, they are always in a flannel blanky and as funny as this sound, I stuff them in my shirt, and they just love to be there. They eat better, and whatever works for them, I’m happy. But she just stoped when I started seperating them. she was eating 4-5 syringes, about 3ccs each feed down to 1 or just half he syringe. I put a water bottle in her bed and she was drinking it. But that’s not nutritional.. I am going to try and feed her again.. it’s0335 now and I must love this baby girl.. going to try and feed her now...

[CritterMom]

Hopefully you won't have to actually force - drop by drop if you need to and try heating the formula a little warmer, too.

Can you move them into something that allows you to divide the container in half with something they can see each other and interact and smell one another - a panel of wire mesh, the bottom of an old bird cage - a divider where they can "be" together and touch one another and smell each other - they will break your heart and probably try to cuddle on either side of the bars...but she can't get to his little "guy"... The interaction might be enough for her to get back on track.

Until then, drop by drop.

[island rehabber]

NEVER force feed a squirrel.
gs1 is correct: she is either cold, or the formula is cold, or she is dehydrated. The other serious reason for lack of appetite is llness/pneumonia. Hold her up to your ear and listen to her breathing. If you hear it at all, there may be a problem and she needs antibiotics. I am moving this thread into the Emergency section.

[SammysMom]

Can you bundle them up together just for feeding time? Since she seems to need his company, it might make her feel more secure if they were cuddled while you give her the syringe. I am not an expert, but just feel bad for your little girl. You are doing a great job and as long as it isn't illness, there will probably just be some "aha moment" when she decides all the planets are properly aligned and will start eating like a little piggy. :grouphug :grouphug

[leenidia]

She ATE!!! Thank you! I would not have thought to put them together to feed, as it’s difficult. I had to put them in my sports bra, which is easier to carry them as well as it makes it easier to feed one and hold the other. And she ate, she ate 5 syringes… more than usual. I feel bad now b/c I have to put her in separate them for bed time b/c she will suckle on Dale.. Thanks again TSB! You guys are great!!!:wahoo Warmest Regards, Nidia
Can you bundle them up together just for feeding time? Since she seems to need his company, it might make her feel more secure if they were cuddled while you give her the syringe. I am not an expert, but just feel bad for your little girl. You are doing a great job and as long as it isn't illness, there will probably just be some "aha moment" when she decides all the planets are properly aligned and will start eating like a little piggy. :grouphug :grouphug

[leenidia]

No breathing sounds..and her formula is always warm, I test it on my wrists and if it’s cold, I make it nice and warm.. appears that she misses Dale. I give them play time but when she begins to wrestle him down and suckles on him, I have to separate them. God,I wish she would not do that. I will now begin to feed them together..Thanks for your help. Nidia
NEVER force feed a squirrel.
gs1 is correct: she is either cold, or the formula is cold, or she is dehydrated. The other serious reason for lack of appetite is llness/pneumonia. Hold her up to your ear and listen to her breathing. If you hear it at all, there may be a problem and she needs antibiotics. I am moving this thread into the Emergency section.