My little man won't potty!

[ktec27]

A few days ago I found a fallen baby, sadly it was already gone when I found it. Then two days later I found another, pretty much in the same spot, barely breathing. I scooped him up, warmed him up and got him pedialyte. I have also been giving him esbilac (a very weak concentrate of it)... this is only day two, but I am very worried! He has not urinated or pooped at all. I have researched online until my eyes are sore.. the only thing I can think is he still isn't hydrated enough.. I don't want to over load his tummy too fast.

He seems to be about 3 weeks old, eyes still shut tight and light fur on his face and tail. He is it much better spirits then yesterday and is a little wiggle worm. Any thoughts on getting him to potty? Is he still in shock or stressed from the incident?

** I'm giving him about 1 cc total each feeding, and trying to stimulate before and after feeding.**

Also, he has little dry bits here and there on his body.. not sure if that is normal as I don't have much hands on experience with these little guys.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66294384@N02/6036370600/

[ktec27]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66294384@N02/6036370600/


The day he was found.

[ktec27]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66294384@N02/6036370600/

seems the photo I tried to add won't load... so here is the link. Hope that works.. very new to all this!

[SammysMom]

I am not an expert, but I will try to find one for you. For now, more info will be better. You could tell how often you are feeding and if you have a kitchen scale getting his weight in grams would help with diagnosis. Remember that what doesn't go in, can't come out too so it may just not be time for him to poop. He may be dehydrated so as not to pee.

[stepnstone]

A few days ago I found a fallen baby, sadly it was already gone when I found it. Then two days later I found another, pretty much in the same spot, barely breathing. I scooped him up, warmed him up and got him pedialyte. I have also been giving him esbilac (a very weak concentrate of it)... this is only day two, but I am very worried! He has not urinated or pooped at all. I have researched online until my eyes are sore.. the only thing I can think is he still isn't hydrated enough.. I don't want to over load his tummy too fast.
He seems to be about 3 weeks old, eyes still shut tight and light fur on his face and tail. He is it much better spirits then yesterday and is a little wiggle worm. Any thoughts on getting him to potty? Is he still in shock or stressed from the incident?
** I'm giving him about 1 cc total each feeding, and trying to stimulate before and after feeding.**
Also, he has little dry bits here and there on his body.. not sure if that is normal as I don't have much hands on experience with these little guys.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66294384@N02/6036370600/

:Welcome and :thankyou for trying to help this little one.
You did say you warmed it before feeding right? Never feed a cold baby, have to warm first. It should have been hydrated on pedilyte at least 24 hours before feeding it anything else. Esbilac is no longer considered to be good for squirrels since they changed their formula. Jackie's goat milk recipe would be a better choice until you can get some Fox Valley which is what most use here. 1cc is not enough for that baby and they have to be fed very often.
Until more experenced members can reach you and advise you might I suggest you go to our forum on: Baby Squirrel Questions - It will give you much of the information you seek. Please read: FEEDING BABY SQUIRRELS
and THINKING OF RAISING THAT BABY YOURSELF? also.
Squirrel babies are often in litters of 3 - 4, I doubt if another would have lasted this long without help but did you go back and search the area again to see if there was yet another?

[Milo's Mom]

Thank you for rescuing the little one!! :thumbsup
Pedialyte should really only be given for 24 hours. How long have you been giving it? There is a lot of salt in it, which is why they say only for 24 hours. After 24 hours you can use straight water.

Watered down formula is a good way to get some calories and extra hydration into the baby...good thinking. :thumbsup Have you been adding heavy whipping cream or full fat yogurt to the Esbilac? You may want to consider changing to Fox Valley formula...it is MUCH better for squirrels. Esbilac is not recommended for wildlife anymore (even the manufacturer, Pet-Ag will tell you this). You can order the Fox Valley at http://www.foxvalleynutrition.com/main/home.asp or at http://www.henryspets.com/

Depending on how dehydrated your little man is/was he may not have any extra to potty out yet. Have you been hydrating the little man between feedings with anything? If not, I would. It does not have to be a lot, but any extra fluids will help and if he does not need them, he'll pee them out...maybe even on you!! :D

Do you have him on a heating pad on low under half of his cage?
Have you had a chance to get a scale and weigh him?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more we know the better we can help.

Also, keep refreshing your screen so that you can always see the most recent responses.

[Milo's Mom]

Here is the recipie for the Goat's Milk Formula mentioned above.

1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup full fat yogurt (vanilla or banana if possible - they love them)
1/3 cup heavy cream

Until the FV arrives or you have a chance to get the supplies to make the Goats Milk Formula above do this with the Esbilac: Mix up JUST the esbilac powder and water and let it sit in the fridge for 8 hours. Afer 8 hours, blend it very well again and add the cream and yogurt to it. The manufacturer went to a different manufacturing process and now in order to re-hydrate the formula entirely, it needs to be mixed with HOT water and then left to soak for about 8 hours. It will help a little, but it is by no means a substitute for Fox Valley.

[ktec27]

Thank you all so much for the responses!

I feed/hydrate him ever 3ish hours. I have been giving him about 1 cc each time (is that enough?). I did warm him up before giving him anything to eat/drink, and I do have an heating pad under his cage that turns off automatically (and a water bottle I fill with hot water and wrap in blankets). I have only had him 1 full day, so maybe I should finish today with pedialyte, start with water tomorrow? I'll also make sure to get him some goats milk formula made.. I have been making the esbilac 3:1 with water being the 3. I make about a 1/4 cup at a time and leave it in the fridge for the days use. I am warming up all fluids before feeding him by running it under hot, hot water... I do test it on my wrist, so I know its a good temp!

I did check the spot that they have been falling down too... its in my backyard. But there was a day or so in between each baby being found.. so I'll make sure to check again tomorrow.

I do have a scale, I'll weight him at his next feeding and letcha all know.

I do think he was just rreealllly dehydrated and under fed when I found him... I hope to see poop/pee by the end of the day!

And I also read the 'should I raise the baby' thread... I'm very dedicated to him! And have already acknowledged this is much like a human baby! Just with less feedings though-out the night.. and no loud crying.. yet. I thought about finding a shelter of some sort... but since his family is from my back-yard I think it seems right to keep him close to home. :)

Any other info would be great, in the meantime I will look through other threads :)

[ktec27]

does the goat's milk need to be in a certain form? can I use evaporated or Pet AG Goat Milk Liquid.. or as long as its goat's milk its good?

[Milo's Mom]

Optimally the heating pad should be one that does NOT have the auto-shut off. Make sure it is set on low and only under 1/2 of his cage...if he gets too warm he has a cooler space to move to.

You can also make him a rice buddy. Place 1 cup uncooked rice into a tube sock and tie the top of the sock closed. Place in microwave for about 1 minute. Massage thoroughly to make sure there are no hot spots, the give to baby. It should feel nice and snuggly warm to you. This will give the baby something warm to snuggle with...like a sibling or mom would have provided in the nest.

The formula should be about 102* degrees, as this is the approx temp of a mother squirrels milk. Keep the formula warm when feeding too. Also, make sure to keep the baby wrapped in fleece or something warm while feeding so he does not get chilled.

You can try stimulating before and after feedings...some like to go before and some like it after...

Baby squirrels need to be fed AROUND THE CLOCK, not just during the daytime. This means every three hours ALL NIGHT LONG too.

Knowing his weight will be very helpful in figuring out how much he should eat.

[Milo's Mom]

does the goat's milk need to be in a certain form? can I use evaporated or Pet AG Goat Milk Liquid.. or as long as its goat's milk its good?

I'd just get it at the grocery store...it should be close to the milk in the refrigerated isle. I'll double check and leave you know.

EDIT: The Goats Milk can be powdered or liquid. Does anyone know where to get it? I've never had to purchase it, so I am not totally sure.

[grinn75]

I'm sure this is a dumb question but, are you stimulating him to get him to potty?

EDIT: Okay I see below where you said you are stimulating. Sorry, should read more thoroughly next time.

And if so, sometimes it helps to wet the Qtip, cotton ball, kleenex or whatever you're using. I've also sometimes had stimulate for more than a minute on and off to get them to go.

[ktec27]

I sleep about 7 hours... so I wake up mid-way to feed him. about 3 1/2 hours apart at night.. is that OK?

I would love to make him a buddy... but I don't have a microwave.

He also dis-likes the feeding device (I have tried a small syringe and small glass eye dropper) he rather suck on the cloth I have him wrapped in. should I use a nipple?

[CritterMom]

does the goat's milk need to be in a certain form? can I use evaporated or Pet AG Goat Milk Liquid.. or as long as its goat's milk its good?

Fresh, evaporated or dried, just mix it according to package directions first, THEN use it according to the recipe. Don't buy the Pet Ag goats milk formula - it is another version of esbilac, Buy HUMAN ingredients. Trader Joe's has fresh goats milk, most healthfoods do, too.

And use a 1cc syringe with a nipple. You can buy them the same place you can get FV, at www,henryspets.com.

[lila01]

I would stick to the pedialyte until he is peeing good! don't do water. his pee should be clear when he does go and not a yellow color! I'm sooo glad you are helping him!!! Good luck and keep up the good work!!!!:Welcome :thumbsup

[ktec27]

He did it! His first (teeny tiny) pee and poop! :D I'm so proud!!

[Milo's Mom]

He did it! His first (teeny tiny) pee and poop! :D I'm so proud!!

:thumbsup
We LOVE pee and poopies around here!!! :rotfl :multi :multi :multi :multi :multi

[SammysMom]

Yeah!!! :poop :poop :poop

[lila01]

:jump Yay!!! Way to go! How is he doing now???:poop :poop

[ktec27]

He is very sleepy all the time... but I figure that must be normal since he is so small and still developing?

He is also a very enthusiastic eater... and burrows like crazy...so cute!:crazy