4-5 week baby squirrel won't pee

[Groomster73]

Found a baby squirrel yesterday have been hydrating it but have not been able to get it to go pee. I have done the wet towel and tried a q tip still nothing. What else can I do.
Thanks Greg

[CritterMom]

He likely is not completely hydrated yet.

If you have not started feeding formula, I would suggest starting now with a watered down version - 3:1 or even 4:1.

What are you planning on using for formula?

What have you been rehydrating with, and how much and how often has he been getting it?

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123 I have copied some advised info from elsewhere on TSB...please read it.
Can you give us some history, I know you just found her/him, so not alot of history huh!?!, but you know what I mean.
What have you fed him? is he on heat? how old is he?
and if you are not sure...please ask...we can help. and if it's possible, can you post a pic? That will help alot.

Here's some info...Thank you for helping the baby and Welcome to TSB!:wave123



Emergency Care for Baby Squirrels

Don’ts
Don’t try to feed the squirrel.
Don’t handle him more than you have to.
No loud voices, TV, music, or bright lights.
No children or pets in the same room!

1. Warm the Baby (never feed a cold squirrel!)
Quick Methods:
-Cup the baby in your hands or under your shirt next to your skin.
-Fill a plastic bottle with very warm water. Wrap in a cloth, place next to baby, and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.
-“Rice Buddy”: Fill a sock with 1 cup of rice or dried beans and microwave for 30 seconds. Place next to baby and cover him. Reheat every 2 hours.

2. Find a Box or Container[b]
A shoebox will do for small babies. A baby that can walk will need a larger box with a lid (with holes). Put a clean baby blanket, flannel shirt, or piece of fleece in the bottom of the box. No towels or terrycloth. Squirrels can get tangled in the loops. Place baby on the material and cover him with one flap. If you have a heating pad, turn it on low and place it under half of the box (not IN the box!) so baby can move away if he gets too warm. You can use the plastic bottle or rice buddy described above, but these are only temporary methods until you get a heating pad, since they must be reheated every 2 hours and won't keep baby warm all night.
NOTE: Monitor his temperature so he doesn’t chill or overheat. His feet should feel warm to the touch.

Note: If the baby is injured, is having trouble breathing, has fly eggs on his fur, or is very skinny or dehydrated, he needs emergency care by an experienced rehabber or vet.

3. Rehydrate the Baby

Most babies are dehydrated when you find them and must be rehydrated before you can feed them. Never feed formula or food of any kind to a dehydrated baby!

How to Check for Dehydration
Pinch the skin on the back of his neck. If it doesn’t spring back immediately, the baby is dehydrated. If the pinched skin stays up like a tent for more than a second, the baby is badly dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration: pale grayish gums, dry mouth, sunken eyes, whites around eyes showing, rough spiky fur, dry scaly skin.
NOTE: If baby is badly dehydrated, he will need subcutaneous fluids, which can only be given by a rehabber or vet.

[b] Supplies You Will Need: [b]
--Pedialyte (any flavor)*
--Plastic syringes (1 cc size; no needles. Ask the pharmacist to get these for you) An eyedropper can also work.
These are available at most drugstores.

*If you can’t find Pedialyte at the store, here is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte:

1 tsp salt (teaspoon)
3 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)
1 quart warm water
Mix all ingredients in warm water. Store in refrigerator.

How to Prepare the Pedialyte
Use a plastic syringe (with or without a nipple). Never use pet nursers or doll bottles. They will choke the baby. Fill a coffee mug with hot water. Fill the syringe with Pedialyte and place it in the mug for a couple of minutes. Squirt a drop on the inside of your wrist to make sure the liquid isn’t too hot. It should feel barely warm on your skin.

Proper Position
A tiny baby should be held upright in your hand. A baby with fur can lie on a flat surface on his stomach. A baby that can walk can be held upright or he can drink sitting up. Hold the syringe so the tip points UP to the baby’s mouth and the handle is down. Don’t let the baby get cold. Keep him wrapped up while he eats.

How to Feed Fluids
Place the syringe tip on the baby’s lips (from the side) and squeeze out one drop for him to taste. Don’t squirt a steady stream. Let him swallow one drop before squeezing more. GO SLOW! It sometimes takes a feeding or two for them to catch on. Hairless babies are fed drop by drop. With older babies (once they catch on) you can squeeze slowly for one second, wait for him to swallow, then squeeze more.

If fluids dribble out his mouth or come out his nose, you are going too fast. Stop and tilt the baby’s head down so the fluid drains out (support his head and neck like you would a human baby). Then wipe his nose and mouth with a tissue. Start over, slower. NOTE: There is now a chance your baby will develop aspiration pneumonia from inhaling fluid in his lungs. This is fatal. Please contact a rehabber or vet, or the people at The Squirrel Board, for assistance.
__________________
__________________
Island Rehabber
NY State Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator

[B]

[Groomster73]

I have been hydrating him with the home made pedialite. He's must be pretty old cause he has all his fur. His eyes are not open yet. He was found on the floor of my basement cold. I left him there for a couple of hours and the momma never came and got him. Sense them I have been keeping him warm and cuddled up and feeding him the pedialite every couple of hours.

[island rehabber]

I agree he's probably not hydrated yet. Only if he's sustained injury to his lower half (back or spine) would there be a medical reason why he's not peeing. If he moves his back legs, he is fine and he's just not hydrated yet. :)

[Groomster73]

Thanks for the info.
:jump

[Groomster73]

How long do I need to rub his nether area?

[Milo's Mom]

How long do I need to rub his nether area?

Use the tip of a tissue and just lightly tickle...do not stop if he starts peeing...keep going. You are trying to mimic a mother squirrels tongue. As for amount of time...once you get the "process" down (figure out what he likes to make him go) it should not take very long. Try before and after each feeding/hydration...some like to go before and others like to go after.

Although, like IR said he may not be hydrated enough yet to have any extra to pee out.

[Groomster73]

Well he finally went to the bathroom both pee and poo. He has diarrhea. Is that normal after all the liquid I have been feeding her?

[Milo's Mom]

Have you been giving the baby anything other than Pedialyte or the Homemade Pedialyte?

How often and how much have you been giving?

[CritterMom]

It is certainly possible. I would continue to offer hydration for a bit longer, too.

Do you have formula for this baby? If so, what is it? If not, a good temporary formula is:

3 parts goats milk (human quality, available at health food store)
1 part vanilla yogurt (I prefer Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt - it is full fat)
1 part heavy whipping cream

For the first few feedings, make this without the whipping cream, and if all goes well, introduce the whipping cream slowly over several feedings.

Purchase Fox Valley formula 32/40, at either www.henryspets.com or www.foxvalleynutrition.com. Henrys Pets has supplies such as 1cc feeding syringes and nipples as well.

[Groomster73]

I have been giving her a little esbilic formula in-between hydration.

[Milo's Mom]

Please STOP the Esbilac NOW. Since the manufacturer changed their process Esbilac is no longer recommended for squirrels. Many have died. I hate to be brutal and I am not trying to be mean, but please STOP the Esbilac and make the Temporary Goats Milk (GM) formula as Critter Mom posted previously. You can use the GM formula for several days while you await the arrival of Fox Valley formula.

Feeding Baby Squirrels
Originally posted by Island Rehabber, NY State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

In light of the recent problems rehabbers have been experiencing with Esbilac formula, it has been decided that the best alternative is Fox Valley 32/40. It may be ordered online at http://foxvalleynutrition.com/prod/d...p?CID=1&PLID=1 OR you may call in your order.
Nicholas P. Vlamis, President (Nick)
(800) 679-4666
If you call in your order and tell him you need it quickly he'll be happy to oblige. He can ship to you regular post 3-5 days and overnight. He's very nice and very easy to work with.
In the meantime you will need to feed your baby a home-made formula, but please for the sake of the baby, do not feed this for more than 4-7 days. It's a great temporary replacer milk but it lacks certain vitamins and minerals that the babies need to thrive. This recipe will ensure that your baby will be well nourished until your order from Fox Valley arrives. Jackie (Jackie in Tampa) has graciously offered her temporary replacement formula recipe.

Jackie's Goat Milk Recipe

1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt

Mix well and keep in a covered plastic or glass container in the refrigerator. Replace after 48 hours.

Please note, this website has several links that still mention Esbilac and we need to keep these links active as they do contain excellent information so please keep in mind that Fox Valley is now the formula of choice for raising baby squirrels.