Nibbler's not eating! Now he's making weird noises!

[Ghostie]

Nibbles hasn't been eating much, and he hasn't been defecating as much either, so I started him on the rehydration fluids, and a little olive oil to ease him if needed, and he poo'd a good five poopies in one go, and a bunch of completely round, completely black, hard dots (which was earlier this morning and before the five poopies) He's still refusing to eat even though I think I helped him with his constipation.

However, I put him back into his cage and he started making a frantic chirping noise and was shaking slightly. I took him out, and he bolted behind my pillow (as usual) so I let him relax for a minute, however, he started making the frantic chirping noise again, a little less frantic than the first time.

At this moment he's running back and forth, up and down my bed, all hyper as usual... I'm still concerned that he's not eating, and now he's making these noises.... :/ Any advice?

[island rehabber]

He is frightened about something -- that chirp is his way of screaming "MOM!". Lack of appetite is nearly always caused by dehydration. He may need more than he's been getting, which is why he is not hungry. Is he still on Esbilac?

[Ghostie]

He is frightened about something -- that chirp is his way of screaming "MOM!". Lack of appetite is nearly always caused by dehydration. He may need more than he's been getting, which is why he is not hungry. Is he still on Esbilac?


He's on that yes, mixed with the cream and yogurt until the FV comes in the mail, should I buy him goats milk tomorrow instead and see if that'll work until the FV comes in? His formula is mixed with the hydration fluids as well.

I thought he sounded scared, but I sat and talked to him and he kept crying, I feel so bad, but he's better now and is trying to play with me as I'm typing.

[brittznits]

im not a expert [far from it] but i asked about mixing the formula with he hydration fluid as i had the same problem with my baby.

you are NOT suppose to mix the two together, they're two different things. instead feed him alittle pedialite inbetween his formula meals.

[lila01]

Just thought I would let you know that I read on here never to mix formula with the rehydrating fluid! I'm no expert by a long shot but I do know that. Just wanted to let you know! Hope you baby gets better soon!!!:grouphug

[brittznits]

Just thought I would let you know that I read on here never to mix formula with the rehydrating fluid! I'm no expert by a long shot but I do know that. Just wanted to let you know! Hope you baby gets better soon!!!:grouphug

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Ghostie]

Just thought I would let you know that I read on here never to mix formula with the rehydrating fluid! I'm no expert by a long shot but I do know that. Just wanted to let you know! Hope you baby gets better soon!!!:grouphug


Thank you so much, I was researching and a website said to mix so and so parts of formula with so and so parts of the rehydration formula. He wasn't eating the formula, so he didn't get the bad mixture.

I have been giving him just the rehydrating fluids on it's own to help a bunch more than the formula, since he's not eating it.

I just don't know what to do to get him to eat. He's been poo'ing all over my bed, which is a nice change from his constipated state. So I'm not sure if he's still dehydrated or constipated still.

[brittznits]

Thank you so much, I was researching and a website said to mix so and so parts of formula with so and so parts of the rehydration formula. He wasn't eating the formula, so he didn't get the bad mixture.

I have been giving him just the rehydrating fluids on it's own to help a bunch more than the formula, since he's not eating it.

I just don't know what to do to get him to eat. He's been poo'ing all over my bed, which is a nice change from his constipated state. So I'm not sure if he's still dehydrated or constipated still.

i read that deydration often leads to constipation, if he's pooing everywhere he's not dehydrated (: but dont take my word for it! just a question, has he been eating the formula really well until he quit?

I also know that they wont eat unless they're warm and the forumla is warm.

jackie told me to make a rice buddy and put it in your hand, cover it and put him beside it while you try to feed him.

i hope your little guy starts eating again

[lila01]

you are so welcome! I'm a nervous squirrel mom too so I ask alot of questions! lol Glad I could pass that along!

[CritterMom]

Yes, don't mix the rehydration solution with the formula.

If he has gotten dehydrated it will dull his appetite, which makes him not want to drink, and he gets more dehydrated - it is a vicious circle.

You have been giving him rehydration fluid for a while, so try something else to rehydrate him - water with a little apple juice in it, or even water with a small amount of sugar in it - just something to make it a little more interesting than plain water. Give him some watermelon (lots of fiber PLUS lots of water - good for poops). Don't leave it up to him - syringe it into him.

When do you get the FV?

Oops - forgot - next time you are near a health food store - actually, Shws and Hannaford both sell it in the health food section of the store - pick up some Bach's Flower Rescue Remedy - the regular human type; the spray is the easiest but the one with the dropper is fine, too. When they panic like that (he heard something outside) you can spray the bottom of his hind feet (big target) and it will calm them bicely, Wonderful stuff.

[Ghostie]

I have tried the apple juice and a little melon, and we just bought watermelon today so I'll give him some in the morning, I'm hoping he calms down and goes to bed in a bit, since this is his normal sleep time. Oh, the formula is always warm :)

The problem, he's been eating just fine up until a few days ago, then he's been eating less and less, and I basically have to force feed him with the sryinge. He just refuses to take it like he used to. He used to love eating, and would go into a daze and basically gape... it was weird but he just loved to eat... now nothing.. He acts like he's just not hungry... He just seems so much more interested in play...

[CritterMom]

Independent little red squirrel. You already have the cream and yogurt; pick up some goats milk and try that. Squirrels seem to LOVE IT. Try one feeding of half goats milk formula and half the esbilac mix and if he likes it, you have your answer.

[Ghostie]

Independent little red squirrel. You already have the cream and yogurt; pick up some goats milk and try that. Squirrels seem to LOVE IT. Try one feeding of half goats milk formula and half the esbilac mix and if he likes it, you have your answer.

Okay, thank you so much. I'm just so worried...but he doesn't act like the little baby he was a week ago, cuddling with me and sleeping near the heating pad.. now he won't go near the heating pad, (Still clings to me though haha) Goats milk it is :)

[Ghostie]

I just got the Fox Valley in the mail today, and Nibbler loves it! He ate 3cc in a single sitting, which is more than he has been eating, and now he's sleeping sound once again. Hoping he starts to eat more in the days to come. So pleased with Fox Valley.:Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

Oh, YAY! FV is the bomb. Ahem. We could use some pictures.:poke :poke :poke

[Ghostie]

Oh, YAY! FV is the bomb. Ahem. We could use some pictures.:poke :poke :poke

I love FV, and I've ordered their Healthy Blocks, for squirrels under 9months, for when he's weaning.

[Ghostie]

The picture of his bootie is to show his tail, which is getting quite bushy <3

[Ghostie]

I'm trying to upload a video of him-

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001802252933

It should be there if it worked :)

[CritterMom]

Oh, my, he is so cute - those scrunchy little ears!

[Ghostie]

Oh, my, he is so cute - those scrunchy little ears!


He's a sweetheart. But I have a question - At his age, should I be giving him water through a syringe, or allowing him to drink on his own, from a bowl? The reason I'm asking is because he has a bowl in his cage, and I've seen him drink from it, however, he's became constipated and I had to feed him rehydration fluids, which he drank a little, and then he poo'd successfully. However, it's been two days since he recovered, and now he hasn't poo'd again, and I've had him out for hours, and not one poo. I've given him some diluted apple juice to get him to drink... But, he hates being forced to drink... Anyways, do you think he's drinking enough on his own or not, considering what I've just explained... Or should I just..force-drink him?