How to reduce the risk of aspiration in young squirrels

[iwonka]

I found this on the web yesterday.. it's an old article.. However, I want to share and have your opinions.

http://www.ewildagain.org/pubs/squirrel_feeding_nipple.htm

Modifying A Feeding Nipple:

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[CritterMom]

That is a great idea! Someone should just MAKE a nipple like that!

[island rehabber]

That is a great idea! Someone should just MAKE a nipple like that!
They do: the Four Paws nipples at chris's squirrelsandmore.com are basically the answer to Shirley Casey's modified nipple as shown in the pic.

iwonka, Shirley Casey's methodology is near and dear to my heart. Her 2-day "Squirrel School", given at wildlife rehab conferences around the country, was where I learned basically everything about feeding baby squirrels properly. The "45-degree angle", the "under the muzzle on one side technique" and the "hold baby upright" techniques are all hers. I wish everyone could take that 2-day seminar; I swear you will never, ever aspirate a baby squirrel once Shirley gets through with you! :nono

[rygel1hardt]

I would love to be able to take the class but Im so far away. I have used the four paws nipples for ten or more years and love them. I use them for bunnies, possums, and squirrels. You can get them in a bag of 100 and it is a bit cheaper that way too. Stacey

[madtowntom]

They do: the Four Paws nipples at chris's squirrelsandmore.com are basically the answer to Shirley Casey's modified nipple as shown in the pic.

iwonka, Shirley Casey's methodology is near and dear to my heart. Her 2-day "Squirrel School", given at wildlife rehab conferences around the country, was where I learned basically everything about feeding baby squirrels properly. The "45-degree angle", the "under the muzzle on one side technique" and the "hold baby upright" techniques are all hers. I wish everyone could take that 2-day seminar; I swear you will never, ever aspirate a baby squirrel once Shirley gets through with you! :nono

The fours paws nipples require you to create the hole at the end of the nipple yourself - correct? The safety of the nipple is dependent on how good you are at cutting the hole correctly. How do others create the hole? We stopped using them at the wildlife center I volunteer at and switched to all silicone nipples that come with the hole pre-drilled. Mostly because people would cut the hole incorrectly and we ended up with a whole lot of aspiration pneumonitis. Interested in how others create holes in these nipples???

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I ordered mine from Chris and the holes were already in the nipple all I did was boil, put together and feed!!:thumbsup

[island rehabber]

I use a good sharp nail clipper to make the holes. I start very far out on the tip, and if the hole is too small (run water thru the syringe to see) I just clip a little more.
SSM, the ones you've got are relatively new -- I like 'em!

[madtowntom]

I ordered mine from Chris and the holes were already in the nipple all I did was boil, put together and feed!!:thumbsup

The ones in your picture are the pre-drilled silicone nipple adapted by cutting off the end of a four paws (or similar hubbed nipple) nipple and using both. That is what I have been using the last couple of years and they are fine but the nipples are a bit long and tend to gag, so I like the cat paws nipples, I just need to work on cutting the holes as IR suggested

[rygel1hardt]

I always had trouble with gagging when I tried the white nipples too but have been very happy with the four paws ones. I use very sharp scissors to nip off the very tip of the nipple and like IR said then run some water from a syringe through them to be sure they are working properly. Sometimes I have to cut off a bit more and then they work fine. Stacey