Syringe - use elongated nipple or other?

[kristieb4]

My father and I were discussing which type of nipple would be best for little Twitchy. He is approximately 4 weeks old and is a gray squirrel. I think I've seen people post that they use an elongated nipple (the nipple on the top) but my father suggests that we should use the nipple on the bottom.

I think he's worried because when we feed Twitchy, he puts his hand around the syringe and practically puts the whole tip of the elongated syringe in his mouth completely... we don't want him choking himself! Is this an issue? Is the elongated nipple on the syringe okay or should we switch to the stubbier one? Also, I attached a picture of Twitchy just so everyone can get an idea of how old he is.

[CritterMom]

Dad wins. Much more natural shaped for baby squirrel!

[Nancy in New York]

I personally have always used the elongated nipples. The other one to me looks like a replacement nipple for a bottle.

[Scooterzmom]

I never had the short ones personally so I cannot really advise on that. If his eyes are not open yet I'd say Twitchy is about 4.5 weeks, his eyes should open soon from the look of it - hard to tell for sure with him being all curled up hehe :) He just looks ohhhh! so content :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Here's a link to Chris's Squirrels and More and it shows her favorite squirrel nursing nipple:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/chris-favorite-squirrel-nipple-set.html

[kristieb4]

I'm going to try to get a better picture of him today :Love_Icon I don't like moving him around when he's all cuddled up like that he's just too cute to disturb!
I can't wait for his little eyes to open!! :jump :jump

Thank you everyone for the fast replies!! :bowdown :thankyou :thankyou :bowdown

[Nancy in New York]

I'm going to try to get a better picture of him today :Love_Icon I don't like moving him around when he's all cuddled up like that he's just too cute to disturb!
I can't wait for his little eyes to open!! :jump :jump

Thank you everyone for the fast replies!! :bowdown :thankyou :thankyou :bowdown

What kind of formula are you using?
He is just too cute!:grouphug

[kristieb4]

Right now we are giving him a mix of goat milk (1 cup), yogurt (1/3 cup) with probiotics and cream (1/3 cup). We ordered the FV formula the day after we found in but we are in Canada so we have to wait for it to be shipped. Hope it will arrive very soon!!!:multi

We just adore little Twitchy! If possible, he is getting cuter by the day. I'm sure all squirrels are like that but I suppose I'm only really noticing it now since he is the first squirrel I've found. I definitely will never look at a squirrel the same way again, they are such precious little creatures!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Sounds good, that only lasts a little while in refrig...I think it's 48 hours, right? How long have you had him? They do get cuter, wait until his eyes open....:D Yup, once you have a squirrel you NEVER see them the same way again....ever!:grouphug

[kristieb4]

I found him Monday afternoon while I was jogging and saved him from a crow. Poor little guy but I'm glad I'm got to him when I did.

I thought the goat milk mix would keep for 72 hours in the fridge. Either way, this is the second day for that batch of formula so I will make him a new one tonight. My father is trying to tell me it is not spoiling and it makes no difference since the same ingredients are in the fridge: I told him that I read that even if you don't think it is spoiling it is and make a new batch. So I will make sure it's only kept for 48 hours. Also, when I receive the FV formula, does the same rule apply?

Either way I'm very persistent when it comes to his health and try to do my research. I did research when he was dehydrated (the second day we had him).. My father and I had a debate on whether to feed him the formula while he was dehydrated. He said yes to formula and I said no, pedialyte for 24hours until he is hydrated then we get him back onto his formula (I read many posts on the tsb that said do not feed until he is hydrated again). In the end, I won out.. I'm a stubborn squirrel mommy.:)

I've been spending a lot of time on here to learn the do's and don'ts and I'm still learning a lot and I really appreciate everyone's advice and being so caring!

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hi there, I have only feed babies with the long nipple, goes down the throat so there is less chance of the formula going into his lungs in my opinion.
He is a cutie, but we are going to need WAY more pictures.

[Scooterzmom]

Kristie:

Give me a call tonite. I'll see if maybe I can help you on the issue of the formula... maybe I can let you have some until your order arrives. ;)

[Nancy in New York]

I found him Monday afternoon while I was jogging and saved him from a crow. Poor little guy but I'm glad I'm got to him when I did.

I thought the goat milk mix would keep for 72 hours in the fridge. Either way, this is the second day for that batch of formula so I will make him a new one tonight. My father is trying to tell me it is not spoiling and it makes no difference since the same ingredients are in the fridge: I told him that I read that even if you don't think it is spoiling it is and make a new batch. So I will make sure it's only kept for 48 hours. Also, when I receive the FV formula, does the same rule apply?

Either way I'm very persistent when it comes to his health and try to do my research. I did research when he was dehydrated (the second day we had him).. My father and I had a debate on whether to feed him the formula while he was dehydrated. He said yes to formula and I said no, pedialyte for 24hours until he is hydrated then we get him back onto his formula (I read many posts on the tsb that said do not feed until he is hydrated again). In the end, I won out.. I'm a stubborn squirrel mommy.:)

I've been spending a lot of time on here to learn the do's and don'ts and I'm still learning a lot and I really appreciate everyone's advice and being so caring!

Here is what is in our nutrition section:
3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

I think that FV may be the same. When you get the FV do a slow transition. Meaning you will still use the GM formula and gradually add the FV. Everyone has a different way of doing it. I will explain what I do.
When you get the FV mix it up as per directions....then take your GM mixture and you add 1/4 FV to it, so that you have 3/4 GM and 1/4 FV. Feed like that for the next four feedings, and then go up to 1/2 GM and 1/2 FV for the next 4 or 5 feedings....then go to 3/4 FV to 1/4 GM for around the next 4 feedings and then go to straight FV. If you see any change in the poops, come on the board and we can adjust...I don't mean color, but consistency. Some is to be expected...but we do not want him getting really loose stools or getting constipated....:thumbsup :grouphug

[Rhapsody]

I use the elongated nipples on squirrels while their eyes are closed, but once they open their eyes and get some suction going I change over to the four paws nipple, which is similar to the nipple you have a picture of above...... all three nipples are sold by Chris's Squirrel & More.

[iwonka]

Here's a link to Chris's Squirrels and More and it shows her favorite squirrel nursing nipple:
http://www.squirrelsandmore.com/chris-favorite-squirrel-nipple-set.html


... and I have them at home. Please stop by my place tomorrow.
:Welcome

[kristieb4]

Thanks again iwonka for the syringes and the formula! His next feeding is coming up so I will start getting him used to his FV. :D

These are two pictures taken from today. Twitchy just loves his little rice buddy, he didn't even move while I was taking his pictures! He's such a sweetheart:Love_Icon I can't wait for him to meet his new little friend!! :wahoo :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Sorry about the quality on the first photo.. My digital camera makes the files too big so I had to take the picture from my phone from the laptop.. Will take them from the phone from now on when I'm uploading them to here!

[Kelly Brady]

Welcome kristieb4:wave123

You are getting wonderful advice and help here.

I wanted to say hello and have fun with you new little one.:D