Baby squirrel milk mixture question.

[SmokeyMcPot]

I recently emailed a rehabilitation clinic for squirrels and they emailed me back a concoction that is as follows, and i was wondering if this was in fact a safe way to feed a baby.

• full fat goats’ milk
• full fat cows’ milk
• live natural plain yogurt
• Abidec toddler vitamin drops (or similar)

and they said it should be mixed like this

- Using two thirds goats’ and one third cows’, make up approx ¼ pint.
- Add one teaspoon of yogurt.
- Add 2-3 drops of Abidec.

i did have him on a powdered formula for puppies.
i started with just the hydrating solution and slowly weened him up to a more fulfilling water-to-formula ratio.

1st feeding 100% hydrating solution
2nd feeding 25% formula 75% hydrating solution
3rd feeding 50/50
and i made it to the fourth, 75% formula and 25% hydrating solution, and then the rehabilitation clinic responded and told me the regiment above.

my question is revolving around the sticky stating that it is unsafe to feed them cow's milk at all.
It wasnt until i used this mixture that he seemed to understand suckling from a needle-less syringe i imagine because it had more of a taste.

and another question, he's defecating fine. its a little dark but turning yellowish in color, i've only had him for about 34 hours. But he hasnt urinated yet. His gums are pink and his nose is wet and his mouth isnt dry, but he's tenting a little in my opinion. Should i stop the feeding and start administering the hydrating solution? and if so, how long should i keep him on just the solution?

He's very active and not lethargic in the least and seems to be doing alright, from my non-expert opinion. Haha

[SmokeyMcPot]

and i also meant to add that his eyes arent opened yet, but he's covered in fur from tail to nose, white peach fuzz on his belly. im guessing he's between 3-4 weeks old but im not completely positive

[Rhapsody]

We do NOT use cows milk as it does NOT have enough nutrition to sustain a squirrels life.
We recommend Fox Valley for the healthy balance diet of Squirrels.
link: http://www.henryspets.com/formulas/

Until your order of Fox Valley arrives you can use this homemade recipe of goats milk.

Homemade Recipe
1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Full Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream (frig section)

(lasts 72 hours in frig)

[cmmauer]

Please feed this to him:
***While waiting for the Fox Valley to arrive...

Temporary Formula for Infant Squirrels – The Goat’s Milk Formula

Because of recent manufacturing issues, Esbilac and other puppy formulas are no longer being recommended for squirrels or other wildlife. The formula that TSB recommends, Fox Valley Day One, is currently available online at www.foxvalleynutrition.com and www.henryspets.com. But those require shipping and this baby squirrel needs food NOW.

One of our senior members who posts as Jackie in Tampa uses an excellent temporary substitute, and it can be assembled from locally purchased ingredients:

3 parts goat’s milk
1 part heavy whipping cream*
1 part vanilla yogurt

Formula will last 48 hours in refrigerator.

Goat’s Milk
This can be purchased at natural food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and at most health food stores that sell groceries. It is a product for humans. Do not substitute commercial formula made for baby goats or other livestock sold at feed stores.

Goat’s milk is available fresh in a carton; evaporated in a can; and as a powdered milk. If you purchase either the evaporated or powdered versions, please blend them with water according to the package directions before using to make the formula.

Heavy Whipping Cream
This is found in small cartons in the grocery store near the coffee creamers and half and half. Regular heavy cream may be substituted if it is unavailable, but the heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, and is preferred.

Yogurt
Yogurt has beneficial bacteria in it that soothes and settles digestion. Full fat yogurt is best, and a good choice that is very widely available is Stoneyfield Yobaby yogurt. However if it is unavailable, a low fat vanilla yogurt may be substituted. Avoid those that have artificial sweeteners in them. Vanilla and banana are both popular flavors, and the sweet taste of the yogurt helps to convince the baby to accept it.

It has been recently discovered that very small pinky squirrels may do better digestively if, instead of being given Fox Valley formula straight, mix the Fox Valley 50/50 with the Goat’s Milk Formula assembled WITHOUT the heavy whipping cream.

*It is recommended that when just starting to feed a new baby that the first feedings be made without the heavy whipping cream. This will give their digestive systems a chance to acclimate from mama’s milk to our substitute without the harder-to-digest whipping cream. Once they accept the formula and are eliminating properly, the whipping cream can be gradually added in.

When your Fox Valley formula arrives, please transition your babies to the new formula slowly, by blending the Goat’s Milk Formula with the blended and liquefied Fox Valley formula, increasing the ratio of Fox Valley with each feeding until you are no longer using the goat’s milk.

I am not sure about the hydrating formula. someone else will probably put that on in a little bit.:Welcome

[SmokeyMcPot]

Okay, great. Thank you.

And about his urinating? Im stimulating him with a wet-warm cue tip and he's defecating okay, but not urinating yet.

[Rhapsody]

about his urinating? Im stimulating him with a wet-warm cue tip and he's defecating okay, but not urinating yet.
How many hour has it been since he first drank any thing?
Are you feeding enough..... 5-7% of his body weight? --every 4 hrs
Does he have any scabs formed over his pee pee area?

[SmokeyMcPot]

i've had him for about 36 hours and i fed him as soon as he warmed up. i have him in a tissue box lined with a pillow case with a heating pad underneath it. I understand body temperature is supposed to be around 99F

he doesnt have any scabs blocking his urethra

and i've actually been feeding him every 2-3 hours, more towards 3. With a half a cc of hydrating solution every other feeding. Since im not going to have a scale until tomorrow morning, i've just been feeding him about 2 cc's each go. He will suckle naturally half the time, and the other half he seems to try to resist the actual feeding. But i definitely coax him to swallow, and im being very mindful not to let him aspirate. Sometimes a feeding takes up to 30-45 minutes.

A cat drug him up and besides a few surface scratches on his back right leg there are no other signs of injury. he crawls fine, moving all legs equally.

he seems to actually take to the hydrating solution better than the actual feeding.

[SmokeyMcPot]

lets say that he is in fact dehydrated, and thats why he isnt urinating. Would i substitute an entire feeding using the hydrating solution? or give him a little of both?

[Itchiku's dad]

If a cat has scratched him please post in life threatening about it. He WILL NEED antibiotics, and one of the rehabbers will be able to give you the information you need.

[Rhapsody]

Please NEVER mix his formula and his hydrating mix together...... you can alternate the in between feddings, but never at the same time.

feed the goat milk recipe at one feeding, until you can get some fox valley
then feed the homemade pedialyte at his next feeding to help hydrate him, 12 hrs.

Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

How to Check for Dehydration:
Pinch the skin on the back of the neck - if skin doesn’t spring back immediately the baby is dehydrated. (hydrate 24 hr max)

[SmokeyMcPot]

But its not life threatening. I took him to see a veterinarian this evening and although she couldnt provide me with a feeding regiment she did assess his health. Its just up to me to provide the care needed for him to get better. There are no rehabilitation centers anywhere near my immediate area, and it would take alot for me to get to the closest one. Hell, i live 25 miles from a wal mart. in the middle of nowhere.

So lets just answer the questions that i have. Im not being selfish, nor am i being ignorant about his well-being. When he gets of age im releasing him, i dont have plans to keep him. that would be cruel.

having said all of that, i believe i posted this thread in the correct forum. Please just try to answer the questions i have to ensure that this little baby is taken care of properly.

[SmokeyMcPot]

Please NEVER mix his formula and his hydrating mix together...... you can alternate the in between feddings, but never at the same time.

feed the goat milk recipe at one feeding, until you can get some fox valley
then feed the homemade pedialyte at his next feeding to help hydrate him, 12 hrs.

Homemade Pedialyte
1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

How to Check for Dehydration:
Pinch the skin on the back of the neck - if skin doesn’t spring back immediately the baby is dehydrated. (hydrate 24 hr max)

thanks alot.
i've searched and searched for the correct ways to care for them and they all seem to say something different. and this is where i stop looking, im just going to listen to you guys.
this is the first time i've ever had to do this, and i would do it again if i had to. But i wouldnt ever suggest doing this to anybody. Its alot to take in, not to mention its alot of work along with worry.

[Rhapsody]

You can read about releasing them here:
http://mothernaturesrescue.webs.com/release.htm

[island rehabber]

Smokey, thank you for rescuing this baby and for wanting to do the best job for him you can. You are most certainly in the right place.

Itchiku's dad made a VERY important observation: a cat's mouth and claws carry a host of diseases that are lethal to rodents (big surprise, right?). Rehabbers typically treat any animal coming in who has even been touched by a cat with a course of antibiotics, particularly Sulfatrim (aka Bactrim, SMZ-TMP) or Baytril. See if the vet who saw your little guy yesterday would prescribe it for you -- if necessary we can easily provide the strength and dosage needed. The infections from cats sometimes take 1-2 weeks to manifest themselves; you'll think he's doing great until...he's not. :(

Other than that, the Goat's Milk formula and Fox Valley recommended will help you grow this little one into a beautiful healthy squirrel. And BTW....we LOVE pix :poke :D

[SmokeyMcPot]

k, ill put some pictures below this. (: and thanks to all of your help, he's urinating and defecating just like he's supposed to and no longer tents when you pinch his skin.
I will definitely take him back to the family vet today and see what they can do about prescribing him some antibiotics.
Thanks you guys.

This was right after i got him
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/418663_3794521056423_892181143_n.jpg

The morning after i got him.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/297366_3797226764064_1317964639_n.jpg

[Anne]

That is differently one good looking baby squirrel!!
Glad you found TSB, you don't need to go anywhere else!

[ZonaB]

:D :D I have two the same age! Aren't they wonderfull!
In relation to the peeing I find that viva paper towels (at wal-mart) is the only thing my spoiled little girls will go for! It's the kleenex brand napkins so its super soft and keeps me from getting covered in pee!
He is so cute!
Heres to sleep deprivation, losing a third of your day, and being thrilled about it!
:wahoo