One of the Babies Died, 2 remain

[treeman]

Got three babies last night and got them warmed up & on pedialyte. This morning started them on watered down formula. When I went to fetch the last one out of the nestbox, I found she had died in the night :(

These babies must be in worse condition than I thought. They are about 4-5 weeks and very skinny. They were found because yesterday they had been crying all day for their mother. They even scooted out of their nest onto a roof. We waited till dark but Mama never came. After this death, I can only conclude that Mama had been gone a lot longer than I thought.

The remaining two had been huddled around their dead sister. Rigor had set in and the body was pulling the warmth from the two living siblings. I put the 2 survivors in my other nestbox with "Jerry" (I got him on Monday and he is doing well...besides being an escape artist last night :shakehead )

I don't know why this baby died. They seemed so tired last night but all took the Pedialyte well. They are so skinny looking. What should I do for the surviving two? Go back to Pedialyte? Should I separate them from Jerry (he's a little bigger and moves around a lot)? :dono

[island rehabber]

treeman, this has happened to me and it's very sad. I wonder "why'd you wait until I took you in, warmed you and hydrated you, to up and croak on me??" The answer is that too much dehydration had already started to break down the little one's organs and the cells of her tissue. Introducing anything -- even Pedialyte, overwhelmed the system and shut it down. They may have been without mamma for 3 days, not just one.... :(
With the others, go slowly and keep re-hydrating. Add formula VERY slowly....1:4 dilution for 2 feedings, then 1:3 for 2 feedings, then finally the normal 1:2. Make sure they are very warm. :):thumbsup

[treeman]

Poor babies, I wish I had known they were so bad off and I would have been more careful. They were ready to guzzle that Pedialyte and I let them. I had it in my mind that a super-dehydrated baby would be totally lethargic and difficult to hydrate. They looked tired but really perked up for the syringe. :shakehead

So just stick to the water down formula 1:4 for next 2 feedings? No more Pedialyte?

Are they ok with Jerry? I put them with him because he can help keep them warm but he was sitting on them. He's about a week older. Can he smother them? The box is on half a heating pad too.

[Mrs Skul]

:sad
RIP
Little Baby
:grouphug Hang in their TreeMan Sorry for your Loss. :grouphug
What is the weight difference? Do they snuggle up to him?
Watch them close if you leave them to gather. They need to be strong enough to move away from him if he is squishing them to much, or gets to aggressive. Babies like to lay on top and as close as they can to each other.

[daniellenc]

I know people will disagree but for quarantine reasons I never ever ever house unrelated sibs together for any reason ever. I do see it is a common practice here though and my experience comes from kittens, puppies, and reptiles:D Everyone in my house has to pass a 90 day health test and fecal before they meet. First if one is sick and gets the rest sick that puts me in a financial dilemma covering vet bills for all- I am not rich. Second depending on what one has it's just not worth it for me to jeopardize the life of all- losing one is hard- losing all because you didn't quarantine is heartbreaking.

As far as the one who didn't make it- it's not your fault. Like IR said if their too far gone hydrating them overrides the system and they pass, but they would have passed without hydration as well. I went really slow hydrating our 5 because we knew per our neighbor they had heard them screaming for 3-4 days, but had I not had that info I couldn't have made that decision:)

[treeman]

To my relief, the surviving two were toasty, & alert when I went to feed them again. They both took about 2.5cc of 1:4 formula. Would have taken more but they started slacking off sucking so I cut them off. One left a little pinkish blood on the nipple but I think she is cutting her top teeth.

[treeman]

Jerry seems to be about 1/4 bigger, but the other two (they need names lol) are big enough to move away...cause I just noticed they were hot and moved to the cooler part of the box. Jerry doesn't seem to be bothering them but I will monitor.

I agree with the quarantine thing, especially if I had a ton of animals, but I'm not going to sweat it right now. Jerry seems to be in really good shape. If something happens, I have a vet that I could rush them to. I will be more mindful of it in the future though.

[Mrs Skul]

Some times they will suck the nipple so hard you see blood. It happens when they are starved or just a very Eager, Aggressive Eater.
One of mine did the same every time He ate, up to the time he was weaned. I am glad they were waiting for some food. Keep you in my Prayers. :grouphug

[stosh2010]

Do you have a weight on the little ones ?Every loss is mind blowing
...even the less-than-a-day ones.

[Chickenlegs]

Poor little guys. Would a little extra fluid between feeding help them or are they perky enough without? I'm so sorry about the little guy who didn't make it. it hurts a kind heart no matter how long you loved them.

[treeman]

The babies (Pickles & Chips) still seem to be doing well this feeding and were ravenous! Again about 2.5cc of 1:4. No blood this time. Trying to slow them down because they get going and then milk out the nose. I help this by giving one good pop-suck over their nose & mouth. Learned that from baby coonies because they are very bad about eating too fast.

Not sure on the weight but Jerry feels a good bit heavier. Jerry's eyes opened on Mon and these guys had theirs open yesterday when I got them, but still have that blueish tinge like it JUST happened. I'll weigh them next feeding.

I don't know enough to say whether or not they should get extra fluid between feedings. Should they?

I wrapped the poor sister in a shroud and buried her in the garden. :sad